WHAT IS THE VETERINARY CORPS?
THE PRACTICE BEYOND THE ORDINARY.
As a veterinarian with the U.S. Army, you have the opportunity to utilize your professional training and experience in a wide variety of areas. One of the six corps of medical specialists that make up the U.S. Army Medical Department, the Army Veterinary Corps is composed of professionals with military, public health and specialty skill sets rarely found in the private sector.These highly trained specialists have a unique role in our nation’s defense strategy. U.S. Army veterinarians ensure the strength of our veterinary public health capabilities through veterinary medical and surgical care, food safety and defense, and biomedical research and development.
The Veterinary Corps also provides military veterinary expertise in response to natural disasters and other emergencies. These professionals act as our nation’s veterinary corps, charged with conducting and overseeing all Department of Defense veterinary service activities—in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force—at installations from Washington, D.C., to San Diego, California and Hawaii, and in more than 90 countries around the world.
You will work at installation facilities that are simply state of the art. The installation veterinary treatment facility provides service members’ pets with veterinary preventive medicine, contagious and zoonotic disease control, and outpatient care. Many provide military working dog care, which includes training military working dog handlers to respond to medical emergencies, as well as providing support of the Human-Animal Bond Programs at military hospitals. Installation support may also include involvement in wildlife and endangered species issues, animal control and a variety of veterinary public health activities. You’ll find your experiences at these facilities will enhance and extend your proficiency and make you confident in your leadership skills. We also provide you with many educational opportunities to ensure this goal.
And if you are interested in research, the U.S. Army encourages your passion. Nearly 40 percent of our active duty veterinarians are involved in research and development in an incredible range of focus areas, from basic breast cancer research to vaccine development.
Regardless of your veterinary specialty, the Army Veterinary Corps can expand your expertise in your field and put you years ahead of your peers.
