AFROTC vs. ArmyROTC for NURSING ??

belle

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2013
Messages
14
DD has been awarded both AFROTC and AROTC scholarships, and has been accepted to several universities, into a BSN program. She has been speaking to various people, but we'd love to hear any thoughts from this forum, as to what factors she should consider, and any other thoughts on which branch would be "better" for her. Thanks in advance.
 
The answer to your question is as simple/complicated as asking which branch of service your daughter should join. The actual job of Nursing will be similar in each of the branches. The differences IMHO will be training opportunities, quality of facilities, and base/hospital locations. I'd give the edge to the Army in training opportunities and the AF for facilities (housing ect). JMPO...
 
DD has been awarded both AFROTC and AROTC scholarships, and has been accepted to several universities, into a BSN program. She has been speaking to various people, but we'd love to hear any thoughts from this forum, as to what factors she should consider, and any other thoughts on which branch would be "better" for her. Thanks in advance.
Hello belle,

I'm currently a nursing student at my university considering joining our AFROTC (ours is a two-year program instead of four). So, I cant give much advice about what actually goes on in the program. However, I would say just sit down and do some research on the two different branches and the various ROTC departments :) Like aglages said, from what I've been told the nursing positions will pretty much be the same, but the branches are different. I would see which one she thinks is a better fit for her and the lifestyle she wants! Good luck :)
 
DD is finishing her third year of AROTC nursing program. The army nursing students are expected to train alongside all of the other cadets. They do land nav and run STX lanes just like the cadets who will later branch Infantry or one of the other army branches. They train everyone up so the can complete LDAC at the end of their third year. In my DD's case she went to LDAC at the end of her second year so she could concentrate on her nursing studies this year. This summer the army is sending her to Germany for a month for the NSTP. Balancing both ROTC and nursing school has been a challenge but she has been able to do it. The cadre knows that the nurses are busy with clinicals and try to work with them as much as possible. Overall her experience has been positive thus far.
 
Army Nursing hands down and I am not biased in any way haha. Slots, training opportunities and chances for further certifications as well as schooling are more plentiful in the Army.
 
Last edited:
Army Nursing hands down and I am not biased I'm any way haha. Slots, training opportunities and chances for further certifications as well as schooling are more plentiful in the Army.
Thanks for the information, Aglahad. We have heard that promotions are more abundant in Army for nurses, than Air Force. However she is being told by many (non-Military, and retired military) that nurses are 'treated better in Air Force. Any comments on that?
 
Thanks for the information, Aglahad. We have heard that promotions are more abundant in Army for nurses, than Air Force. However she is being told by many (non-Military, and retired military) that nurses are 'treated better in Air Force. Any comments on that?

I would say the civilians get treated the best in the hospitals (not on call 24/7) but that is a military wide thing.

Treated better? In both branches nurses are officers and are treated exactly the same. While in scrubs you couldn't even tell the difference especially at joint bases. Better housing is moot since most officers live off base and get the exact same BAH as any other officer in the area. I think the many who said those comments are repeating third hand info from generalizations that put AF accommodations above all.

With the Army now delving into flight nursing (AF's key difference) I can assure you that the Army is the best path for nursing IMO. The specialization opportunities are endless. You are also correct in stating that promotions are fast, many nurses get Major by their 7-8th year.

Also the Army has opportunities for staff level positions, brigade nursing slots and the high speed Forward Surgical Teams.

Edit: On mobile so I apologize for poor syntax.
 
Last edited:
DD is finishing her third year of AROTC nursing program. The army nursing students are expected to train alongside all of the other cadets. They do land nav and run STX lanes just like the cadets who will later branch Infantry or one of the other army branches. They train everyone up so the can complete LDAC at the end of their third year. In my DD's case she went to LDAC at the end of her second year so she could concentrate on her nursing studies this year. This summer the army is sending her to Germany for a month for the NSTP. Balancing both ROTC and nursing school has been a challenge but she has been able to do it. The cadre knows that the nurses are busy with clinicals and try to work with them as much as possible. Overall her experience has been positive thus far.
I'll pass this information on to DD. I assume she can talk to her advisor and ROO about timing options for LDAC. Thank you so much!
 
I'll pass this information on to DD. I assume she can talk to her advisor and ROO about timing options for LDAC. Thank you so much!

Some schools offer LDAC for rising junior nurses because of the clinical difficulty of Junior year, however a lot still send their nurses as rising Seniors (What I did as nursing student). Many go to NSTP before or after LDAC that year or in my case attend CTLT (non-nurse training). The MSIII instructor or PMS would know the battalions protocol regarding sending nurses early.
 
I would say the civilians get treated the best in the hospitals (not on call 24/7) but that is a military wide thing.

Treated better? In both branches nurses are officers and are treated exactly the same. While in scrubs you couldn't even tell the difference especially at joint bases. Better housing is moot since most officers live off base and get the exact same BAH as any other officer in the area. I think the many who said those comments are repeating third hand info from generalizations that put AF accommodations above all.

With the Army now delving into flight nursing (AF's key difference) I can assure you that the Army is the best path for nursing IMO. The specialization opportunities are endless. You are also correct in stating that promotions are fast, many nurses get Major by their 7-8th year.

Also the Army has opportunities for staff level positions, brigade nursing slots and the high speed Forward Surgical Teams.

Edit: On mobile so I apologize for poor syntax.
Aglahad, our DD's dream is to be a flight nurse - thus the reason she applied for the AF ROTC scholarship in addition to the Army. Good to hear that Army is starting to think about that. She will be thrilled to hear it.

