No. When you become a veterinarian in the army, you are not signing up for combat; so rather than Basic Training, you undertake just several months of Basic Officer Leadership Course. It’s not as physically demanding as a military boot camp; howbeit, you also need to be in good shape.
In addition, fresh veterinarian officers are expected to complete a one-year internship experience that would not count toward their active-duty criterion. Even though your personal specification includes caring for living creatures and assisting with humanitarian work, the danger is not out of the question.
Many veterinarians in the military are never in combat, but it does occur. When you are assigned to a conflict zone, you would be required to take up a weapon and also be ready to fire it. Although a good number of the operations are relatively low-risk, veterinarians have indeed been injured or killed while performing their duties.
Veterinarians are almost never designated combat-related duties; however, anything can take place when you’re in the proximity of an unforeseen strike. In other words, if you’re looking for a risk-free job, you should count this out. Veterinarians, just like doctors and solicitors, are needed as support personnel in global missions.
Veterinarians in the United States Army constitute the only medical veterinarians inside the Department of Defense, and they are known to serve most branches of the military. Everyone within the military veterinary team offers comprehensive clinical and surgical care for defense department animals of all species both in the United States as well as on missions overseas.
US Army veterinarians also play an essential public health role, collaborating with doctors as well as preventative health experts to create zoonotic disease preventative measures for service personnel deployed abroad. They lead food inspection troops who guarantee that all meals and beverages bought by the Department of Defense arrive from secured channels and are properly housed and primed.
Military Veterinarians’ Duties and Responsibilities
- Safety checks of basic necessities and examinations for microbiological security as well as strict adherence to national and military benchmarks
- Strategize, guide, and take part in laboratory animals care, therapeutic interventions, and monitoring.
- Examine DoD working creatures for clinical, critical care, and necropsy purposes.
- In full compliance with Good Laboratory Practices, analyze new treatments and immunizations designed for human use in animal models (GLP).
- As approved, offer clinical and surgical care for government-owned and privately-owned creatures.
- Aid biomedical research investigators as well as train officers and enrolled professionals in all facets of military veterinary services.
- Strategize, arrange, and direct veterinary public-health initiatives aimed at controlling animal and food-borne illnesses of public concern.
- Partner with federal, state, as well as local government entities involved in veterinary concerns.
- Advise on zoonotic or wildlife illness issues in military facilities, accommodations, or in battle venues.
- Arrange, direct, implement, oversee, or undertake research on different R&D and procurement (RDA) initiatives.
Considerations Before Becoming a Military Veterinarian
Prior to training as a military veterinarian, consider the following factors.
It’s essentially an eight-year undertaking after schooling
The Health Professionals Scholarship Program is used by the majority of military veterinarians. The HPSP contract requires a three-year active service engagement, and 5 years of reserve commitments. Even though vets are very seldom called upon throughout their five years of “inactive” obligations, the probability exists.
You are a veterinarian as well as a military officer
This really is worth reiterating. Military veterinarians are not only there to handle animals, but also to serve the US Army. The army would therefore end up deciding where you operate, when you work, as well as what your position requires all through your military service. That could imply being mobilized to a hostile area even if you’d rather work at home.
It is continually possible to be engaged in combat
Although your primary job includes caring for animals and assisting with humanitarian projects, the risk is not out of the question. Most Army veterans are never in combat, but it does occur. If you have been assigned to a hostile area, you will be required to be armed and be ready to shoot.
Although some operations are relatively low-risk, veterinarians have already been injured or killed while working. Veterinarians aren’t ever allocated combat-related duties, but anything could occur if you’re in the proximity of an attack.
Travel is required as a component of the job
Military veterinarians could be deployed virtually anywhere in the universe. There are benefits and drawbacks to this; however, you will have the chance to visit beautiful spots. You can serve on major global animal care installations if you qualify as a Special Forces vet.
The possibilities for progression are appealing
There is a program for those who want to pursue a lengthy professional life in the military. The Long-Term Health Education & Training program will pay for veterinarians to further their academic achievement in areas such as pathology, urgent care, radiology, as well as surgery.
Veterinarians frequently begin their own private practice or shift into education upon reaching retirement age from the military, while still getting generous retirement benefits!
Conclusion
Veterinarians, just like doctors and solicitors, are needed as support personnel in global missions. Veterinarians in the United States Army constitute the only medical veterinarians inside the Department of Defense, and they are known to serve most branches of the military.
If you care about animals and want to help your country, becoming an Army veterinarian is an excellent fit. The advantages aren’t bad too! Veterinarians operate in medical, surgical, and scientific labs, as well as food production and preservation facilities.