MEDICAL SUPPORT OFFICER

The Job

Not all officers in the Royal Army Medical Corps are doctors, or even specialists in medicine-related trades. The Corps is a very big organisation doing a complicated job in sometimes difficult conditions, and so it needs high-quality men and women working behind the scenes to keep the whole operation running. These are Medical Support Officers. Specific duties vary enormously, from operational planning to staff training. You could find yourself taking charge of a team of medics looking after combat troops close to the front line, or even being responsible for the day-to-day running of a large field hospital.

The Right Job For Me?

All officer jobs will call on your ability to lead and motivate the troops under your command, and you will need the maturity and sense of responsibility necessary for a role in which soldiers’ wellbeing can depend on the outcome of your decisions. As part of a larger unit an ability to take orders is essential, but you must also be able to act on your own initiative if the situation calls for it.

What Skills Will I Learn?

Officers are expected to master the same basic military skills and tactics as the soldiers they command. This will include drill, basic fieldcraft, map reading, first aid and how to fire and maintain your personal weapon.In addition to your soldiering skills you will also learn the skills pertinent to being an officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps, and how to command soldiers in the field and in barracks through a series of field exercises.Having served your initial appointment as a Troop Commander a wide range of further roles will be open to you, some of which will require specialist training. This will depend partly on the specialised role of the medical regiment you join.

What Training Will I Do?

Initial TrainingThe Commissioning Course takes place at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, arguably the most prestigious institution of its kind in the world, and lasts for 44 weeks. It is divided into three terms with periods of leave and adventurous training between them. As well as core military skills such as drill and weapon handling, it includes a rigorous physical regime. The course also has an academic component but the emphasis is on learning by doing, so you will take part in a range of exercises. You will also learn about the behaviour and self-discipline of an officer, and will be expected to act with integrity at all times.Further TrainingBefore joining your regiment, you will complete the Defence Medical Services Training Centre (DMSTC) module of the RAMC Entry Officers Course. All officers follow a clear development plan and as your career progresses you will attend other courses to prepare you for the new roles and responsibilities that come with promotion. You will also be able to complete relevant courses at UK universities and may be able to qualify for full-time, funded language training if you are selected for certain posts.

What Qualifications Could I Get?

The Commissioning Course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development and the Chartered Management Institute, while City & Guilds awards a Certificate in Human Resource Management on completion. It also counts towards the Edexel/BTEC Certificate in Management Studies and towards Bournemouth University’s Postgraduate Certificate in Human Resource Management. The Army prides itself on its continuing professional development and you will attend courses throughout your career, many of which translate directly into civilian life.

Future Prospects

Whatever you decide to do, your training and experience as a Medical Support Officer will stand you in good stead. If you choose to make a career in the Army, then the RAMC, with its diverse and challenging long-term career options, offers great opportunities. Equally, should you decide to return to civilian life, then your track record of leading troops under the most demanding circumstances, and taking responsibility for teams of highly qualified men and women in the toughest conditions, will impress any civilian employer recruiting for senior managerial roles.