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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Rank
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Sir, I am trying to get into the Air Force Reserve as a Flight Nurse, I swore in on Jan 9th as a Capt., however when they were doing my appointment orders decided that my rank was incorrect due to my having worked in a Nursing Home as Director of Nursing, so therefore my rank is to be 1st Lt. with Capt in 1 yr., unless I want to wait and come in 6 months from now. I am trying to decide whether to take the 1st Lt or wait. I am leaning toward getting in now, I have not been concerned with rank except that I have already had rank sewn on, didn't imagine that they would change my rank this far in. Can I hold them to contract, I'm feeling that it might not even be worth fighting at this point? Also does AFRC ever bring someone in at one rank with a promotion in 6 months? Where do I find the reg. for Nursing profession credit for rank?
I wouldn't hesitate to take what they are offering. Captain is a guaranteed rank much like the Airman tiers E-1 thru E-4. 2LT thru Captain are a time and grade based rank. If you feel that they have made a mistake, keep pressing after you get in. The one thing that you have to remember is that the officer corps is like getting hired on the outside. There is no real contract there unless the military is paying for some training, then you would owe some time in exchange.
Bottom line is that you will be a captain in roughly a year. Is coming in as a captain now going to be that much of a difference? The only thing that I can see that having O-3 on now is 6 months of Captain pay. But the final decision is ultimately up to you... The question I would ask myself is...Is this offer going to be available to me 6 months from now? The AFRC and their promotions can be quick, I had a buddy who went from active duty as a one year Staff Sergeant , spent 3 months in the reserves and was promoted to Technical Sergeant... In the reserves all you need is the slot availability, time in grade.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you sir! I actually swore in again as a 1st Lt. on Fri Feb. 12th! My unit is actually very excited to have me and have been thinking about the best way to use me! There are four different groups that I could be asked to be in, they were thinking clinical management! Ther is also patient safety, infection control and I forget the other one, however I have experience in all those areas and have taught staff on many of those subjects! I'm just ready to get started on a new part of my life, they told me that I may eventually be taking over the clinical management piece! I did process the way you suggested,great minds think alike! Thank you again for your time! | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Howard Lorenz
Expertise
I have spent the past 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, 3 years was assigned as an Enlisted Accessions Recruiter. I have been deployed various times to several locations. If it is a career in the military you are looking for or thinking about I most likely have the answer. I still have contacts with in the recruiting field and if I don't know the answer then I have folks who do where I can find the answer. I am very blunt and straight forward and will make no attempts to BS you. I will give you the best information that I possible can can. If you think that you cant handle the answer that I give you, then don't ask the question...... If you are planning on joining the military, your number 1 decision factor in making this kind of move is that you need to be more concerned about serving your country than your country serving you!! All the benefits are the best that you can find. Education is at a premium right now and its the most rewarding thing that you can do. If I dont answer right away probably means that I am busy, but have patience, I will get to you.
Experience
Air Force Recruiter for 3 years, Air Force Career 21 Years
Organizations
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Education/Credentials
Community College of the Air Force, International Air Academy, Allied Business Schools, Embry Riddle Aeronautical College, Defense Acquisition University
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