Posted on Jun 13, 2018
CPT Obstetrics and Gyneco
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An old friend of mine randomly posted a photo of himself in OCP’s with LTC rank. He told everyone that he just joined the Army Rerserves. I asked him what unit, and he told me it’s the 101st Airborne. He has a BS in nursing. He’s 45 years old. He’s not on ako or on enterprise. My question is, does this story smell fishy?
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SFC William Sutherland III
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As a long time US Army Reserve member now retired, I want to remind those here that there‘ve indeed been cases of nurses joining the Reserves at later ages, due to the shortage of nurses and doctors on the Army’s medical staff. But, (and I emphase “BUT” ) -…there are two simple points I‘d like to make. Normally a Doctor or Specialist, is promoted to the rank of 03 otherwise most receive a commission to 2nd LT., but some have received -a direction above O1 on special occasions. Nurses EMT or surgical nurses could receive a higher promotion, but that would be on a case by case basis, however, I‘d generally call BULLSHIT.. on the age requirement. Age requirement is 40 at the time of commission, for retirement otherwise they won’t accept you. Age 44 and older is a No-Go, because it’s impossible to offer retirement of less than 20 at the onset of enlistment? Of course there are circumstances such as;- if that servicemember {he/she } has prior credible service then that would cumulative to the age requirements! As age 60 is the set for the “MRD {Magatory Retirement Date}” or age for all unless signed by a two star or higher.
Lastly, that individual wouldn’t be assigned to an active duty Division, but to a field unit or hospital then attached to Fort Campbell but is not assigned for pay and promotion purposes unless through a Pentagon option of a program such as holding a billet space and very well might have their Division HQs as the 101st but that’s a different animal - I doubt it, due to most reserve medical staff assigned to a Medical Reserve Unit and not an Active Duty Unit due to the supervision and money allocated for pay etc,. It all must come from from other funding as well.
But what do I know, I’m Retired! (I would still call BS)!!!
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SGT Jon Watt
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It can happen - it's highly irregular and thus chances of happening are very few. In my early career, I knew a doctor that had retired from private practice. The military did recruit him and he came on as a LTC. But his medical skills were such that he was needed. While he was assigned like other medical personnel - one of his duties was to teach other doctors the skills he had.

Most doctors are brought on as an O-3 (Captain) while RNs are normally brought on as an O-1 or O-2. My brother was offered O-4 right out of med school, but he had served 4 years as a combat medic with combat experience. There are nurses who come on as O-3 and maybe O-4 who have a lot of other things - prior service, certain specialties, etc.

So to truly answer your question, would need to know more. But on the surface of things - highly doubtful
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SSgt Korey Thompson
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There are circumstances, especially in the medical field, where officers are accepted with a higher rank, however I am not sure of those stipulations. Also, I am not sure if there are exceptions for age, as each branch has their own rules. I believe the maximum accepted age anywhere is 42 years old. And I also believe that he would be required to go through months of training as a cadet, candidate , etc before he could wear any officer rank. Does anyone here know if 101st even has reservists?! And even if they did, I don't imagine they would assign the noobs to a high speed unit such as that.
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Jerry Shelton
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Based on a quick search, it appears as though it's possible. Here's 300 Guardsman who are part of the 101st airborne:
https://www.army.mil/article/177403/tennessee_and_kentucky_national_guard_soldiers_don_101st_airborne_division_patch

Additionally, many units train under the umbrella of the 101st, even though they're not technically part of it. This may be simply a bit of overstatement on the part of your friend.

As for the rank, I believe it's absolutely possible. Based on the credentials of your friend, those in the medical field are often given a rank that coincides with the rough responsibilities/benefits for which they have trained in the private sector.
https://www.medicineandthemilitary.com/officer-and-medical-training/military-officer-training
"If you enter as a licensed physician, your rank will typically begin at captain or major (Army/Air Force), or lieutenant or lieutenant commander (Navy), but it may be higher depending on where you are in your career. When you apply to join the Military, a professional review board will evaluate your work experience and prior service, if any. Once your rank is determined, it must be approved by Congress or the Secretary of Defense. This process may take several months."
If your friend is a Nurse Practitioner, or specific RN specialties with lots of experience (I would think at 45, he would!) it's quite reasonable to make the logical leap that they could come in as a LTC.

My 2-cents, anyway.

That's only a description of "possible" though. It might still be fishy. :)
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SP5 Christopher Brock
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Actually when I joined the Army in 2005 there was a reserve Dr. who just joined and the Army made him a full bird Col. he didn’t know anything about tactics and he was over 50, so sucks to say it’s possible
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SSG Omar Ruiz-Canales
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Hmmm.. i guess 101st is expanding its horizons..
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SSgt Daniel d'Errico
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He's long in the tooth if he's 45, has BS in nursing and just joined the ARMY. But the part that gives him away, is his being accepted into the 101st. Even medical personnel have to be in very good shape to be zirborne aualified.
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SFC(P) Drill Sergeant
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Well since this post just popped up for me..
I seen it first hand last year working at CRC at Fort Bliss for the year Full blown Colonels coming just in to deploy overseas because they are specialized doctors. I seen mostly O5-O-7 rank coming in that were Doctors or nurses ect with no military background just to do a contract overseas in a medical facility. Most them I chatted with told me they would and never would have a command ect they just signed a contract to go overseas and work in the medical field. So it could happen especially when you have a certain skillset the government needs.

