moosicle

It really depends on the assignment. MEDCENs can be grueling places to work, with 55-60 hour work weeks and a ton of extra duties (think Walter Reed). For the money, you would probably do better working the 60 hours at a local hospital and have less responsibility. However, MEDDACs can be very nice places to work and fewer hours. They will probably place you in a MEDCEN if you are a new nurse but you can transfer in 1-2 years. The loan repayment program is pretty good. I get an annual payment at the beginning of the year for 1/3 minus 28% in taxes. However, it is adjusted annually for the accumulated interest which is mostly tax deductible. Be careful, state taxes are not deducted, so you may owe.