PharmD + CIA = ?

[sA x sKy]

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So for as long as I can remember..I've always been interested in the U.S government, particularly that of the CIA. I don't know, maybe it was James Bond or Jason Bourne that got me interested. Regardless, I've always had this fascination of working in the agency.

Having checked the CIA website, they're interested in science and specific humanity backgrounds. I'm wondering, would having a PharmD carry the same weight as having a chemistry degree to getting a job there? Also, does anyone know what type of jobs inside the agency a person with a PharmD could actually do?

This is all hypothetical. I'm just trying to keep my options open 😀

P.S: I'm Bengali, and have been brought up in a Muslim background. I can speak Arabic/Farsi fairly well. So I think I can definitely qualify linguistic wise.

 

[ValeRx]

Then they would probably use you as a translator, not a pharmacist.

 

[sA x sKy]

Then they would probably use you as a translator, not a pharmacist.

If that's the only use I have, then clearly I, hypothetically, will never go this route lol.

 

[Ackj]

Members of the CIA need their scripts filled too. You can work for the CIA indirectly, as you will be keeping their members healthy. Alternatively, if a member of the CIA is hospitalized, you could be a hospital pharmacist that sends up their meds.

 

[confettiflyer]

Members of the CIA need their scripts filled too. You can work for the CIA indirectly, as you will be keeping their members healthy. Alternatively, if a member of the CIA is hospitalized, you could be a hospital pharmacist that sends up their meds.

You sound like a damn PR/spokesperson, haha

 

[deleted129840]

If that's the only use I have, then clearly I, hypothetically, will never go this route lol.

Translators also need to have subject matter knowledge so you might be trainable in the chemical/biological warfare field or anything to do with international health.

 

[Hpower12]

Try and get a job at a US embassy somewhere overseas, best bet. Other wise use that foreign language and become a regular agent.

I have a friend in this "area" read some books on it, it is not a james bond or jason bourne life. Picture either listening to hours of tape in aribic/farsi and looking for key words or analyzing pictures. Seal Team 6/Delta or other special operators are james bond without the tux and glamor. You could maybe be an agent that tries to gather intel or make contacts, but don't expect to do any real bad ass stuff unless you have military training.

 

[sA x sKy]

. You could maybe be an agent that tries to gather intel or make contacts, but don't expect to do any real bad ass stuff unless you have military training.

When one becomes a military pharmacist, can they serve concurrently? For experience and such? Then get out when the time is ripe? lol

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

When one becomes a military pharmacist, can they serve concurrently? For experience and such? Then get out when the time is ripe? lol

If you are asking if you can do miltary and CIA at the same time, then the answer is no. As far as I can remember, if someone was working for the CIA or DIA it was even frowned on or maybe even banned to be in that agency and also do reserve/guard work.

Been a number of years since I was involved deep in the military but I can answer some questions especially on the military side.

 

[sA x sKy]

If you are asking if you can do miltary and CIA at the same time, then the answer is no. As far as I can remember, if someone was working for the CIA or DIA it was even frowned on or maybe even banned to be in that agency and also do reserve/guard work.

Been a number of years since I was involved deep in the military but I can answer some questions especially on the military side.

No, I think you misunderstood my question. I mean to ask, if one becomes a military pharmacist, can they serve under the military at the same time to get the years needed to qualify as an agent?

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

Try and get a job at a US embassy somewhere overseas, best bet. Other wise use that foreign language and become a regular agent.

I have a friend in this "area" read some books on it, it is not a james bond or jason bourne life. Picture either listening to hours of tape in aribic/farsi and looking for key words or analyzing pictures. Seal Team 6/Delta or other special operators are james bond without the tux and glamor. You could maybe be an agent that tries to gather intel or make contacts, but don't expect to do any real bad ass stuff unless you have military training.

Actually, there are some people that still do Bond stuff but the Bourne stuff is mostly done by the military like you said. The problem is, the people that actually do stuff like Bond in the CIA is something like 1% of 1% of 1% of the people employed by the CIA.

