Source
r/AskMenOver30•
JoTrinity

Joining Military after college

Hello, I just started college and am a freshman but I have also been thinking about the future. I am majoring in Animal Science on a Pre-Vet track and googled how much financial debt vet school is. Crazy amounts. I've then looked up how I can be debt free and saw that the military is willing to pay full 4 years if you serve for 4 years. I do not see this as a problem for now. I am not really planning on a family and want to travel. I've always admired the military and how much honor comes with serving the country. Always thought a man in uniform was cool but you know what's cooler?? A woman in unform! Haha but in all seriousness is there any advice I can recieve? I just dont want to be depressed. Does the military pay for veterinary school? Does the military push you around to do things that arent best for you? How good is the HPSP?

Edit: Okay so all this information is overwhelming and so helpful. Right now my plan is just get my bachelors in Animal Science, go to Veterinary School, get a job at a clinic and then maybe start my own while paying of my crippling debt. In terms of personal life I just want to do my own thing, I'm kind of a go with the flow kinda girl so I dont have many plans. If the military pays for my tuition while also giving me a job afterwards it seems like a win to me.

Thank you all for your help T-T

Posted Sep 24, 2019, 12:54 PM UTC · edited

926
Jalakeemale 35 - 39•

Does the military push you around to do things that arent best for you?

Yes. You are working for them, not the other way around.

18
Rynebmale 45 - 49•

That is every job.

3
terribletimingtodayfemale 35 - 39•

True. But you can't just quit the military whenever you choose and go somewhere else without the potential for serious and lifelong repercussions.

10
Rynebmale 45 - 49•

This is true. But again could apply to any career/job, likely to less sever repercussions, but possibly as serious. For example, if OP decided after Vet school that (s)he didn't like being a vet, and walk away. There is still a possibility of thousands or hinders of thousands in student loans, and other debts.

-2
terribletimingtodayfemale 35 - 39•

No potential for arrest(awol) or a discharge that follows you and prevents you from working for the government or lots of companies after...

...also having to pay back your educational costs that they fronted.

This is what I'm talking about.

5
Lerk409male 35 - 39•

Most jobs don’t force you overseas to soak up bullets for the company cause and threaten you with imprisonment for quitting.

3
Rynebmale 45 - 49•

And most service members never see combat, probably half never leave the States or US territories.

And jail time for UA/AWOL doesn't happen nearly as much as people like to think it does.

1
cyanocobalaminmale over 30•

Join the air force, I've heard from many people that it is the most user friendly, least dangerous branch of the service. Many air force veterans told me depending on your gig it isn't much different from working a job in civilian life.

r/AirForce

Talk to a recruiter in person, get their promise in writing. Recruiters have been known to blatantly lie to people. Ask other people questions before you sign anything.

8
texaschairmale 55 - 59•

True that, but it's also the hardest to enlist in (depending on MOS), but I'm assuming you're going ROTC. Wouldn't make sense to not be an officer if you have a degree.

1
SpiritOfGunplamale 35 - 39•

Play your cards right and you can be a military veterinarian.

7
brynochmale over 30•

Using military service to pay for college is a pretty well worn path.

I'd recommend talking to ROTC officers on campus and they can show you different options. I'd also recommend talking to some military veterinarians. Ask for their contact info through the ROTC recruiter or other recruiter and see if they've got some time to talk about the good, the bad, and what they recommend based on your situation.

Best of luck.

5
1jq512male 25 - 29•

I almost joined the military at 18. I did a ton of research. Former and currently military told me to go to college first. I considered ROTC. But eventually decided to just wait until I graduated. They told me the military would pay off my loans and I would go in as an officer. Sounded good to me.

By the time I was 22 the appeal of the military was gone. My desires and goals in life changed. You do alot of changing in your college years. If college is absolutely in your plans, I would say wait until you graduate before you sign up. I know a lot of guys and girls that joined at 18 and regretted it by the time they were 20. And they were stuck and had to finish out their contract. They say you sign your life away which is a negative way to put it IMO. But ultimately you do what the military says. You go where they want you to go. Sometimes you have to put your life on hold for them.

I'm happy I didn't enlist. I would have missed out on so much. I grew into a person that doesn't like to be told what to do. I would have hated it, but it took me some time to figure that out about myself. I think a little more life experience and maturity will help you make that decision. Another thing I was told by many former military is that I need to have a plan. Make the most of your time. Utilize the skills, education and resources they provide so you have something to do when you get out.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

4
Hmack1female 55 - 59•

Military paid for my Psyche degree and after I got out I made a killing on the public market, still going strong today with a private practice full of doctors working under me.

