So, I’m thinking about re enlisting . I need some advice from those who have made that decision. Pros and cons ?

2019-07-03T15:46:42-04:00

So, currently I am working as a paramedic. I got out of the military two years ago . I was in the guard for 8 years. I was a heavy equipment operator and water treatment specialist.

I’m thinking about re enlisting as a medic . I am going to apply to nursing school soon for my associates in nursing.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 3 at 2019 3:48 PM

2019-07-03T15:48:44-04:00

I reenlisted; after I got a good enough evaluation; as a Sports Director for Dependent Youths. That was one of the best decisions of my life! SGT Whit Whit

Response by PV2 Duane Schlender made Jul 3 at 2019 4:07 PM

2019-07-03T16:07:10-04:00

Allow me to give my own 2 cents in my own weird way.

I joined the army in 1999. I became a tank mechanic. I had problems in the service, but nothing compared to the problems I have had being OUT of the service. Sure, I am abridging a lot here, as I have made other posts detailing all to clearly different aspects of my time in service. Plus, being overly detailed here only detracts from the point of posting for this section.

Through my multitude of problems, lack of knowledge, youth, and other such things. I made the choice to hate the service (partly due to internal conflicts affecting my unit at the time) and I pretty much quit and left.
Right, wrong, or indifferent.. I learned the hard way that I made a very bad mistake. A mistake that I could not see at the time because I was caught up in my own personal problems, family problems, military problems (problems that affected not just me in my unit), etc.

I left the service, and became absolutely NOTHING. Got sent to prison TWICE (one time due to my identity being stolen along with ALL my military documents, and the thief pretended to be me while i was in jail).
I live at home, no job, no family to speak of, barely any friends... I am becoming more and more reclusive. I hate exercise, I hate my life, and I have traits of agoraphobia and paranoia.

Now, to answer your question above Sgt whit whit....
If you honestly believe that you can pass all the requirements of going back in, and can stick it out. If you can handle the stress, the internal conflicts, family issues, and EVERY thing else which has, does, and will go with a military career. Then, please, go back in and enjoy doing your duty.

I gave up on myself, and my "team" by leaving the service. I was chaptered for poor duty performance (pt failure) for several reasons. I lacked knowledge, support, and much more which would have probably kept me in the service where I should have loved being.

I regret every single day not being in uniform. but that is me, and my failures. I have tried making up for my failures by supporting veterans, helping people go into the service, working stand down functions, passing knowledge on to veterans and military personnel to positively help them. I even try my best to contact authorities every time something happens which i feel they should investigate (including a letter to the FBI regarding a terrorist in our country who is still on the wanted list..).

All in all, for me, I will never be able to make up for my failure of not staying in uniform.

SO, I ask.. what is your motivation for wanting back in? What has you considering going back in? Is there any reason NOT to go back? Have you fully weighed your options whether they be physical, mental, training, happiness, or otherwise?

Yes, I know.. I have made this post a bit long, rambling, and probably weird.. but I want you ask yourself what your reasons for this are and if its worth it to you. If you can honestly say "yes, its worth it". Then get your but in gear and do it! Otherwise... find out why its NOT worth it, and either fix the problem, or....whatever comes next.

I wish you the very best of luck. and, again, sorry for my lengthy and weird answer. I have trouble viewing this from any perspective other than my own as it relates to myself. You have my support regardless of what you finally decide on.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2019 4:14 PM

2019-07-03T16:14:38-04:00

I assume your long range goal is to be an RN. If you have your national registry certification, you can bypass a portion of 68W AIT. People will tell you that you should enlist as a 68C because you want to be a nurse. I would disagree. If you hold out for a 68C class seat you might not attend training for another year, and then another year to graduate. Then another year as a 68C before you can attempt to commission or join a commissioning program. If you fast track through as a medic, you can work on your college and be enrolled in a commissioning program sooner than you would be graduating from 68C AIT.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 3 at 2019 6:25 PM

2019-07-03T18:25:05-04:00

It looks like you want to be a nurse. A worthy goal. I have two in my family! An associate in Nursing allows you to be licensed and work. It won't get you a commission in all of the Services. I know the Navy and Air Force require a Bachelors degree to enter their Nurse Corps. Maybe the Army. My daughter's history is similar to yours. She was in the Air Guard as a Civil Engineering supply person. She completed her BSN and resigned from her Guard Unit. She went onto the IRR for a few years. After about 8 years, she decided to look into being a military nurse. In the meantime she had completed her MSN and Nurse Practitioner. She shopped around all the Services and took the best deal with the Navy Reserve. She came aboard as an O-3 and only went to Medical OTS, 4 weeks.
My advice: Complete as much education as you can afford before enlisting. If you can complete your BSN before enlisting, so much the better. Talk to Nurse recruiters from all the Services to see if there are scholarships available.

Response by LCpl Russell Wallace made Jul 3 at 2019 10:30 PM

2019-07-03T22:30:49-04:00

Don’t do it. There’s nothing there for you.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 4 at 2019 8:52 AM

2019-07-04T08:52:07-04:00

http://www.usphs.gov

Trust me, I was doctoral.allied health till total perm.disability, I'd wanted to go USPHS active duty or inactive Reseve, though Congress for the of the latter...look at their Jr and Sr COSTEP, their analogue to ROTCs, that can also be used for grad school, call their toll free recruiter number, it's on their site, and chat with the nursing recrjuiters, I trained under an O-6 with them while doing my externship before resieench, we shut my license sevl yrs ago due to the whole disability thing....

www.usphs.gov

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 4 at 2019 8:56 AM

2019-07-04T08:56:25-04:00

http://www.usuhs.gov/gsn

YOoull.also wanna look at this for later, you'd likely have to do a cop of tours as an RN on active to have a chance Dr this, it goes to doctoral level for RNs, I'd also do NP, look up also RN first assist (RN-FA), where an TH is linked to a certified first assist (CFA) in ORs to let an RN or NO possibly, I'm unsure, close surg sites after an MD, DO, DDS/DMD, or allied health surgeon leaves an OR procedure...

gsn

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 4 at 2019 8:56 AM

2019-07-04T08:56:47-04:00

I'd you wanna chat more, just lemme know, no rush....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 4 at 2019 8:58 AM

2019-07-04T08:58:24-04:00

And I'd you go psych RN or NP, you can also attach to Army, Navy, or USAF, USPHS has a site about their intersvc agreement for 3 yr tours, you can also attach to USCG....

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 4 at 2019 2:54 PM

2019-07-04T14:54:45-04:00

Have you talked to recruiters for military scholarships?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2019 3:34 AM

2019-07-05T03:34:06-04:00

If re-enlisting or commissioning ends up not appealing to you, I'd also suggest to apply for positions as a GS civilian nurse on USA jobs as another alternative once you have completed your certification.

Response by Cpl Charles Trump made Apr 1 at 2020 4:53 PM

2020-04-01T16:53:30-04:00

Stay a civ. The money is better.