What should I choose between Veterinary Corp, Warrant Officer Pilot, or Medical Corp? Which is best for Army NG or Reserves?

Ralea Casperson — Tue, 14 May 2019 10:33:58 -0400

I need help making the best choice for myself. I either want to be a Veterinary Corp officer, Warrant Officer Pilot or Medical Corp Officer. I cant get a clear answer which is best for these positions Army National Guard of Army Reserves. I would like to do some deployments and take on some extra missions when available. Would love any feedback on this.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2019 10:48 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 May 2019 10:48:46 -0400

Well in the Guard or Reserves what is available in your area within a reasonable drive, how far are you willing to drive for a position etc. I know in my area one would have to drive to Nashville about 2 hours for medical, Ft. Knox for Warrant officer Pilot about 65 minutes and I have no idea as fara veterinary officer. Most major units have a reserve recruiter at the recruiting station and a retention NCO at the reserve building if it is large enough that could help tell you what is available and most Guard units have a recruiter as well.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 14 at 2019 11:03 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 14 May 2019 11:03:37 -0400

If you are a licensed DVM, I recommend you enter the Vet Corps. Your profession in and out of uniform should compliment each other.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 14 at 2019 11:50 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 14 May 2019 11:50:02 -0400

Ralea Casperson that really depends on you and what you want in life. Two of these paths are pretty set in stone and once you are on it, you are on it. Hope you were understanding the Medical Corps as being doctors and other medical professionals vice a Medical Service Corps (MSC) Officer which coordinates, plans, organizes etc combat health support in a unit. Those are the tactical peeps in Army health care.
- Do you want to earn a DVM and treat animals?
- Do you want to earn and MD or medical specialty and treat patients?
- Do you want to fly rotary and fixed wing aircraft?
Its that simple...
- MD: high barriers to entry, hard work on your part simply to gain entry to medical school. Pass med school and residency (some pay), earn license become doctor (finally paid). Then there is specialization. Resource heavy. Reward in the middle.
- DVM: high barriers to entry, hard work to simply get into vet school. Pass vet school. Intern with a more experienced Vet, earn license become vet (getting paid). Specializations are essential in this field, like Equestrian Vets. Resource heavy. Reward in the middle.
- Flight Warrant: compete to be selected for WOCS, go to Basic Training, Pass Basic Training, attend/pass WOCS, go to flight school and pass, Specialize in an airframe. Get to your unit and work toward being a Pilot in Command (PC) and Instructor Pilot (IP) Resources less on your part. Heavy commitment. Getting paid while doing it. Better like flying because that is your primary function in life. Reward is more front loaded.

This may not be of great help but here is a way to come at it.
https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/how-do-i-choose-an-army-branch-a-framework

Ironically all three have great after the military careers or simultaneous careers for the Reserve Components (ARNG and Army Reserve). All three are almost completely mutually exclusive (MEDEVAC pilots evac patients from point of injury to proper echelon of care, stretch of a touch point). You are going to have to make your choice. Once you get on one of these paths that is it unless you have unlimited resources. Military doors will start to close depending on your age and the option you consider.

I have operated under the assumption you are not trying to enlist in these fields. There are enlisted military occupational specialties (MOS) in each of these branches. that is a whole other conversation. All three of the things you had in your post are officer positions. All commissioned officers except for the very beginning of a Warrant's career as a WO1, CW2 on they are commissioned.

PS Corp = Corporation, which we are not. Corps = Military organization that represents either a branch or a operational headquarters commanded by a three star.

How do I choose an Army Branch?: A Framework | RallyPoint

The purpose of this article is to address one of the biggest Rally Point questions among Army ROTC Cadets: I am a with a major in , which branch should I choose? One of my goals is to help you filter through what you will get back. After all, don’t we all turn to the nameless, faceless internet trolls to determine our future? The immediate challenge is that the people responding are well intentioned but generally don’t know you from Adam....

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2019 12:05 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 May 2019 12:05:00 -0400

As most others said, you should figure out what you want to do for a career, civiliancand military. What do you do right now for work?

The reserves have a huge medical component so you probably have better luck finding your medical related jobs there. Not as much available from what I understand for aviation so NG would most likely be better for that.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made May 14 at 2019 1:34 PM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Tue, 14 May 2019 13:34:39 -0400

Hard to respond to this question without more details; where are you in the process of recruitment? What are your existing qualifications (do you have any degrees/training relevant to any of these fields)? What interests you in each of these? What do you hope to get out of your experience in the Army? These potential options are quite divergent to say the least.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 14 at 2019 2:31 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 14 May 2019 14:31:07 -0400

Which one will satisfy you the most? And how far do you have to travel for drill?

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made May 15 at 2019 12:33 AM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Wed, 15 May 2019 00:33:51 -0400

Son you are all over the map.