Army veterinary surgeons

[HannahB]

Hiya, does anyone know any army vets? I'm trying to find someone to talk to about what its actually like working within the army, not just the glossing overview I get from the army recruiters.
Reason is uni fees to become an animal vet are crazily high these days and the army offers a bursary to pay off the fees, but I would have to work in the army for a few years. I'm trying to find out just how sensible it is for me to take the army route or to face a lifelong debt and the chance of starting my own practice

 

[Trouper]

May I sound a word of caution. As ex-military I urge you to think quite carefully about going in to this as a way of easing financial pressures. Military life is not for everyone and involves much more than just the "day" job. It is all encompassing, dictating not only the jobs you do but where you are located, your social life and much more. I loved it but your personal freedoms are limited by military requirements which always come first.

I don't know about the veterinary work but investigate whether there are any open days at the Defence Veterinary College so that you can see how their work equates to a civilian equivalent.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

You will still be expected to pass Officer Selection and go to Sandhurst on a shortened course if it hasn’t changed and once in you will be a soldier first and a Vet second because that’s they way the Army operates. Although most moves are planned in advance you can be deployed anywhere in the world at a moments notice and have no say in the matter and that includes war zones if there are bomb/sniffer dogs. While it can be a good life it’s not all adventure training in sunny places or skiing in the Alps and you will be expected to participate fully in mess life even if you live out.

My advice would be to join the cadets while you are at Uni to get an idea of what Army life is like and what it expects of you and if you enjoy it after a year and want to join then apply and obtain the bursary. If you apply for it straight away and hate it then it’s tough, you’re in.

 

[HannahB]

You will still be expected to pass Officer Selection and go to Sandhurst on a shortened course if it hasn’t changed and once in you will be a soldier first and a Vet second because that’s they way the Army operates. Although most moves are planned in advance you can be deployed anywhere in the world at a moments notice and have no say in the matter and that includes war zones if there are bomb/sniffer dogs. While it can be a good life it’s not all adventure training in sunny places or skiing in the Alps and you will be expected to participate fully in mess life even if you live out.

My advice would be to join the cadets while you are at Uni to get an idea of what Army life is like and what it expects of you and if you enjoy it after a year and want to join then apply and obtain the bursary. If you apply for it straight away and hate it then it’s tough, you’re in.

The recruiter I spoke to said I'll have an 8 week officer training course and that the work is mostly with dogs and their trainers.
I'll definitely look in to cadets, thank you

 

[HannahB]

I don't know about the veterinary work but investigate whether there are any open days at the Defence Veterinary College so that you can see how their work equates to a civilian equivalent.

That's useful to know, I hadn't heard about that college

 

[Jango]

If you are planning on having horses of your own then I wouldn't! My partner is in the army and you move around so much. I can't see how you could own a horse that you care for and do it as a career. If that's not important to you then that's ok!

Uni debt isn't the same as normal debt, it's more like a graduate tax and not something to be too worried about if you are going into a good career (which a vet would be).

 

[druid]

Contemplate if you are ok being deployed, vets are also on frontline. The dogs although much loved by handlers are tools and you have to have the mentality that they are going to be used in wars/peace keeping, they are going to die (often horrifically) and that you are going to have to PTS for things that are treatable but not treatable by you in the field.

 

[Quigleyandme]

Hi. I’ve PM’d you.

 

[Auslander]

Nicola Housby-Skegg, who's the Veterinary Director at the Horse Trust might be a good person to ask, as shes an ex Army vet. Really nice person, and an excellent vet

 

[Sossigpoker]

The Army isn't just a job , it's a way of life , and I really wouldn't recommend going into it if your main focus is to get your veterinary degree paid for.
Selection alone is mentally and physically tough, for a reason , and I doubt you'd get selected if that was your main motivation.
Whatever trade you do in the Army , you're always a soldier/ officer first.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Contemplate if you are ok being deployed, vets are also on frontline. The dogs although much loved by handlers are tools and you have to have the mentality that they are going to be used in wars/peace keeping, they are going to die (often horrifically) and that you are going to have to PTS for things that are treatable but not treatable by you in the field.

