Is it possible to get a slot for 68C and then get commissioned as a 66H without finishing my contract?

PFC Geof Suniga — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 02:29:03 -0500

I was trying to get in as new RN but the recruiter said they have no opening for new grad until next fiscal year so im thinking of just joining 68C first then get commision after i get all the paperwork done. Also do i still have to go to AIT since im already an RN?

Response by LTC George Morgan made Dec 1 at 2018 8:58 AM

LTC George Morgan — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 08:58:53 -0500

Being from the British, Royal Army Medical Corps, I am not in a position to comment. However my RN colleague, I wish you well in achieving your worthy goals

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 1 at 2018 12:40 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 12:40:23 -0500

There is more to the service than having finished a medical school. Do you know how to function as a soldier?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2018 3:36 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 15:36:04 -0500

There is no guarantee of getting out of a contract early. It depends on many things, which specialty is more critically short, whether you took a bonus or loan repayment, whether you qualify for commission, whether your unit is set to deploy somewhere, etc etc. Could they do it? Sure. Will they? Who knows for sure. But be prepared to finish out contact as an option and working and being treated as a paraprofessional and junior enlisted instead of degreed, medical professional.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2018 3:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 15:39:10 -0500

If you were an LPN you could skip AIT and I think you would even come in as an E5. But, you can't be an LPN without the license.
Plus, if you go to 68C, it's a long wait for a class, the class is a year long, and you'll have to serve in the MOS for a year before trying to commission. You're better off just waiting or commissioning with the Reserve component.
An alternate choice would be to come in under your old MOS, apply for direct commission and switch over on active duty. I had a buddy who did that in SF. He earned his JD, passed the bar, then applied for direct commission. You may still have to do a year at your first duty station

Response by CPT Bobby Johnson made Dec 8 at 2018 9:50 AM

CPT Bobby Johnson — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 09:50:08 -0500

If you are already a licensed RN and a recruiter told you that then that recruiter is lying to you and the incident should be reported to an inspector generals office.

The US Military does not have it’s own accredited BSN RN program and is dependent on civilian institutions.
The ANC (Army Nurse Corps) MOSs have changed recently.

I have been out for 12 years but have many friends on active duty still.

There are 4 pathways to become commissioned in the ANC. The basics are: Be a US Citizen within Waiverable Age, No significant Criminal Record, Pass a MEPPS Exam (Medical), Pass your Height and Weight, Pass am Army Physical Fitness Test, Have a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and haves valid Nursing License in any state.

The 4 Pathways to obtaining your commission in the ANC are:
1.) Army ROTC-Likely one of your best choices as long as you have a 4 or 3 year Scholarship. You have a little more control over your destiny but have to perform all requirements for ROTC like most Cadet Commisioning programs. It pays for almost everything. Also if you fail nursing school the scholarship can revert to a general ROTC Scholarship and you can continue College and ROTC but not nursing as long as you are in good standing as a cadet.
2.) Direct Commision-Unlike other officer corps in the Army, the ANC is one of the few that accepts nurses without having to go through a commisioning program like ROTC or Officer Candidate School. The problem is you go through school with your own finances or loans and scholarships and then apply to enter. Problem is as a Second Lieutenant you will make a little bit less than a new nurse likely but that picks up after a couple years and you’r better as a Captain.
3.) AMEDD Enlisted Commisioning Program (AECP)-If you don’t have your nursing degree and don’t want to do ROTC or the other options then this is a little known route but there’s a catch. You enlist as a recruit (Private) go through Basic Combat Training and AIT and serve in what ever MOS you enlisted for (Better off as a LPN/RT/XR Tech/Medic/Cardiac Tech). From the beginning you have to knock out your first two years of prequisite classes for a BSN. If you meet requirements and deadline for ACEP and an accredited BSN School, then the other catch is you need approval and recommendation from your command. This can be very tricky as enlisted because I seen this go both ways. Lower rank you are the harder it is. If you pissed off anyone above you in your long chain it can be disapproved. I have even seen a very high performing higher ranking NCO get disapproved for a year because his command did not want to let him go. The benefit is once approved you attend civilian nursing school full time with your full time active duty benefits and pay with the Army and keep your time in grade for retirement just while you’re going to school. Once completed you get a direct commission in the ANC. (You cannot get a commision in other branches because this is not a formal Officer training program.)
4.) HPSP?-Another little known program. If you want to attend an accredited nursing program but there is no ROTC Cadet program available at that school or near that school affiliated with it then this can help. I don’t know much about it. What I know is it basically let’s you skip the ROTC Bull Crap but still gives you similar funding for your school like an Army ROTC Scholarship. You go through school without dealing with ROTC and by graduation and licensure you enter the ANC as a Direct Commission. Just try to learn some stuff about the uniform and drill and ceremony a little right before going on active duty. They’ll teach you quick.

The US Military Academy (USMA) does not have a Nursing Program and is considered a prestigious professional officer program for people who want to become full time professional officers. (ROTC is also a program but USMA gets better training and is considered more prestigious. This is debated by officers.

Do not go to Officer Candidate School (OCS). You don’t need it.

The ANC is mostly concerned about your development as an RN for the first few years. Officer skills like Army Writing Style, Operations Orders, Paperwork, Presentations, Briefings, Organization you can learn on your own time and with colleagues that can help you. You don’t need all that starting out. ROTC or some as a NCO (E-5-E9) is where you get some of those skills. It can help later but just not necessary in the beginning.

I hope this information helps you. Good Luck!!!

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2019 7:58 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 19:58:06 -0400

I am in the same boat at the moment. I got out of active duty in 2015 to attend nursing school and return to active duty as a commissioned officer soon after graduation. In 2018 I graduated with my BSN and was in the middle of completing my 66H packet until the mission for FY2020 changed and the Army decided to not take in nurses without two years of experience. Now I am considering either joining as a 68C or return as a 68W and submit a direct commission packet internally.
Were you able to find a path?