27 and highly educated pharmacist, thinking of joining Reserves or National Guard. Thoughts?

Maria Johnson — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 14:58:43 -0400

I'm a 27 year old pharmacist that's highly educated and thinking of joining reserves or national guard while I am still young and physicaly fit. I'm looking for something that will maintain a civilian job, but have fun to travel and make a difference. I don't want to go through harsh boot camp or anything crazy, and don't want anything that they will lock me down into a long time commitment or contract. I'm not sure which one is best for me, heard air force reserves is good to join. Thoughts?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 28 at 2018 3:12 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 15:12:11 -0400

Purely a suggestion, I understand why you want that way, look at the USPHS Commissioned Corps, I should’ve done it, I would’ve if I’d known it existed when I went in, trust me, take the and compare, look up their pharmacy page, ok?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2018 4:20 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 16:20:14 -0400

Maria Johnson Maria, below are link to website that will provide you with some answers. I would look closely at the Air Force Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve. Good luck.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/which-is-the-best-branch-for-reserve-guard-duty

https://www.va.gov/vetsinworkplace/docs/em_activeReserve.html

https://www.reserve.uscg.mil/

https://afreserve.com/

Which is the best branch for reserve/guard duty? | RallyPoint

A 37 year old Friend wants to step up to the plate. What are his options?

Response by Maria Johnson made Apr 28 at 2018 4:22 PM

Maria Johnson — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 16:22:03 -0400

What service did you go into? I’m hesitant of USPHS since heard negative things like their service has no money and are cutting their service members pay, have to get a civilian job and beg to get deployed which usually the seniors get the opportunity, and negative press. It just doesn’t seem to be an actual functioning military service

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Apr 28 at 2018 4:27 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 16:27:55 -0400

You dont wanna go through any harsh training the join the air force if you want cake. Why not go actvie?
I cant comment on the other stuff but you want a easy basic then air force not sayuing they the best but the training will be easier lol

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 28 at 2018 4:44 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 16:44:06 -0400

Ma'am- serving this country is a calling, not a job, not even a career. No one will force you to sign up for 20+, and I'm pretty sure that the USAF Basic is not rough/harsh- as a pharmacist, you might even be able to go the Officer route.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Apr 28 at 2018 5:23 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 17:23:12 -0400

Maria Johnson you can pursue a direct commission through an Army medical recruiter (not the local hometown recruiter. ). Licensed pharmacists are commissioned officers. You will have to go to a basic entry training for direct commissioned officers. The Active Duty one is at Fort Bliss TX for Like Six weeks. You will be subject to all service standards like body composition and physical fitness standards.

From your comments you are averse to committing to this, it may not be for you. Soldiering is all about commitment. This is not like a cellular plan. You raise your right hand and swear an oath. If you become a commissioned officer, you are not just a Pharamcist, you are an Army leader with authority, duties, responsibilities and accountability.

If you choose another service, it will be similar as commissioned officer responsibility and authority is the same under federal law.

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/amedd-categories/medical-service-corps-jobs/pharmacist.html

Pharmacist (67E)

The Pharmacist is responsible for the safe and effective use of medication, offering guidance in clinical and consultative pharmacy. Learn more at goarmy.com.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2018 8:11 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 20:11:50 -0400

From what you posted the military is not for you. Enlistment is a long time commitment and contract. Training should be somewhat rigorous to prepare for combat.

"I don't want to go through harsh boot camp or anything crazy, and don't want anything that they will lock me down into a long time commitment or contract."

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2018 10:19 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 10:19:14 -0400

Maria Johnson, you had me until, "I don't want to go through harsh boot camp or anything crazy." The military isn't for you. Don't get me wrong, being a doctor or a nurse in the military isn't like being in the infantry, but it's still the military. If you want as little military flavor to your military...go Air Force Reserve or Guard. They're almost like being in the military.

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 2:24 AM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 02:24:31 -0400

As mentioned, you would receive a direct commission and go through Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC) in the Army. The course would be with other medical professionals but would include basic soldier skills and common officer core instruction. My Chaplain BOLC was 13 weeks. Its challenging but not harsh. It includes a basic training that still respects you as a direct commission professional. Don't imagine what movies portray. Comitment for Active Duty is 3 years with another 5 in either active or reserve component. Officers don't have "contracts" like enlisted soldiers. You accept a commission. There are circumstances where a person may be able to resign their commission, but there needs to be a cause. Not sure the commitment a reserve commission would require. Call the medical recruiters as they will have better answers than RP.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 12:29 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 12:29:38 -0400

I'll echo what others have said. It sounds like the military isn't for you. All the great benefits that you're no doubt looking at come with a price. That price is being called whenever to go wherever for any length of time. It sounds like that isn't something you're wanting.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2018 9:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 May 2018 21:40:20 -0400

Maria Johnson In all honesty the military may not be for you. No matter what branch you join you will undergo vigorous basic entry training and you have to commit for a minimum of 3 years. There’s no way around it. This isn’t something you can start doing and give up on when you’re tired of it. Once you raise your hand and take the oath you have committed to serving. There’s no going back until your contract is finished. You may want to reconsider.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 22 at 2021 1:48 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 13:48:38 -0400

Everything you just said screams "Air Force". All the same benefits of being in the military, with almost none of the hardship, discipline or sacrifice.