markisrn

Graduate 2010, You might consider getting yourself accepted into a college that has ROTC and Nursing. This will get your tuition paid and get you a commission. I think this may ultimately be a quicker route to BSN than getting your ADN, getting a direct commission. I am an ADN nurse who joined the reserves in the STRAP program and also have health care loan repayment. The ARMY will pay your previous loans as long as you keep them in good standing, keeping them deferred or never miss payments etc. They will pay up to 50,000. You most likely won't want to go in to the ARMY as an LPN because they don't recognize LPNs and you will end up a medic, which is OK if that is what you want, but it may get you deployed before you can consider going to school. Hope this helps. Mark

Graduate 2010, I think that you have to be an RN to do STRAP, but I could be wrong. There may be other options available to you as well. I would talk to an AMEDD recruiter and make a plan, and no you are not too old. I think they will take you at 42 even. I got in at 46, but had 6 years prior service that was subtracted from that. Bless you for wanting to serve. Mark

More on this...I know that MSN is your destination, but they will probably require you to get your BSN along the way if you are going in as a nurse.

I wouldn't go that way. I am a STRAP officer in the reserves getting my BSN. I got loan repayment in my contract too. All I had to do was ask. I would go Reserves, STRAP and loan repayment, but others may differ. Good luck

Probably 60 days. That how long my orders took.. Congratualtions!!

You can take a direct commission in the Army Reserve as an ADN and finish your BSN while you are in. Check out the STRAP program. That is what I am doing.

I suggest to search your soul and see where your thoughts and feelings are coming from. Being a self-proclaimed pacifist will definitely throw up a road block for you, as a matter of fact, it is a question that you will be asked. Think about what it is you are against. Many people have given their lives to afford us the freedom we enjoy. Do you realize that in most countries of the world, you can't speak out about what you are against openly without fear of serious repercussion? I know this sounds cliche, but it is as true as the day is long. This country was that way at one time too. Our forefathers stood up against all odds in the revolution, to fight a war that they should have never won, against the largest fighting force of the world. It was suicide by all accounts, yet they did it, and because of that, we don't have to be afraid of what we say. People loose sight of what our armed forces represent. It's all about freeedom. I am proud of you for entertaining the idea of serving your country and for asking about it here. Thank you! Being a nurse that serves the needs of this nation is a heroic act. People need to engage in society and do their part. It's easy to stand by and let others step up. If you decide against joining the armed forces than engage in some other way that you can abide by. Volunteer at a free clinic or something. I just got back in after being out for 23 years and feel blessed to have the opportunity. I wish I'd never gotten out in the first place, but hind sight and all... God Bless. HOOAH.

I am an 0-2 in the Army Reserve with an ADN. I am getting my BSN online through the Army STRAP program. It's a sweet deal. I get 1905.00/mo stipend and I am doing the healthcare loan repayment. I am able to do this and continue to work my full time job. I would advise if you want to serve, then get in now and get some help with the cost of school. I am prior service infantry and am proud to be serving again. God bless America...HOOAH!

corvettels2, I was told if I go 1/2 time that I wouldn't be attached to APMC anymore and that I would be assigned to a unit. Are you attached to APMC and half-time? Thanks in advance for your advice. Markisrn

Brian, I did the DODMERB physical too. It takes time...lot's of it...Be patient, but at the same time demand answers from your recruiter. Ask for his boss if you need to. Good luck and don't worry until you actually hear something to worry about.

Corvettels2, I am wanting to switch to half time STRAP and you have already given me some great advice..thanks. I am attached to APMC, I asked one of the MAJs about it and she said "It is not mandatory to stay a full time student but your are protected from mobilizations as full time"..... Do you think that is true that you could be mobilized if you went half-time? I am not concerned about being mobilized in general, but I want to finish school first. Also, I saw in your previous post about getting STRAP stipend through the summer even when not taking classes. I thought that USAREC Reg 601-37, chapt 22-1, e said "....50% of the credit hours required for a full time, year round student.." How do I interpret that? I'd like to take summer off to go to OBLC if possible. Thanks, Mark

Corvettels2, that's great. Is the unit that you drill with medical? The only one near me is a Transportation unit. I wonder if I could drill with them? Another question..are you using loan repayment too. I am. I wonder how that plays in? I imagine you can still get a student loan for 1/2 time. Do you know? Thanks

Thanks for the info

I am in STRAP now, but does anyone know if I have to stay a full time student. Can I go half time?

Welcome to the fold LT. Congratualations! I agree with Jeck on the 30-60 days, providing your recruiter got your packet HRC.

Make sure you are talking to an AMEDD recruiter. Whoever told you that you needed to go to a brick and mortar school is out of touch. DIC Harwould's info is right on the money though. Good luck to all

Re: First hand information on the Army Reserve STRAP program I was told that I could not and that it had to be a brick and mortar school. Sitting in class. I had wanted to do an online program, but found a school which holds classes only one day a week for 18 months. I am a STRAP nurse working on my BSN. I commissioned in MAY 09. Online school is fine as long as your school is accredited. To all of you...it's a long, long haul to get all of your paperwork in and get things going. I still haven't received a dime in pay, but it will happen soon and will be retroactive to my May swearing in date so I am not worried. I think this is a good way to go if you want to serve your country and complete your degree. School online has been great. I am a full time student and I still work full time too. It's a lot of work, but quite doable. Good luck

I am a STRAP nurse in the Army Reserve working on my BSN online. I also have opted for healthcare loan repayment. It is the common way to go. I am a full time student and I work full time as well. I am a busy, busy guy, but it can be done. So far, I am pleased with this solution. Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.

Just make sure that it is meaningful and memorable to you. Mine was a simple, outdoor ceremony with friends and family.

I agree with your logic and hope it works out for you. Don't give up, even if you have to wait for the BSN to be complete. By the way, I grew up in Benton and am quite familiar with RLC. It is a good school.

All I know for sure, is if you are at all interested, you won't fare well by waiting for the recruiters to contact you. You gotta be on the top of there mind every moment from now on. The old "squeaky wheel" addage definitely applies. Good Luck

I am a STRAP officer, 1st LT, in the Army Reserve. It's a pretty sweet deal. I commissioned May 26th. My orders just came through this week so I should be getting my stipend checks pretty soon. They will be retroactive as of my commisioning date. As someone else said, it is 1900.00 or so monthly. My job is to finish my BSN, which I am doing online full time while I also work full time. I am pretty busy, but it is certainly doable to do both. As far as recruiters, some are better than others, but either way, always be on top of your own situation and don't wait for stuff to happen on its own. This is my second time in the Army, first being in the infantry, and I had one good recruiter, and one not so good. Also, if you start the process, be patient. It can be a slow road to get everything in line. I applied in Jan 09 and commissioned May 09. The main thing to ask yourself is "Is my primary goal to serve?" If the answer is yes, then you will put up with whatever is necessary to get here.

Hear you loud and clear on the good fitting boots. thanks! What brand and type of boots are the best. I heard the Altama Exospeed were a good choice. Any opinions.

Sorry about calling you a he. Happy to answer any questions that I can along the way.

Diva-RNMom24, Best of luck. Hang in there with this long, long process. It'll all get done eventually. I commissioned May 26th and am waiting for orders. In the meantime, I continue to go to school waiting for the STRAP money to start to roll in. It will be a month tomorrow. I hope they get here soon, but there is no way to tell. I understand it could be another month still, but it is what it is. My past experience with the Army reminds me that it takes forever to get anything started and forever to get anything stopped. That's just the way it is.