army nurse vs. linguist, advice needed

[frostfire]

Gentlemen (and ladies),

would you care to share your advice, thoughts, wisdom, jest, or just about anything that would provide me with any perspectives I have not considered in my soul-searching.

Several of the original QP members here know my conviction to serve in SF from the correspondences back in '04. I finally got "lucky." As Warrior-Mentor wrote in his book, luck = preparation + opportunity. I have not wavered from that conviction and have kept my mind, body, heart, and records clear for service. Now comes the opportunity.

I have the options to enlist as a linguist or commission as an army nurse. Nursing is more aligned to my formal expertise, but linguist to my desire to serve at the front line/be part of the tip of the spear and apply my informal skills ie. long range marksmanship, two foreign languages, teaching skills and so on. Money is out of the picture. There are no sign-up bonuses for either.

Does anyone know if an officer can take a pay cut, become enlisted, and then submit package for SF? (after counting the cost, there's more chance of me finishing the pipeline as an enlistee). Of course, I have learned from the QP's that SF despises ticket-puncher, so no matter which MOS I ends up with, I will give nothing short of my best until I fulfill my contract. After which, I shall pursue SF as I sincerely believe that life, not career, in SF = Maslow's self actualization. Linguist vs. nursing, which do you consider better for transition to SF? Thinking outside the box, I considered going to Air Force CCT program after finishing my contract, but I digress.

This is not the 25m target, but I believe I've taken care the 25 m target. Even though I aced the practice test at the recruiting station, I will still study for ASVAB, and ensure MEPS physical goes without a glitch. My "out-of-shape" PT score is 250 at minimum using 17-21 age group, and close to 300 using my age group. Now that I'm running 4 miles and rucking, I suspect they are higher.

Thank you for your time and wisdom.

Much appreciated, dave

[Red Flag 1]

Dave,

If you follow through on your training and take a position in the US Army Nurse Corps, it is unlikely that Corps will let you go for any reason. In essence, you have a contract with the US Army to serve as an officer within the US Army Nurse Corps, as I understand it. I doubt the Nurse Corps will give you much wiggle room. There is a huge shortage nationwide, consider that in your future plans.

As for a "pay cut", that won't work. If you take an officer slot, you must resign that or complete your contract . After that, you have to satisfy any reserve obligations. Bottom line, you may have to resign your commission.


If your goal is the QP pipeline, the Nurse Corps seems to miss that target. Perhaps once in the pipeline, 18D may be an option. There are more here better qualified that I to advise you on that path .

Pick your path and follow through.

Best of luck!

RF 1

[redleg99]

Does anyone know if an officer can take a pay cut, become enlisted

Yes, this is possible, although it is rarely done.
To do it, you must resign your commission – and once resigned, it’s almost impossible to get back.

As to the rest of your question, I’m going to stay in my lane, and let the QPs answer.

[sleepyhead4]

I have a different view of officers resigning their commission to enlist and become SF NCO's. I've met two former CPT's who resigned their commissions and came back in as NCO's and finish the Q course. So it is possible.

My question to you is why can't you go the officer route to become an 18A? Has your year group opportunity already passed? If so, have you tried to get a waiver, which I've also seen.

[uboat509]

If you are looking to an 18A forget about nursing. AMEDD is a different animal than the rest of the Army. They are very short of nurses. They aren't going to let you go and honestly I am not sure that you would be eligible if they did.

SFC W

[Team Sergeant]

If you want a life after the service go nurse.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,507587,00.html

[frostfire]

Red Flag 1, uboat509, TS, points noted on nursing.

redleg99, sleepyhead4, thank you for verifying what I heard from another service member. I have never considered 18A. The following may be seen as a self-defeating mindset that doesn't belong in SF, but after counting the cost of each route and that the best NCO deserves the best of the best of the best officer, I think the odds of making it through the pipeline is better on the enlisted side. I'm just being honest. "A man's got to know his limitations"

I just found out my understanding of the options is skewed. The enlisted jobs available are not just linguist, but any MOS that does not require security clearance (hmmm, can I join AMU :D ?). Officer vs. enlistee. So now it's Army nurse vs. 83+ MOS'. I'm inclined towards 68W as 18D is my dream.

Alrighty then, if nothing else.....eeny meeny miney mo

[Red Flag 1]

frostfire,

Something else.; see inbound pm.

RF 1

[frostfire]

Following your advices, wisdom, and more soul-searching, I decided to give AMEDD a go.

Didn't do too bad with ASVAB (GT: 133, CO: 143, SC: 145, ST: 143). The auto/shop portion was a killer as I didn't recognize more than half of the jargons.

It seems medical recruit got red carpet treatment at MEPS. Somehow it made me feel guilty. As I aspire to be part of a community I have nothing short of immense respect and admiration, it only makes sense to be subjected to the same process the members had gone through aka "when you can do what I do, you can go where I go." Red carpet or not, I still put my best game ie. I did calishthenics at 0400 so I was all warmed up for the ortho/neuro portion.

I might sound naive....but the general consensus of the recruits and some staff did not bode too well with me: The armed forces are viewed as a giant money pit. All volunteer force, really?

I truly appreciate the posts and PMs. I will pursue CCU and medevac. Hope to work with you gentlemen downrange one day.

Take care,

ff

[Team Sergeant]

Good choice.

This little "spat" we're having with "man-caused conflicts" is about to end and with the current economy a job in the medical field makes a lot of sense.

[Sinister]

You could have pursued parallel paths --

1) Finish your Nursing degree (say a BSN) and pass the state RN licensing exam.

2) Join a National Guard Special Forces Group (19th or 20th) and go into the REP-63 initial enlistment pipeline as an 18D.

You would have a life skill for a career and service outside and after the military.

Assuming you pass the Selection and Training process you would be a part of the Special Forces family, deploying to where the work is.

You can also pursue that path once you separate after your initial contractual obligation.

The Army can't GIVE AWAY full-ride RN ROTC scholarships. That is an insanely good deal.

[greenberetTFS]

Following your advices, wisdom, and more soul-searching, I decided to give AMEDD a go.

Didn't do too bad with ASVAB (GT: 133, CO: 143, SC: 145, ST: 143). The auto/shop portion was a killer as I didn't recognize more than half of the jargons.

It seems medical recruit got red carpet treatment at MEPS. Somehow it made me feel guilty. As I aspire to be part of a community I have nothing short of immense respect and admiration, it only makes sense to be subjected to the same process the members had gone through aka "when you can do what I do, you can go where I go." Red carpet or not, I still put my best game ie. I did calishthenics at 0400 so I was all warmed up for the ortho/neuro portion.

I might sound naive....but the general consensus of the recruits and some staff did not bode too well with me: The armed forces are viewed as a giant money pit. All volunteer force, really?

I truly appreciate the posts and PMs. I will pursue CCU and medevac. Hope to work with you gentlemen downrange one day.

Take care,

ff

ff, I don't know what RF1 told you but I can vouch for his knowledge and sound advice. You can't go wrong considering it...................:D


GB TFS :munchin