Somebody could aim high but the people picked for that are f-ing geniuses. They have more knowledge and are quicker thinking that any 3 people that make it through any PhD program. Not to mention the years upon years of training that takes place before a recruit is even allowed to do basic field work.

Not trying to dissuade anyone but be prepared to go years in the CIA and possibly still get denied from doing field work.

 

[sA x sKy]

Actually, there are some people that still do Bond stuff but the Bourne stuff is mostly done by the military like you said. The problem is, the people that actually do stuff like Bond in the CIA is something like 1% of 1% of 1% of the people employed by the CIA.

Somebody could aim high but the people picked for that are f-ing geniuses. They have more knowledge and are quicker thinking that any 3 people that make it through any PhD program. Not to mention the years upon years of training that takes place before a recruit is even allowed to do basic field work.

Not trying to dissuade anyone but be prepared to go years in the CIA and possibly still get denied from doing field work.

That sounds insane and a goal I would totally be determined to achieve!

 

[amd123]

Actually, there are some people that still do Bond stuff but the Bourne stuff is mostly done by the military like you said. The problem is, the people that actually do stuff like Bond in the CIA is something like 1% of 1% of 1% of the people employed by the CIA.

Somebody could aim high but the people picked for that are f-ing geniuses. They have more knowledge and are quicker thinking that any 3 people that make it through any PhD program. Not to mention the years upon years of training that takes place before a recruit is even allowed to do basic field work.

Not trying to dissuade anyone but be prepared to go years in the CIA and possibly still get denied from doing field work.

Cool, I think I fit the bill, where do I apply? 😎

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

No, I think you misunderstood my question. I mean to ask, if one becomes a military pharmacist, can they serve under the military at the same time to get the years needed to qualify as an agent?

No, there are no pharmacists that work in any kind of capacity that would get you anywhere near training required for spec ops. If a pharmacist went in, they would have to volunteer to go to Delta/SF/PJs/FACs/etc (depending on the branch). Then you would have to make it through the qualification course to even get into spec ops. There you would start getting experience but just the general training for SF takes a minimum of 2 years. You would not be doing pharm work but would have to do the job volunteered for or assigned.

Like I said, I am not trying to dissuade anyone from that particular goal but be prepared to work at least 10 years (educated guess) before you would even be looked at to do foreign field work for the CIA.

Actually, I would suggest just trying for SF as a terminal position. They travel the world doing super secret squirrel stuff but not all of it is spy vs spy. A lot of it is working with indigenous populations and training and working within other societies. The people I know in it are super cool and some of the nicest/best people you could ever meet.

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

Cool, I think I fit the bill, where do I apply? 😎

Just call 1-800-JOIN-CIA

 

[drumsandwires]

Psh, I thought this was a parody of that actor thread. lol secret agent pharmacist...

 

[Sparda29]

Only thing I can think of is them using you as a toxicology expert to make recommendations on what poisons to use in Black Op situations.

 

[ValeRx]

Kansas, you have strayed way out of your lane. The OP is talking about the CIA and pharmacy. To my knowledge there are no pharmacy jobs directly in the CIA. As for the military, you would not be able to go in as a pharmacist and then apply for 18 series training. Sorry, doesn't work like that. You want to SF stuff, you are in the wrong pipeline. The only way to guarantee a slot like that is enlisting with an 18X contract in the Army.

 

[sA x sKy]

Kansas, you have strayed way out of your lane. The OP is talking about the CIA and pharmacy. To my knowledge there are no pharmacy jobs directly in the CIA. As for the military, you would not be able to go in as a pharmacist and then apply for 18 series training. Sorry, doesn't work like that. You want to SF stuff, you are in the wrong pipeline. The only way to guarantee a slot like that is enlisting with an 18X contract in the Army.

And one cannot enlist with an 18X contract at all if he/she graduates going the PharmD route first?

