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Life as an Army Veterinarian
May 19, 2010
As a veterinarian in the U.S. Army, I’ve had the opportunity to do so much more than the typical civilian veterinarian. My Army career started when I applied for and accepted a three-year ROTC scholarship. I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon my graduation from college and then received an educational delay from active duty to attend veterinary school. Following graduation from veterinary school I was promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned to my first duty site at Beale AFB, CA. Yes, that’s right as a veterinarian in the U.S. Army we have the unique opportunity to be stationed on Air Force, Navy, and Marine bases as the Army is the Department of Defense executive agent for veterinary services. I not only cared for the pets of military members and retirees, I got to take care of another class of Soldiers the Military Working Dogs. I also learned how to perform my food inspection responsibilities. Although, food inspection does not sound very interesting it is a necessity as all food that the military procures must come from approved sources and that’s where we as veterinarians come in. We inspect the factories to ensure that they are producing a safe product and that the risk of it causing a food borne illness to our troops is miniscule. While stationed at NSA Naples, Italy, it was the food inspection mission that allowed me to travel to multiple countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa that were not your typical tourist destinations. Although I enjoyed my food inspection mission, I preferred my clinical duties in particular surgery. The Army paid me to attend a three-year surgical residency program. Upon completion of my residency I was selected to command a Level III Animal Hospital and I deployed to Iraq. While in Iraq I had the responsibility of caring for the working dogs in theater and ensuring they were evacuated from theater if appropriate. I also had the unique opportunity of working with the Iraqi Police veterinarians in setting up their military working dog program as well as providing some training to the local veterinarians. As you can see I’ve had some unique opportunities as a veterinarian and that is why I’m proud to be a Soldier in the U.S. Army.
submitted by Major Jacque Parker on May 19 2010
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Wow, great post! I've never seen other posts on any other sites about army veterinarians; I think they tend to get overlooked. I would love to see more like this! I'm starting college as a freshman in the fall on an ROTC scholarship studying animal science. Eventually, I want to be a veterinarian for the army also. This post has been very informative and has cleared up a lot of questions I had about the life and responsibilites of an army veterinarian. Thanks so much for sharing your story, and thank you for your service to our country.
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Deb Ross
Jun 1, 2010 6:31 PMHaving a young soldier in Iraq for a year. They the base became attached to beautiful loving cat.This cat gave SOOOOOO much comfort, stress relief to the soldiers.Just before they left she had kitten's. I said to my son is there not anyone who can spay her? He said no mom.I felt bad like what could I do? Sure wish there was away that you also could do this for the cats that mean soooo much to our soldiers they the cat are the best medicine yet. So if you get back to Iraq and want to help out a kitty just let me know I will give you info. As animals are not allowed. I like to think of her as an angel. DR.
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Kelley Welch
Jun 15, 2010 2:58 PMThat is amazing, i'm wanting to go into the army but im also wanting to be a veterinarian, so your blog as showed me how much fun it is and where you get to stay. When im done with school in going to be looking forward to joining the army.
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Sfc Maes
Jun 18, 2010 11:37 PMGreat post, I'm currently serving as a health care recruiter and spoke to a young lady looking for infomation on the veterinarian corps. Your post will be very helpful with her making a decision. I'm wondering if you would be willing to speak to her?
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Sabrina Stamper
Nov 1, 2010 4:49 PMi am in college right now studying pre-vet, and i know that in order to go into veterinary in the army you have to be licensed first.. so what do i do right now? should i look into ROTC? i am interested in joining the army but i dont know what i can be doing NOW since you have to be licensed first..? if that makes sense.
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MAJ Jacque Parker
Nov 10, 2010 10:42 AMYou are correct that in order to be a Veterinary Corps Officer you would need to have your veterinary degree but you can look into ROTC during your undergraduate studies as they have scholarship options. Following graduation from undergrad with an ROTC Commission you can apply for an educational delay to attend Veterinary School. You would then come on active duty following graduation from veterinary school. I would recommend talking to the Army ROTC department at your school or with an Army health care recruiter as they can give you more details.
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Sabrina Stamper
Nov 10, 2010 10:53 AM
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Judy
Apr 3, 2011 11:16 PMThis questions is for our daughter, who is graduating this June and wishes to be a vet. After college, in an ROTC program, does the army pay for the veternarian school? And when you say apply after ROTC for an educational delay, does it mean they may not give it to her?
Thank you.
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Catherine
Jan 19, 2012 2:44 PMIm very interested in going ROTC and the becoming an army Vet, my one big question is, is it possible to be stationed in an active war zone area? You said you were in Iraq but was that near a war zone or just in a town. Thanks, this article is such an inspiration.
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Waterisbest
May 30, 2010 7:24 PM