US NAVY vs. US AIR FORCE

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hi everyone! i am currently a junior in a bsn program in upstate ny and 20 years old. i want to join the armed forces but still debating which branch to get into. i have an uncle who is recently retired from the navy and said the safest branches for nurses are the usaf and navy nurse corps.

i feel like they both offer great benefits but at the same time they both have big downfalls for me. the navy has plenty of bases all over the world. usaf has fewer international bases. usaf has shorter deployments, ehhh the list of pros and cons can go on and on...

however, in all my research i have not been able to get a couple of my biggest questions answered which are:

*do navy nurses have to go thru ocs? is it ocs with any additional training? is it a special ocs for the navy nurse corps or something different?

*does anyone have experience with the air force's cot and/or ntp program? what was that like? is cot for a nurse really only 4 weeks?

any answers or comments are much appreciated!

-jeanie

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Jeanie,

Sounds like a good plan!

Have you checked out related threads? Here are links to similar questions and some great replies:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f57/navy-air-force-226547.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f57/air-force-navy-246385.html

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Specializes in CCU, CATH LAB, MEDSURG.

NYnur2010,

Navy nurses attend ODS- Officer Development School, 8 weeks in Newport, R.I. after BSN graduation together with other staff corps officers (doctors, dentists, Medical service corps, JAG etc.) I went in 2004 and it's not terribly demanding. They teach you to wear the uniform, general navy knowledge, foster teamwork and leadership skills, and physical fitness. I was enlisted for 15 years before getting commissioned and I love the nurse corps. Whichever branch you choose, the military is what you make of it. I can't speak for the Air Force, but my sister is enlisted in the AF and in the medical field. You mentioned the AF having shorter deployments. May be true but my sister has been deployed to Iraq 3 times in the past several years to my one. My advice is to analyze what you expect from the military vs nursing in the civilian sector, research them both and make a decision from there. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, and Mother Baby.

I just graduated ODS this October and as stated before it is shocking the first couple weeks but it's not demanding. You basically learn how to wear the uniform, how to work as a team, Navy history, and PT/drill. You build lasting relationships with the people in your company/class. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

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I just graduated ODS this October and as stated before it is shocking the first couple weeks but it's not demanding. You basically learn how to wear the uniform, how to work as a team, Navy history, and PT/drill. You build lasting relationships with the people in your company/class. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

I can't PM can you IM me? Thanks!!

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Specializes in Neuro, Surgical, Trauma and ICU..
I just graduated ODS this October and as stated before it is shocking the first couple weeks but it's not demanding. You basically learn how to wear the uniform, how to work as a team, Navy history, and PT/drill. You build lasting relationships with the people in your company/class. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

How long did it take you from the time that your packet was submitted to commission to going to ODS? Thanks

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

[quote "and said the safest branches for nurses are the usaf and navy nurse corps."

" what do you mean by "safest"?

you might still end up in a combat zone.

does anyone know if the navy still has fleet hospitals?:nurse:

!

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Specializes in Med Surg, Geriatrics.

Hey, I am a 35 year old vetran from the Navy. I am an LPN and am working on my RN. I have taken most of the classes needed for my BSN. I am working out the quickest way to finish my bachelors degree. I am interested in the Navy Nurse Canidate Program. Can anyone tell me a little about it. From what I've heard you have to finish your degree and recieve a commisioning befor your 41st birthday. The Navy pays $34k to help pay off loans and schooling of wich $10K is a grant given up front. I also heard that you get $1k per mo. while finishing your last two years of school. Is this correct information. I am looking to fund the last two years of my schooling and would like to retire earlier than I would in the private sector. Any suggestions, comments, experiences welcomed.

Thank you!

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This website has an overview of the navy's programs...

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/noru/orojt/medicalofficer.htm#13

You will see the nurse candidate is a bit different then you are describing... but the info is all there. good luck~

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I have a friend in the Navy Nurse Candidate Program and she got 5K up front (plus she'll get 5K when she commissions) plus she gets 1K every month. Remember all of this money is taxed! Also the application process is long, so she won't get the full 2 years of benefits, because it took so long to get the application sent and approved. The navy also offers a 30,000 bonus for 4 years or a 20,000 bonus for 3 years (again this is also taxed) for current RNs. I would talk with a healthcare recruiter to get all the current details, they seem to make small changes every now and then. Good luck with what ever you decide.

recent BSN

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