Now I don't believe the 101st has a reserve unit but could or could be attached to them overseas that I do not know.
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CW3 Marc Gann
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Fishy as tuna left in the sun.
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SFC Rollie Hubbard
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Yes it is a smelly fish story
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LTC Ted Blasche
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Possibly, but not as a Lieutenant Colonel. Nurses would be commissioned as lieutenants. See Robert Delano's answer to a similar question below.

Robert Delano
Robert Delano, worked at U.S. Army (2003-2009)
Answered Jul 9
Yes and no.

Tennessee and Kentucky National Guard Soldiers don 101st Airborne Division patch

Reserve and National Guard units are participating in a pilot program that integrates all three components under “Compo 1 2 3”.

You will still administratively be under the control of the TN ARNG or under whatever reserve unit is participating, but you will be under the training umbrella of the 101st ABN.

Select Active Duty units are doing the same thing under Nationals guard divisions:

Patriot Brigade Soldiers partner with 36th Infantry Division

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Sgt Albert Duran
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It seems he has a BS, in Nursing and in Life.
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MSG Loren Tomblin
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Ask in a polite way to see what the new ID cards look like. They have a DOD number and not an SSN or Serial number. Sounds to me is like an X- friend of mine, retired Major that brags about his combat tours. He is actually on the democrat ticket running for congress. He has a shitload of ribbons and one of them appears to be a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He was five years old when my friend, the last one off the roof in 1975 unassed the AO. However I could be mistaken but as a Viet Nam veteran myself, it sure looks like one. He also stated that he was on the promotion list to LTC after CGSS and said his PH packet was still in process. Which he did attend. He also stated on his financial disclosure statement required when you run for public office that his wife was being paid as his caretaker. He has blocked me from any comments. I told his young ass to quit bragging about himself. I went to school with his parents back in the day. His name is Richard Ojeda and is running for Congress against a Republican in WV-3. For good laughs just check him out. The POTUS called him a wack job. His wife even posted that he suffered two TBI's but he made the cut and is the only democrat on the ballot. Go figure. I am sad for him and years ago tried to advise him to STFU about his combat exploits and let others praise him. He appears to be narcissistic and pumps iron. I feel sad for him. Richard Ojeda is his name. If you don't believe this just google him on FB. I grew up in the County he lives in. I do not condone pretention. Sorry for the long spiel but I have spoken. I am too old for BS.
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CPO Matthew Bigelow
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He only has a BS in Nursing??
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SFC Gerald aka Jerry Weiland
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Is his last name Ravnsburg?
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MSG Loren Tomblin
MSG Loren Tomblin
7 y
Maybe Shitbird. I crack myself up!!!
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SPC Raul Aguilar
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Yup. No way he entered the Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel. It's impossible. Also, 5he 101st is not a Reserve Unit.
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LTC Civil Affairs Officer
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Very...If he just joined the US Army Reserves, it does not happen as an LTC Rank!
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MAJ Jerry Hill
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Does sound fishy, but consider a possible scenario: he receives a direct commission because he is a nurse (RN?). He might be assigned to the 101st as an augmentee. I’m not a expert in this area either, but there used to be a program where reservists would be assigned to the same AD unit each summer for a few weeks. IRR? They did not have a reserve unit, per se. When I was AD in Japan we had a USAF major come spend each summer with us on the USFJ staff. Was he wearing appropriate patches and insignia? That’s often a giveaway.
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MSG Loren Tomblin
MSG Loren Tomblin
7 y
I once was sitting at a snack bar as a PV2. I had purchased an EIB at the PX to wear. A 1LT came over and asked "Son where did you get that CIB?" I told him Germany. He said "OK". I then told him it was not a CIB but an EIB. He learned a lesson that day to get all the facts before you react. I had been a former SGT in Germany but the Army chose to take my rank when I went back in to go to "Nam. I then went to language school and made E-6 in 11 months. At any rate if one studies Sun Tsu's Art of War your knowledge of that can be applied to anything. Just think outside the box and don't get stuck in the mud.
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GySgt Mike Swisher
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Yes ma'am, it's definitely "fishy". It doesn't pass the smell test from start to finish . . it sounds like a story a young LCpl would tell at the EM club after one too many beers.
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SSgt Michael Bowen
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Edited 7 y ago
Sounds to me like he/she has more then one BS . Clearly he/she has a BS in BS . I never assume gender but she did say Himself .
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