Very confused student AROTC vs AFROTC or just straight into Navy Nursing?

[davisone]

Ok so heres my situation... Im currently a high school senior and will be going into next fall taking my general education classes and prerequisites to get into nursing school. But I am unsure what I want to do. I was either going to take ROTC or AFROTC elective classes but am not sure which one to do. Also, either one i do I would like to do ER or ICU nursing. And eventually in the civilian world I would like to be a flight nurse or Critical care transport nurse or Critical Care ACNP. Then there is also the option of the Navy and Id like to work in one of there Shock-Trauma Platoons or in a field hospital. Any branch i decide on, i want to be on the "front lines" as in a field hospital saving lives. Any input would be GREATLY appreciated on any of the branches or thoughts about what would line up with my future civilain plans or doing ER/ICU and eventually flight nursing or Critical care transport ACNP. Thanks to everyone in advance.

EDIT: Also one other reason for going Army ROTC was for the more advanced combat training and skills. Just becasue id like to learn them. But I also think Navy Nurses can get combat training? Something like fleet marine force training or something?

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

If you want combat skills while you're in ROTC you should go the army route. They're loaded up on that, and they end up doing some cool stuff. The navy is the navy and the air force is the air force. Field training like navigation, rapelling, marksmanship, etc isn't critical for them. Regardless, whichever route you go as a nurse you'll be a nurse - not an infantryman, not a SOCOM operator. Fortnately for you, regardless of which route you choose you'll likely get the opportunity to spend plenty of time in a field hospital with an M9 taking in the sun and sand.

In the navy you can become a fleet marine force qualified officer. Google that. You'd probably like it. There's also a surface warfare qualification for naval nurses if you like the sea duty element.

Air force deployment are supposedly a lot shorter than the other branches, and people say the air force is a rather "comfortable" branch to be in. One element that may interest you in the air force, if you're male is the combat rescue officer - not a nursing position and I believe the lengthiest training program in the U.S. military. Type combat rescue officer into Wikipedia. I recall them having a good article.

[davisone]

Thank you for the reply, it is greatly appreciated. I did know about Combat Rescue officer because I had been training for pararescue for months but recently ceased that. I've just recently ruled the Navy out because I want to go through ROTC program and they only offer it in one college in my state. I did look up fleet marine force officer qualified and it does seem like i would like that. As well as working in a Shock Trauma Platoon. I Im pretty sure I will go the Army ROTC route and probably specialize in Critical Care. Or ER. This is in part because I learned about the Joint Enroute Care Course the Army has. I believe that that training, even if i will not be an nurse on a MEDEVAC helo most of the time, will benefit me in my goal of becoming a flight nurse or critical care tansport nurse or ACNP in the civilian world. Thanks again. Any further thoughts are appreciated as well.

[midinphx, BSN]

I am impressed that a high school student has done as much research and is so intent on a career path. Applause to you!

I'm an Air Force ICU nurse. I was in the Army right out of high school - enlisted as an ammunition specialist. Got out and used my GI Bill and College Fund to get my BSN. I was a civilian nurse for years and am now back in service. I thought the AF would be more "comfortable" than my years in the army. I was wrong. Though the commissioning training was shorter than army and probably less rigorous I'm sure.

To be an ICU nurse in the AF this is what you may expect to happen. After you graduate and pass your state boards, you go to the nurse transition program for about 12 weeks. There you learn to put your classroom and clinical experience into real life in a very supported environment. They also tell you about all the different options and paths you can take in a career as an AF nurse - which is an amazing spread. You chose a med-surg vs ob route. Med-surg does NOT mean you are stuck on a med surg unit, it means you are diverse and can work in any environment (one gal went straight into ER). You may not have much voice in where you get to work initially, but they do try to make a good match. AF and mission needs come first though. AFter you have gotten your feet wet and some experience, you can apply for a fellowship in ICU and get a year long training that I have never seen like in the civilian world. Alot of support and amazing learning.

As an ICU nurse or an ER nurse, You won't be in the front lines doing combat buddy care. That is not what they use nurses for right now. You will be deployed - and ICU deployment frequent. You can go to a forward operating base or an established hospital. The branches are getting more integrated. My hospital is combining with the army hospital. AF and Army (and some navy too) work together.

ROTC and AFROTC are great ways to go. I highly encourage it. Good luck on your bright future.

[davisone]

Thank you midinphx. Appreciate it. I know the Army has a supposedly intense critical care course that only lasts 16 weeks compared to the Air Forces year long program...I wonder why that is? And yes I understand I will not be right up front with troops, I ment i would like to be at a field hospital of forward surgical center/shock trauma platoon. I want to save heros lives coming in off the battlefield.

[davisone]

I am impressed that a high school student has done as much research and is so intent on a career path. Applause to you!

I'm an Air Force ICU nurse. I was in the Army right out of high school - enlisted as an ammunition specialist. Got out and used my GI Bill and College Fund to get my BSN. I was a civilian nurse for years and am now back in service. I thought the AF would be more "comfortable" than my years in the army. I was wrong. Though the commissioning training was shorter than army and probably less rigorous I'm sure.

To be an ICU nurse in the AF this is what you may expect to happen. After you graduate and pass your state boards, you go to the nurse transition program for about 12 weeks. There you learn to put your classroom and clinical experience into real life in a very supported environment. They also tell you about all the different options and paths you can take in a career as an AF nurse - which is an amazing spread. You chose a med-surg vs ob route. Med-surg does NOT mean you are stuck on a med surg unit, it means you are diverse and can work in any environment (one gal went straight into ER). You may not have much voice in where you get to work initially, but they do try to make a good match. AF and mission needs come first though. AFter you have gotten your feet wet and some experience, you can apply for a fellowship in ICU and get a year long training that I have never seen like in the civilian world. Alot of support and amazing learning.

As an ICU nurse or an ER nurse, You won't be in the front lines doing combat buddy care. That is not what they use nurses for right now. You will be deployed - and ICU deployment frequent. You can go to a forward operating base or an established hospital. The branches are getting more integrated. My hospital is combining with the army hospital. AF and Army (and some navy too) work together.

ROTC and AFROTC are great ways to go. I highly encourage it. Good luck on your bright future.

How can I be deplyoed to a forward surgical team? Can I volunteer?