What Does a Military Animal Care Specialist Do? (Plus Skills)

You must obtain a 15 on the ASVAB’s Skilled Technician (ST) section in order to be eligible for this MOS. There is no Security Clearance required for this MOS. It is open to both males and females. You need a PULHES (medical) of 222221. Normal color vision is required. Finally, the MOS requires moderate lifting abilities.

Anyone who hopes to become a veterinarian someday or who wants to work closely with one as a vet tech, whether they are in the military or not, should consider this MOS. If you decide to remain in the military and pursue a career there, you can advance through the ranks of the enlisted personnel or perhaps even enroll in veterinary school to become a commissioned officer.

In conclusion, anyone who enjoys spending time with animals should consider the Army 68T Animal Care Specialist MOS. I would be interested in hearing from you if you have experience in this MOS. Tell us about your time in the Army, including where you were stationed and your daily activities. Just leave a comment below to do so. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely,.

Welcome to Part-Time-Commander. com. My name is Chuck Holmes. I am the publisher of this website, a combat veteran, and a former Army Major. In order to instruct, train, and inspire soldiers, officers, and non-commissioned officers serving in the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, and Defense Force, please visit our website. We have no connections to the military or any other government agencies.

As an Animal Care Specialist, you’ll provide medical care, management, and treatment for government-owned animals, including K-9 units, ceremonial horses, and the pets of Soldiers and their families. You will prevent and control the spread of diseases from animals to humans.

What does a military animal care specialist do?

Military animal care specialists advise pet owners and junior staff about animal care in addition to assisting veterinarians. In response to the owner’s specific inquiries, they may suggest health plans, prescribe treatments for ailments, and provide research findings. They are also capable of managing injuries and carrying out emergency medical procedures like tracheotomies independently. Military animal care specialists assist research teams, train team members, and prepare budgets. They might also aid in preparing animals like guard dogs and ceremonial horses for service.

Military animal care experts can assist in providing animals with the necessary equipment, such as vests or saddles, or can make sure they are prepared for their daily tasks by implementing special diets or other living requirements. These professionals may only work in laboratories, ensuring the welfare of research animals, depending on their location. They aid in keeping track of an animal’s behavior, physical characteristics, and dietary intake. They frequently compile reports and evaluate outcomes in light of their observations. When working in a lab, a military animal care specialist’s main objective is to ensure an experiment’s successful completion and documentation.

What is a military animal care specialist?

A military animal care specialist is a veterinary assistant who performs routine maintenance on companion, service, and research animals. To make a diagnosis of any potential conditions, they consult the animals’ medical history and past treatment plans. Additionally, military animal care professionals conduct physical examinations to look for any anomalies and report findings to a veterinarian if the animal needs more extensive care. An expert in animal care can assist in positioning and restraining an animal during surgery or other procedures to prevent injury.

A military animal care specialist is capable of giving oral, topical, and injection-based medication when instructed by a veterinarian. Additionally, they assist with sanitary upkeep, operate surgical tools, and take care of animals on a daily basis in research facilities. Military animal care specialists additionally carry out and document standard laboratory procedures like urinalysis and blood counts. Additionally, they keep records of health care, including immunization records, animal registration files, bite case reports, and ownership records.

Salary and job outlook for a military animal care specialist

Military animal care specialists typically have veterinary training in their educational background, such as a degree in biology or mathematics. Candidates must have completed at least one year of biology-related courses prior to applying for this position. Before being hired, candidates must also pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Skilled Technical test with a minimum score of 91.

Skills for a military animal care specialist

Some key skills for a military animal care specialist include:

Biology knowledge

Military animal care professionals can work with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, small mammals, and birds, thanks to their knowledge of biology. Although they don’t typically work with fish or reptiles, they can take additional courses to address those needs. Military animal care professionals frequently choose a specialty within animal care, and specialized biology knowledge can aid them in providing professional care to staff pets or service animals. Military animal care professionals with specialized knowledge can also comprehend various mammal breeds and plan diets, grooming regimens, and exercise requirements.

Chemistry knowledge

When administering medications to pets or research animals, military animal care specialists may find it helpful to have a basic understanding of chemistry. Understanding medical chemistry can help these professionals administer topical, oral, and injection-based medication to animals more accurately and effectively. A military animal care specialist’s career options could also be expanded by learning pharmaceutical procedures if they continue their studies in chemistry.

