Published Feb 19, 2009
scout2505
46 Posts
I swore in last April to go onto active duty. I was told my assignment choice and tenative OBLC date would soon follow. Now I am only 2 months away from graduation and I still have nothing! What was the benefit of signing up so early? I haven't quite figured that out. I am a prior service AD army soldier and can't comprhend how screwed up this whole process has beeen. It seems to me there is a disconnect with those at HRC who are determining assignments and orders and the recruiters. Now I am contemplating a different service. If this is how I am going to be treated as a future officer, makes me very nervous. Anyone else experiencing this? I am curious if this is the case with everyone or am I being duped?
lifeafter40
244 Posts
This is purely conjecture on my part but, you say you will be graduating in two months.. so I assume you have not yet taken the NCLEX (unless you are doing something like an RN to BSN program)... possibly the Army is waiting for your successful completion of the exam before proceeding with your assignment orders... Again, just a guess.
Hang in there,
LA40
I understand what you are saying, but this is not what I what I was told! When I joined the Army in Highschool I was only a junior, I knew where and when I was going even though I had not graduated yet. I was told once I swore in that at a minimum I would know where I was going in less than 3 months.
NursePamela
330 Posts
I don't mean to sound harsh but graduating from high school is A LOT easier than the NCLEX. Hang in there and keep in touch with your recruiter.
Rme4life
126 Posts
i graduated in may, took the nclex in june and went to the first oblc class in aug. the class date was not officially assigned until i passed the nclex. they just dont do that bc they have to many people that dont pass the first time. i dont think i heard about assignments until like mar it seems like. its one person doing that job so dont be in such a rush, bc even when they give you an assignment now, just like everything else in the army, that can change. there was a few people at my oblc class that ended up with changes to their assignments. but hey this was prior to the new internship program so maybe that made their (hrc) job easier. i guess my advice would be, your prior service, you should know how the army works, hurry up and wait. I think its worth it but if this process is already getting you all worked up, maybe its not the right choice for you. did you enjoy your time in the army?
I know all to well how the Army works, and this is not it. When recruiting new soldiers/officers this is not how they are treated. I know a majority of you are in the military for the first time or are going in for the first time and are just going with the flow. I realize the Army does make you hurry up and wait. I am just frustrated because I have small children I have to move and just can't pick up and leave with little notice. Once I am back in the Army I know and accept that being the case, but then my family will be settled. Right now they are not. It's just frustrating to see the ANC do this to its future officers when other medical corps will hand out assignments to medical officers even before they are residents. Also, I attend school with a student who is going in the Navy this year and she knew where and when she was going last fall. I don't think it's the Army, I think it's a couple of people who are disgruntled making the ANC look BAD!
Have you talked to branch? sorry you feel that way. i was prior service, came back in with 4 kids and a husband who is active duty in another branch. my assignment didnt go so well, our two branchs didnt work so well together, but I still felt like the ANC and branch worked with me to help me transition back into the army and for me and my husband to get what we wanted. so i guess you could say i just go with the flow, but only bc ive had years of practice (been either active duty or an army wife for the last 18 yrs). I honestly dont know how they are working the assignments now that they have the internship, but i dont see anything wrong with you contacting branch. have you received anything from them yet requested your choices? i tend to be more optimistic, i dont think people try to screw with you, i just think they are over worked like everyone else in the army.
just_cause, BSN, RN
1,471 Posts
Scout,
what are you expecting prior to your graduation? PCS orders or ?
There is usually a window of only a few months where manpower and assignments are projected... so I wouldn't expect anything prior to a few months out.
I'm not expecting orders or anything of that nature. I was however expecting my assisgnment location. I am only on this rant because this is what I was told to expect during my first swear in last year. I have been assured up and down the chain of command that I should have known where I was going by now. What I hear from you guys on here is completely different from what I was told to expect. I just wish my contact at HRC would be a little more polite and take a few minutes to explain the process, because obviously I haven't been told the correct information.
olderthandirt2
503 Posts
Hi Scout,
I know your pain.......I am waiting to get news about whether I am boarded for active duty or not. I was accepted to the CRNA program (USAGPAN) for June, but I still need active duty accession/LTHET acceptance.
My recruiter put in my packet at the last minute, for last weeks boards (he knew the right people AND there was a terrible ice storm/computer issues in Nashville? delaying all Amedd applicants).
Anyway, here I sit.......it still says "pending" under my name.......I need to move my family too.......in fact I am thinking of moving before I get my PCS orders...(IF I get PCS orders).....
If it is any consolation, I met MANY active duty nurses at OBLC in Nov that got their 1st choice assignments......in fact one new grad said "they really try to put you in your top 3, but most people get their first choice"
good luck,
c.
scout,
I don't know your time frame specifics.. but from my understanding the location pinpoints don't project that far out - as to many things change and they typically would project a few months out.
Just
I appreciate your input. I graduate in 9 weeks. I understand the logic behind what you are telling me. What I don't understand is then why do they let Juniors sign up and swear into the military? To me it would seem that I would get some sort of benefit, such as knowing my assignment location early. Which is what I was told. That's where my frustration lies.