A Military Medic or Nurse works in the UK armed forces, providing medical care to service personnel both in the UK and overseas, sometimes in challenging environments. Their work covers emergency first aid on the battlefield, routine healthcare at military bases, and ongoing support for the health and well-being of troops. Training is provided by the military, and you may work in hospitals, field clinics, or mobile medical units. The role requires resilience, teamwork, and the ability to stay calm in high-pressure situations. Military medics and nurses also play a vital part in humanitarian missions and disaster relief efforts. Upon leaving the armed forces, many find their skills highly valued by the NHS and other healthcare employers.
Military medics and nurses typically start at around £21,000 to £26,000 per year, depending on rank and qualifications.
The Defence Medical Services employ approximately 7,500 healthcare professionals, including medics and nurses, across the UK armed forces.
With experience and promotion, salaries can rise to over £40,000 for senior nursing officers and advanced medics.
Provides emergency medical care on the battlefield and supports the health of soldiers during military operations.
Delivers nursing care to Royal Navy personnel both on ships and at naval bases, supporting their health and wellbeing.
Offers frontline medical support to Royal Air Force personnel, including emergency response and aeromedical evacuation.
Find out what being a military medic or nurse involves, including day-to-day duties and the different branches of the armed forces.
Look at the official websites of the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force to discover the specific responsibilities of medics and nurses. Read about deployments, training, and the types of situations you might encounter. You can also attend career fairs or contact a local Armed Forces Careers Office to ask questions.
Learn about the qualifications, skills, and fitness standards needed to apply.
Military medics and nurses usually need GCSEs in English, maths, and science. For nursing roles, you may require A levels or equivalent qualifications and registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Medics undergo specific military training. All applicants must meet medical and fitness requirements, and you must be a British citizen or Commonwealth national.
Work towards the necessary academic qualifications, such as GCSEs and, if needed, A levels or equivalent.
Focus on achieving good grades, especially in science subjects. If you are interested in becoming a nurse, you might consider studying health and social care. Volunteering with organisations like St John Ambulance or in a care home can also provide helpful experience.
Apply for the Armed Forces through schemes such as the Army Medical Services or Royal Air Force Medical Services.
You can apply to join as a soldier or officer, depending on your qualifications and interests. Attend an assessment centre, which includes aptitude tests, interviews, medical exams, and fitness assessments. If successful, you will begin basic military training followed by specialist medical training.
Take part in initial military training, then complete specialist courses for medics or nurses.
Basic training covers physical fitness, teamwork, and military skills. Afterward, you will attend specialist medical training to learn first aid, trauma care, and, for nurses, clinical skills. Training is provided by the Armed Forces and is tailored to the needs of your chosen branch.
Work as part of a military medical team, gaining experience in both routine and emergency care.
You will support the health and wellbeing of service personnel both in the UK and on deployments abroad. As you gain experience, you may have opportunities for further training and promotion. Continuous professional development is encouraged, including advanced courses or leadership roles.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Medic/Nurse (Military). Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
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A Medic/Nurse (Military) is most closely aligned with a Soldier because both roles involve providing healthcare support within a military environment. They require specialised training, discipline, and experience in operating under military protocols, making them comparable in terms of qualifications and mission focus.
You can get into this job through:
You can apply to join the army through an HM Forces Serviceperson Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
You apply directly to the army to find the best apprenticeship route for you. This will depend on your qualifications and which service role you're interested in, for example, engineering, health or logistics.
You can join the Army Reserve to get experience of what life is like in the regular army. You'll also learn new skills at the same time.
You'll need to:
If you're between 12 and 18 years old, you can join the Army Cadet Force.
You can apply directly to join the army. You do not need any specific qualifications unless you're applying for a technical role like engineering or communications.
You'll also need to be:
If your application is accepted, you'll be invited to talk to someone at your local army careers centre about the opportunities available to you. You'll then attend a 2-day assessment, which includes medical and fitness tests.
You'll find more information about becoming a soldier from Army Careers.
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