And the war dogs are euthanized routinely at the end of their service and their lives aren't particularly nice whilst their serving.
As an animal lover I'd really struggle with that side of things.

 

[teapot]

The recruiter I spoke to said I'll have an 8 week officer training course and that the work is mostly with dogs and their trainers.
I'll definitely look in to cadets, thank you

You’ll want the Officer Training Corps (OTC) - cadets is for kids/teenagers. If your uni doesn’t have one, some offer the chance to join a combined OTC with other universities. If you’re 18/thinking of a gap year, look at perhaps joining the Reserves to experience the basic training. If you enjoy it and do go for it, it’ll look good when applying.

The Army’s got more horses than dogs too, so you could end up at Melton, the King’s Troop or the Household Cavalry. Where they go, you would go so you’re thinking equine vet, you could be on parade for regimental sign offs pre parade season, or watching the displays in the hope a horse isn’t injured.

Animals wise, I am fairly sure you still end up working in general public facing practices or clinics to get the experience too - @rara007 might know?

What I will say though is if you’re only applying to get vet school funded, they’ll find that out about you long before you get to Sandhurst, as you’ll still have to go through the Selection Board, and it wouldn’t be seen in a favourable light.

 

[Sossigpoker]

What I will say though is you’re only applying to get vet school funded, they’ll find that out about you long before you get to Sandhurst, as you’ll still have to go through the Selection Board, and it wouldn’t be seen in a favourable light.

This exactly. Having done recruitment I know your true motivations will be identified and given that the Army.no longer takes just anyone, getting in is actually pretty competitive, you'd be really up against it.
Some candidates spend a year or more just get physically fit .

 

[nagblagger]

I think, if you to have to ask the question, the army is not for you.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Army wife here!

as others have mentioned the army is not a job it is a lifestyle. We moved 240 miles 4 weeks after I gave birth to our first child, luckily with a few months notice so I could sort livery for the horse but sometimes you aren’t given that much notice. We’ve been here 1.5 years and love it but will be moving again in 6 months away from some very dear friends I’ve made. But it’s the army life.

My point being, we put up with the rubbish side because my husband loves it and didn’t enjoy civvy life. Would we put up with it purely to have avoided an extra 9% graduate tax, probably not.

Have a look at OTC. Also have a Google on the selection board and fitness levels. My husband spent about a year getting fit and he already played a lot of sport so had a good base level of fitness. I don’t know which exercises you skip as the normal course at sandhurst is 42 weeks rather than 8 but some things my husband had to do include digging trenches in the middle of winter for 5 days straight with no sleep, riot control where he dislocated a shoulder, lord of weighted runs, swimming in freezing lakes etc. Are you the type of person that could do all that? Ie mentally strong, active, ok on limited sleep?

I know I’m not ?

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Feel like I’ve only painted the bad side there.

Good points - amazing opportunities, my husband has represented the army skiing, he’s gone kayaking in Cyprus, football tours in Cyprus, done stints in Europe, Middle East, Falklands etc. pension isn’t as good as it was but better than private sector, wonderful community etc.

 

[ycbm]

Perhaps showing my ignorance here, but wouldn't an army vet be very limited in the species they normally treat? Wouldn't it be almost all dogs?
.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Perhaps showing my ignorance here, but wouldn't an army vet be very limited in the species they normally treat? Wouldn't it be almost all dogs?
.

Dogs and horses. OH used to work with an army vet. I can’t remember if she had transferred regiments but what they were working on was not veterinary in any way! In the army you can have a posting that is regimental or army, ie something specific to your regiment or just a general army job. Either she had transferred or vets are like every other regiment and can be posted to a non veterinary role. I’ll have to ask him and will update when I know.