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

Kansas, you have strayed way out of your lane. The OP is talking about the CIA and pharmacy. To my knowledge there are no pharmacy jobs directly in the CIA. As for the military, you would not be able to go in as a pharmacist and then apply for 18 series training. Sorry, doesn't work like that. You want to SF stuff, you are in the wrong pipeline. The only way to guarantee a slot like that is enlisting with an 18X contract in the Army.

Vale, not to sound like an ass, but you really need to work on reading comp.

No, there are no pharmacists that work in any kind of capacity that would get you anywhere near training required for spec ops. If a pharmacist went in, they would have to volunteer to go to Delta/SF/PJs/FACs/etc (depending on the branch). Then you would have to make it through the qualification course to even get into spec ops. There you would start getting experience but just the general training for SF takes a minimum of 2 years. You would not be doing pharm work but would have to do the job volunteered for or assigned.

Nowhere did I say go in and do pharmacy work, I said to volunteer if a pharmacist went in. I was an electrician when I went in but I did not do electrical work in my job. Those are just titles, I did not say take a commission as a pharmacist and then volunteer for spec ops.

So yes, I can see the 300 yd target clearly and can knock it down every single time.

UPDATE - Just got off the phone with a buddy (who was an officer for 6 years before going SF by the way) and he says that about 40% of his team are prior service within the Army. So, it is actually even more common than I thought about people going to be an 18 series after doing something else first. But, I will give you this: It is definitely easier to have enlisted that way originally than to try to move over midstream.

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

And one cannot enlist with an 18X contract at all if he/she graduates going the PharmD route first?

Pharmacist is just a title. So yes, you could pass the pre-qual and enlist as an 18 series without a problem. It is the same with FACs and PJs in the AF. The only one that is different is Delta and you have to volunteer for that after you have already joined under a different job.

PS - I only speak for Army and AF since that is where my experience is. If you wanted to be a Seal or Recon, you would have to ask someone that was in the Marines or the Navy.

 

[pharm B]

Only thing I can think of is them using you as a toxicology expert to make recommendations on what poisons to use in Black Op situations.

Not sure if serious...

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

Not sure if serious...

Unfortunately, most people do think of the cloak and dagger stuff not realizing a field agents best asset to not ever draw attention to ones self.

 

[sA x sKy]

Pharmacist is just a title. So yes, you could pass the pre-qual and enlist as an 18 series without a problem. It is the same with FACs and PJs in the AF. The only one that is different is Delta and you have to volunteer for that after you have already joined under a different job.

PS - I only speak for Army and AF since that is where my experience is. If you wanted to be a Seal or Recon, you would have to ask someone that was in the Marines or the Navy.

Damn. I was researching on the 18X enlistment and read something about 800 people enlisting but only 14 people getting the SF spots. Assuming, if ever, I do go this route, I have 6 years to get physically fit. Being mentally/emotionally fit though is a whole other story.

 

[ValeRx]

Vale, not to sound like an ass, but you really need to work on reading comp.



Nowhere did I say go in and do pharmacy work, I said to volunteer if a pharmacist went in. I was an electrician when I went in but I did not do electrical work in my job. Those are just titles, I did not say take a commission as a pharmacist and then volunteer for spec ops.

So yes, I can see the 300 yd target clearly and can knock it down every single time.

UPDATE - Just got off the phone with a buddy (who was an officer for 6 years before going SF by the way) and he says that about 40% of his team are prior service within the Army. So, it is actually even more common than I thought about people going to be an 18 series after doing something else first. But, I will give you this: It is definitely easier to have enlisted that way originally than to try to move over midstream.

What do you know about the '300 yard target?' Oh, you can see it? Knock it down every time? Good, I bet you brag to your non-infantry buddies at the range when you knock'em down and talk about how you could have been SF but you got "hurt." Ever been 11B? Not to sound like an ass, but you were never a grunt so don't talk about the Army like you know **** about combat arms. Electrician? Reading comp? How about taking a question about the CIA and pharmacy and turning it into a discussion about SF.

