Posted on Jul 16, 2019
CPT(P) Critical Care Registered Nurse (Rn)
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Completed all requirements / paperwork to attend, but Fort Benning denied AOC waiver stating: Not in paid parachutist position, not on orders to airborne unit. POC there said walking-on was not an option.

Is there another way while maintaining 66H (soon to be 66S / critical care RN) AOC, or do I need to gain a new AOC, and transfer to a new branch / unit? I've fulfilled my contract obligation, and there was no bonus for my AOC. Could my branch (AN) refuse to release me?

I've heard of Civil Affairs reserve units on jump status. 38A, 70H, Aid-De-Camp, etc.? Would this be a good route for career broadening opportunities, deployment, NATO / JTF missions, etc.? CA/PSYOPS has interested me since I enlisted 12y ago, and I'm looking for something more involved.

Thanks for reading.
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 6
SGT Javier Silva
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Sir, yes, your branch could choose to not release you. Normally, a medical MOS is in short supply both officers and enlisted. Although you may be able to reclass to another MOS within your branch, that may be in short supply, but they don't have to approve a branch release.

I would get with your Training NCO at the Co, or the BN. Branch may release you for PSYOPS/CA.
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CPT(P) Critical Care Registered Nurse (Rn)
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Thanks for the response. 66H's (Med-Surg RN) are a dime a dozen, but 66S (critical care RN's) are less common; they receive a nice annual bonus, and are then contracted for 3-4y. I sent up a packet requesting the AOC, and upon receiving it, I would have to file paperwork to collect the bonus.

I did fulfill my 3y contract, so I suppose AN / AMEDD could refuse to release me (especially if 66S)... I believe I would then have to go IRR until I get picked up by another branch or National Guard?
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SGT Javier Silva
SGT Javier Silva
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Sir, in your statement above, you say that you're going to be a 66S, not that you are. If you make the transition to 66S, and receive a bonus, you may have a new obligation of 3-4yrs. If you met your obligation as a 66H, why not try leaving branch before making the transition to 66S?
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CPT(P) Critical Care Registered Nurse (Rn)
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SGT Javier Silva Absolutely correct. My thought was that I could somehow utilize the needed AOC to gain an Airborne slot. But receiving a bonus would lock me in for 3-4yrs.
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SGT Javier Silva
SGT Javier Silva
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CPT(P) (Join to see) - I would definitely look at doing either or, sir.
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CW3 Mobility Officer
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Sir, I would reach out the NG in your area, they will occasionally put on classes for Air Assault and possibly Airborne. they are not Active Duty schools but they are valid.
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CPT(P) Critical Care Registered Nurse (Rn)
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I appreciate the suggestion. After calling several NG recruiters. I'm told the AMEDD recruiter would be the one to speak w/ in regard to 66S (critical care RN).

Also, NG cannot guarantee airborne unless going active duty. Can anyone verify if NG has dedicated airborne slots allotted to them?
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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The NG doesn't have any airborne classes they do, the Army is only authorized to attend the Airborne school at Fort Benning.
As long as you're in an Airborne unit, you'll generally be in an authorized Airborne position, and eligible to go to school. The Psyops and CA units in the Reserves are, they fall under USACAPOC. The NG has two Airborne battalions, one in TX and one in RI. I believe all the NG LRS units were disbanded already. There also SF battalions and SOTs scattered throughout the country. I doubt they have a 66H position at a company, but they could have one at the battalion or higher level. Those positions are by interview only.
A good first step would be to get on FMSWEB and dig around for Airborne positions in your AOC.
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LTC Ray B. (Ret)
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Call your branch Mgr.
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CPT(P) Critical Care Registered Nurse (Rn)
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Sir, I called very early on in this process, but no luck. I was wondering if somehow they could make Airborne school part of contracting again as an officer. I know a SSG in my unit who got in as part of a "re-enlistment" contract... Don't see the difference as an officer, especially since the bonus is greater for ICU nurses when compared to medics. I would think that supply and demand calls for a greater need?
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LTC Ray B. (Ret)
LTC Ray B. (Ret)
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Join an airborne unit
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