Military pharmacist

[KB830]

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Just a thought: how many people would resort to becoming a pharmacist in the army/navy/marines if they cannot find a job coming out of pharmacy school?

 

[pharm B]

I have thought about doing it, but there's no way the family will agree to it if there's any possibility of being deployed to Iraq. Navy pharmacists typically do not serve aboard ship. O-4 and up might be on a hospital ship, but the rest are land-based, and that land might be full of sand.

I hope no one stoops to joining the military solely for the money, though. This leads to miserable soldiers, sailors, etc. As a pharmacist, you're an officer and you'll have people working for you. If you hate being there, it's highly probable they'll hate working for you.

I hope anyone looking into the military looks at the reality of the commitment and accepts it for what it is.

 

[GuavaSkin]

Joining the military as a pharmacist has been my plan from the beginning. I feel that it is a great option not enough people seriously consider. It can have it's negatives, but what career doesn't? But on the plus side: you get to serve your country, hospitals are usually pretty up to date and decently funded, work schedules are usually relatively fixed, the opportunity to travel, housing/insurance is free, and after 20 years of service you get a retirement pension. I grew up an Air Force brat, so I feel have a pretty good idea of what military life entails. The biggest pro for me is getting the chance to travel. I spent 10 years of my childhood overseas and loved every minute of it. So I figure hopefully I can make a career out of it and get the chance to see more of the world. But pharmB is correct, the lifestyle is definitely not for everyone.

 

[Caverject]

Just a thought: how many people would resort to becoming a pharmacist in the army/navy/marines if they cannot find a job coming out of pharmacy school?

Just FYI- Your line of question is highly insulting. Many people choose military careers because thats what they want to do. Nobody "resorts" to join the military.

 

[lauradiddle]

Just a thought: how many people would resort to becoming a pharmacist in the army/navy/marines if they cannot find a job coming out of pharmacy school?

If I did, it wouldn't be because I was "resorting" to anything. I'd be honored to serve my country. The loan help and benefits are just an added bonus. People shouldn't be looking at it as just some backup plan when they can't find a job.

 

[mandydp6]

Just FYI- Your line of question is highly insulting. Many people choose military careers because thats what they want to do. Nobody "resorts" to join the military.

I agree with all posts...it has also been my plan from the beginning to re-affiliate with the military upon graduation. They only reason I separated was so I could attend school full time. They offer amazing scholarships that if one is fortunate enough to earn, will SIGNIFICANTLY decrease pharmacy school debt. In addition to scholarships, they also offer loan repayment plans as well after you affiliate.
It is a great option for some, but obviously not for everyone.

 

[deleted329060]

This seems like a viable option to me. Hooray for choices!

 

[Passion4Sci]

Nobody "resorts" to join the military.

As a fellow Soldier, I have to respectfully disagree.

Both sides of that spectrum are hyperbole. Saying that nobody resorts to it, and that everyone resorts to it (or that even many people do...) is spurious.

A lot of 11 bang-bangs and 88Ms I knew, had in my unit, or otherwise knew of were very much in the Army because they had absolutely nowhere else to go. It was the Army or it was being destitute in a trailer somewhere. For these folks, it certainly was "resorting" to the military to escape.

Anyway, OP, it is definitely a possibility, and the commission would be nice.

 

[KB830]

Thank you, Passion! My friend, for example, joined the marines, simply because of the fact that he could not handle college and didn't want to resort to do nothing with his life. Despite the fact that he resorted to the military, he enjoys it. It really depends on the person in question as to whether or not they will be miserable. On that note, I didn't mean to offend anyone.

 

[Caverject]

As a fellow Soldier, I have to respectfully disagree.

Both sides of that spectrum are hyperbole. Saying that nobody resorts to it, and that everyone resorts to it (or that even many people do...) is spurious.

A lot of 11 bang-bangs and 88Ms I knew, had in my unit, or otherwise knew of were very much in the Army because they had absolutely nowhere else to go. It was the Army or it was being destitute in a trailer somewhere. For these folks, it certainly was "resorting" to the military to escape.

