Would you join the Army Nurse Corps? Why or Why not?

Gennaver, MSN · Apr 14, 2007

Isn't there discrimination against age with any of the armed forces?? It seems there was many years ago if I recall correctly. I thought there was an age limit so even if I wanted to, I couldn't since I'm nearing 49 and I think the age limit is 34, isn't it?

Hello,

I just posted this but, here it is again, (because I was SUPRISED myself to realize that I still had a chance). Initially I thought my hopes were over because when I tried to enlist/join/access in my late 20's and early 30's I was too old. Yet :monkeydance: they raised the maximum ages. Not sure how long they will stay raised but:

Army = 46 with exceptions in rare cases to age 52

Navy = 44 with age waivers over 40

Air Force = 48

Hooah,

Gen

Gennaver, MSN · Apr 14, 2007

Cool...so my husband retires from the Coast Guard when we're 41...and I still have time to join myself!!?? That's awesome!!!:w00t:

Hello,

From what I understand the Coast Guard Nurses are from the non-combatant Uniformed, (edit) Services branch of the "Commissioned Corps of Public Health Services", the CC PHS. There are seven areas under the CC of PHS included the NIH, BOP, IHS, and more.

Gen

Gennaver, MSN · Apr 14, 2007

...
What, am I a bad person because I don't want to go back to Iraq? Give me a break. I didn't say anything that warrented such a rude response that she gave me. I asked what is it that the Army Nurse Corps could offer me opposed to a civilian hospital job?

Hello,

No where in my post did I claim you were a bad person. Let me try again in other words...

You are not required to join and if you do not want to, then I do not want you to either.

There are multitudes of other areas in Nursing which you can fulfil your nursing duties.

The military isn't a choice for everyone and the fullest respect is due to you for knowing that it is not a choice you care for.

If you do not want to be there, then I would not want you to be there either.

Never would I encourage someone to contradict their own deepest desires. If you do not want to join then you would not be a good team member nor would you be happy. There is no dis-honor in knowing your own choices or limitations.

As an odd example: I run marathons...I would never, ever consider asking anyone else to run them nor would I even think of "judging" them based on them not running...not a good example but my attempt at a non-Military one.

Gen

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2007

Not for all of the money in the world!! Reasons??
1) I am a military brat so I know the deal.
2) I like to make my own decisions on where I live... and don't try to say I can 'cuz I know better.
3) I don't like the rank structure... how I would have to be respectful of all my superior officers just because they out rank me.. sometimes people are jerks and I don't like keeping my mouth shut.
4) I want to be able to quit my job the day or week I want to.. not fulfill a contract.
5) I don't want to go to a war torn country.. yes I am scared.
On the other hand, I think the military is great for some people.. people have many good reasons to join. My dad loved the Navy with all of his heart and stayed in for 30, would have stay'ed for 40 if they'd have let him.
I am just not cut out for it... at all!!

Pretty much sums it up for me too. I'm an Army Brat and know the drill.

Gennaver, MSN · Apr 14, 2007

You're right, arguing over the internet is silly and things can easily get misinterpreted. Her post just really bothered me and I'm angry at myself that I'm letting it bother me as much as it did. I'll just leave it at that, thanks Tazzi.
Oh btw, I did say something about being in Iraq in my first post..

hello Ebouster,

No worries.

I can see how my post could easily have been misread, especially when I went back and read it with a critical eye as if I were a "stranger". Since we've both shared more detail I'd say all is cleared and understood, right?

edit: Had you mentioned your tour included the "sandbox" that would've changed my reply too, I thought you just "wanted AWAY" from military...

Gen

Gennaver, MSN · Apr 14, 2007

Don't think Gennever was rude at all in the post. His response was not rude. Gennever is not an RN yet and has not served in the Army either so he could not answer that question you posed. Me as a former 6 yr Active Duty soldier I can understand your responses on how unhappy you were being in the Army. It's to each their own. You may enjoy civilian hospitals better than military ones and if so by all means do that. If you want to be in the Nurse Corps talk to people in the Nurse Corps, ask to shadow as prior service I don't think they will tell you no. Hope everyone finds everything they want out of life and do it well.

Hello,

Thank you for letting my know my word usage wasn't as poor as I thought.

