Vet Med Options

[nholm]

Hello,
I am interested in joining the guard and am trying to gain some insight as to what options are available for someone persuing their degree in Veterinary Medicine. As I understand it there are Animal Care Specialist and Veternarians in the Army. What options are available for someone persuing their degree? Do I have to be enlisted first? Can I get into some sort of program that helps with college tuition and then be commisioned when I graduate? I will have my Associates degree in Jan if not sooner in Business, and am simultaneously working on my bachelors which I should have done in approx 18 mos-24mos depending on available classes. I will then be able to apply for Vet school and obtain my Doctorate in Vet Med.
My husband is active duty Army as an MP and the medical field is kind of out of his realm. I am currently 27, healthy, no criminal history, etc.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,

[Pawtucket-RI SSG B]

Your first step should be to research what units in the National Guard in your state, if any offer that MOS (Animal Care Specialist and Veterinarian). If that MOS is not available you may want to qualify for a different MOS.

Depending on your College credits you will be eligible for a higher pay-grade upon enlisting, and also find out if there is a college that offers ROTC program near you. You may qualify for the OCS program or if you do have a ROTC available... the SMP Program, both are Officer Commissioning Options.

Now the National Guard offers up to 100% Federal tuition, the GI Bill, GI Bill Kicker, $20,000 Student Loan Repayment, and the State's College benefits which vary from state to state.

SSG Pedro Bonilla
Rhode Island Army National Guard
E-Mail: pedro.bonilla@us.army.mil
Phone: (401)374-9039

[groundup]

Also want to check out neighboring states.

[maybe]

is it possible to change MOS's after your in and move to another state?

[Pawtucket-RI SSG B]

It all depends on the unit your going into and where are you in your current contract(enlistment bonus,may play a factor). You would have to cordinate with the Inter State Transfer Officer of the gaining state that you are relocating to. Natural you would need the qualifying line scores for the MOS your looking for. Each National Guard State has there own web site, go on there and look for the IST coordinator or the Recruiting HQ, they will be able to guide you from there.