Being in the Military Reserves while In PT School

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james.whitcher

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Has anybody ever been in a reserve component of the Military (i.e National Guard, etc), and went to PT school? I am wondering if it is achievable to do the one weekend a month and two weeks a year, while being a full-time physical therapy student. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

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I would contact schools directly about this. PT school is difficult, personally I could not see missing two full weeks of school and be able to catch up....but if you could arrange to do it over your breaks then it could possibly work. The weekend thing shouldn't be too much of a problem, stay ahead of the game, know whats coming up and just hope it not weekends before a big exam!
 
Thanks for the wisdom. I think I'll need to work a little bit while in PT school. The reserves seems like an opportunity to earn a little cash on the side and give back to our great country, while attending PT school.
 
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I'm somewhat in limbo land myself. I left active duty and have been in the process of going reserves for a bit. I *think* I'm technically in, lol but haven't been matched to a job yet. I just finished my 1st semester of PT school and realized that I don't think I can balance it. I needed all my weekends for studying and, we have spent all of our breaks visiting or having family visit (since I couldn't do that during the semester). My situation is somewhat different in that I have kids so I've become protective of my breaks. I think you can make it work.....realize the school will likely not let you miss class for 2 weeks, it would have to be on your time off.
 
I'm in the reserves now and I'm getting out because I know I'll need my weekend to study. If I don't have to study I'm sure I'll want to relax and not be in my uniform. I guess it just depends on if you think you can study after work.
 
While I haven't done a DPT program and reserves at the same time, I have been both active duty army and a guardsman and will be starting DPT school fall 2015. I think it would be possible to do both and I definitely understand the allure of having tuition assistance and other financial benefits through the reserves. You could arrange to make up things like annual training, guard drills, etc, but I think it would be quite a strain. Instead of having breaks from school you will be spending your time doing something stressful. I could see anyone getting burned out fairly quickly. You also have to think about things like military schools, deployments, NTC rotations, etc.

In short, I think it is do-able, but I wouldn't want to do it.

Another thing to note is that most units will require you to do make ups beforehand. As far as clinical rotations go, I had a soldier that completed an internship for school so he came in during the summer, made up his drills, and I didn't see him again for about five months. If you are really serious about this I would seek out the training NCO at the unit you plan to join (as it is probably local) and run this past him or her.

Also, if you are not already in the reserves you are going to have to find time to complete basic training and whatever initial training is required for your job. In the Army the minimum length of training is about 14 weeks plus probably a week or two of hold. If you want to be an officer then count on more initial training and time commitment once you get back to your unit.

If you are already in the reserves and think you can handle it I would say go for it, but I would caution you against joining, signing a lengthy commitment, and then starting school.
 
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