Military Vet's

[chancer]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Ok, so must people who choose to go to vet school, this isn't something they would usually be interested in. However, I thought I would post it just to get the info out.

"Veterinary Corps Healthcare Professionals Loan Repayment Program (HPLR)


Army Reserve Medical Corps program.
Provides up to $50,000 for repayment of education loans for
veterinarians in certain specialties who are serving in Army Reserve
Units.

For each year of satisfactory service in an Army Reserve Unit a
maximum of $20,000 will be applied to an education loan, up to a total

of $50,000.

You will serve a minimum of three years."


3 years isn't very long in the reserves, being that all other officers outside of medical fields have to do 5 years. However, I am sure many people will have moral objections, but 50k in student loan payback is quite a bit. The main job would be tending to german shepards(military working dogs) and pets.

👍 or 👎 ???

 

[OceanAngel]

I have actually looked into it. It looks really interesting and there are many, many opportunities for officers. I am really into international relations and this seems like a great opportunity to combine two areas I love. I am still on the fence about it, but I am definitely considering it. You canjoin during vet school or after so there is always time to make the decision. I actually talked to a recruiting officer about it and he was very helpful. If you are considering it or just want more information about what they do I highly recommend talking to them.

 

[chancer]

Hi OceanAngel,

That's cool. I don't think it all that bad of a gig if someone is hurting to pay back their loans. Esp. if it is the reserves. However, I know of a vet who is in Iraq now. They stay on base and take care of the animals. Mainly the working dogs. Every once in awhile someone will bring them a stray cat or dog for adoption and they are given proper immunizations and check for ticks ect.

I guess though I would wait untill I was out of school. Just because someone may change their mind about the obligation, politics, ect.

And remember someone like you who is interested in Int. Relations, can always work anywhere in the world as a vet, and on your own terms.

Thanks for your comment.

Take Care.

 

[SMW83]

what about the loan repayment program for veterinarians who decide to do fulltime active duty service rather than reserves?

anyone looked into that?

 

[chancer]

SMW83,

I asked the lady about it and she said right now they only have the reserve option available. 🙄

 

[youthman]

I would love to be working on GSD's and military working dogs but the thought of having to just get up and go wherever they tell me for who knows how long is the main turnoff. But I think it would be great to do that if mobility wasn't an issue - afterwards you could set up a private practice and market yourself to police dog assns, service dog assns, etc...

 

[chancer]

I would love to be working on GSD's and military working dogs but the thought of having to just get up and go wherever they tell me for who knows how long is the main turnoff. But I think it would be great to do that if mobility wasn't an issue - afterwards you could set up a private practice and market yourself to police dog assns, service dog assns, etc...

Yeah, it would be cool. They are pretty good dogs. But the possibility of having to go to Iraq for a year may be a drag for some.

The dogs do a lot of good. Save lifes ect. They can detect things that equipment can't.

I have heard in some cases people can choose where they go, and w/ the reserves I think it is the one weekend a month thing. However, it is a commitment.

 

[Azawakh]

It sounds like a good deal in theory however you have to bear in mind that they do not necessarily have to use you as a veterinarian. If they need someone to drive a convoy you have to do that. You won't necessarily be giving routine care and patching up wounded dogs.

 

[PAThbrd]

**Moderator Note: The posts from this thread debating animal research have been moved to a new thread on this board - "Animal Research**

 

[fargeese]

This what I got from an online recruiter when I asked whether I could apply for military duty/loan payback if I start school next year:

HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (HPSP) (Active duty):



The HPSP offers one, two and three year scholarships to veterinary students. We unfortunately don’t have any four-year scholarships. You would apply as a first year vet student for the board held in the spring of that year. The scholarships are based on academic performance, leadership potential and other factors.



If you qualify, you could earn a full-tuition scholarship, plus a monthly stipend of over $1,200 for 10 ½ months of each school year and reimbursement for books. The remaining 1½ months of the year you’ll receive officer’s pay as a Second Lieutenant on active duty.



• Be a United States citizen.

• Must qualify for appointment as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR).

• You must be enrolled in an accredited DVM program located in the United States or Puerto Rico.

• Must maintain full-time student status during the entire length of the program.

• Active duty service obligation is three years for HPSP.

• Upon graduation from veterinary school, individuals are re-commissioned as Captains in the Veterinary Corps.

• Be no older than 42 years old upon entering into active duty.

He also gave the info for the reserves but it seems you already have it. Cool forum BTW, I'll visit again.

J.

 

[aussieprevet]

Ok, so must people who choose to go to vet school, this isn't something they would usually be interested in. However, I thought I would post it just to get the info out.

"Veterinary Corps Healthcare Professionals Loan Repayment Program (HPLR)


Army Reserve Medical Corps program.
Provides up to $50,000 for repayment of education loans for
veterinarians in certain specialties who are serving in Army Reserve
Units.

For each year of satisfactory service in an Army Reserve Unit a
maximum of $20,000 will be applied to an education loan, up to a total

of $50,000.

You will serve a minimum of three years."


3 years isn't very long in the reserves, being that all other officers outside of medical fields have to do 5 years. However, I am sure many people will have moral objections, but 50k in student loan payback is quite a bit. The main job would be tending to german shepards(military working dogs) and pets.

👍 or 👎 ???

You would lose money if you are doing this for financial reasons. The decrease in pay you would get as an army vet compared to working in private practice is much larger than the loan payback. That also applies to the Health Professions scholarship. Join the army if you want to join the army but it does not make sense from a purely financial perspective.

 

[OceanAngel]

You would lose money if you are doing this for financial reasons. The decrease in pay you would get as an army vet compared to working in private practice is much larger than the loan payback. That also applies to the Health Professions scholarship. Join the army if you want to join the army but it does not make sense from a purely financial perspective.

This is not true at all. Army vets are paid extremely well in comparison to private practice especially those practicing right out of vet school. Unless you specialize, which you can do and get paid to do so in the army, you will make a very nice living, often over what you would be paid as a civilian, not to mention benefits. The only thing misleading is you are in active duty part of the time and also depending how much they pay off of your student loans there is more time added to the three year committment.

 

[haitwun]

Just a word of warning to those of you considering the military for loan repayment. Make sure that you have IN WRITING any promises they give you. If you sign up and your contract does not specificially state they the military will pay so-and-so amount of money and that you will be recieving the benefits that they promised you, you just got screwed.

I am currently serving in the military and this is a big problem with alot of new soldiers. Their recruiter promised them something but did not put it down on paper and these soldiers ended up with nothing but time to serve.

Additionally, notice that they said "up to $50,000". That does not mean you will get that money. It only means that there is a chance that you will but it is not guaranteed. The way it works in my regiment is, there is a set budget at the beginning of the fiscal year. When that budget is spent, that is all they are giving away and not a penny more. So, it is a first-come-first-served kind of system with the army when it comes to actually getting paid.

I don't want any of you making the same mistake I did when I joined the Army to pay for my undergraduate work.