What advice can you offer to someone looking to transfer from AG to Army Nurse (TXARNG)?

2017-04-23T16:34:00-04:00

Going to school in the fall for EMT but with limited career options in the AG id like to transfer to assist in my civilian career. My ultimate goal is to do arson investigations. I need to be EMS and Fire certified but I would also like to get my RN. Im Currently working at a behavioral health hospital and think that mental health nurse on the army side would be a good fit long term for both.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2017 4:39 PM

2017-04-23T16:39:28-04:00

Before I commissioned I was a MP in the Army Reserve for 6 years. I will have been in for a total of 9 years in August. Haven't been to BOLC yet but had to pick a branch to commission. Currently in a S-1 slot at the BN level and im open to staying in longer to accomplish my goals. I will have 16 years in the force at the end of my current contract. Any advice would be appreciated.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2017 4:43 PM

2017-04-23T16:43:46-04:00

I'm a little confused at your statement 'on the army side" Army Guard, Reserve and active are all the Army side. But to answer your question I would go the direction that best fulfills your objective. I'm assuming you're talking about going active vs Guard or Reserve.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2017 4:53 PM

2017-04-23T16:53:02-04:00

You wouldn't be able to transfer to the Nurse Corps without a nursing degree in hand. If you're looking to transition into the healthcare side of the Army look into 70B which is under the Med Service Corps. From what I understand it's one of the few entry level positions in AMEDD for non-providers. They attend the same phase 1 of BOLC (although they have a different phase 2/track phase). This might make the transition easier if you do end up transferring to the NC down the line.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 24 at 2017 11:14 AM

2017-04-24T11:14:12-04:00

My answer is "none of the above." You need to evaluate your military future in light of you civilian career. The National Guard is an honorable way to serve regardless of your MOS, but you need to weigh your long-term options. If your intent is to use your EMT to bring in a paycheck while you pursue your two-year or four-year RN, then you might do well to stay in your current MOS till you get your RN. After you achieve your RN, then go to the Nurse recruiter for each Military Department an see which Reserve Component will give you the best deal in terms of rank and accession date. My daughter served 12 years enlisted in the Air Guard. She ended up in the Navy Reserve because they were willing to start her at O-3 and bring her on board in 6 months. The other Services wanted to start her at O-1 (she had a BSN, MSN, and Nurse Practitioner) or delay her accession for up to a year.

If you truly want to be an arson investigator as you say, then I don't see the connection to being an RN. Local and state arson investigators go through specialized training to do their job. I have a neighbor who is an IL state fire martial arson investigator, K9. His background was law enforcement (civilian) and airfield fire fighting (Air National Guard). He likes his job, loves his dog, but hates the BS he has to put up with from the State. May be different in Texas. If this is the way you want to go, check the prerequisites in your state (looks like you've don't this) and target your education and military experience in that direction. I notice you're already a LT, so transferring to a fire fighter MOS/AFSC may not be possible. I don't think there are officer positions in fire fighting in Guard Units and maybe not even on active duty. Air Force firefighter are generally part of Civil Engineering.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Apr 24 at 2017 11:16 AM

2017-04-24T11:16:57-04:00

I don't know what to tell you about your current Guard career path, but I'll recommend a school to you if you are interested in Fire Investigations. Try Eastern Kentucky University, they offer that program either resident or online and my firefighter buddies say it's top notch. The school also does a 4 year program for EMT's. http://fireandsafety.eku.edu/
If you are looking to get the Army to pay for some training, I would look at 65D as a PA. A PA would be more inline with the emergency medical side of the world anyway.

Fire & Safety Degree Programs | Fire And Safety | Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University offers three distinct degree programs in the areas of fire and safety. All of these programs provide you with a broad-based understanding of fire science while allowing you to pick the area of specialization that fits your interests and career goals.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2017 12:58 AM

2017-04-25T00:58:22-04:00

Well, investigations are done by CID, which is mostly a warrant field. Branch transfer usually happens at CCC, which means you're a few years away from being able to do so. Why did your supervisor recommend you move to another career field?