319th recruiters have prescription for finding Air Force pharmacists Published March 10, 2008 By Master Sgt. Robert Barrett 319th Recruiting Squadron PORTSMOUTH, N.H. -- Twenty-five fully-qualified pharmacists attended the 319th Recruiting Squadron's first orientation and dinner focusing on Air Force pharmacist opportunities, benefits and expectations Feb. 26 at the Minuteman Club at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. The orientation, organized by two of the squadron's officer accessions healthcare recruiters, Tech. Sgt. Kim McBride and Master Sgt. Brian Cotter, was a success, largely due to the contributions of its guest speaker, Lt. Col. Mark Butler, 88th Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron Pharmacy Flight commander from Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. "At Wright-Patt we fill 800,000 patient prescriptions every year ... 3,000 per day ... and we have a 13-minute waiting time," Colonel Butler said to drive home the point that Air Force pharmacies are great places to work, well engineered, and the technicians and pharmacists receive more robust training and opportunities than their civilian peers. Most Air Force pharmacies are "point-of-service" facilities, and there are no cash registers to operate, no third-party insurance to bother with and no phone-in prescriptions, he continued. "My peers and I have worked over the last twenty years to make the 'Crazy Makers' go away," he said. The colonel explained the ability to use any state-issued pharmacy license to practice pharmacy in the Air Force, sign-on bonuses, pay and benefits, the typical stateside 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday, one-hour lunch breaks, and commander-led physical fitness opportunities that allow people to exercise three days per week. He also shared information about the three different career tracks of Air Force pharmacists: science and technology, clinical and leadership. After reciting an emotional Airman's Creed to the audience, the colonel shared his feelings on the satisfaction he gets from being a career Air Force pharmacist and officer. "I think it (the Air Force) is a great place to work," he said. "You don't get this type of job satisfaction working in a hospital or (commercial pharmacy). I love it." Sergeant Kimberly McBride, a 319th RCS officer accessions recruiter assigned to the Allied Health Program, said the time and effort spent putting on the event was well worth it. "All the guests I spoke with agreed Colonel Butler's presentation was informative and worthwhile," she said. "We have already held appointments with five (fully qualified) pharmacists who attended the dinner. Four of them are now actively pursuing their application."