For those of you in the Army/Navy/Marines/Air Force/Coast Guard/etc

[Safeway]

Alright, I'm not sure what I am asking for, other than your opinions on her idea ... and any experience you have with such programs.

My girlfriend is going to apply for a Public Health Sector internship (CDC, FDA, IHS) for next summer. This internship would set her start date for years of service.

If she chooses to work with the IHS, Indian Health Service, she gets paid tuition, housing, and a stipend for the following 3 years. Once she graduates, she will work at a PHS office for three years, as a military officer. The take home for such a position is pretty amazing.

I am somewhat iffy on the subject of her signing a 3-year chunk of her life away. I am not trying to force her to make one decision or another - it is not my place. My girlfriend is like 1/32 or 1/64 native american, but in her tribe, it is enough to register. Only the Indian Health Service assignment offers the 3 year full scholarship.

If she chooses to work within any Public Health Sector organization (CDC, FDA, prisons, ...), they will only pay for her final year of the program, but she will be able to choose any location ... not just Oklahoma City, Pheonix, etc. She could work in any large city.

Also, military vacation is amazing. She would receive 5 weeks of paid vacation her first year working. She would also be covered under the same health and pension plans that any military member has.

 

[EagleKeeper]

It is her decision - nothing wrong with it.

3 years is a short time when doing something that you like.

If you try to influence her decision; it sounds like the intent would be for your benefit, not hers.

 

[Bateluer]

3 years is a drop in the bucket, it will fly by.

It always bugs me when people regard military service as 'signing a chunk of their life away'. The term of your contract, whether it be 2, 3, 4, or 6 years, or even 20+ years, officer or enlisted, isn't just a blank spot in your life. It's a period of great learning and achievement. You'll come away with considerable training in your field, considerable benefits, as well a bunch of fringe benefits.

Military service is not simply signing your life away. Enjoy it.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
3 years is a drop in the bucket, it will fly by.

It always bugs me when people regard military service as 'signing a chunk of their life away'. The term of your contract, whether it be 2, 3, 4, or 6 years, or even 20+ years, officer or enlisted, isn't just a blank spot in your life. It's a period of great learning and achievement. You'll come away with considerable training in your field, considerable benefits, as well a bunch of fringe benefits.

Military service is not simply signing your life away. Enjoy it.

Yea, I have talked with her over the past week about it ... and the more I know, the more interesting it sounds. I guess the big shock to me was the magnitude of the change.

 

[Wapp]

Is she going to be an army officer?

 

[Metron]

When I first graduated from college, a neighbor of mine was an Air Force Pharmacist. He was doing a very similar stint at Carswell in Fort Worth. Very good program, and he was very pleased.

Sounds like your girlfriend has a good plan.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: Wapp
Is she going to be an army officer?

She would actually be a Navy officer. Also, she cannot be forced to deploy in foreign countries, etc. She has the ability to volunteer to respond to states of emergency states, etc.

 

[SonnyDaze]

You mentioned in your first post of her working at a PHS as a military officer? How does this work? Will she be on active duty or reserves? And as far as the "she cannot be forced to deploy in foreign countries, etc.", yeah I'd make sure she gets that one in writing......that's part of being a volunteer military member. You go where they tell you to. The "vacation" (referred to as leave) program is normally 30 days a year, where she earns 2.5 days of leave each month. The military is a good choice for a good start and a solid future.

 

[Safeway]

The non-deployment positions are well known, and yes, it is in writing.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
3 years is a drop in the bucket, it will fly by.

It always bugs me when people regard military service as 'signing a chunk of their life away'. The term of your contract, whether it be 2, 3, 4, or 6 years, or even 20+ years, officer or enlisted, isn't just a blank spot in your life. It's a period of great learning and achievement. You'll come away with considerable training in your field, considerable benefits, as well a bunch of fringe benefits.

Military service is not simply signing your life away. Enjoy it.

Yeah, seriously. I've got about 3 years in and feel like I've grown/accomplished 9 years worth.

Though "enjoy it" might be stretching it

 

[Ime]

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: Wapp
Is she going to be an army officer?

She would actually be a Navy officer. Also, she cannot be forced to deploy in foreign countries, etc. She has the ability to volunteer to respond to states of emergency states, etc.

First of all, if you honestly believe that bull, I feel sorry for you.

They can make all the promises in the world, but it's the military. If they decide they need her in Iraq/Korea/Iran. She's gonna have to go. Promises or not.

She might spend her entire 3 years on the same base somewhere. She might change locations 6 times. She get sent to Iceland for her entire term. You just never know.

I'm not saying that she shouldn't serve. I'm just saying that you need to understand what you are getting yourself into.

 

[kreactor]

the housing allowances/ military base discount stores + salary shortfall (compare to private sector) are designed to chain you to the military.....