Uniformed Service

Although many people assume the military is solely for protecting the people of the country, they are actually involved deeply in the animal community as well. If a person is a veterinarian and wishes to join the military, or if a person is in the military and wishes to become a veterinarian, it’s generally no problem either way. A person doesn’t need to accomplish one goal before the other if they’re ultimate goal is to be a veterinarian while serving in the military.

Many veterinarians serve as officers in the US Army Veterinary Corps and are responsible for biomedical research and development, as well as being engaged in programs within the military and other governmental agencies. Veterinarians of the US Army Veterinary Corps protect Americans from bioterrorism and deal with food safety and the veterinarian care of government-owned animals. However, even though he is a government-owned pet, Bo Obama (President Obama’s dog) has been treated and is looked after by veterinarians at the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, and they do not employ military officers.

Education for Military Veterinarians

Some officers receive special education and continued education in laboratory animal medicine, pathology, microbiology and conduct research in military and other government agencies here in the States, while others conduct the same methods and practices overseas. All military veterinarians must go through the same intense and rigorous coursework, exams and licensing procedures as ordinary veterinarians, before being able to practice veterinary medicine in the military.

Job Outlook for Military Veterinarians

The need for military veterinarians is high, both here in the US and overseas. When a person decides to join the Army Veterinary Corps, they must complete two tours. The first tour takes place on American soil, while the second tour can be somewhere overseas or in a deployable unit. The jobs tend to be the same in both locations, as military veterinarians are in demand, especially in specialty fields such as toxicology and pharmacology. At the present time, there are over 700 veterinarians in the Veterinary Corps.

Many societies, communities and countries alike rely heavily on animal agriculture like Americans do. This is why military veterinarians play a huge role in the rebuilding and improving of animal care systems in third world, underdeveloped and war-damaged countries. This allows for the improvement of animal health which improves the quality of life for humans too.