Hello,

There are lots of different types of medical officer within the Army, it's a busy and demanding job, but a very rewarding one. If you are considering medicine as a career, I would highly recommend applying for a bursary at medical school and joining as a GDMO when you finish your foundation programme, it's a fantastic opportunity, even if you decide to return to the NHS for specialty training.

Promotion for medical officers is qualification based up until the rank of Captain, and most (but not all) will promote after 3 years of specialty training to Major. After that it does get more competitive as there are fewer roles for Lt Cols and above. It is worth noting our pay scales do work a little differently to the rest of the Army, and are linked more to clinical qualifications and experience than they are to rank.

All doctors experience loss throughout their training and career, how we manage is down to the individual, but it is of course difficult, particularly as military doctors are often more likely to know their patients as friends and colleagues as well.

20 January, 2024 20:03