 

[Orangehorse]

I noticed the vets stationed around the arena at the Royal Welsh Show when the Gun Troop were going to do their display, on hand in case any horse was injured.

If you are a sporty person and fit and well and like exercise I can see that you might enjoy the army life. Yes, selection is hard and getting fit in the gym isn't enough (I know an army guy who trained the new recruits, including women).

Getting past that is often the toughest part.

And I have a nice little story about a RETIRED bomb sniffer dog.

 

[Sossigpoker]

I noticed the vets stationed around the arena at the Royal Welsh Show when the Gun Troop were going to do their display, on hand in case any horse was injured.

If you are a sporty person and fit and well and like exercise I can see that you might enjoy the army life. Yes, selection is hard and getting fit in the gym isn't enough (I know an army guy who trained the new recruits, including women).

Getting past that is often the toughest part.

And I have a nice little story about a RETIRED bomb sniffer dog.

Yes their sniffer dogs do get retired but the fate of the war dogs is grim , as are their lives tbh and I'd struggle with that aspect of the work.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I think, if you to have to ask the question, the army is not for you.

Not sure that’s entirely fair. How many youngsters at 17 or 18 would have much idea of what being in the army or any of the services really entails other than what they see at recruiters fairs or school talks. It’s not like doing the DodE or camping out at Pony Club, it’s the real world where you are expected to be disciplined, fit, loyal through thick and thin, be on time and not make excuses. It’s good the OP is exploring her options and how else would she know if it’s for her without actually asking questions before committing to something she is unsure of.

 

[nagblagger]

I got the impression that the OP was only thinking about an army career to pay for her studies, if she didn't have Uni fees she probably wouldn't have contemplated signing up. She wants to be trained as a vet the cheapest way for her and i don't think that is the right attitude to join any of the services. I am not military but I feel that she undervalues the job they do.
I agree she is right in investigating her options, but maybe she was a bit blunt/tactless in stating the real reason of joining one of our services. .

 

[Abi90]

I got the impression that the OP was only thinking about an army career to pay for her studies, if she didn't have Uni fees she probably wouldn't have contemplated signing up. She wants to be trained as a vet the cheapest way for her and i don't think that is the right attitude to join any of the services. I am not military but I feel that she undervalues the job they do.
I agree she is right in investigating her options, but maybe she was a bit blunt/tactless in stating the real reason of joining one of our services. .

I don’t know. “Why did you join the forces?” Is up there with questions such as “what happens after you die?”
People join for a whole host of reasons , most of them selfish.

Having worked as an instructor in Phase 1 Officer Training, there’s a whole load of cadets who get a bit of a culture shock, but that’s the point of Phase 1 training. Most of them come out the other end with the right mind set.

I agree that the OP needs to know if this is for her, as if the Army pay her Uni fees then she’s tied in for a good while, but she’s doing the right thing asking before taking the leap.

 

[HannahB]

I think I should add a bit of background context
I first wanted to be a vet 9 years ago after moving to our farm. Around the same time, I met a lovely lady who had been an equestrian orthopaedic surgeon for the army, having retired 30 years previously. I was interested in the army because of the opportunities it would offer me beside clinical experience, having no idea at the time of costs.
Since then, I've had lots of work experience in different vet practices and decided that I don't want to do anything other than veterinary. I wouldn't say I would want to go in to the army just for the money, I understand fully that it is a lifestyle choice that would be both mentally and physically demanding.
I'm not too worried about my horses and moving as I keep them at home and my family are good at looking after and exercising them, I spent the whole summer holidays at various vets staying with family all over the country, horses were looked after well.
As to fitness, I'm certainly not sporty but that doesn't mean I do nothing. I am a lifeguard, I train multiple times a week in kickboxing, where I recently passed my black belt, after some national competition successes, and I also practice traditional jujitsu self defence and weapons, along with regular riding.