Anyway, OP, it is definitely a possibility, and the commission would be nice.

You're talking about grunt level infantry soldiers...and just like everyone else, joining the military is a CHOICE and not everyone can join. And your friends made a choice to join the military. They could of chosen to live in a trailer. There is nothing wrong with that. Many Americans live in trailers in poor areas.

I am talking about Pharmacists. No pharmacist "resorts" to joining. All pharmacists can find a job outside if the military if they want to, and most if not all do.

 

[Passion4Sci]

You're talking about grunt level infantry soldiers...and just like everyone else, joining the military is a CHOICE and not everyone can join. And your friends made a choice to join the military. They could of chosen to live in a trailer. There is nothing wrong with that. Many Americans live in trailers in poor areas.

I am talking about Pharmacists. No pharmacist "resorts" to joining. All pharmacists can find a job outside if the military if they want to, and most if not all do.

OK, well you didn't specify Pharmacists in your hyperbolic statement up there is all.

Lots of people "resort" to joining the military.

I'll agree that Pharmacists are likely not folks who could be considered to "resorting" to military service, but nonetheless, people do so.

 

[aboveliquidice]

Just a thought: how many people would resort to becoming a pharmacist in the army/navy/marines if they cannot find a job coming out of pharmacy school?

Before posting your "thoughts", you might want to consider doing so with tact. Those that choose to serve, and it absolutely is a choice to serve as an officer, do so well aware of the consequences.

A last resort would be something you could do if all else falls through - Military in processing takes months to complete, requiring a board approval before you can begin the training. You must meet both physical fitness and health requirements in addition to proving mental fortitude.

Somehow, I think your local drugstore might be a better fall back for you. The money is poor, the locations are worse. The choice to serve involves caring about things other than money.

 

[Medwell]

Enlisting in the military = Fail
Officer in the military = Win.

 

[pharm B]

Enlisting in the military = Fail
Officer in the military = Win.

Yeah, man. Having my tuition paid by the state (100%) was the worst that could ever have happened to me. Why on earth did I enlist?

 

[mandydp6]

Yeah, man. Having my tuition paid by the state (100%) was the worst that could ever have happened to me. Why on earth did I enlist?

LOL!!! SERIOUSLY!! People say the darndest things, don't they?!?!?

 

[Passion4Sci]

Enlisting in the military = Fail
Officer in the military = Win.

What about green to gold?

 

[ValeRx]

RESORT to becoming a military pharmacist? STOOPS to joining the military? **** you, you tree-hugging hippie mother****ers. You could only be so ****ing lucky to serve in the greatest military this world has ever seen. 99% chance you are too ****ing weak to even make it through basic training, let alone live the life with honor, integrity and courage.

OH, and by the way. I was a ****ing grunt and god damn proud of it. Guess I'm a ****ing idiot too, right?

 

[pharm B]

I used the word "stoops" to indicate it would be a last resort for that particular person. "Stoops" is appropriate, as they would be stewing in their own juices until their FitReps got so bad they were just asked to leave. I served, and I assure you I'm not a hippie.

I stand by my original statement: don't join for the wrong reasons. You (and everyone serving with and under you) will hate you for it.

 

[aboveliquidice]

What about green to gold?

Not viable for Post Bac programs (read anything beyond BS/BA)... They will want you back.

I am not familiar with any enlisted programs designed to get people into the medical field (aside from those designed to produce BSNs)

That's not to say they do not exist... only I've never heard of them.

 

[Kinder]

I used the word "stoops" to indicate it would be a last resort for that particular person. "Stoops" is appropriate, as they would be stewing in their own juices until their FitReps got so bad they were just asked to leave. I served, and I assure you I'm not a hippie.

I stand by my original statement: don't join for the wrong reasons. You (and everyone serving with and under you) will hate you for it.

Agreed.

 

[Elisaveth]

Just a thought: how many people would resort to becoming a pharmacist in the army/navy/marines if they cannot find a job coming out of pharmacy school?

I was actually thinking if would be pretty great even if I had a job coming out of school. Definitely interesting!