31yo M, Chiropractor and RN, thinking of joining

[raslusher]

It's my understanding that I would not be commissioned as an officer, despite my doctorate degree?

Would my nursing degree be of use?

I would like to join, I would like for the military to take advantage of my mind. I would not like to see combat, because I admit, I am not built for that.

I would love to not have to go to boot camp; and be able to do my part with the US military, however, I am not a weapon, my mind is.

[matthew.ritchie]

If you plan to serve as an Army Nurse, then you would join as an officer, and attend a less intense form of initial training as befits your role. This is a different way of serving than leading Soldiers in combat, but is obviously important and necessary. Speak with your State's AMEDD Recruiter.

[California Major]

Some great bonuses offered for Nurses!

[raslusher]

What type of bonuses are we talking?


And what do you mean by 'less intense' form of boot camp?

[SteveLord]

What type of bonuses are we talking?


And what do you mean by 'less intense' form of boot camp?

Well he didn't say "boot camp." ;)

You won't go to anything like your typical idea of boot camp. More of an intro to the army/conducting yourself as a soldier and officer kind of thing. I don't remember the length (I'm thinking a month if not less.)

[notyetdead]

It's my understanding that I would not be commissioned as an officer, despite my doctorate degree?
You can be commissioned as an officer. There are no chiropractors in the Army (they don't recognize them), but your bachelor's degree would be sufficient to qualify you for commissioning. Your BA can be in any field for the sake of being commissioned as an officer. Beyond that, you'd need to find a branch that suits you.

Would my nursing degree be of use?
Yes, a B.S.N. definitely counts.

I would like to join, I would like for the military to take advantage of my mind.
They will. They'll also take advantage of your body. They get the whole package when you sign on the dotted line. In the Nursing Corps, you'd be an officer and have leadership responsibilities, but your biggest asset will be your nursing skills. They'll make use of them.

I would not like to see combat, because I admit, I am not built for that.
Define "see combat." As a nurse, you'll need to be prepared to see the effects of combat. You'll need to be willing to deploy to warzones. You should not expect to be put in a combatant position. That won't be your job.

I would love to not have to go to boot camp; and be able to do my part with the US military,
"Boot camp" usually refers to the training the enlisted go to. You'd be going to OBLC instead. Very different. Less yelling, less PT. You do want to go to this. There are some important skills every soldier needs to learn, regardless of their job title.

however, I am not a weapon, my mind is.
I'm getting a flash of Men Who Stare At Goats. Not pretty...

[notyetdead]

You won't go to anything like your typical idea of boot camp. More of an intro to the army/conducting yourself as a soldier and officer kind of thing. I don't remember the length (I'm thinking a month if not less.)
AMEDD OBLC is the course you'd be doing, raslusher. It's 25 days long. Here's a link (http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/obc/1RCOBLC.htm) to the course description. The PT is very manageable for anyone in decent shape and the biggest classroom danger is death-by-powerpoint.

Contact your state's AMEDD recruiter. Some of the current benefits available to BSN-qualified nurses are $5K/year for special pay for up to three years and $10K/year in student loan repayments for up to three years (taken consecutively, not concurrently). There are a whole lot of benefits, personal and professional, to being a nurse in the Guard. If you can't locate your state's AMEDD recruiting team, PM me and I'll point you to them.

Good luck with your decision...

[Frisco]

What type of bonuses are we talking?

Looks like it's currently $5000 per year for a three year commitment:

http://www.nationalguard.com/careers/medical-professional-officer/healthcare-bonuses-and-loans

And as the others said, the training you'll go through will be more of a gentleman's course than anything resembling military training - even less intensive than Air Force basic training, if you can believe that...

[raslusher]

Thanks guys for all the help. Just to clarify about my degrees though;
I have a doctorate in Chiropractic
A Bachelors in Liberal Sciences
An Associate in Nursing

----


I think that this would change my bonus level since I do not have a bachelors in Nursing.

[notyetdead]

I think that this would change my bonus level since I do not have a bachelors in Nursing.
Correct. With your RN and BA you can still be commissioned into the Nursing Corp, but you wouldn't be eligible to the bonuses that I described above.

Talk to an AMEDD recruiter if you're interested in joining the Guard as a nurse. There are lots of side benefits related to professional training and whatnot, and some of it is state specific.

Good luck with your decision...

[raslusher]

Could you tell me how to find my local AMEDD recruiter? Thank You.

[notyetdead]

Could you tell me how to find my local AMEDD recruiter? Thank You.
What's local?

[raslusher]

Sorry for the delay, my internet crashed big time. I'm in Spartanburg/Greenville SC area.

[raslusher]

Anyone know?

[upnorthguy]

Someone asked a few years ago (http://www.nationalguard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9191) about units in NC/SC, especially those for a new LT. LTC Ritchie gave some sage advice that I think is still good and applicable to SC:

"Your best bet is to get with the Officer Strength Manager for North Carolina. Call 1-800-Go-Guard, and ask to speak to the OSM (otherwise known as the state's officer recruiter). The OSM can talk to you about branching and unit assignments."

[notyetdead]

Upnorthguy's advice is good, but I'd recommend asking the 800 folks for your state's AMEDD recruiter.

Recruiter's tend to be extremely helpful, but AMEDD has very specific requirements and benefits that are unique to its branch that non-AMEDD recruiters are often unaware of. I've dealt with a few prospects that were told things that were very inaccurate by non-AMEDD recruiters just trying to help out. I'd ask for your state's point-of-contact in AMEDD recruiting to make sure you're sent to someone who knows what they're talking about.