Random ?s for the Active Duty experts

mommy2BCD · Apr 25, 2008

I am no "active duty expert" however my husband was AD for 4 years and did attend school while AD. I think that the information you were given on #2 is grossly inaccurate. Schools transfer credits based on their standards and it has nothing to do with being in the military or not. If I am understanding you correctly you are talking about attending civilian school and receiving tuition assistance, correct? You are correct that you receive tuition assistance up to a certain amount per year, I forget what the actual amount is. Please be advised though, that a recruiter cannot guarantee you that a school will accept transfer credits as a "military perk". My husband attended online classes through Devry University and in that case it was easy to move from location to location because everything was online, however I don't see this being the case with a WHNP program where you will have clinical time. One other thing, if you choose to do classes on your own time also be aware that the military will not work around your school schedule so there may be times you must miss classes because of exercises or even be denied the option to attend classes (saw both happen with friends in AF). I am no expert on this, but from the information I have gathered in my quest to join the AF I would think that by utilizing the military option to go to school full time at a civilian school while on AD would be your best bet. In the AF it is called AFIT program I believe. There are some more experienced members on here that could explain more to you. Best of luck!

1. I plan on remaining a Texas resident when I move to my first duty station. For tax reasons it makes sense to do so since Texas doesn't have states taxes. I realize that I won't be paying state taxes on my income, but my husband will be working too. Will he have to become a resident of the state to which we are moving or can he stay a Texas resident? In short I'm wondering if he will have to pay state taxes on his income when we move.
2. From what I've been told I can attend school while AD (I'm talking about going to school on my own without being enrolled in a special AF program) and that the AF will pay up to a certain amount in tuition per year. I was also told that I can start a program in one location and that if PCS I can then enroll in a different school (given they have my choice of degree) and that they will automatically accept my credit hours from the other school. Supposedly it's a "perk" that is afforded to AD military. Anyone know if this is the case? My recruiter was telling me that lots of people earn their degrees this way. I'd like to earn my WHCNP but I want to do so slowly and I'm sure I'll move a few times before I can complete it.
Thanks in advance!

The Little Greek · Apr 25, 2008

abby,

Thank you for your honest reply. I thought that my recruiter's statement was a little too good to be true. She sometimes says things that make me wonder "are you listening to yourself?" I agree with you that WHCNP is not a very common program and that it would be difficult to transfer with such a program. The good news is that I already have my MSN so I'd be completing a post-masters. Even still, doing that program part-time given the clinical obligation can still turn out to be more than three years. And as you mentioned, there is the caveat of the AF coming first....

I'm certainly in no hurry to return to school as I just graduated from my program last May. I think for now I'll just take my time transitioning to the AF and may apply to go to school after 5 years of AD or so.

Thanks again!

allnurses Guide · Apr 26, 2008

1. I plan on remaining a Texas resident when I move to my first duty station. For tax reasons it makes sense to do so since Texas doesn't have states taxes. I realize that I won't be paying state taxes on my income, but my husband will be working too. Will he have to become a resident of the state to which we are moving or can he stay a Texas resident? In short I'm wondering if he will have to pay state taxes on his income when we move.
2. From what I've been told I can attend school while AD (I'm talking about going to school on my own without being enrolled in a special AF program) and that the AF will pay up to a certain amount in tuition per year. I was also told that I can start a program in one location and that if PCS I can then enroll in a different school (given they have my choice of degree) and that they will automatically accept my credit hours from the other school. Supposedly it's a "perk" that is afforded to AD military. Anyone know if this is the case? My recruiter was telling me that lots of people earn their degrees this way. I'd like to earn my WHCNP but I want to do so slowly and I'm sure I'll move a few times before I can complete it.
Thanks in advance!

Yes, your husband would have to pay state income taxes if he worked in a state where there was a state income tax.

The program that you will be utilizing to go to school while working on AD is tution assistance program. http://www.airforcetimes.com/careers/college/ONLINE.AFT.TUITION/

I advise you to start taking classes right away and finish your program before you have two years in otherwise you will be effectively extending your service committment. There is a catch to officers using tution assistance (TA). When you use TA you have to remain on AD for two years after your last class day. This only applies to officers not enlisted. Mainly, what you recruiter was talking about with transfering credits applies to enlisted working on their undergraduate degrees. There are quite a few military friendly programs out there for undergraduate degrees. The most you can hope for on the graduate level is being able to transfer about 6-9 semester hrs. The biggest problem you will have is not the classes, but finding time to do your clinicals on AD. This will be totally up to your supervisor and your schedule.

