R.A.M.C.

[unitarian]

Can any one talk to me about RAMC?
DD is a second year medical student and has long wanted to join this. Back when she was in Y11 at school the recruitment website stated that you should apply in the second year of med school and this was confirmed by an army recruitment person at a careers convention so DD shelved the idea for the time being and concentrated in getting into med school, doing her first year etc.
Now she's in second year, the website is saying you should apply while still at school but we gather that there's more than one way of joining up.

We would be very pleased if there's someone out there who can clarify the different routes in, and maybe say something about the life of an army medic. We are not a military family but I figured there is a likelihood of finding better information in this section of MN.

Doesn't matter when you apply, sooner the better.

Good luck.

I applied in my 4th year (of 5). Went on a selection weekend where we did a lot of team building type stuff, a group interview and individual interviews. I did my first house job in a military hospital in Aldershot, second in a civvy hospital then went on the PQO (Professionally Qualified Officers) course at Sandhurst which was hard going. Unfortunately I suffered an injury which resulted in medical discharge so I didn't get very far.

I would say I had a mixed experience, met some great people (Army nurses are the best) and some not so great ones. There are some brilliant opportunities in the Forces but you need to be quite tough (I wasn't really). Your dd should make very sure that training will be available in the specialty she is interested in as the Army can't provide training in all specialties. Everyone does a stint as an RMO (Regimental Medical Officer) to start with anyway.

Thanks for the replies.
She doesn't know what she would like to specialise in yet but it seems necessary to make a commitment this year, if accepted. I will pass on that piece of advice to her about some limitation in specialisms.

I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, KateF. I hope the medical aspect of career is going well for you.

DD is mentally tough but I'm not sure about her fitness. She was a serial P.E. refuser at school!

It's the mix of military and NHS work that is most confusing to me. Some doctors seem to alternate 6 months in each and some seem to be full time in the army. Is that because some are TA? If so, what are the different career routes?
She is planning to make an appointment at a careers office very soon but it would be useful to know beforehand what questions to ask.

Hi, sorry I can't answer your questions in detail as have been out of clinical medicine too long (I now work in international development with a health angle). The mix of Army/civilian jobs will be because the closure of military hospitals and creation of military units in civilian hospitals (MDHUs) means that there are not enough posts to meet the training requirements of all Army doctors. Good specialties for the Forces would be general practice, A&E, orthopaedics, psychiatry, anaesthetics. Paeds and O&G not as specialties but you would do one or two posts as part of a GP training rotation. I did 6 months at Headley Court in rehabilitation medicine which was an excellent training post. As I said, just be a bit careful not to commit to the RAMC if your dd might have a burning desire to be a paediatrician in the future!

I wish her the best of luck (and she'd better get a bit of running in, even docs have to pass the BFT!)

With no disrespect to KateF, the PQO course is 'only' 10 weeks (the commissioned officer course is 42) and is known as the Vicars and Tarts course!! No, it's not easy but it's a lot easier than the regular commissioning course and if your DD is physically and mentally prepared then she should be fine. It will test her but remember that the Army actively want people like her.

But no-one can help getting an injury so no shame in not completing it KateF, you tried which is more than most do.

Well she's certainly keen enough to have taken up running again to get fit and all these comments have been helpful. Thank you all.

Tell her to build up her running slowly. If she's not used to it then she's at risk of shin splints etc. Start of doing 10 minutes and increase by 10% a week or something. Or join a running club with a 'complete beginners' group. Good luck to her.

I echo what Rhinestone said about the PQO's course - my husband was DS on that course a few years ago and it is considerably easier than the mainstream commissioning course (not that it doesn't demand things of it's participants, mind you). Testing, but appropriate to the role she'd be expected to fill.