The Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship is awarded to only 18 veterinary students across the United States each year. “We do not recruit applicants,” says Staff Sergeant David Barnett. “We have many hundreds of students who apply.” This year CVM student Jake Tidwell was one of the deserving recipients.
Tidwell went through a rigorous process of two applications, one for the army and one for the scholarship program. He also had to submit letters of recommendation from veterinarians. As a scholarship recipient, the army will pay for his next two years of vet school and include a monthly stipend. He will also receive reimbursement for books and supplies.
Tidwell was recently commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and when he graduates he will be promoted to Captain. He will then attend training through the Basic Officer Leader Course, after which he will report to three years of active duty as an army veterinarian.
The US Army Veterinary Corps provides food safety and security inspections for all of the Armed Services, as well as providing care to Military Working Dogs, ceremonial horses, working animals of many Department of Homeland Security organizations, and pets owned by service members.