 

[sunnyone]

At least OP is thinking about joining the Army as well as her studies!
A friend I had went as a musician to an audition as a violinist, whilst there he was asked if he could play the viola so he said yes. He got the job and then found he was joining the Army orchestra! He did 22 years in the Grenadier guards. He extended his musical competence by learning the clarinet too to become their sergeant of music.

 

[HashRouge]

I think I should add a bit of background context
I first wanted to be a vet 9 years ago after moving to our farm. Around the same time, I met a lovely lady who had been an equestrian orthopaedic surgeon for the army, having retired 30 years previously. I was interested in the army because of the opportunities it would offer me beside clinical experience, having no idea at the time of costs.
Since then, I've had lots of work experience in different vet practices and decided that I don't want to do anything other than veterinary. I wouldn't say I would want to go in to the army just for the money, I understand fully that it is a lifestyle choice that would be both mentally and physically demanding.
I'm not too worried about my horses and moving as I keep them at home and my family are good at looking after and exercising them, I spent the whole summer holidays at various vets staying with family all over the country, horses were looked after well.
As to fitness, I'm certainly not sporty but that doesn't mean I do nothing. I am a lifeguard, I train multiple times a week in kickboxing, where I recently passed my black belt, after some national competition successes, and I also practice traditional jujitsu self defence and weapons, along with regular riding.

I would just recommend that you don't make any decisions based on uni fees. Essentially, your student loans are more like a graduate tax and there is no huge pressure to pay them off within a certain timeframe, and no-one is going to come and chase you for money. If you are in employment and earn over a certain amount, you will have a little bit deducted from your salary each month. You pay more as you earn more, but it is always very manageable. If you are out of employment for any reason, you stop paying. It is not debt in the true sense of the word, and is something you will be able to more or less forget about other than seeing a contribution to it on your pay slip each month.

 

[Michen]

I'm kinda surprised at the attitude towards student loans being a "tax". It's a huge amount of money to come out with on your shoulders- I am guessing nearly 60k?

Whilst it won't seem annoying for a while, I remember my student loan which at 22k seemed a lot, being pretty painful when it came out of my salary every month. Vets aren't paid nearly as well as they should be, and when you see 400-600 a month coming out and know that's going to be for many years I can totally understand why you would look to find another way.

I'm not saying anyone should join something like the army just for financial reasons btw, I'm just surprised that the loan is being considered as not a big deal.

 

[Abi90]

I'm kinda surprised at the attitude towards student loans being a "tax". It's a huge amount of money to come out with on your shoulders- I am guessing nearly 60k?

Whilst it won't seem annoying for a while, I remember my student loan which at 22k seemed a lot, being pretty painful when it came out of my salary every month. Vets aren't paid nearly as well as they should be, and when you see 400-600 a month coming out and know that's going to be for many years I can totally understand why you would look to find another way.

I'm not saying anyone should join something like the army just for financial reasons btw, I'm just surprised that the loan is being considered as not a big deal.

yeh I lose £230 of my salary a month to pay back student loan. That’s not insignificant

 

[Michen]

yeh I lose £230 of my salary a month to pay back student loan. That’s not insignificant

Exactly, it's not an insignificant thing to be burdened with for many years. Especially if you aren't going into a profession that pays well in comparison to the debt you'll be saddled with. I find it scary how people don't seem to see it as a debt, it's still a debt!

I'm fairly sure my friends loan actually has simply been going up with interest rather than down with payments (is that possible or maybe I understood wrong). Then every time you get any kind of bonus or windfall it comes out too.

I was very glad to see the back of mine which was paid off within 5 years of leaving, but there was a time where it became really painful watching those chunks come out.

 

[ponynutz]

Uni fees are not normal debt, it’s sort of an expected one in a way. You only pay off if you earn such and such amount and even then you pay it off relatively slowly. It’s really not the same as taking out a £9000 loan even though that is what you’re doing. It’s not something I ever particulary worry about (as an undergraduate. Already worrying about fees for my postgrad which is a whole other kettle of fish).

Just my 2 pence as a uni student.