Nursing in the military — does every branch have them?

I've always been interested in becoming a nurse and serving in the military. Do all the branches have positions for nurses or is it specific to certain branches?

Yes, all branches of the U.S. military - the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force - do employ nurses in some capacity. However, the roles and opportunities can vary greatly among the branches.

The Army, Navy, and Air Force have their own Nurse Corps, which provide a wide variety of opportunities for nurses to work in different specialized areas, such as pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, critical care nursing, and more. In these branches, you may have the opportunity to serve in both operative and administrative roles, such as direct patient care, administration, education, and research.

The Marine Corps, although it does not have a specific Nurse Corps, is served by the Navy Nurse Corps, as the Marine Corps falls under the Department of the Navy. Therefore, as a member of the Navy Nurse Corps, you could have the opportunity to provide care to Marines and their families.

In the Coast Guard, there aren't any positions designated specifically for nurses. However, Health Services Officers (HSOs) in the Coast Guard often hold nursing degrees and come from a nursing background. They perform a variety of roles related to health care, which can involve direct patient care.

As for the Space Force, it's a bit different due to its unique mission. As the newest branch, its healthcare needs are primarily addressed by the U.S. Air Force, including nursing services.

Remember, each branch has its own unique criteria for education, training, and experience. If you're interested in pursuing this path, I highly recommend that you research the specific requirements and opportunities in the branch or branches you're interested in.