Anyone gone into medicine with an army bursary?

Hey medics,

I want to go into medicine. The Undergraduate Cadetship bursary scheme financially looks good, however it says you're stuck there for six years after being qualified, which isn't so attractive. Has anybody done it? If you have, or know somebody who has, please share your experiences. Do you get stuck on the frontline or just stay in the bases? I don't like the idea of being in the line of fire but would be happy to deal with people coming back to the base. It'd be a bit safer there...

Firstly, read through all the information possible! http://www.army.mod.uk/army-medical-services/5319.aspx

I'm going for a scholarship as well, but I'm going either into the Paras or the Royal Marines as an Officer not a Medic. You'll be on operational duty at times, however that doesn't mean you'll be on the front line 24-7. You could be at the base, then you may be needed at the front, the Army decided where you will go. Although you may be at the front at times, you're not a combat soldier so don't worry.

You could also be stationed at a base and be their GP, you could also be working at a large garrison practise.

If anyone has the right information, please correct me.

Also, being in the military is great experience and would look good on your CV.

Do you know someone who went into the army as a medic? I think being in the base and that sort of environment sounds like a whole new experience, however don't fancy going where snipers could find me, or any sort of gunfire for that matter. I like the financial side benefits the bursary has to offer, and my next door neighbour is an officer (I think) but he was pretty ambiguous about whether or not I'd be in line of fire. He seemed to suggest I might which was worrying. What is 'operational duty'?

Thanks for the info btw

I think you may have got scared by games like Call of Duty, seriously from what I've heard war is nothing like that game. Here's a point of view: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110621014108AAcq2vq

I'm sorry, I don't know anyone who in as a medic. You will be on tour of duty for 6 months, and this happens every 18 months I think. Operational duty is another way of saying tour of duty again I think. So after your tour you'll be stationed somewhere at a base with your regiment. This could be anywhere, you could be in Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, Cyprus, Gibraltar etc

You'll have more protection than combat soldiers, however you're still at risk but don't worry! The first line of getting harmed is the infantry not the medics, but when the infantry need help and support you'll be there to help the wounded or to give medical supplies and check-ups. If you are with the infantry you'll be safer as they'll be in front of you to protect you, you won't be protecting them from gunfire. Also snipers don't shoot unless they have permission from their officer, and if they do shoot they'll get rid of the biggest threat - the infantry.

You might be under fire, I can't promise you won't or you will. But the Army has great benefits that you'll never find in any civilian job, and the bursary is a lifesaver for some people so if you can do it take the bursary.

Here's the list of all the deaths in Afghanistan: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10629358 Most of the people who died were infantrymen.

Hey medics,

I want to go into medicine. The Undergraduate Cadetship bursary scheme financially looks good, however it says you're stuck there for six years after being qualified, which isn't so attractive. Has anybody done it? If you have, or know somebody who has, please share your experiences. Do you get stuck on the frontline or just stay in the bases? I don't like the idea of being in the line of fire but would be happy to deal with people coming back to the base. It'd be a bit safer there...

Jeez thats a lot of people. Thanks for the info. If I sounded naive its simply because none of my family are in the army and I know little about it...and I dont have any of the COD games either but wouldn't use those as representations of real life anyway. It's not my intention to bring harm upon anyone, but to help fix those are in need of it. There's a lot of people who need fixing in the army, be it physical or mental. Thanks for the info and I will continue to research and consider it.

I find it amusing that you like the idea of the army paying for you to go to uni and study medicine as good but then make out its negative that the army then expects at least six years service from you in return for paying for your training. Six years service isn't really that much, the training opportunities would potentially be better for you in those years from the armed forces and I believe the money is slightly better than being a civvy doctor. You may be expected to go away and serve on operations, but it's unlikely you would be anywhere near any of the trouble, the army has paid a lot of money to train you, it would cost them a lot of money to replace you, a CMT is much cheaper for them to lose on the front line than a doctor. (Sounds cold, but that's how the senior ranks in the military have to view it).

Your right the finances they provide have to be returned with many years service - that is exactly why I posted this thread in order to assist me in a choice that could have me either trapped in an environment I'd hate or not. Six years in a job you hate and can't escape from is a long time in my opinion, especially when I could be in a British hospital in that time. I'm just asking for the info so that I'm better informed, and I had considered that note about senior officials but wasn't sure if they'd still risk it. Thanks anyway - the more opinions the better.

It all depends on what you want to specialise in. The majority of your foundation years will be spent in an NHS hospital. You have to follow the same career structure as NHS medics, but you're under a military deanery instead. It's not a case of being stuck away on operations in Afghanistan for the entire 6 years.

Oh ok that sounds good. But I assume the foundation years are not included in the 6 years as on the website it says 'after qualification'...is this after uni or after the second foundation year?! So do you think it'd be like a rotation for the six years around rehabilitation units, bases and other army things that are not on the frontline? I wouldn't mind rotation. And where would the majority of a year be spent? In England or across the world?