Reserves vs National Guard........opinions please

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I've been talking to a reserve recruiter but been thinking a lot about the Guard.

Oh sorry...thats Army reserves and Army National Guard

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
I've been talking to a reserve recruiter but been thinking a lot about the Guard.

Oh sorry...thats Army reserves and Army National Guard

Specific questions?

;)

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Specific questions?

;)

My understanding is reserves is more hospital nursing.

Long story but I'm having a lot of trouble with the Army recruiter so made up my mind for me applying to the guard :)

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
My understanding is reserves is more hospital nursing.

Long story but I'm having a lot of trouble with the Army recruiter so made up my mind for me applying to the guard :)

I can understand your frustration. Back in 2000 I was very interested in the [Reserves] Army Nurse Corps. However, the AHC recruiter seemed disinterested in keeping in touch with to answer my questions during the application process. So, I decided to forget about it.

Two years later, I contacted the local AHC office. The prior recruiter was leaving, and this time around I was far more pleased with the application process.

IMHO, you should seek out a different AHC recruiter. Your statement about the USAR Nurse Corps is more about hospital nursing [compared to ARNG] is not always true, fyi.

Good luck

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I can understand your frustration. Back in 2000 I was very interested in the [Reserves] Army Nurse Corps. However, the AHC recruiter seemed disinterested in keeping in touch with to answer my questions during the application process. So, I decided to forget about it.

Two years later, I contacted the local AHC office. The prior recruiter was leaving, and this time around I was far more pleased with the application process.

IMHO, you should seek out a different AHC recruiter. Your statement about the USAR Nurse Corps is more about hospital nursing [compared to ARNG] is not always true, fyi.

Good luck

OK thanks. :)

My information about the hospital nursing thing came from the national guard.

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Misty, If deployment is a concern for you, my experience is that you are far more easily involuntarily activated with a Reserve Unit than with a Guard unit. BOTH may be involuntarily activated, but as a Federal asset, Reserve units get the not more often. Just me 2 cents...Good Luck in your choice.

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Misty, If deployment is a concern for you, my experience is that you are far more easily involuntarily activated with a Reserve Unit than with a Guard unit. BOTH may be involuntarily activated, but as a Federal asset, Reserve units get the not more often. Just me 2 cents...Good Luck in your choice.

My ultimate goal is to go active after I get my BSN. Thank you guys for your help I welcome any information.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
My ultimate goal is to go active after I get my BSN. Thank you guys for your help I welcome any information.

Glad to hear your admirable intentions.

First, I entered USAR Nurse Corps w/ADN and within a year I completed my RN-BSN program for my BSN. I received reserve commission in 2003, and last Friday took oath of office for regular commission. This week I've been in In-Processing status at Ft Lewis, WA. I have prior active duty service and plan on doing 13 more as active duty Army Nurse to complete 20 years for retirement. I'll be at Madigan Army Medical Center, ICU, for three year committment.

Good luck!

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Glad to hear your admirable intentions.

First, I entered USAR Nurse Corps w/ADN and within a year I completed my RN-BSN program for my BSN. I received reserve commission in 2003, and last Friday took oath of office for regular commission. This week I've been in In-Processing status at Ft Lewis, WA. I have prior active duty service and plan on doing 13 more as active duty Army Nurse to complete 20 years for retirement. I'll be at Madigan Army Medical Center, ICU, for three year committment.

Good luck!

Almost the same here. I am prior service with 9 years active service in the Navy. I really miss military life.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Almost the same here. I am prior service with 9 years active service in the Navy. I really miss military life.

Outstanding! Get your BSN, then get direct commission as a military nurse. IMHO, you would not be content with the USAR, or ARNG. Just think, all you need is 11 years active duty service as a military nurse, then you can retire w/20 as an officer.

BTW, in the Army Nurse Corps the age limit to enter is 46. However, since you have 9 yrs prior active duty service you have till age 54 [confirm w/AHC Recruiter]. I was told such by one of my AHC Recruiters at the beginning of my application process in 2002. Except, you would want to enter before your 54 since your on a strict timeline regards to retirement age. I think you'd have till your 51, since the retirement age is 62. :uhoh3:

Keep us informed & feel free to PM for ANC questions, if you like.

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Outstanding! Get your BSN, then get direct commission as a military nurse. IMHO, you would not be content with the USAR, or ARNG. Just think, all you need is 11 years active duty service as a military nurse, then you can retire w/20 as an officer.

BTW, in the Army Nurse Corps the age limit to enter is 46. However, since you have 9 yrs prior active duty service you have till age 54 [confirm w/AHC Recruiter]. I was told such by one of my AHC Recruiters at the beginning of my application process in 2002. Except, you would want to enter before your 54 since your on a strict timeline regards to retirement age. I think you'd have till your 51, since the retirement age is 62. :uhoh3:

Keep us informed & feel free to PM for ANC questions, if you like.

I forgot my posts show my age :)

The recruiter didn't even want to talk to me until he found out I had prior service. He said "The Army looks at you like your 34 because of your prior service".......guess he knew exactly what to say :)

I actually think I'm more prepared now then when I was younger.....now that the kids have left the nest. One less thing to worry about when I deploy. Thats the only reason I got out.....couldn't stand leaving the kids.

I've got lots of questions but just got off a 12 hour night shift.

Thanks again.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
I forgot my posts show my age :)

The recruiter didn't even want to talk to me until he found out I had prior service. He said "The Army looks at you like your 34 because of your prior service".......guess he knew exactly what to say :)

I actually think I'm more prepared now then when I was younger.....now that the kids have left the nest. One less thing to worry about when I deploy. Thats the only reason I got out.....couldn't stand leaving the kids.

I've got lots of questions but just got off a 12 hour night shift.

Thanks again.

Get some sleep, then post up here, or send me a PM regards to those questions of your's.

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