By the way you might want to subscribe to the AF times. It has a lot of good information and can fill in some of the gaps with your AF AD transition.

midwesternboy · Apr 26, 2008

The University of Cincinnati has an online WHCNP option. You might want to look into this since you can change duty stations every year and still remain in the program.

The Little Greek · Apr 26, 2008

By the way you might want to subscribe to the AF times. It has a lot of good information and can fill in some of the gaps with your AF AD transition.

WTB--you should be paid to frequent this site :nuke: Once again, my sincerest thanks. I'm going to do this immediately.

midwestern--thank you as well. I'll have to look into that. I know that there are several online programs out there so this might be a good option.

sofloescapee · May 17, 2008

In comparison to the answers of the others I am adding very little. But what I understand (from recruiter) the AF will pay $250 per credit hour reimbursment. Up to a $4500 max per year. Thanks to your thread I learned from the LTC that you must incur an additional time obligation.

I myself was selected in March, commissioned an O-3 (prior reserve service) just this week. I will embark to Elmendorf AFB in Alaska. I am hoping to be assigned to the ICU. My friend went into the Army and has a specialty identifier as an ER nurse but just yesterday she will begin on the Med/Surg floor. She is perturbed to say the least.

I would love to compare the benefits w/you to see if we are on the same sheet of music. If you sign for 4 years you get a taxed 25G bonus paid 60 days after you arrive at 1st duty assignment. If you sign for the loan repay you incur an additional 3 year obligation and the AF will pay up to $38,500. I learned in your thread that it may not be paid until after 1 year of obligation is met and that it is indeed taxed.

I will not PCS, or in my case initially move to my 1st duty station, until 15 June. I am excited to begin nursing in the AF. I can think of no better patient to care for than our service members and their family. Frankly, here in South Florida the patients have really changed.

I would love to hear from any nurses that may have been stationed at Elmendorf.

I would like to hear from any military nurses that have been promised to work in a specialty environment and suddenly down graded to another.

Sorry for the long post. Just excited to learn of all the possibilities that there are.

Remembering that we that serve in the military are special and I hold all military nurses in high regard.

sofloescapee

The Little Greek · May 17, 2008

In comparison to the answers of the others I am adding very little. But what I understand (from recruiter) the AF will pay $250 per credit hour reimbursment. Up to a $4500 max per year. Thanks to your thread I learned from the LTC that you must incur an additional time obligation.
I myself was selected in March, commissioned an O-3 (prior reserve service) just this week. I will embark to Elmendorf AFB in Alaska. I am hoping to be assigned to the ICU. My friend went into the Army and has a specialty identifier as an ER nurse but just yesterday she will begin on the Med/Surg floor. She is perturbed to say the least.
I would love to compare the benefits w/you to see if we are on the same sheet of music. If you sign for 4 years you get a taxed 25G bonus paid 60 days after you arrive at 1st duty assignment. If you sign for the loan repay you incur an additional 3 year obligation and the AF will pay up to $38,500. I learned in your thread that it may not be paid until after 1 year of obligation is met and that it is indeed taxed.
I will not PCS, or in my case initially move to my 1st duty station, until 15 June. I am excited to begin nursing in the AF. I can think of no better patient to care for than our service members and their family. Frankly, here in South Florida the patients have really changed.
I would love to hear from any nurses that may have been stationed at Elmendorf.
I would like to hear from any military nurses that have been promised to work in a specialty environment and suddenly down graded to another.
Sorry for the long post. Just excited to learn of all the possibilities that there are.
Remembering that we that serve in the military are special and I hold all military nurses in high regard.
sofloescapee

Congrats on your commission! I must say that I am extremely jealous that you got Elmendorf! It was my top choice but no such luck. I'm going to scenic Langley after COT. Sounds like you have already completed COT, is that correct? Or did you not have to go because you are prior? I leave in one week! I'm so nervous and slightly on edge, but in general very excited. Unfortunately I hurt my ankle running this morning so I hope I can work through the pain while there.

My initial commitment is for 6 years. I took both the sign-on and loan repayment. I hope to eventually apply for more loan repayment after I have served a few years. I'm not concerned about the additional service obligation because my intention is to retire in the AF.

As for your other questions, I can't help. I'm going in as an OB nurse and I hope and pray that I'll stay there. If I don't, I'll be sure to let you know!

