Where do you have to live for the reserves?

Cursed Irishman · Aug 17, 2009

Use this: http://www.goarmy.com/reserve/nps/find_a_reserve_center.jsp

to find a local center; which there is one in Salem, OR. Even if the reserve center doesn't have a medical unit, you can affiliate w/ another unit and still drill there locally.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2009

Most reserve centers are not localed on military bases. If you join the reserves the Army will attempt to put you in a unit within 50 miles of your home. If you are assigned to a unit greater then 50 miles from your home and there is a closer one, you could possibly drill there. This will depend on the unit you are assigned to, they have the say if they will allow you to do this option. I have known some units which did not require the soldier to drill with them but at the center near their home. Another which required them to drill with them once a quarter and another which did not allow it at all. So if a unit is > 50 miles look into it first before you join if it will be a problem. Also remember one commander will say it is ok to drill at the closer center and the next one might not. Good Luck, look at all your options which include the other services.

stephenfnielsen · Aug 18, 2009

Good info, thanks a lot. I have quite a bit to wrap my brain around right now learning the ICU ropes, but it is good to have an idea of my options for the future.

Question: what do nurses do for drills?

DNM-BSN · Aug 18, 2009

Another option you have if you don't live near a unit and if you don't want to travel more than 50 miles to get to your unit (there's a guy in my old unit who drives 5 hours one way to drill with his unit). Keep in mind, that if you do decide to travel that far every month, it is not reimbursed by the military bcs you agreed to go to that unit. Anyway, if you are near a VA hospital, you may have the option to RST there. There are people in my unit who live 3 hours away from the unit and they report to the VA hospital they are near. Ultimately, though, the commander has say so.

As far as what nurses do at drill really depends on the type of unit are with. I'm with an MSU (Medical Support Unit), we are a small unit so we don't do much. Mostly the annual mandatory training and some hands on stuff for the EMT's, and maintaing personnel files.

Good luck!

ria007 · Aug 18, 2009

I was a in the army reserves for 8 year as a surgical tech...I also was in college and got married so I moved several times and drilled in 3 diff states, including Miami were there is no real base for training. We went to a the Miami VA hospital for weekend drill and everywhere else for summer camp (2 week annual training) hope this helps...:)

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2009

If you do travel > 100 miles each way you are able to write off the expense on your taxes.

NotNursy · Aug 19, 2009

From what I understand, one can also be assigned to the APMC (AMEDD Professional Management Command)instead of a TPU (troop program unit). This option exists for certain specialty areas only. When assigned to the APMC you can drill at your regular job most of the time working in whatever your specialty area is. Google "APMC" and a bunch of info will come up.Hope this helps

stephenfnielsen · Aug 19, 2009

Again, thanks for the great info!

So potentially- drill a weekend a month, and be deployed on a rotating basis? Are the deployments of the 15 month variety that the rest of the army does or are they more of the the sporadic couple months here couple months there type?

athena55, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2009

Again, thanks for the great info!
So potentially- drill a weekend a month, and be deployed on a rotating basis? Are the deployments of the 15 month variety that the rest of the army does or are they more of the the sporadic couple months here couple months there type?

It all depends upon the TPU you are assigned to and their dwell time and the last time they were mobilized or deployed. If you are deployed with your company you could expect to be away for 12+ months. If you are PROFIS then you can expect to be deployed for 6-9+ months. Again, all according to the needs of the Army.

Also, according to your MOS and what Branch is looking for, you may be asked to volunteer for mobilization somewhere....

athena

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2009

Most Army reserve units now only deploy for 12 months with 48 in dewell time. The 12 months include train up, BOG, and demob.