From the beginning

 So you wanna Direct Commission as a Nurse in the Army, Step 1: google direct commission and find every blog about how long the process is! 

Haha, OK lets take this back a notch and provide a little context to the story. Currently I'm enlisted in the Army National Guard, and work as a ER nurse on the civilian side. In total I have about 6 years as an RN and 15 as a paramedic. I've served in the Army National Guard for 22 years and have recently finished my 7th deployment. I carry a ton of experience; however my MOS (military job) is combat arms. While I enjoy the excitement of Grunt Life, I am very passionate about Nursing and enjoy every minute of it (Love hate relationship!). I recently started down the retirement track and have come to the realization that I have 17 years before I can draw from the National Guard! So I decided to take a leap and go to the Dark Side (Officer World). 

Currently, I was selected as 66T(ER Nurse) awaiting confirmation from the recruiter to set a commissioning date. This waiting process is long and is what the army calls scrolling! Or so Im told.

Scrolling is the Army term that basically happens when the list of selected candidates is approved for commissioning and is sent up to SecDef (Congress) for a signature. Once the entire list is approved the  official approval to commission as an Officer is sent back to the recruiter. It can take any where from a few weeks to 6-7 months! 

Meanwhile its all about patience. So while I wait I will outline the process from the beginning!

I will provide a timeline so everyone can put time stamp on each event!

STEP 1: (June 2020) This is by far the most important Information anyone can give you! FIND A AMEDD RECRUITER! Not all recruiters all the same. After weeks of returned automated emails I finally received a key bit of information that started the process.

You can use this to find a local recruiter. It will return an automated response, but it will give you an Idea. Facebook the nearest AMEDD station and start asking questions. You will be assigned a recruiter who will make or break you!

 https://www.goarmy.com/amedd/health-care

So if you make it this far the recruiter will ask about your experience and get the process rolling! Prepare yourself because I began the process in June 2020 and was boarded in November 2020! The board meets Twice a year so it allows you time to gather all the necessary documents. 

STEP 2: After you talk to a recruiter gather the necessary documents. A CV resume outlining your experience will have to be completed and approved from multiple QC Levels (3-5) before the recruiter starts to get serious! This CV will help determine what rank you will board for so be detailed. Constructive credit for civilian experience is credited at 50%. Example 1 year equals 6 months. Look up Time in grade for 2LT, 1LT, CPT  and it will give you a close range of where you stand. I had just shy of 6 years and was boarded as a 1LT.

Here is a list of requirements to start your packet. The quicker you get them in the quicker they can return for corrections.  

 66T-Emergency / Trauma FY-21

**Must have 1 year work experience in Emergency Trauma/Room nursing for RA; Must have 6 months within last year work experience for USAR. Prefer 1 year work experience. CV should have level of trauma, how many beds in unit, level of acuity, facility capabilities, and demographics of patient population.

__1. CV/Resume example sent by recruiter

__2. Prime Source Verification of all License held, circle/highlight dates

__3. ACLS & BLS; if other certs/special training listed on CV, include them

__4. All conferred nursing official transcripts; circle/highlight GPA, date, and nursing degree.

__5. Accreditation- CCNE, ACEN, or NLN, circle/highlight dates. Please don’t send CHEA

__6. DA 7654 by nursing leadership of unit examples: manger, director, supervisor or assistant, clinical nurse specialist, education leadership.

__7. Letter of hours worked written by nursing leadership of unit applicant works at (use example from recruiter. Have to be signed and dated).

__8. Board Cert CEN preferred

__9. If a graduate of an international/foreign nursing degree or Puerto Rico, must have NCLEX documentation (even if they have a state RN license). Qualifying degree must be nationally accredited by ACEN, CCEN, NLN.