You'll have to let us know how you like (or love) Alaska! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that at some point I'll end up there too.

sofloescapee · May 17, 2008

Little Greek,

Wow, quick reply. You will do wonderfully in COT. I would have been with you in the May class but was told no:cry: You see, I have 15 yrs in Army reserve and I already have OBC (signal) and OAC (chemical). Even though it has been a few years I wanted to get a refresher, uniform changes, and the differences between Army and AF. But, alas, I will be assigned a "sponsor" when I arrive at Elmendorf who will help me out.

I requested Germany, Italy and Alaska. I didn't realize that the hospitals (with ICU) were so scarce in the AF. When I got Alaska I started looking into the base/housing/outside work opportunities. I am an "open heart" nurse and know I will not see this in Elmendorf. One (other) good thing about Alaska is that I can be OCONUS draw cola pay of $750 month and I can "moonlight" in a local hospital. Don't think I can do that in GE, Italy, or Japan.

Have you considered the CRNA program. From what feeble knowledge I have of the program it is approx 2 years. You must have the GRE score>1000 and at least 1 yr exp in critical care. Please correct me if I am wrong. Then, if you are approved, you travel to TX for the military school. You are paid your salary, same benefits as on active duty and are only expected to study and attend the school. After the school is complete you will tack on an additional 2 yrs of obligation.

I have CCU/ICU friends who have mortgaged their homes and all savings exhausted just to attend a south flo CRNA program. The AF supposedly doesn't have enough qualified applicants each year. Do look into this if you are so inclined.

I wonder if anyone has a stats regarding mobilization length to IRAQ and Afg? for AF nurses I believe the length is shorter than the mobilization of the other branch nurses.

My brother an Army LTC on his 4th tour to Iraq/Afg.

Keep in touch. Stay off that ankle. You will do fine at COT.

Terri

sofloescapee · May 17, 2008

Has anyone heard of this new incentive for CEN and CCRN nurses of ?? 20G per year for 4 years? Supposedly came out this may 2008. Any info would be appreciated.

The Little Greek · May 18, 2008

Have you considered the CRNA program.

Not really. I'm pretty much a dedicated OB nurse. I know you have to have several years of critical care exp for that program. I find critical care quite interesting, but I'd prefer to have a critical pt that's pregnant/delivered :wink2:. I have an MSN right now and I'm thinking that I may one day want to get a post-masters WHCNP but I'm not committed at this point. I think I've got enough on my plate just getting into the AF and learning a new way of doing things. Perhaps after I've acclimated to AD I'll investigate it further.

Thanks for the well wishes in COT. Lucky you that you don't have to go! Good luck to you at Elmendorf!

allnurses Guide · May 19, 2008

Little Greek,
Have you considered the CRNA program. From what feeble knowledge I have of the program it is approx 2 years. You must have the GRE score>1000 and at least 1 yr exp in critical care. Please correct me if I am wrong. Then, if you are approved, you travel to TX for the military school. You are paid your salary, same benefits as on active duty and are only expected to study and attend the school. After the school is complete you will tack on an additional 2 yrs of obligation.
I have CCU/ICU friends who have mortgaged their homes and all savings exhausted just to attend a south flo CRNA program. The AF supposedly doesn't have enough qualified applicants each year. Do look into this if you are so inclined.
I wonder if anyone has a stats regarding mobilization length to IRAQ and Afg? for AF nurses I believe the length is shorter than the mobilization of the other branch nurses.
Terri

I will see if I can answer some of questions about the AF CRNA program since I am starting my 2nd yr as an SRNA at USUHS.

1. Committment after school is 4.5yrs not 2yrs.

2. Requirements: 2yrs TOS by the time you apply to school (approx 3yr by the time you actually start school), 1yr min acute care/critical care experience, and GRE scores of 1000 or greater + 3.5 or higher on the writing portion.

3. There are now two military schools (the Navy is intergrating with USUHS completely starting this summer for their CRNA program). One school is in San Antonio and the other at USUHS in Bethesda, Md as an AF member you can go to either one, but the majority of AF goes to USUHS.

4. You are on AD while going to school with all the benefits, time towards retirement etc, and all the aggravation...pt tests, formations, 6 mile march during the middle of finals week, tour of USNS Comfort during mid terms, and of course some very minor extra duties sometimes.

Deployments are generally 4-6months for AF nurses with the most common being 4 months.