Joining the military

[Rainbow]

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What do you people think of joining the military to get the funding for pharmacy school instead of getting the loan? 😕

 

[Caverject]

It's great if you can get it

 

[OSURxgirl]

Joining the military should only be an option you consider if you are willing to take the responsibilities that come along with it. You will be required to serve a specified number of years following graduation from pharmacy school. You can also be shipped away at a moment's notice to wherever you may be needed. If you are willing to do this, than that's great, go for it. But there are other ways to finance pharmacy school...don't ever do it just for a free ride, because you'll probably regret it.

 

[baggywrinkle]

What do you people think of joining the military to get the funding for pharmacy school instead of getting the loan? 😕

This route is time honored, tried and true.

I joined on the delayed entry program for a seven year stint, three years active duty then four years inactive reserve. In 1974 America was still winding down post Vietnam and my training cycle was the last to qualify for Vietnam era V.A. benefits. I saved all my leave and opted for early separation
going off to University while still drawing an active duty paycheck. When that ran out I switched over to a V.A. paycheck which payed my rent and bought groceries for most of my time in Pharmacy school. Was it worth three years of my time? Not just yes, but hell yes! It pays off to this day over thirty years after I raised my right hand and took the oath to protect honor and defend. That DD-214 says something about you that opens doors. It makes you a valued candidate. To this day in a pinch I can walk into a V.A. hospital for treatment or buy a home for a dollar down. Not a bad return on investment.

Obviously the package changes over time depending on the needs of the military. Keep your wits about you when you speak to the recruiter and your eyes on your goal. If you are clever you can chose an MOS which will give you a leg up on your post service goals. Don't run in blindfolded asking where do I sign or you will for sure end up in a line unit with a rife company. Whatever is discussed **MUST** be put in writing or it never happened. Such is making a deal with the devil. This is a war time military and the needs of the military come first, so it is possible that even with your agreement in writing you might find yourself humping the trail with a bunch of grunts. Remember that even the cooks are also riflemen first.

You are posting in a pharmacy forum so I presume that you are interested in
medical. The recruiter will have quotas to fill and will be shopping for particular specialties. Some are easier to get into than others. Some are more desireable than others. For example, 91C is the equivalent of an LVN/LPN
and involves a year of training. 91B is a combat medic and involves only eight weeks of training. The first would work with a medical unit. The second would be the "doc" with a line unit doing things that would challenge the abilities of many civilian physicians. Doc is also the guy that is expected by his buddies to low crawl his ass under fire over to a fallen comrade to drag him back dead or alive. Combat medics are **the** most decorated group in the military. Many posthumously.

For further information Google David Hackworth and read some of his books.
Hack won't steer you wrong.

 

[28657]

I personally would NEVER join the military in exchange for tuition for pharmacy school for plenty of reasons. First of all, you will never be exempt from undesirable assignments such as deployment to war or to do a year long tour of Korea. Second - once you're a pharmacist, you'll only be paid half of the real world salary. Sure the government benefits are great, but really, they don't make up for the lost wages. Third - the majority of people who join the military do so because they don't know what they want to do with their life and the military is a great opportunity for them.

I'm a military brat, and my parents met while serving. My dad retired with 20 years in the Air Force and it was great for him. IMHO it is not great for someone who has other options. I was forced to move around plenty of times (pack up, move, find friends, get a new assignment, move and make your friends pen pals). The military is a completely different lifestyle from the "outside" world. My sister is currently in the Air Force and counts down the days to get out. It isn't for everyone.

If you're familiar with the military and still think about joining for the free schooling then go for it. But I'd be a little wary if you know nothing about what military life is really like.

 

[ForgetMeNot]

The only thing I can add is to try to do a rotation during pharmacy school at a military base to see what it's like. That's what I did when I had thoughts of joining the Air Force after I get my Pharm D.

 

[lord999]

I agree with GravyRph, but would also note that the Public Health Service gives the same benefits without the vexation of possibly getting killed by enemy fire (although deaths from plague, tularemia, and tropical fevers are well-known and an expected occupational hazard in the PHS).

 

[LVPharm]

Info on Army Pharmacy

Info on US Public Health Service Pharmacy

Info on US Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program

Two opportunities within the USPHS:

Junior COSTEP

The PHS offers excellent opportunities for pharmacy students for paid employment for periods of 31 to 120 days throughout the academic year through the Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (COSTEP). Junior COSTEP allows students to serve in assignments at any time during the year; however, the majority of students are hired for the summer months. COSTEP participants earn approximately $2,100 per month, plus travel costs and other benefits. This program is highly competitive and the number of individuals selected is based upon the needs of PHS programs. Applications for summer employment are due December 31st.

Senior COSTEP

In Senior COSTEP, students are assisted financially during their final year of pharmacy school in return for an agreement to work for the PHS after graduation. The student is appointed as an active-duty PHS officer during the senior year and receives monthly pay and allowances as an Ensign (0-1) grade officer. The student agrees to work for the program that provided the financial support for twice the time supported following graduation. This program is also very competitive. Applications for Senior COSTEP are due December 31st of the junior year.