U.S. Navy

   Well, I have some exciting news to share, and I figured this is a great place to share it even though it’s been a while. Actually, exciting doesn’t even begin to describe the mix of emotions I am going through. Many of you know I have applied for this program to be a pharmacist in the Navy after graduation. For those of you who don’t, well, read the last sentence over again.

   Why? Ever since deciding I wanted a career in the medical field, starting that career in the military has always been in the back of my mind for 2 reasons, 1) It is very well known that they help pay for school (this stuff is expensive) and 2) my mom was a nurse in the Air Force. I never actually seriously considered it until a year ago when a recruiter came to school and I said to myself “Heck, I’ll go hear what he has to say.”

    Although I never grew up with a mom in the military, I’ve always been so proud of her for her service as a nurse in the Air Force. For those who don’t know, a few short months after she graduated college, she was stationed near Sacramento for 3ish years. From those 3 years, she has some of the best stories to tell, made some of her best friends, and gained some of the most INCREDIBLE experience both professionally and personally. She was able to go and see places she probably otherwise wouldn’t have done. She was able to ski Squaw Valley, visit Yosemite, get a cheap military flight to Hawaii, take a trip to Napa, and all sorts of other things. But the thing I think is the coolest is when she is able to stand up at church when our pastor recognizes veterans on Veteran’s Day. CHILLS I tell you.

    By the time summer arrived, I found myself knee deep in the application, MEPS physical done (I don't even know how to describe this without going into more detail than you probably want to know), recommendations in, background check done, fingerprinted, and convinced that the U.S. government was now watching my every move as if they weren't already. All I had left to complete were a statement of interest and 2 interviews.  After completing my statement of interest, I was fully on board. After my first interview over the phone, I was on my OFF board with one foot on dry land.  Everything was finally catching up to me and I began to freak out about this and question every reason I wanted this. I realize now it was God’s way of telling me “Wooaahhh, slow down Avery. Put on the breaks. Take a moment to think about this and make sure you are doing it for the right reasons.” It was very hard. I went into that last interview still very hesitant, trying to convince my interviewer and myself I was ready for this, and wanted it. I was praying every day and had an army praying for me too. 

    Over the past 6-7 months as I have sat and waited, I have had ample time to decide what I wanted. I thought getting on this application early would have hopefully given me an early decision. I was wrong. I’ve been waiting for what seems like an eternity now with people asking me left and right if I had heard back yet (which although I appreciate your excitement and encouragement, I was growing anxious because I wanted to hear just as much as you).  But, as a result of waiting, I came to the conclusion that as hard as this will be physically and emotionally, this really is something I WANT TO DO.

    Well waiting has finally ended and the board has recommended me to the U.S. Navy HSCP for Pharmacy. I will be given a salary for my last two years of pharmacy school, beginning this August with the title “Petty Officer”. Upon graduation in 2016, I will go off to Officer Development School in Newport, RI for 5 weeks to become a Lieutenant (which is an O3 in the Navy), then off to what we hope to be one of the 3 big Navy hospitals in San Diego, CA, Portsmouth, VA, or Bethesda, MD. I will owe 3 years of active duty in return.

    I’ll say it again, this is something I really want to do, and I am really excited about it. But it is also terrifying. I think to myself some days, “Oh my gosh, I will be joining the military. Who am I?” After all, I’m this preppy little white girl (who still feels like she is 16-not any where old enough to make a decision like this), likes being independent, likes being able to tell people NO, likes wearing the jewelry and clothes she wants, wants to meet a boy and fall in love, and doesn't like getting her feelings hurt. But those who really know me know I am also very structured and routine oriented (thanks Mom), doesn’t have a problem with authority, am a team player, and hopefully wise beyond her years (haha not really). And there are plenty of men in the military J.

    As I move forward over the next two and a half years, I ask that you pray for me. I ask that you pray for me physically, so that I may endure physical training and 4:00am mornings at ODS for 5 weeks and stay in military shape over the 3 years. I ask that you pray for me emotionally, so that I may be strong in a new place and to getting my feelings hurt. I ask that you pray for me professionally that this experience is truly unmatched anywhere else and that I find an area of pharmacy I want to be in for a long time. I ask for you to pray for my heart to continue love and want to serve my fellow soldiers and the country I love.  But mostly, I ask that you pray for me spiritually. I know this will be the most trying time in my faith with moving somewhere new and not knowing anyone; however, it is something I feel I need to do to make my faith stronger. It will make me completely and utterly reliant on God. Pray for me to find a good church family to support me and grow with me.

Thanks, I already feel them working,

Avery