DD is torn between the 2 branches (her top choice university has both AF and Army) since she feels she can thrive in either branch .... I asked her to think of 'who seems to 'want you more...' -- answer: the Army Recruitment Officer at the university she picked is very encouraging and seemed more motivating to her; while the Air Force RO was just basically low key/less energetic. Anything to read from that?
 
This previous post seemed a bit surprising, it sounds like Nursing is not guaranteed through AFROTC if the cadet is on scholarship. If true the Army sounds like the safer path by far.

Hey everyone,

I'm new to this forum so I apologize if this has already been posted. I searched but couldn't find anything to answer my question. I'm currently a junior at my university seriously considering AFROTC. I saw on the AFROTC site that if you accepted a scholarship in high school with a nursing major listed that you weren't guaranteed that job upon commissioning.
 
This previous post seemed a bit surprising, it sounds like Nursing is not guaranteed through AFROTC if the cadet is on scholarship. If true the Army sounds like the safer path by far.

Hi jcleppe. I saw that on another(?) thread and saw the same poster include a reg quote on yet another thread regarding it not being guaranteed. My own reading of the reg was that basically you must pass your nursing exam and any specialty exams for your selected specialty. Seems like a reasonable restriction and I doubt Army would be a guarantee either if you cannot pass the applicable exams. They may just not spell it out so obviously. I doubt this is an issue that comes up often but it is something one should be aware of for the sake of motivation (pressure?) if nothing else.

EDIT: As usual, this is my opinion only, and is based on absolutely no evidence whatsoever.
 
In my opinion, and throw it in the circular filing cabinet:
ROTC is 4 yrs part time. Commissioning in the AF is FT 4 yrs. There is no Reserve or Guard for AFROTC. To me that is something to investigate. Can she go Reserve or Guard as a nurse in AROTC?

I am not going to lie, Bullet did 2 yrs with the 82nd and a yr at CGSC as an AF O4. I have to say family wise it is different. The emotional ties are the same.

I am just saying if it was my child, my question would be after commissioning. Ask is if there is 100% guarantee if she wants AD via AROTC? It is guaranteed in the AF.

No offense, because I respect the Army since Bullet served with the 82nd and went to CGSC, but as a nurse, if you want flight nurse, the question comes to this:
If injured are they transported to Ramstein via Army airframes, or AF?

The answer is simple. Right now it is the AF that transports the injured soldier.

Honestly, Army has great hospitals, and if flying wasn't an issue, I would lean to Army. However, if flying is an issue as a nurse I would lean to the AF.

AF and Army both have crappy stations where nurses will be assigned. Ft Bliss...is not Ft BLESS! Minot...is known as why not Minot? freezin is the reason.

She has to understand that personalities are players in the equation. AF is known as the corporate branch. It might not be enough for her. Army is known to have meetings to plan for the next meeting. 8 to 4 is AF life. They are called the prima donna's/divas for a reason.
 
Jcleppe,

kinnem is correct...at least from what I understand.

HS students are pre-nursing. Rising jr yr they get accepted into the nursing program.

Our very close friends had a DD in the nursing program at ECU. She had to apply as a sophomore to get into the nursing school. She than had to pass her nursing exams which included internship.

Agagles can give insight for AFROTC since his DD is an AFROTC cadet and a nursing scholarship recipient.

My polish pea brain has it in my mind that last year the AFROTC det. worked with her for SFT because academically she needed to do her nurse requirements to graduate on time.

Nursing is a unique field, at least with east coast colleges.

Funny that agagles and agalahad have such close monikers.

For me as a parent that is deciding between AF and Army. I would be pming both of them. They get nursing.
 
Pima nad Kinnem,

That makes a lot more sense, thanks for the info....so much to learn.
 
Thanks for jumping in, Pima; appreciate the wisdom. Sorry but am new to this and need help with abbreviations. What did you mean by "I would be pming both of them?"

Also, FYI -- DD has been accepted to direct admit nursing programs -- universities that accept certain students to begin nursing classes as a freshman, and the BSN program is specifically set out as a 4-yr program, actually starting from day 1 in college. Tough to get into, but proud to say DD was able to get in, at several great colleges. If anyone out there is (or has a student) interested in going into nursing, and your student is sure they want to do it, look for direct-admit nursing programs. Once admitted, there's no further applications to get into the major. It's the way to go.:smile:
 
Pima,

You can go reserve nursing in AROTC but it is VERY VERY difficult and you need a DA 4187 plus a lengthy cadet personnel action packet with CC's approval (COL+) to do it. It is a very arduous process and the cadet needs a specific reason to leave AD. The National Guard doesn't really use nurses below O-3 so that wouldn't be an option. With recent years we have overproduced nurses so if you are on the bottom of the internal nursing OML you MIGHT have to go reserves.

No nursing branch is guaranteed if the cadet does not pass the NCLEX. As per AROTC regs, if you fail the NCLEX x2 you will be re-branched according to the needs of the Army. I have seen this happen a few times and it's not pretty.

Bottom line nursing is nursing, but with any service nothing is guaranteed if you can't pass a national licensure exam. Honestly, if nursing is your passion AF, Army or even Navy would be fine.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for jumping in, Pima; appreciate the wisdom. Sorry but am new to this and need help with abbreviations. What did you mean by "I would be pming both of them?"

Also Once admitted, there's no further applications to get into the major. It's the way to go.:smile:

Private messaging, but also be advised with those direct admit programs if your GPA in a class drops below 3.5, 3.33 or 3.0 (whatever benchmark the school sets) you can be dropped from the SoN or put on probation.
 
Back
Top