Expert: Howard Lorenz - 5/8/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am a senior in AFROTC that will graduate soon. I will have to pass the nursing boards, as Im a nurse, before I will be able to commission. My question is, what if I dont pass the boards, will I be commissioned into a different career field. Could I refuse my commission entirely and just have to pay back my scholarship?

ANSWER: I am sure that you could refuse the commision and pay back the cash.... But my question to you is this...Is there something that is going to prevent you from passing the boards? You still have a 4 year degree in nursing, they might commission you into something esle.... fact is that they ahve spent all this money on your education....they want it back. I would do this, go and talk to your advisor....If your grades are good and you have made it this far, you should be fine....Are YOU having second thoughts about serving?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Im no more worried about passing the boards than any other of my peers, I know Ill do fine. It is quite a bit of money to pay back but I have no problem doing it. Second thoughts, no. Over the last year I have had concerns that nursing is no longer what I desire to do, and its not that I dont want to serve, its just that now, after learning so much about what the military life is all about, I dont want to put my family through it. They all support me, but especially for my soon to be spouse, I want a stable life that does not include unpredictable deployments. Relocation is not an issue, but deployments are. If I could be stationed stateside, as opposed to my scheduled overseas first assignment, it would be an acceptable compromise. Yes, I accept that I would still deploy, but for the sake of my family I really want to be on this side of the ocean. Do you know of any possible way of getting an assignment change?

Answer
I know that in some cases that you can swap assignments with others that may want to go overseas. You might contact the Military Personnel flight to  see about getting a different assignment. Chances are slim that they will accomodate you.  I can understand your concern for overseas assigments, but the military does make every effort to see that the families are well taken care of even overseas...