Gazi

how can I confirm the loans are eligible?

For those of you who have correct info, can you please post what you know each branch is currently offering (as of 08/10) as far as sign on bonuses/loan repayment/commitment? For example I believe the following is currently true (if not please correct me), Air Force 4 year commitment: $30k Bonus 6 year commitment: $25k Bonus + $40k Loan Repayment

Thanks. How long does it typically take to move up through the ranks? (O1->O2-> etc.) What factors determine who is promoted in rank? Is this purely based on time, or can someone with minimal years be promoted much quicker than the rest? (ie O3 within 2 years, or O6 within 6 years, etc.) Other than pay, what are the benefits of moving up through the ranks?

I have some questions regarding taxes if anyone is in the know: Someone told me soldiers don't pay tax for anything. Is this true? (ie If I buy a car or house am I exempt from paying taxes? How just a general item like a notebook or clothing?) Does anyone know how to determine the amount of taxes that's deducted from a soldiers base pay? (assuming that food and housing are not taxed) Does it depend on the home state? Would the soldier be exempt from any of the taxes civilians pay (ie medicare, etc)? Thank you

What determines the amount a soldier's base pay is taxed? (ie where you're stationed, single/married, etc). Where can I find info on how to calculate how much I would be taxed? Can anyone comment regarding the validity of this info listed on http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/nurse/corps_benefits.jsp: "ARMY NURSE ACCESSION BONUS You may be eligible for an sign-on bonus of $20,000 or $30,000. ACTIVE DUTY HEALTH PROFESSIONS LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM (ADHPLRP) As a participant in this program, you can qualify for up to $120,000 to repay your nursing school loans. Under this three-year program, you could receive up to $40,000 annually for qualifying educational loans. You may opt to accept both the an accession bonus of $10,000 and the ADHPLRP. SPECIAL PAY Provides up to $30,000 ($10,000 per year for a maximum of three years) to nurses with a BSN, MSN, DNSc or Ph.D. in nursing." Army vs. Air Force Questions Although all branches of the military share the same base pay for similar ranks, the Army pays nurses $10k more per year, and offer up to $120k for school loans (vs. Air force's $40k). Does this indicate they currently have a higher demand for nurses, or does the Army simply have more resources? Does anyone have info regarding the commitment requirements for the Army as it applies to School Loan Repayment and Bonuses? Are there any benefits for a nurse to joining one branch of military over another? It seems the Army offers much more as far as loan repayment for someone in my position. I'm assuming there's a hidden tradeoff here. Judging by casual conversations I've had with my sister I get the feeling the Army will be less "understanding" toward my career goals, whereas the Air Force will provide more opportunities to put myself in the right positions to pursue my CRNA (ccu experience, grad school, etc.). I have no valid reason for that claim. Please correct me if I'm wrong. On the other hand, the Army may make graduate school more pursue-able due to their higher demand of nurses and probably specialized nurses. Or the exact opposite, "Graduate school is not an option right now, we need you as a nurse".

Carolinapooh, thank you so much for your detailed responses! I feel much more confident getting real life answers from someone who's actually been through all of this! Believe it or not it isn't uncommon for BSN students up here in the NY/NJ/CT tristate area to be hired at around $75-90k first year out of school. Add to that some OT and per diem gigs and you can easily break into 6 figures annually. As you pointed out though, it's all relevant considering the cost of living and taxes up here. I believe roughly 35% of our check is deducted. With this in mind a full time position up here at $80k equates to not much more than an O-1's salary (including food and housing allowance). Is a soldiers pay exempt from taxes, or only to a certain extent? I came across a thread with this some info regarding Loan repayment + Bonus. Please correct me if any of this info is wrong or is no longer valid: 3 year active duty commitment = No Loan Repayment + No Bonus 4 year active duty commitment = Loan repayment (up to $40k) + No Bonus 6 year active duty commitment = Loan repayment + Bonus I'm not sure how much the Air Force Bonus actually is. I believe I read it was $20-$35k. Also, is the Air Force Bonus a lump sum payment? My brother-in-law's $20k Army bonus is scattered over 4 years. This wouldn't be very helpful in my situation regarding my college loans. Is there an inactive duty commitment required after the 3,4 or 6 year active commitment? I'm not familiar with these terms, can someone please explain tax free entitlements of BAS and BAH are? Thank you all so much for your help!

I'm entering my senior year of college and will have my BSN by this time next year. I have more than one reason for wanting join the military. As I approach graduation, College Loan Repayment, Future Education opportunities and Salary are some of my biggest concerns at the moment. I will eventually go and talk with a medical recruiter but I'd like to go in somewhat informed as I don't know much about these areas. Please bear with my questions and I appreciate any help you can give! I hope with these questions I don't come off the wrong way. These areas of concern that I express are not the only reasons why I'm considering joining the military. As I prepare to graduate and enter the real world these are major concerns in my life right now. How sweet it would be to be able to serve my country all the while simultaneously furthering my career. College Loans: 1. I read on both the Army and Air Force websites that new-grads can qualify for up to $120,000 in loan repayment over 3 years (max $40k per year). Does this mean they will pay all loans up to $120k? (I will have approximately $90k in loans total from a state college by the time I graduate if that matters) 2. Is there any "catch" to loan repayment? (ie for every year the military repays my loans do I owe the military a certain # of active duty years in return, etc.) Future Education: 1. My goal after graduation is to become a CRNA or possibly an NP. Will joining the military hinder or benefit me in any way to achieve that goal? (will I be put on a track to achieve this goal such as being positioned in a critical care setting and gaining experience to ready me for grad school) 2. Does the military have their own exclusive CRNA or NP program or will I attend a civilian grad school? 3. Will the military pay for grad school as well as continue paying my normal salary? 4. Similar to my loan repayment question, is there a "catch" for the military putting me through grad school? (ie for every year of grad school they put me through I owe in return a certain # of active duty year, etc.) Salary: 1. Is the salary for all officers the same or is there a differential for nurses? (After looking at the Officer pay grade chart I've noticed that the salary for an O-1 is almost 1/3 what some of my friends are making in the civilian world with their BSN) This is not such a big deal when considering loan repayment, grad school costs, etc. but it is an area I'm a little cloudy on. 2. Does salary and loan repayment become intertwined/overlap in any way or are they two separate entities? (ie if the military is repaying my college loans will I receive a lower salary?)