Army Veterinary Programs

The U.S. Army Veterinary Corps offers veterinarians the opportunity to serve as commissioned officers providing animal care, food safety, research, and public health expertise around the world.

---

General Requirements

To join the Army Veterinary Corps, applicants must:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be under 42 years old at the time of accession.
• Hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from an AVMA-accredited school (foreign graduates must have ECFVG certification).
• Be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in a U.S. state or territory (new graduates have up to one year to obtain a license).
• Meet medical, physical, and moral standards, including passing a background check and fitness exam.

---

Entry Routes

• Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP):
  • Provides full tuition and a monthly stipend for veterinary students who agree to serve in the Army after graduation. One of the most comprehensive healthcare scholarships available.
• Direct Commissioning:
  • Offered to graduates of AVMA-accredited veterinary schools. Applicants are commissioned as officers and begin serving immediately after meeting all eligibility requirements.
• ROTC Educational Delay:
  • ROTC cadets may apply for an educational delay to attend veterinary school before entering active duty. Admission to the Veterinary Corps is not automatic; cadets must still apply through HPSP or Direct Commissioning.
• Branch Transfer:
  • Current service members may apply to transfer into the Veterinary Corps, with potential credit for prior military experience.

---

Pay & Benefits

New Veterinary Corps Officers enter active duty as Captains (O-3) and receive:

● Base salary plus housing (BAH) and subsistence (BAS) allowances (non-taxable).
● Incentive pay for holding a DVM and additional pay for board certification.
● Full medical and dental coverage, 30 days paid leave, 11 federal holidays, continuing education, and relocation benefits.
● Retirement benefits under the Blended Retirement System.

---

Assignments

Army veterinarians serve at military installations across the U.S. and overseas (including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East). Roles include:

● Clinical care for Military Working Dogs and government-owned animals.
● Food safety and defense programs.
● Public health and preventive medicine.
● Leadership and command positions.

---

Advanced Education Opportunities

After 4–6 years of service, Veterinary Corps Officers may pursue Army-funded advanced degrees or residencies through the Long-Term Health Education and Training (LTHET) program, while retaining full pay and benefits.

Specialties include:

• Veterinary Public Health (64B): Epidemiology, food safety, global health.
• Laboratory Animal Medicine (64C): Animal research and regulatory compliance.
• Veterinary Pathology (64D): Disease research and biosurveillance.
• Biomedical Research (64E): Medical product R&D and infectious disease research.
• Clinical Specialties (64F): Advanced veterinary care and leadership in clinical practice.