How to Be Military Veterinarian - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 21, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The number of military veterinarians is increasing steadily due to the increased demand for the specialized care of military working animals and the need for animal-assisted therapy for military service members. This demand is due to the fact that animals are increasingly being used by the military for a variety of operations, such as bomb detection, search and rescue, and transportation. As a result, military veterinarians are responsible for providing comprehensive healthcare for military working animals and developing animal-assisted therapy programs to help service members cope with physical and mental health issues associated with their service.

Furthermore, military veterinarians play a key role in educating and training personnel on the proper use and care of animals in the military. This includes teaching personnel how to recognize signs of illness and injury in animals, helping them understand animal behavior, and providing medical treatment when needed. As the need for military veterinarians continues to grow, they will continue to be essential to the ongoing success of the military.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. The first step to becoming a military veterinarian is to obtain a bachelor's degree in a related field such as animal science, biology, or veterinary medicine.
Get Veterinary School Experience. After completing a bachelor's degree, prospective veterinarians must get accepted into and complete a veterinary school program.
Pass the Veterinary Licensing Exam. After graduating from veterinary school, students must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE). This exam is required for veterinary licensing in the United States and Canada.
Join the U. S. Military. After passing the NAVLE, aspiring military veterinarians must join the U. S. military. This can be done through enlistment in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps.
Complete Basic Training. After joining the military, new recruits must complete basic training. This may include physical training, weapons training, and other military-related tasks.
Complete Veterinary Training. Once basic training is complete, aspiring military veterinarians must complete veterinary training specific to the branch they joined. This training may include animal care, disease prevention and control, food safety, and other topics related to veterinary medicine.
Secure an Assignment. After completing veterinary training, military veterinarians must secure an assignment. This could be in a hospital, clinic, or other location where their skills are needed for animal care and treatment.

Veterans who are veterinarians can keep their qualifications and knowledge up to date by taking continuing education courses, attending conferences and seminars, reading professional journals, and networking with other veterinarians. Taking continuing education courses allows veterinarians to stay current on the latest technical advances and treatments, while attending conferences and seminars allows them to learn from the experiences of other professionals in the field. Reading professional journals provides them with the latest research and studies, and networking with other veterinarians allows them to share best practices and discuss potential solutions for common problems. By taking advantage of these resources, veterans who are veterinarians can remain competent and knowledgeable to provide the best care for their patients and clients.

You may want to check Veterinary Anatomist, Research Scientist (Veterinary), and Veterinary Reproductive Physiologist for alternative.

Job Description

Perform physical examinations of animals to identify and treat health issues
Diagnose and treat illnesses, injuries, and other medical conditions in animals
Administer vaccinations, medications, and treatments as prescribed
Perform surgical procedures on animals
Monitor animals recovery from surgery, illness, and injury
Provide advice and guidance to animal owners on proper care and preventive measures
Research and develop new treatments for animal diseases
Develop and implement animal health plans
Develop and implement safety protocols for animal care
Manage veterinary staff and resources
Prepare reports, charts, and other documents related to veterinary care
Participate in community outreach initiatives to educate the public on animal care

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of veterinary medicine, including anatomy and physiology of animals, health maintenance, and disease prevention.
Diagnostic and treatment skills to assess and treat a variety of animal diseases.
Ability to recognize signs of pain, suffering, or illness in animals.
Knowledge of military protocols and procedures related to the care of animals.
Excellent communication skills to interact with pet owners as well as military personnel.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to remain calm and composed in stressful situations.
Excellent organizational skills to maintain accurate medical records.
Understanding of safety protocols and attention to detail.
Knowledge of current advances in veterinary medicine and procedures.

Veterinarians who specialize in treating military working animals have a special set of skills that are essential to providing the best possible care to their patients. The most important skill for a military veterinarian is the ability to quickly assess the health of an animal and make decisions on appropriate treatments. This includes being able to recognize and treat any medical conditions that may be present, as well as administering vaccinations and other preventive care measures.

the ability to work calmly and efficiently in a military environment is key, since military working animals are often in high-pressure situations. Finally, having a good understanding of animal behavior and being able to use positive reinforcement techniques to encourage and train animals is also essential in order to keep them healthy and productive. All together, these skills are necessary for a military veterinarian to be successful in their role of providing the highest quality of care to their patients.

Veterinary Technician Supervisor, Research Associate (Veterinary), and Livestock Veterinary Technician are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What motivated you to pursue a career as a Military Veterinarian?
How would you describe your experience providing medical care to animals in a military setting?
What challenges have you faced working with animals in a military environment?
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult medical decision in the field.
How do you stay current on advances in veterinary medicine?
Describe a successful partnership you have had with an animal handler while providing medical care.
What techniques do you use to ensure the safety of both the animal and the personnel in the field?
Explain any special protocols you have in place for dealing with military animals who are injured or ill.
Describe your experience working in a team setting with other veterinary professionals.
How do you stay organized and manage multiple responsibilities while providing medical care in the field?

Common Tools in Industry

Veterinary Medical Records Software. This software helps veterinarians track and store patient information and medical history. (Eg: MediRecords)
Animal Diagnostic Imaging Software. This software assists veterinarians in diagnosing animal health issues with digital imaging. (Eg: VetRay)
Animal Anesthesia Monitoring Software. This software helps veterinarians monitor the anesthesia levels of animals during surgical procedures. (Eg: Anesthesia Monitor)
Veterinary Practice Management Software. This software helps veterinarians manage their practice, including client management, appointments, billing, and more. (Eg: Practice Perfect)
Veterinary Laboratory Software. This software helps veterinarians analyze and interpret laboratory results. (Eg: VetLab)
Animal Telemedicine Software. This software helps veterinarians diagnose and treat animals remotely. (Eg: VetCloud)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Association of Military Veterinary Technicians (AMVT)
International Veterinary Officers Association (IVOA)
Veterinary Corps Officers Association (VCOA)
United States Animal Health Association (USAHA)
American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB)
International Veterinary Information Service (IVIS)
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF)

We also have Veterinary Clinical Research Coordinator, Avian Veterinary Technician, and Veterinary Pharmaceutical Sales Representative jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Animal Welfare. The quality of life of animals, including their physical health, psychological wellness, and ability to express natural behaviors.
Animal Health. The state of physical and mental well-being of animals, which includes prevention and treatment of disease.
Veterinary Medicine. The practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases in animals.
Veterinary Science. The scientific study of animals and their diseases, including the application of scientific principles to the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases.
Veterinary Pathology. The study of the causes and effects of diseases in animals, including the identification and characterization of microorganisms and other agents that cause such diseases.
Veterinary Diagnostics. The use of laboratory tests to diagnose diseases in animals.
Veterinary Surgery. The surgical treatment of animal diseases and injuries.
Veterinary Pharmacology. The study of drugs and other substances used to treat or prevent animal diseases.
Veterinary Epidemiology. The study of the occurrence, distribution, and control of animal diseases in populations or groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Military Veterinarian?

A Military Veterinarian is a medical professional who specializes in the care of animals serving in the military, including working dogs, horses, and other animals.

What qualifications are necessary to become a Military Veterinarian?

To become a Military Veterinarian, an individual must have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited college or university, have completed an approved residency program, and be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the United States.

What responsibilities does a Military Veterinarian have?

The primary responsibility of a Military Veterinarian is to provide medical care and assessment to animals serving in the military, including providing preventive health care as well as diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries. They may also provide nutrition consultation to ensure that the animals receive proper nutrition and care.