Career in the Army for a (future) registered doctor

[senaiboy]

Hi all, I'm new to this forum and was directed over here while searching for advice on medical career in the Army. Unfortunately the thread had been silent for more than a year so I figure I'll start a new one to ask some questions I had in mind. I'm currently a final year student going into FP 2010 and am very interested on the prospect of joining the army after becoming a registered doctor in 2011.

1. From what I've read up, there are two paths for a Medical Officer: the Regular Army or Territorial Army. AFAIK, TA gets less training with the military but is more flexible. And that TA is voluntary (part-time?) while an MO with the Regulars is a full-time job. So, aside from this, what are the advantages and disadvantages of both?

2. I'm very interested in specialising in Anaesthesia/Acute Care in the future as well. However, I'm confused as to whether joining the Regulars will offer me the flexibility to do that.

you will be trained in such subjects as disaster relief and planning humanitarian aid. You then move on to the Royal Defence Medical College in Gosport, Hampshire, for an intensive course in conflict surgery, military psychology and other Army-specific medical disciplines.

What happens next will depend on whether you choose to specialise in general practice, public health/occupational medicine or a hospital specialisation.

From what I understand, if I were to join the Regulars I will have a more army-based training initially, and be able to specialise after that initial training. Will I therefore be disadvantaged in getting a training post in Anaesthesia/Acute Care? Am I best to stick with the 'common' path and join TA instead?

Thanks in advance for any help. I have emailed the Army Career advice office regarding specific queries and awaiting reply (not soon though, since it's the Christmas period now). Cheers