I will be graduating with my Pharm.D. in May next year and shortly after will taking licensing exams etc to become a practicing pharmacist.

I have decided on my first job after school, and that is to be a pharmacist in the Navy. I've interviewed, done my security clearance and am waiting on another month to pass so I can do my physical and ultimately, Lord willing, get "selected" (so that I can get loan repayment etc).

I'm posting this here because my recruiter, who has always been upfront and forthcoming, is driving up to Amarillo, from Dallas, to meet and chat (she has some other prospects up here too) on tuesday the 20th.

So, I have a list of questions for her about the selection process, getting stationed etc. and I've gained a LOT of info in the past six months from my med center visit and all that.

But I'm curious what I should ask her from a day-to-day perspective. What kinds of things have you guys learned in your service that you wish you knew to ask about ahead of time? I know what I want to know about finances and locations, but not about daily life details that you don't learn about until you're in.

Any help appreciated, thanks guys
[Reply]

Thanks for volunteering to serve our country. :-)
[Reply]

it's my honor, believe me

but you are welcome of course
[Reply]

What rank are you supposed to be going in as?
[Reply]

O-3
[Reply]

Congrats!! :-) :-)
[Reply]

I have absolutely nothing to add as far as answering your questions, but I would like to say congratulations and thanks.
[Reply]

Congrats LT! And remember that Chiefs are all knowing and all seeing and the PO 1's do their bidding.:-)
[Reply]

Forgot to mention that even though you will have the respect of your rank, you need to earn the respect that goes with it. Remember that cur sounds alot like sir.:-)
[Reply]

Great choice Tim! I trust R is OK with it. :-)
[Reply]

she makes it sound like it was her idea! :-)
[Reply]

between the Chiefs I met on my med visit and the fact that my dad was enlisted(AF) as well as my Grandpa (Navy), I have been made aware of these truths

No one like a snivelly officer who's too big for his britches :-)
[Reply]

Your gonna do just fine!:-)
[Reply]

Congrats and thanks:-)
[Reply]

Looks like Kevin already covered it.

Plus, would you really want the advice of a former cargo REMF?

Thanks for taking up the reins.
[Reply]

hmmm Well I'll toss in a few comments as your asking.

I'm a 20 year retired Chief - engineering field not medical. Although I was stationed at a hospital for the 1460 days :-) Given that your medical and a Pharm. Some of this may be known to you some may not.

1. Go to sea for at least one cruise - that's where the real Navy is. This will help you to understand who they are when they come to see you whether on the ship or at the hospital/clinic where most of your career will likely be.

2. DO NOT write inflated evals. We have enough dirt bags in the Navy because some one is scared to give them what they earned. This will not make you popular with the Command, but you will be helping yourself and the Navy by doing this.

3. Take care of your people, enable your Chief to take care of his people. They are your greatest assets. If he will not do it, fire his ass and get one that will. See #2

4. Fight for awards for you people. It's a pure pain in the ass to write for a medal or a LOC/LOA, but that's your job as their leader.

5. Lead by example - 2 sets of rules: yours and what you tell others to go by are the fast track to losing your Sailors respect. They will salute the uniform, better that they want to salute you.

6. Unfortuantly, "most" medical is/has the 9 to 5 attitude/mentality and is very petty rule driven. I learned this much from my life time at teh hospital and using medical for 20 years. When you have a Sailor at your window with a script, at 1705 and you closed at 1700 - remember he may be on port and starboard watch and 3 section duty. Take care of him. Last thing he needs to hear is "We closed at 1700".

7. Best corpmen as a group I ever met were IDT (independent duty corpmen) and FMF (fleet marine force). They have my respect for the jobs they do.

8. Severe disadvantage I see for you is that as a LT, people will expect you to have naval experience to go with the rank. Just something you will have to work around.

Good luck to you and your career. I loved my 20 years and would do it again with every thing I know today. I enlisted to get a job and to stay out of jail. I ended up with a love for my country and a sense of pride for serving for a higher purpose than myself. Sort of corny, but that's how it worked out for me.
[Reply]

Thanks Volt, I think those are good bits of advice.

I'm still not decided on career or not. I figure I'll know by the time I need to re-sign or resign.
[Reply]

Any time. The world I came from is not really known for "nice" or "friendly".... Just they way Engineers are. The military can be a great career if it is for you. One thing I would note, if you decide to leave ask your self a question. Am I unhappy with the boss/command or is it teh Navy? I almost got out at 9 years because of the hospital. realized it was not my world - re-upped and enjoyed the rest. Bosses come and go for better or worse.

Laura (ashtonlady) was actually a corpman in the Navy. She may be a better person to cat with concerning teh medical field. I'll point her here.
[Reply]

LT. congrats on your pending commission in the US Navy. As an 11 year vet of the US Navy, I can't offer any advice that the Chief hasn't already covered. I can give you an insight from the enlistedman's point of view:

Be fair. Be yourself. Listen to the advice of your senior petty officers and make your own decision. Use all of your customer service skills. You will definately use them!

Fair winds and following seas, Sir!
[Reply]

PM sent.
[Reply]