By the way, no-one calls it the 'yard line.' It's METERS. Since when has the military used YARDS as a unit of measurement? No self respecting veteran or servicemember is impressed by your so called "friends." I'm sure your posturing might catch the eye of some unsuspecting civilian though.

 

[ValeRx]

Unfortunately, most people do think of the cloak and dagger stuff not realizing a field agents best asset to not ever draw attention to ones self.

Better listen to the expert here. He knows all about clandestine operations.

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

What do you know about the '300 yard target?' Oh, you can see it? Knock it down every time? Good, I bet you brag to your non-infantry buddies at the range when you knock'em down and talk about how you could have been SF but you got "hurt." Ever been 11B? Not to sound like an ass, but you were never a grunt so don't talk about the Army like you know **** about combat arms. Electrician? Reading comp? How about taking a question about the CIA and pharmacy and turning it into a discussion about SF.

By the way, no-one calls it the 'yard line.' It's METERS. Since when has the military used YARDS as a unit of measurement? No self respecting veteran or servicemember is impressed by your so called "friends." I'm sure your posturing might catch the eye of some unsuspecting civilian though.

You know what? Nevermind, its not worth it. You win. See below.

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

Damn. I was researching on the 18X enlistment and read something about 800 people enlisting but only 14 people getting the SF spots. Assuming, if ever, I do go this route, I have 6 years to get physically fit. Being mentally/emotionally fit though is a whole other story.

Sky, obviously I have no idea what I am talking about. I had hoped to give you some alternatives to the CIA that would have a little higher acceptance rate if you had your heart set on doing some secret squirrel stuff.

You better PM Vale and ask him all about Army spec ops. I am sorry that I misled you and anyone else that might have read this thread.

I will graciously bow out and go lick my wounds in a dark corner somewhere. Good luck in all your future endeavors.

 

[ValeRx]

Sky, obviously I have no idea what I am talking about. I had hoped to give you some alternatives to the CIA that would have a little higher acceptance rate if you had your heart set on doing some secret squirrel stuff.

You better PM Vale and ask him all about Army spec ops. I am sorry that I misled you and anyone else that might have read this thread.

I will graciously bow out and go lick my wounds in a dark corner somewhere. Good luck in all your future endeavors.

Quit blowing smoke, dude. You were an electrician.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

I got 1000/1000 Xbox Live achievement points on the last Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell. I'll school all y'all. My opinion; You can do it, dude. Just remember to shoot all of the lightbulbs you see. That way your visibility meter never gets very high. The bad dudes won't know what hit 'em.

 

[sA x sKy]

I got 1000/1000 Xbox Live achievement points on the last Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell. I'll school all y'all. My opinion; You can do it, dude. Just remember to shoot all of the lightbulbs you see. That way your visibility meter never gets very high. The bad dudes won't know what hit 'em.

This was a very serious thread bro. Live a little.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

They have more knowledge and are quicker thinking that any 3 people that make it through any PhD program.

Any 3? That doesn't seem very high end. I'm pretty sure I'm smarter than everyone that has a PhD in, like, art history.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

This was a very serious thread bro. Live a little.

I apologize. I'll let you get back to your very serious thread about figuring out how to become James Bond with a counting tray.

 

[sA x sKy]

I apologize. I'll let you get back to your very serious thread about figuring out how to become James Bond with a counting tray.

Much obliged..jerk.

 

[owlegrad]

I apologize. I'll let you get back to your very serious thread about figuring out how to become James Bond with a counting tray.

If someone ever asks me how I like my reconstitutables, I am definitely going to say, "Shaken, not stirred"!

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

If someone ever asks me how I like my reconstitutables, I am definitely going to say, "Shaken, not stirred"!

I tell you what, if you can figure out how to stir one (already mixed of course) I would really be impressed 👍

 

[owlegrad]

I tell you what, if you can figure out how to stir one (already mixed of course) I would really be impressed 👍

I think that stirring machines exist. I have never seen one, but I am almost certain I have heard of such a thing.

