bramwell1

Actually, I agree with your clarification. I suppose it's true that you don't technically lose your constitutional rights and I am guilty perhaps of promoting this misconception. I really had no problem with this when I was in the military. Being held to a higher standard was no big deal. However, I still hold that with the addition of the UCMJ it can amount to in effect the same thing. I probably did not convey this idea very well, however well intentioned my advice was.

Thanks for the info. It gives me hope. Talk about working a deadline though. I'll keep myself in shape and keep plugging forward hoping for the best. I'd prefer to go Navy as I have experience with that branch of the military, but I'd also go Army if they would have me. I just want to serve and finish my time that way in nursing. Thanks again for responding when no one else would.

not to be disrespectful but there are other things you can do as a nurse and still serve your country. If hair is an issue regardless of race or gender then don't do it. Not because I am trying to be mean. I actually am not, but because you are putting yourself in a position to be treated very badly if you have issues of righteous indignation on things as simple as hair. You are setting yourself up to have someone not like it even if it is allowed at some point and your unwillingness to conform to their ideas will be a long and painful torture that you will not be able to fight like in the civilian world. You actually give up many of your consitutional rights when you join the military. I don't know if you knew that. Honestly, I know they offer scholarships and such to recruit you, but if having dreadlocks is that big an issue...let it go. get another job where you get to keep your hair, don't have to conform, and still help others. If you still enter otherwise....I pity how you are going to feel in a short amount of time.

OK, I have been trying to get a solid answer to this question. So far by my investigations it isn't promising. However, I can't get a nursing rercruiter to respond. I just want to know is this possible? I am a 6 year veteran of the Navy. I have a college degree already and would be going through the accelerateed BSN to get my second bachelors in nursing. When I graduate I will be 47. I know numbers wise it seems old, but I don't feel old, and I have always been kicking myslef for not finishing up my service in the military. I deeply miss serving my country. I understand that the Army has raised the retirement age to 62, but this may be for enlisted only. On the other hand, I understand medical personnel are treated different for age of retirement. Under my thoughts, as long as I get in prior to my 48th birthday I could retire at 62 with 20 years. First, can this even be done? Or have the numbers simply got too high? Finally, if i can't get in that way. Would it be advantageous for me to enlist in the reserves as enlisted (as I still meet their number requirements I believe) and then once I have my Nursing degree, see if I can be changed to an active duty nurse at that time. I'm looking foir any option that can get me to my goal. If there simply is none.....then I guess I just have to accept it. But I'm hoping that where there is a will there is a way. Anyone who actually knows the answer to my question would be welcome to comment. Thanks.