Military 'experience'?

[cammoon23]

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Hola.

I'll be applying next cycle, and was curious as to how schools view prior military service. I'm guessing its a positive in most cases, but my case is a little different. I was injured while stationed in Japan, and was honorably discharged about a year and a half into my enlistment. I hated pretty much every aspect of the Military, so that wasn't the worst day of my life or anything, but most people look down on those that weren't able to at least complete their first term. Therefore, I typically avoid taking about my military experience but I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to put it on my app? Anyone with any past military experience (or not) care to give advice? Do you think it helped you secure a spot at a school?

 

[jquitt]

Hola.

I'll be applying next cycle, and was curious as to how schools view prior military service. I'm guessing its a positive in most cases, but my case is a little different. I was injured while stationed in Japan, and was honorably discharged about a year and a half into my enlistment. I hated pretty much every aspect of the Military, so that wasn't the worst day of my life or anything, but most people look down on those that weren't able to at least complete their first term. Therefore, I typically avoid taking about my military experience but I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to put it on my app? Anyone with any past military experience (or not) care to give advice? Do you think it helped you secure a spot at a school?

Well I really don't know that people look down on those who were honorably discharged due to injury. Now if you were dishonorably discharged, that would be a different story entirely. If you can think of just one positive out
of your military experience I would focus on that and consider including it. It may not be the deciding factor of you getting into PT school but it absolutely cannot hurt. I can't remember if they asked for military experience at all on PTCAS or not. I served three years in the Army and I think it helped me have more to talk about during interviews and to write about for my essay.

 

[starrsgirl]

If you were honorably discharged, it will be a positive. It doesn't matter the term. In my experience, no one on the PT school admissions board really understood any of my military stuff anyway...i don't think they will notice your term was short. If asked, you have an obvious reason why it is short. The length of term doesn't take away the fact that you served your country. That said, you do not have to bring it up nor talk about it in any application. Definitely don't lie. Maybe in preparation for interviews, think of some "positive" learning moments you had in the military just to give you some depth (don't have to necessarily talk about the military, but I'm sure there are some things you learned that helped you get to where you are now).

 

[DesertPT]

If you are able to talk about using positive examples, as has been mentioned, I don't see how it couldn't help you at least a little bit. People love to love veterans.

 

[Azimuthal]

I'd put down any awards in the awards and honor section and that would be it. If you hated every aspect, I'd hate to force you to find a positive in it. I'd be more curious if your injury would effect your ability to be a PT. No one will understand what an MOS, NEC, AFSC, designator, etc. is anyways. And if they do know something, they tend to ask if you're a combat vet, like we like to speak about that stuff with civies.