j.graham

sure, there is a chance... If you have civilian ed experience, and if you are brought on board with M5 designator.

If you have already signed, it may be too late to bargain for your duty assignment. The career assignment manager will be in touch to let you know duty assignment, but probably 1 month before OBC. Tell them you want to volunteer for next deployment rotation to Baghdad. It might actually be hard with the press that we have been getting. During your six years you may deploy 2-3 times, the later is probably true. . The recruiters didnt give you a "wish list" for duty station?

Do you owe the military time? Make duty assignment part of your contract, and stand firm. These ANC's I know, same rn school, wanted same duty station, werent going to be given it. Stood there ground an said we arent coming in then. They gave them their request. Get what you want up front. Make your stand now, because as a junior officer, you will pay later. :) JG

BTW - If you want to go to Germany, that can be arranged through your recruiter, and dont accept anything less. Go with Modern Arabic, differing dialects everywhere, but it covers most bases.

CPT M and all, I am honored to walk in your footsteps, and you would be proud of the good work we are doing here. I deployed from Ft. Bragg, so I know some of your colleagues. I have a video on my myspace acct that has pics from your deployment. Anyway- 6 months on the floor is the vibe I am getting, it is just a guideline, and really you could go at anytime. If you went to civilian nursing school you may have an ace in the whole. You may be able to call some shots. Find out through recruiter (if they know) who is up next on rotation to iraq, then make that part of your deal. farfetched maybe, but give it a shot. They will accomodate. Remember, you call the shots at first. I regret not getting jump school as part of my contract. I will go when I get back to Bragg. Drink a Guinness for me- jg

sorry, got impatient before, and hit post reply too much....

Hello from Baghdad, My name is Jason, and I am currently working in the EMT (ER) of Ibn Sina Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. I am currently deployed with the 28th Combat Support Hospital. As well as working in the EMT Section of the hospital here, I am also part of our flight team which is made up of M5's and 8A's (ED and ICU RN's). We have 4 or 5 M5's who have flown approx. 35-40 missions to Balad. The EMT personnel fly head trauma, because Balad has Neurosurg capabilities. Our ICU personnel fly also but more flights than us because they fly American Soldiors to Balad for transfer to Germany. We as a guideline dont do point of injury flights unless we are on way back from transport mission. Flight Medics run the show. We take care of patient during transport but the Flight Medics are in charge of the back of the airframe. The Army does have a course for Nurses for flight at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. Called the Joint Enroute Care Course- was fun. As for foot patrols, never heard of nurses going on them. I am in the "Green Zone" of Baghdad. Dont let the name fool you. There is insurgent activity here. Definitely not that of the "red zone". Just more covert. We do get mortered, rocketed, and have our dose of indirect fire. When you leave our FOB you have to take your weapon. No big deal. I can tell you it is easy to become complacent here with all the amenities. However, what is gained in amenities is quickly made up for with all the GSW's, fragmentary wounds, blast injuries, tramatic amputations, and burns that we see on a daily basis. I may have left stuff out, but you get the idea. I have worked a number of ED's in the US, and nothing in the world compares to this experience. Any specific questions feel free. CPT JGraham

I work in emergency department, rotating 3 month nights/ 3 months days (12 hours) 3 days one week, 4 next week army nurses are considered "mission essential personel," so there is call schedule in case someone calls out, or if there is a mass casualty event. If we dont answer our phone in such circumstances, the hospital may send someone to come get us. Plus you may have added duties, scheduling, education, etc... Hope this helps, jason

Hope everythings going well for you... You wont have a problem. Ive seen you as a soldier, and if you are as squared away as a nurse, you'll be runnin circles around 'em. I'm currently inprocessing to Ft. Bragg, and will start inprocessing to Womack next week. Some of my fellow soldiers from the ED have already taken me out. I'm going to enjoy my time here. I dont start to pick up shifts for another month. Good Luck, let me know how you are doing. Jason

I dont have any advice on female boot preferences or AF COT, but if you dont get the replies your looking for, check Military.com. It has forums for all the branches, the army discussion forum even has topic area regarding uniforms. good luck JG

Looking forward to the new challenge Hope you are all well Happy New Year Jason

Angela- deployments- could be as much as 18 months risks - death benefits - taking care of men and women who protect our freedoms and those of other countries. Taking part in history, not watching it unfold on TV. Pay - http://www.dfas.mil/money/milpay/pay/proposed-paytable2005.pdf you would be a First Lieutenant unless you have prior RN experience. Settings - There are combat medics for situations that you might be inferring. However, there's always a chance of coming under fire... unfriendly or friendly. My friend who is a reservist is in Germany at a medical center in the E.D., which is probably equals level one or two stateside. So she is getting great experience. While overseas, I believe she will not pay taxes, will get free on base housing or housing allowance, and a food allowance. Check out military.com too. Hope this helps a little, Jason

BTW,Merry Christmas.

I stand corrected... Mike (MWbeah) has just confirmed what your recruiter has told you about OBC. See you there... JG

Fort Sam - Jan 16, 2005 Fort Bragg, Womack Army Medical Center, April 15, 2005