RAF Medics

[mopardave]

My daughter, age 24, qualified as a doctor back in july 2014 and is currently doing her hospital based training. Much to my delight, she is making enquiries about joining the Air Force as a doctor.......initially in the reserve, but possibly the regulars.
Can anyone help me out here.........is it possible to cross over from the reserve to the regulars? Any words of advice gents?
Best to you all
MD

[Lima Juliet]

MD

I don't see why not. Indeed I would have thought that the Medical Branch would welcome your daughter if allready partially trained/indoctrinated for full-time Service life. Many have been Air Cadets, UAS Cadets, RAuxAF or RAFVR(T) before they join the Regulars.

She should speak to her local RAF Careers office, when ready, to get professional advice rather than our amateur mumblings on here though.

Best of luck to her.

LJ

[NutLoose]

I'd just like to add, Good on her

[rjtjrt]

My experience is not in RAF, but here RAAF would do everything it could to facilitate a doctor joining the more permanent side (= Regulars).
Good for your daughter - it will be a great part of her life, and her career.
Equally, if she joins the reserve, that will also be a great and enjoyable thing for her.

[thing]

First of all you must be very proud of your daughter and well done to her. I would say that the RAF would welcome her with open arms as most (certainly in my day) mob docs were sponsored through med school by the RAF so she comes as a 'freebie' if you will excuse my terminology. As Leon says, she needs to head on down to her CIO and get the answers from those in the know.

[alfred_the_great]

Having shared many a Wardroom with Junior Surg Lts, I'd offer the following:

It's quite easy to move Reserve - Regular. The Medical training (and 90% of the 'Mil' training) is exactly the same, so there's no problem there.

She may wish to hold off joining the RAF until she's entered Specialist Training (or doesn't want to do it in the RAF, i.e. just do 'General Duties' Doctoring for a couple of years). The Defence Medical Service's requirement for a particular speciality will over-rule her own desires: their training spaces are very limited in many 'popular' areas.

Once she starts her specialist training, she will, by most measures, be a civvy doctor until she qualifies as a Consultant. At that point, she'll spend about 75% as a Mil Dr, and the rest of the time keeping up her skills as a civvy.

Good luck for it all!

[downsizer]

There is a specialist medical recruitment team at HQ R&S at cranwell. She should speak to them as they have all the up to date info and ITTs for the forthcoming years. I may be able to provide some contact details if she can't find it herself.

[Al R]

Dave,

My input isn't scientific, but I know a couple of Regulars within that branch who found it quite easy to transition from the Reserves. Good on her.

[mopardave]

Many thanks gents......your input is appreciated. I shall feedback to her your comments. Yes I am proud of her......intelligent and beautiful too! She got her moms looks (and brains!). She's a born thrill seeker so I think the RAF would be great for her. Here's hoping she can get further than her dad in the selection process!!!!!!
Thanks again gents.
MD

[Kitbag]

.intelligent and beautiful too!

Not too many years ago that 2nd descriptor would have instantly barred your daughter from joining the service, happily E&D policies have had some positive effects

Oh and good on her!