I traveled to over 20 countries, met a gazillion famous people, saw some real shitty stuff I wouldn't ever want to see again..and it all made me appreciate this country as the wonderful place it is.

I cannot recommend it highly enough.

3
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2
Rynebmale 45 - 49•

If you really want to do this, go talk to the ROTC on your campus, 2-3 year ROTC scholarships are relatively easy to get. Also ask about becoming a veterinarian in the military, they are in need all the time. And will pay for all you schooling.

2
JoTrinityOPfemale 19 or under•

How long does it usually take until I can start veterinary school? Like how much time after my bachelors would I be doing military stuff until they say yes to paying for my veterinary education?

2
Rynebmale 45 - 49•

IF I remember correctly, on a ROTC scholarship you do 4 year stint after graduation. During school you would take ROTC as a normal class, between Sophomore/Junior years you do a summer 4-6 week course, same thing between Junior/Senior years. You do get paid a regular salary for the 6 weeks, in addition to a monthly stipend while in school.

The other option would be pay for your BS yourself, and the moment you get accepted to Vet school, then apply for a scholarship, it's a bit different. If you get a postgraduate program scholarship, you basically get the monthly stipend, and school paid for, but DO NOT, take ant ROTC classes. Upon graduation you attend a special 6 week "boot camp" for medical officers only. Calling it boot camp is very misleading, it is nothing at all like boot camp, you do learn the rank structure and Military tradition. But not the shooting, tactics, screaming etc.

3
JoTrinityOPfemale 19 or under•

Is the scholarship you're talking about the HPSP scholarship?

2
Rynebmale 45 - 49•

Is that what it's called?

Yeah that's the one

1
TheGarpmale 50 - 54•

The military has LOTS of great benefits\paybacks\student loan repayment etc. for medical training. LOTS. Id say join the military while IN college! I did and it was the smartest thing I ever did.

You can likely leverage them paying for just about any medical training in one way or another, check with a MEDICAL \ Officer recruiter or ROTC office on your campus. The general rule of thumb is that you join a medical reserve unit while in your training, they pay for school while you serve reserve status during school, (the one weekend a month & 2 weeks a year deal) then once you are done with college you get your commission, and you owe two years for every year of school they paid for. those two years can be in the reserves.

downside: you can get called up and sent overseas anytime.

Plus side: I was in a reserve medical reserve unit and it was nuts the number of benefits and training and money they offer for medical people. Nurses, docs, med service, vet service, dental, CRNAs. If you were willing to go to school, they were willing to pay you to do so and pay for school too.

2
JoTrinityOPfemale 19 or under•

You make the military sound too good. I just dont want to be played and want my Veterinary School tuition payed. If the military does that and gives me a job afterwards on the condition that I am always on the clock with them then I do not see any issue

1
TheGarpmale 50 - 54•

as long as you dont mind getting called up to be in the desert once in a while, get shot at, and live in the heat.... You can get yoru school and mroe school paid for.

My roomate was a vet services officer. His job was to test the food temperatures in all the PXs and BXs in the area, inspect food storage, food prep areas. Wasn't a hard gig for a veterinary services officer. .

1
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1
darkchocoIatemale over 30•

Being a vet is....difficult business. That crippling debt, don't let anyone mislead you on how hard it is to pay that debt off. I have about 26k myself and the interest alone is $100/month. Do you know how hard it is to work and have anything extra to pay for student loans, just money lost into the ether? It sucks.

The military is a great opportunity. My honest recommendation is to complete enough college credits (48 semester hours) so that you can enlist as an E-3 (takes 18 months to get that far otherwise), then finish your Bachelor's degree while you're in the service (they pay all your tuition on active duty!). Then pick off any other courses you need while the military is paying for it. Then when you're done you have your full college fund to use when your enlistment is done, and if working with animals is your thing you'll have a great headstart, much better than most.

HPSP is probably going to be very hard to get, so start plotting an alternate route. Not saying don't go for it, but know that it's competitive. The military is a job, a tough job but one most people can handle. Watch some YouTube videos, you'll see what it's all about and maybe you'll find a good fit depending on the branch you join.

1
FrogLegs12•

All services are great, but don’t forget about the Coast Guard

5.5 years served and obtained an AS, BS, and MS on the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Unsure if Post 9/11 would fund all of Vet school but it would make a start.

Join ROTC, get on scholarship with a delayed Commission as an Officer. Both the Army and Navy have Veterinarians on full active duty. Qualify and they pay for it all!

1
TheSingingKidmale 70 - 79•

I joined after college but that was an entirely different world without most of the benefits of modern service. Go ahead and serve after college. You can only do it when you’re young

1