Posted on May 5, 2021
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Interested in joining the Air Force as a nurse, how competitive is it to get in? Any advice?
I will be graduating in August and I would like to start the process ASAP if possible or at least know what I should do or have in hand in order to proceed.
I am prior service (as noted above).
Thank you for any advice you are able to provide.
I will be graduating in August and I would like to start the process ASAP if possible or at least know what I should do or have in hand in order to proceed.
I am prior service (as noted above).
Thank you for any advice you are able to provide.
Posted in these groups: 
Direct Commission
Direct Commission
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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I loved the AF, but you should talk to nurse recruiters from Army, Navy, and Air Force. Look at active and reserve and Army and Air Guard. That’s about 8 different choices. TAke the best offer that meets your personal goals. Much of the AF aeromedical evacuation capability is in the Reserve and Guard. My daughter is a Navy Reserve Nurse. She loves it. Just promoted to CDR.
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SPC Jamie S.
MAJ Byron Oyler to be honest, I’m not 100% certain of which area I’d like to pursue but I am leaning towards OR and maybe even ER.
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SPC Jamie S.
SPC Jamie S. I’ve looked in into Public Health Corps but it does not peak my interest.
Would it be better to gain experience and then apply? I really miss being in the military so I’m wanting to join as soon as I can. But, I’m always up for gaining knowledge in the meantime. Unfortunately, all the VA hospitals around me are about 40+mins away.
Would it be better to gain experience and then apply? I really miss being in the military so I’m wanting to join as soon as I can. But, I’m always up for gaining knowledge in the meantime. Unfortunately, all the VA hospitals around me are about 40+mins away.
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MAJ Byron Oyler
SPC Jamie S. - The Army has several courses for advanced nursing and is a great place to start for new nurses; after a year you can apply for one of the specialty fields that does include ER and OR.
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SPC Jamie S.
MAJ Byron Oyler that’s great to hear! Thank you. I’ll defend keep all of this information on hand when inquiring. I appreciate all the help.
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Suspended Profile
If you are prior service, you have a leg up from the standpoint that you know what you are getting into. That said, I would explore the Air Reserve and Air National Guard first. It will give you a taste of what to expect and allow you to pursue a civilian career in addition to a part-time military career. Not to mention, they have $$$ if you want to continue your studies. But, active duty isn't horrible. One of my great friends in life was an Air Force doctor and he LOVED it. He retired, but I know he relished his active duty time. You win no matter the component you join and you will always be employable because you entered nursing, as you likely know. Just make sure to check and ask about the incentives they are offering. Like I know the Army used to offer student loan repayment up to a certain amount, so be sure to ask about these kinds of things. Good luck.
Suspended Profile
The regs allow for it and I've known people who have done it, but like anything, it depends on who you are surrounded by. You can also do AGR which is active duty working for the reserve. These folks are fulltime personnel on active duty who work in reserve/Guard units for traditional reserve/guard units. AGR is pretty good, a bit more stable than traditional active duty, but there are draw backs to it like anything else. But to answer your question, yes, you can go from guard/reserve to A/D, but be sure to check your fine print because if you are getting incentives there will certainly be stipulations.
SPC Jamie S.
MAJ Steve Alvarez - That's actually not a bad option. IF I did have to wait to gain experience as a nurse, the AGR would be a good start and then "hopefully" go AD after that....depending if they take a newbie nurse or not. I'll definitely look into it. Thank you for that information. I always though of the Reserves as just a part time thing, I don't think I ever knew there was an Active part of it. (I thought they had to be mobilized to be active)
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CPT James Ramsey
Normally, I would agree wholeheartedly with this, but the reserves are in a weird spot where they are over-strength on nurses. I would recommend applying, return everything requested timely and keep trying.
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I would encourage you to check into Army Nursing as well. Lots of great options and specializations available.
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