I am a female, who has not served and is currently on sustainment until graduation, (for Active Duty). Have you been ANC? My application packet ended up taking 5 months with felt loooong! Still, since I've added one more post MS certificate I have to request to re-board for NEXT summer yet, I do not want to let go of my commission, even to re-board, just yet!

Gen

allnurses Guide · Apr 14, 2007

Hello,
I just posted this but, here it is again, (because I was SUPRISED myself to realize that I still had a chance). Initially I thought my hopes were over because when I tried to enlist/join/access in my late 20's and early 30's I was too old. Yet :monkeydance: they raised the maximum ages. Not sure how long they will stay raised but:
Army = 46 with exceptions in rare cases to age 52
Navy = 44 with age waivers over 40
Air Force = 48
Hooah,
Gen

The only thing to remember coming in after the age of 42 is that you probably will not be able to retire from the military since the mandatory retirement age is 62. You need 20 years of military service to retire....something the recruiters don't usually mention, but you can role over that service into a GS postiion for a few more years and retire GS at least that is my understanding.

I have had a couple of friends come in past the age of 42 and then found out they wouldn't be able to retire.

As with any military service you should look at all the branches and do lots of research on your own before making a decision.

One of the biggest advantages to the Army is that it is the only service that allows direct entry into their CRNA program. All the other services require a minimum of two-three years of service before you can usually even apply to CRNA school.

Personally, I think most people don't want to join the Army right now because they have the longest deployment times of any service branch (15 months).

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 14, 2007

Hi,
It could be because you are currently in an ADN, (as per your avatar information). The Army is the only service that accepts ADNs but, only in the reserves. So, you'd have to communicate with an Army Nurse reserve recruiter.
Gen

This may be true but I do not think so.... I have spoken to Reserve recruiters and have gotten nowhere. It seems to me that the Reserve recruiters in my area are not as active in the recruitment process compared to other recruiters. Many recruiters have work-out days and give potential recruits/candidates time to spend together learning the military way of life even though he/she has a year to go before starting any formal training. The Nursing recruiters, on the other hand, are missing in action IMO!

However, I will not allow this to deter me. I will continue to prep on my own and if I choose to join, I will hunt someone down my 4th semester. I am eager to serve on Active Duty as a Commissioned Officer of the Nurse Corps in the Reserves. However, if my husband chooses to remain on Active Duty and does not transfer to the Army, then I will have to wait. In the meantime, Intensive Care here I come!:monkeydance:

TazziRN, RN · Apr 14, 2007

Oh btw, I did say something about being in Iraq in my first post..

I went back to re-read it.....my bad, sorry. I saw the comment about not wanting to be sent to Iraq, I did not see the word "again". Thank you for the service you did put in.

Gennaver, MSN · Apr 14, 2007

The only thing to remember coming in after the age of 42 is that you probably will not be able to retire from the military since the mandatory retirement age is 62. You need 20 years of military service to retire....something the recruiters don't usually mention, ...
Personally, I think most people don't want to join the Army right now because they have the longest deployment times of any service branch (15 months).

Hello,

Mine let me know that right away and I recall seeing it plastered in a couple of places while searching online.

It is not only the 42 year olds that have to sign the age, (retirement) waiver but anyone over age 39, I believe.

In order to send my packet before the review board I had to sign the age waiver. So, even if I do stay in for 20 years, I'd have to sign another age waiver at 60 too.

edit to add: You mentioned something that I was glad to find out from the CC of PHS and that is if you transfer to them, your GS is higher and as long as you are age 44-with years subtracted for military, and have less than 8 years military then you could go through til retirement with them. My plan is to do just that. :)

Gen

Gennaver, MSN · Apr 14, 2007

This may be true but I do not think so.... I have spoken to Reserve recruiters and have gotten nowhere. ...:

Hello,

My recruiter worked his tail off for me. Congrats and THANK YOU to him!!!:balloons:

My packet took five months of lots of work and then I still took about three more months of giving him grief for other issues related to trying to amend my packet.

I think recruiters are overworked and UNDER appreciated. It is a thankless job. I look SO forward to mailing him a silver dollar when I complete OBLC. He was the very first person to salute me after I took my oath. I know he MEANT it too.

Hooah Sergeant Ryan of USAREC.

Gen

kukukajoo, LPN · Apr 14, 2007

I am thinking of this as well. Sounds like it could be a great opportunity if they would accept me being 38!

How does the entry into the CRNA program work? That is where I want to end up and this sounds like it could be very helpful to me.