Why would I stir it after it is already mixed? 😕

 

[pharm B]

I think that stirring machines exist. I have never seen one, but I am almost certain I have heard of such a thing.

Why would I stir it after it is already mixed? 😕

For the same reason we're discussing black ops pharmacy.



I'm soaking all this in so I learn how to get a sweet CIA rotation 4th year.

 

[owlegrad]

For the same reason we're discussing black ops pharmacy.

But once it is mixed I wouldn't need to stir it. I don't understand.

CIA rotations are hard to get. Anyway you wouldn't be able to document it so it wouldn't count.

 

[apteryx]

Pfft, amateurs. I was already CIA/Seal Team 6/Green Beret by the time I applied to pharm school. I had to post this from a proxy server in the US, as I'm currently on location in the south pacific, sniping d00ds with my left hand/eye, typing with my right hand/eye. I'm also shaking martinis in an IV bag with my feet.

Get on my level.

 

[Pharmacy Kid]

Pfft, amateurs. I was already CIA/Seal Team 6/Green Beret by the time I applied to pharm school. I had to post this from a proxy server in the US, as I'm currently on location in the south pacific, sniping d00ds with my left hand/eye, typing with my right hand/eye. I'm also shaking martinis in an IV bag with my feet.

Get on my level.

👍

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

I think that stirring machines exist. I have never seen one, but I am almost certain I have heard of such a thing.

Why would I stir it after it is already mixed? 😕

You are correct, sir! Dont mind me. My brain does not seem to have switched gears after work today. 😕

Looking at it now, I really have no idea what joke I was trying to make. I think I should try to get more sleep... 😴

 

[owlegrad]

You are correct, sir! Dont mind me. My brain does not seem to have switched gears after work today. 😕

Looking at it now, I really have no idea what joke I was trying to make. I think I should try to get more sleep... 😴

Sleep = good

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

Sleep = good

In 2 weeks after I get the PCAT out of the way. I should be able increase my sleep exponentially after that 👍

 

[sA x sKy]

Another thread gone totally off topic. /sigh

Seems like we all have short attention spans.

By the way, if you guys look at my OP, I wasn't talking about black ops or agents or whatever specifically. I asked what jobs were available to people with PharmD's in the CIA. Jeez you guys must have all a chip on your shoulders or something.

 

[owlegrad]

In 2 weeks after I get the PCAT out of the way. I should be able increase my sleep exponentially after that 👍

Oh my. That is not how you use exponentially. I have no idea why, but it is a pet peeve of mine when people misuse that word. Unless of course you are telling me that your sleeping habits can be modeled by y=e^x or that it otherwise can be modeled by the exponential curve, in which case I apologize. Also, good luck on the PCAT.

 

[owlegrad]

Another thread gone totally off topic. /sigh

Seems like we all have short attention spans.

By the way, if you guys look at my OP, I wasn't talking about black ops or agents or whatever specifically. I asked what jobs were available to people with PharmD's in the CIA. Jeez you guys must have all a chip on your shoulders or something.

What kind of job were you thinking of? What makes you want to work for the CIA?

 

[Sparda29]

My name's Michael Westen. I used to be a spy until...

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

Oh my. That is not how you use exponentially. I have no idea why, but it is a pet peeve of mine when people misuse that word. Unless of course you are telling me that your sleeping habits can be modeled by y=e^x or that it otherwise can be modeled by the exponential curve, in which case I apologize. Also, good luck on the PCAT.

When I said exponentially, I simply meant I would stand to get 2 or 3 times as much as I am getting right now. But I understand pet peeves... Just like me hating when people use the supposed word "irregardless"...

 

[owlegrad]

When I said exponentially, I simply meant I would stand to get 2 or 3 times as much as I am getting right now. But I understand pet peeves... Just like me hating when people use the supposed word "irregardless"...