I am a fsc student pre med and wanted to ask that what exactly are the opportunities for doctors in the army besides the office and hospital work (i understand that most of work will be office work etc) bt this i mean will i get to go to the war zone and fight etc, i saw on the website about the diving medicine officer and the flight surgeon course what exactly is this, can someone please explain, the one last question is that can a doctor from the army volunteer for the ssg as a medic or something and for that it is said that ''medical category A'' is required what exactly is this...thanks in advance
As I understand you want to join AMC and then join SSG. Well this is incredibly rare but it has been
done before by only 7 people with my dad being one of them. The thing to note is that anyone can apply for SSG from any core. If you pass the selection test and training then you will be enlisted into SSG as a commando - NOT as a medic (if you want that then you can get postings to SSG bases but from what I understand you want a fighting role). As I said it has been done before but it is extremely difficult for
doctors to be eligible to apply let alone make it. SSG is primarily for PMA officers - not AMC doctors. The last doctor commando was more than 10 years ago so MAKE SURE YOU ASK CURRENT AMC STAFF IF IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO JOIN SSG. If it is still possible Here are some things to bear in mind
1 - To go to the SSG selection test you need to be relieved from you're unit. As there is a shortage of doctors most units don't let them do this which is why doctor commandos are so rare. It would really help if you already have family in the army - seems unfair but this will only give you you're
opportunity (not guarantee into SSG). But if you don't have any family don't worry - when the time
comes and you're intentions are pure Allah will make a path for you
2 - The last age for SSG selection test entry is 25. Most PMA officers take commision when they are
20. This means they have 5 years of tries to get in. However, as a doctor you have 5-6 years and would apply after 1 year of house job meaning you are likely to be 25 and the oldest applicant. Therefore, it is imperative you treat it as do or die as you will not get another opportunity (this age limit further goes to show that SSG is not designed to made easy for doctors to join)
3 - IT IS EXTREMELY TOUGH! - you need to make sure you're intentions and motivations are pure and justified. Doing it for the uniform or pride will not get you through. The process involves a 3 day selection test after which successful applicants are called for 9 months training. In the first six weeks their aim is to break you mentally and physically - this is when the most applicants drop out. Overall only 15% of the applicants who pass the selection test get into SSG. Make sure you are mentally and physically fit.
It would be worth while considering if you are so determined to fight why not join PMA? Even if you do not get into SSG you will still be a soldier. Also it is much easier to get into SSG for PMA officers. You need to think about why you are going through AMC as it seems much more probable to achieve your goals through PMA.
FINALLY REMEMBER TO TALK TO AMC STAFF DIRECTLY AND ASK THEM THE RULES!!!
