anewchapter

Thanks so much for your input...

First off- THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INPUT!!!! I've been in the Air Force for 4 yrs and am now transferring to the Army (not because of not liking the AF). It has been a great 4 yrs. I can only comment on the AF and not the Navy so: 1. Depending on the bonus requirements you can join from 3-6 years (it changes frequently) and after your commitment it's up to you. You can resign your commission at any time, unless you accept any school training or other commitments. Also, make sure you apply early in the fiscal year, usually in Oct or Sept, new fiscal year start in Oct, because they have been known to run out of bonus incentives. 3-6 years? not bad..by then I'll be 27-28... 2. Deployments for the AF has gone from 4 mo to 6 mo. We are doing more deployments with the Army, those can be 8 mo. I heard the deployment in the Navy is longer.. 3. Unless you are with the Army, and even then, most nurses in the Air Force are not exposed to the combat. Are certain are you on that? 4. The AF requires a PT test once a year. When you go to Commissioned Officer Training at the beginning, it is only for 4 weeks and it is not hard. So, no, the physical fitness is not difficult, but important that you stay in shape and pass. Well, I'm 5'2" ft & weigh 105 Lbs.....but I work out a lot so I think I'll be okay. 5. As to advantages and disadvantages, it's a great place to be once you learn military life. I have no complaints, but just like any job you have drama. It's what you make it. 6. The AF, as well as, all the DOD discourage sexual harassment and you do training every year. They have a zero tolerance policy. Being a female is not bad in the military and as a nurse you are around more females then males. When you are not deployed it is pretty much like working for a civilian hospital or clinic. Oh, I was quite concern about this issue....thanks! Good luck on your decision!

First and foremost, this is an awesome site for nurses and soon to be graduates.....! I've read a couple of threads regarding my concerns and found them to be quite useful. Thanks..but still I have plenty of questions. Next, realizing that I will be graduating a year from now...I've made up my mind that I don't want to stay where I am. I'm currently 24 and residing in Oshkosh, WI. It's a small town....and I just feel the need to take the next chapter in my life....away from here.....from this state....I have nothing to hold me back nor tie me down........So, instead of following the more traditional route of graduating and working in a med surg unit...I want to take on something else......a career path that will enable me to travel around the world. Initially, I looked at Navy Nursing....the sign on bonus, tuition repayment, and monthly 1,000 for 24 months sounds appealing....but after reading more about the two type of nursing......from the sound of it.....Air Force might be more suitable for me......but I am still not ruling out Navy Nurse all together. My questions are for both NAVY nurse and AIR FORCE nurse (Now take into consideration that I know absolutely nothing about military terms, concepts, rules, regulations, etc- so I might sound clueless as to what I'm about to ask): 1. What is the minimum number of years you are required to commit to any of the branches if you enlist yourself in the program or is it for life.....every so number of years...(even after reading other threads...I am still confused)? 2. And what is this about deployment? Which branch (navy or air force) is more likely to be deployed? And if are you deployed....for a approximately how long each time? 3. And from what I've read....navy nurses are more likely to enter the "combat zone" vs. Air force nursing??? 4. As navy or air force nurse...do you have to go through physical training camps? 5. Any disadvantages or advantages of one over another? 6. A big concern of mine....and rather silly question to ask.....As a female....is it safe to be working in these type of conditions......I mean....seeing how these branches are mostly male dominated??? Do female navy/air force nurses deal/come across a lot of sexual remarks/abuse? There's more questions I have....but I'm planning on talking to a navy nurse and air force nurse recruiter.....I was hoping to get more info before I talk to them about it so I won't sound like a complete idiot. LOL. Thanks in advance.