National Guard and Pharmacy School

[KariPatt2714]

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Hello! I am trying to find someone who is currently in pharmacy school, or has completed pharmacy school, and is a member of the Air/Army National Guard. I am applying for the Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), but I am increasing anxious that I will not be offered a scholarship. It is so competitive! I really want to be a military pharmacist, so I am considering joining the Air National Guard as my plan B. My uncle is a Colonel in the Illinois Air National Guard, so I am familar with the commitment, pros vs cons, etc. but I am looking for some personal experience from pharmacist.

I was accepted to University of Wisconsin Madison School of Pharmacy and University of Illinois Chicago College of Pharmacy. I had accepted a position at UIC, however the National Guard has the WIsconsin GI Bill which currently covers 100% tuiion at UW Madision for up to 8 semesters. I am considering switching schools and attending UW Madison so I can take advantage of the WI GI Bill. I have already reached out to the admissions office at UW Madison and they are willing to reinsate my admissions offer, if I would like to go this route. Unfortunately, I will lose my admission deposit at UIC, but that's not really a big deal.

Is there anyone who has gone through pharmacy school while being in the National Guard? What was your experience like? Do you have any advice for me? Thanks!

 

[BC_89]

You already have your answer if you wish to utilize the Wisconsin GI Bill tuition coverage. The only exception I would suggest is joining an ROTC program while attending pharmacy school. By doing so, you have your education paid for with no possibility of having your unit activated and leaving school for a short duration of time. By the time you graduate, you pay back 4 years of service from your 4 years in the ROTC program.

I will be utilizing Chapter 33 Benefits (soon Chapter 31 if all goes well) while attending pharmacy school. If you do not want the chance to have your unit activated by the state (guard is first reported to state before federal for coverage) I would highly suggest ROTC. Another caveat to the national guard (army side of the house) is the difficulty to move towards active duty. Once the guard has you committed, it takes a lot of political and arm-twisting agendas if you wish to go towards AD service if you still owe the guard some years before a transition is possible.

If the guard is something you want to utilize and not go towards AD side of the house and your not interested in ROTC, then by all means go with Wisconsin as long as its in writing what the GI Bill will cover for you for that particular state. Just understand I've had past colleagues that were with the national guard while in school and had to miss two semesters due to their unit being activated and sent overseas for a short-term. If your ok with this, I wish you the best. Another option is waiting until you've earned your degree and then apply as a commissioned officer through AMEDD medical recruiters. With this option, 120k will be paid toward your student loans (90k after taxes) for a 3 year obligation. You may extend beyond this if you want to make this a career (I tried this but was medically retired).

If you have other questions with other options, just let me know.

 

[APN-59 rph]

Hello! I am trying to find someone who is currently in pharmacy school, or has completed pharmacy school, and is a member of the Air/Army National Guard. I am applying for the Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), but I am increasing anxious that I will not be offered a scholarship. It is so competitive! I really want to be a military pharmacist, so I am considering joining the Air National Guard as my plan B. My uncle is a Colonel in the Illinois Air National Guard, so I am familar with the commitment, pros vs cons, etc. but I am looking for some personal experience from pharmacist.

I was accepted to University of Wisconsin Madison School of Pharmacy and University of Illinois Chicago College of Pharmacy. I had accepted a position at UIC, however the National Guard has the WIsconsin GI Bill which currently covers 100% tuiion at UW Madision for up to 8 semesters. I am considering switching schools and attending UW Madison so I can take advantage of the WI GI Bill. I have already reached out to the admissions office at UW Madison and they are willing to reinsate my admissions offer, if I would like to go this route. Unfortunately, I will lose my admission deposit at UIC, but that's not really a big deal.

Is there anyone who has gone through pharmacy school while being in the National Guard? What was your experience like? Do you have any advice for me? Thanks!

Talk to your Uncle about getting a pilot slot in the Illinois Air Guard...Colonels tend to "even up" competition....
In any case the only way to get thru pharmacy school and be in the guard would be to live close to both and have summers off.........In wisconsin Madison/Milwaukee in Illinois..near St Louis? Ask Unc...