Veterinary skills

Basic veterinary knowledge enables military animal care specialists to care for animals in a variety of settings. They gain proficiency after training, which equips them with the knowledge necessary to assist full-time veterinarians and comprehend fundamental medical concepts. They learn fundamental veterinary practices during training. Military animal care specialists may benefit from additional training by pursuing a college degree or attending a trade school to increase their knowledge, produce more accurate work, and possibly expand their career options.

Ability to work under pressure

Military animal care specialists frequently work under pressure because they may work in military environments. This is due to the possibility of combat situations occurring while they are on duty at a military base. When working with animals in critical condition, military animal care specialists must make decisions quickly. The capacity to function under pressure can aid them in providing care with assurance and effectiveness.

Basic combat

Before starting their jobs, all military animal care specialists go through basic combat training. Most of the time, they are familiar with certain firearms, combat situations, and various military bases’ protocols. Although fighting is not the primary focus of their daily tasks, knowing how to use a firearm and how to defend oneself can be helpful in a military setting, whether on base or abroad.

First aid

Military animal care specialists must be proficient in first aid as they are medical professionals. Care specialists may be required to administer first aid to people or animals in certain emergency or military engagement contexts. After training, reviewing first-aid fundamentals can help healthcare professionals get ready for emergency situations.

Data analysis

Data analysis can help military animal care specialists locate and analyze a patient’s medical history, assisting them in developing diagnoses and treatment plans because they manage data profiles of animal patients. Understanding medical jargon, typical diagnostic procedures, and treatment outcomes can help specialists decide what steps to take next with a patient’s treatment. Care specialists can work quickly with common cases thanks to data analysis, especially if they’ve seen them before in different patients.

Document control

Military animal care professionals keep track of all patient information, including medical history, condition changes, and available medications. Due to the volume of information they manage for numerous pets and owners, they could benefit from better document management. Care specialists who comprehend document database systems and storage techniques can properly organize medical profiles, facilitating data retrieval and review.

Organizational skills

Military animal care specialists manage physical copies of files in addition to digital data. These tangible records may include current prescriptions for medications, allergy histories, results of previous tests, and information about upcoming appointments. Care providers with organizational abilities can keep both the physical and digital copies of a patient’s files organized to ensure appointments are accurate and efficient.

Management skills

Military care specialists supervise other medical team members in addition to their regular duties in research facilities or military settings. They could provide guidance or instruction to others and respond to inquiries about the steps involved in appointments and procedures. They might also bring in-training medical personnel to consultations to demonstrate diagnostic procedures and instruct patients on how to record data. Military animal care professionals may use their managerial abilities to schedule work hours, track vacation time, and coordinate staff throughout the workweek.

Training requirements for a military animal care specialist

Candidates must successfully complete 11 weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) to become military animal care specialists. While classes primarily instruct students in treatment methodologies, animal preparation, and other physical activities, some program courses emphasize classroom work. Additionally, candidates must complete 10 weeks of basic combat training to get ready for their military duty.

Work environment for a military animal care specialist

A military animal care specialist’s station determines their work environment. They may work in research facilities, military bases or abroad. Military animal care specialists work indoors in research facilities with other lab personnel to monitor and care for research animals. They might be in charge of several animals in a facility, keeping track of case study outcomes and ensuring the wellbeing and safety of every animal during experimentation. Additionally, they put in regular office hours administering care while also using computers to gather research findings and record data.

Animal care specialists may work in an office or outdoors depending on the location, whether they are on military bases or abroad. They handle each case individually, diagnosing issues and recommending treatment strategies for animals. A military animal care specialist may spend less time on a computer if they work on a base rather than in a research facility. Additionally, they record information for file records and report any changes to military database sites, such as condition statuses and bite reports.

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68T Animal Care Specialist

FAQ

Is 68T hard to get?

Since the job field is relatively small compared to other MOSs, it is a difficult MOS to obtain, but if you have your heart set on it, I would encourage you to pursue it. Taking care of, managing, and treating animals to stop the spread of disease is just one of the 68T MOS’s typical responsibilities.

How much does a 68T make in the army?

What is the annual salary of an animal care specialist? An animal care specialist will make about $20,000 per year. Based on recruits without prior military experience, this pay is an estimated amount. The amount will change as you train, and it will rise as your rank does as well.

How long is training for 68T?

The fundamental 10-level 68T course lasts 11 weeks and consists of 75% hands-on instruction and 25% classroom time. Instructors for the course include an Army veterinarian, a civilian veterinarian, a senior noncommissioned officer and retired 68-Tangos.

What military branch works with animals?

Army animal care specialists’ primary responsibilities include providing government-owned animals with medical care and attention as directed by veterinary corps officers. Prior to enlisting in the military, most animal care specialists receive civilian veterinary technician training.

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