Army vs. Navy Cadetship?

[UKUSUK]

I'm a 23 year old graduate, and have just been accepted into a 5 yr medicine course. I plan on applying for a medical cadetship. Here's my options:

1. Army. Apply for Army bursary, do OTC, apply for Army cadetship.
2. Navy. Join Royal Marines Reserve for first 2 years, then apply for Navy cadetship.

I would plan on being a MO for at least the 6 year commitment, and maybe longer.

First and foremost, I want to become the most competent doctor I can, and I plan on entering a surgical specialty (probably orthopedics). If either Army or Navy would provide a clear advantage in this area, then that's what I'll pick. I've heard, for example, that it's required to spend 2 years as a general medical officer in the Navy which would delay my training. I do not want this. Is it true?

Secondly, I am looking forward to being deployed, but would not want to be away from home for 2-3 months maximum. How long would deployments be in each case? How long would you be on a ship for if in the Navy?

Lastly, I would like to be stationed in a good area, such as London. How much choice do you have over this and where are young medical officers in each service usually posted? Where are the main military hospitals?

Also, how would OTC be (socially and otherwise) for a mature student, such as myself?

Thank you.

[more_eggs_please]

I am a grad student looking to get an army cadetship. Interested to hear the response on this. I have a place on a 5 year but hoping to secure one on a 4 year.

For the army, my advice is go ahead and start the commission process for Sandhurst. Typically you can expect the whole process to take about a year. There was a rather large delay from submitting my first application to getting the first interview with a recruitment officer. This can be sped up though by visiting a recruitment centre directly or calling and arranging to have some of their time. Either way, the sooner the better.

You can expected anything from a 2-4 month gap from here to the AOSB briefing (depending on your urgency), and then a further 3 months for the main board providing you get a category 1. The last stage is where I am at.

First step though is to give your regional recruitment office a bell and go in and have a chat.

Regarding the other things you are looking to get answers to all I would say is you don't get much choice in the army. You go where they put you. Good luck.

[pipedreamer]

If you're thinking about the Army then the TA is a possible alternative to the OTC. I am an MO in a field hospital unit and we have a number of medical students in our squadron, as well as someone who was on a cadetship during med school and trains with us whilst he is doing F1/F2. The advantage to this is that you will be doing your training with medics, many of whom will have deployed and can give you realistic advice as to what a medical career in the Army is like.

I believe the Army cadetship also requires a certain period of time to be spent as a GDMO/RMO before proceeding to specialist training but I could be wrong.

Edited to add: most newly qualified MOs go to Birmingham, Yorkshire or Frimley Park for F1/F2, then (I think) to Aldershot. After that they will send you wherever they want. Deployments can be anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months or longer.

[joelhall]

im a former royal (rmc) and reapplying to rmr (had a health issue before). deployments can be up to a year long, though as a reservist there is the opportunity for short term engagments of 3-, 6-, or 9-months alonside regular marines.

with regard to postings there is often some choice as to where you go (for instance after rt you could pick 42, then 40 cmdo as your top choices) although often you dont get your choices and the forces will really send you wherever youre needed. if that means overseas then theres little you can do about it! if you really want a choice then you could always stay as a reservist in the rnr (navy), although im not too sure about becoming a part time mo! also you cannot get direct entry as an officer in the reserves they are picked from the ranks.

im curious though... if the navy is one of your options isnt the rmr a bit of overkill? it will take a lot of commitment on your part, time-wise and physically, so be prepared for a hard time - a very hard time! it also takes longer to earn your green lid in the reserves than in the regular rm, and you will need to train in your own time for the courses and tests (although you have the option of holding troop before this and before your prmc which will help, you will still need to put in the effort between each week).

personally though if i had to choose id go with the navy over the army - i prefer the way they do things. plus theres a lot of orthopaedia injuries among marines, so youll probably have plenty of opportunities to progress. im sure the army would be much the same too.

having said that, remember there is an upper age limit for officer entry in the forces, which is usually lower than the recruit entry age.

i cant really give you any specialist advice on mo careers, but your afco will be able to muster up someone who can. you could also check out military forums for some basic careers advice.

joel

[joelhall]

should also point out that i believe the initial service in rmr is 4 years.