Still can't decide on Army or Airforce

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Hey everyone!

I'm new here. I'm in my second semester of my junior year finishing up my BSN and I would like to join as active duty in either the Army or Air Force and can't decide which appeals to me more seeing as how either branch seems like a good choice. Most people say go AF due to the nicer living conditions, but that seems pretty secondary to me in comparison with the potential experience I could be getting from either branch. Anyone have any insight? I don't know anyone who's a military nurse or anyone in my class looking to join so any insight you all have to offer would be awesome. By the time I graduate I'll be 24 (I'm a guy btw) I also don't have any big familial obligations or anything like that either so I don't know if that makes the decision more challenging or not. Thank you for all your advice!

Regardless of the branch you choose, you need to talk to a HEALTH PROFESSIONS RECRUITER, NOT an enlisted recruiter. Please be sure you get the right person.

Usually the enlisted recruiters will be able to provide that number for you (just be careful they don't try to woo you into enlisting); if not, and it's the Army you want, you should Google "Army health profession recruiter" in your area.

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Ah, awesome. Apparently the closest one to me is in East Meadow here on Long Island so its about fifteen minutes away. If I'm expected to graduate in December of 2011, when would be the recommended time to go speak with someone there?

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I'd start now, especially since you're so close. Next December will be here before you know it.

The process can take up to a year, and the recruiter can help you figure out how to attack the paperwork. Also, you can figure out where you stand fitness wise, and start working on improving your performance on the Army PT test. Working on that will definitely help pass time.

Get together a list of questions and give the recruiter a buzz. Tell them your interest and that you'd like to meet with them to discuss the ANC.

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Carolinapooh is right. I had one friend who told me he talked to an Army recruiter about joining as an officer on the medical side. But he made the mistake that Carolina is warning you about. He went to the enlisted recruiter (not knowing the difference b/w recruiters) and the guy told him that the medical job he wanted was unavailable and that he should take some other job. He was even nice enough to offer him a ship date within the next few weeks (sarcasm).

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For some reason Army recruiters seem to be especially awful about that sort of stuff.

Maybe a better way of putting that is they're more notorious for that sort of thing.

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What kind's of questions should I ask and stuff I should look out for. I already know if it ain't in writing, it ain't. But beyond that I don't know anyone in the military or have any family members in the military so I'm kind of in the dark on what to really focus on. I don't know if its just me either but this board from the post's I've read in the last couple of days seems to be pro-Air Force for the most part. I just can't shake the feeling that the Army seems more interesting to me for some reason, like something in my gut says go Army. =) It'll all work out for the best I'm sure.

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Specializes in stress relieving humor.

All of the previous posts have great points. You might also try and get a look at some of the bases (hospitals) before deciding on a branch. FYI, as a former Army enlisted I am always prone to say -- GO ARMY!

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I would say that being a nurse in any of the services would be more or less the same. Most people have a personal preference either from past experience, family tradition or just an image in their head.

Each service has a different mission, but again as a nurse you will care for patients... if deciding between Army and Air Force, and you have no other guiding preference, consider this...

Air Force typically has a much better standard of living both on base and in the field, and the majority of its members are a little less "Hoowa" minded ;)

Army Has lower living standards but is larger and has a higher attrition rate, which correlates to more opportunity for promotion. Army typically has more funds for incentive programs as well, but also has a more varied operational environment (chances of deploying with a forward surgical team... although Air Force does offer flight nurse which would be cool).

Like most things in life, it is a give and take situation where no choice will have the best of everything. You must simply decide for yourself which is best for you.

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^^^ Pretty much what I gathered spot on. Army sounds like the better fit.

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