Posted on Nov 20, 2019
Am I making the right choice by joining the military?
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A little background on me - 26 y/o female, permanent resident, completed bachelor of engineering in biotechnology in 2015, completing masters of science in Biotechnology-Biodefense from Johns Hopkins in Dec 2019. 3 years of civilian experience ranging from molecular biology to cancer research to now working with one of DHS's Select Agents Biodefense programs for MD Dept of Health.
Scored 90 on ASVAB (my mechanical is weak), wanted 68K due to my background but HRC did not see algebra (like the specific word) on my college transcript even though I took two advanced math courses in college. So I signed up to go in as a 68W - E4.
Spouse is former navy CTT.
I have always wanted to serve, I believe we all owe that to our nation. I also want to do this to be a better version of me, to grow in a way I cannot from civilian career.
A part of me just wants to make sure if this is also the right carrer choice for me. I am still serving the nation in my current role, not in military way but in Biodefense way. Am I working backwards by joining the Army now at this juncture? Is it too late and would I be better off just continuing with my civilian career?
My career end goal is to work in a role through which I can improve and safeguard public health - it could be through WMD non-proliferation, epidemiology, infectious diseases, bio-chem defense.
Thank you so much for your advice.
Scored 90 on ASVAB (my mechanical is weak), wanted 68K due to my background but HRC did not see algebra (like the specific word) on my college transcript even though I took two advanced math courses in college. So I signed up to go in as a 68W - E4.
Spouse is former navy CTT.
I have always wanted to serve, I believe we all owe that to our nation. I also want to do this to be a better version of me, to grow in a way I cannot from civilian career.
A part of me just wants to make sure if this is also the right carrer choice for me. I am still serving the nation in my current role, not in military way but in Biodefense way. Am I working backwards by joining the Army now at this juncture? Is it too late and would I be better off just continuing with my civilian career?
My career end goal is to work in a role through which I can improve and safeguard public health - it could be through WMD non-proliferation, epidemiology, infectious diseases, bio-chem defense.
Thank you so much for your advice.
Edited 5 y ago
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 4
If serving in the military has always been a goal of yours, then enlisting is never...IMHO.....moving backwards. Within the military, you will learn a different set of skills that will help you in your civilian side. It will give you a different set of eyes when viewing the world. However, I do have one particular bit of advice, I would recommend you apply for direct commission as an Environmental Science Officer and work in the Preventive Medicine world as I think your current degree and future end goals would mesh well with Environmental Science.
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MSG (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) - AOC (Area of Concentration) for the Officer field of Environmental Science is 72D. There is not a lot of them. So, with your degrees, I think your chances are very high of getting it. Especially if you specifically request it.
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MSG (Join to see)
PO1 Jeff A. - I was shocked when I saw it first hand. I'll never forget the day. The doctor comes walking onto my ward with his uniform all wrinkled up like at the bottom of a dufflebag for 3 months wrinkled. I asked my nurse who that doctor was and that is when i was educated on his particular pedigree.
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Please - use your education to jump several more steps up the ladder! That AAMED response is sound!
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SPC (Join to see)
That's where I want to end up at, Ft. Detrick or USAMRIID honestly either would work and would be right up my alley with my degrees and experience. It's the getting there part... I hope it all works out when the time comes to go OCS.
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