Medical Assistant

[mickeysays]

I'm interested in joining the Royal Navy as a Medical Assistant but don't know which way to go.

I've been told by the careers office that there is a long waiting list and that the only way to get in quick is going submarine is that right?

That most people want to go commando MA and that there was no guarantee once in, that you would be able to, and that if I wanted to be a commando MA it might be better to join the Royal Marines first.

I know that Royal Navy MAs give medical support to the Royal Marines, but the Royal Marines have MAs of their own and I just wondered what the difference was (if any) between them? Are RM MAs trained to the same level as RN MAs?

I'm interested in joining but not sure whether to join the RN as a MA or join the RM first and then specialise, as there is no guarantee either way.

[Worthers Original]

I don't think you can choose MA Commando any more, at least it's no longer on the website for careers for RN but is listed as a specialisation on the RM careers. So if you want to do that then your best bet is to go RM and hope you get to go to that specialisation once you've served 18months or whatever it is. People might say they want to go MA Commando but I doubt many are fit enough or really fancy living in fields and yomping about in the rain.

Currently a 10month waiting list for MA, from when your AFCO book you for training which is after you've done your psycho testing, interview, medical & PJFT etc. Whether that's any less if you go Submariner I don't know. Chances are though that once you're on the waiting list you might get bumped up if a place became available because of other people dropping out.

I am in the first stages of my application, passed the psycho tests on Monday and was told the 10month stat. How reliable it is I don't know. I also asked if there was any flexibility about the age for joining the RM (I'm 33) but was told no. Of the two available MAs I've said Submariner as the training seems a bit more varied, you get sub pay & a bonus once you're qualified. My interview should be in December, things running a bit slow at my AFCO.

[Alfa]

passed the psycho tests on Monday

How did you do that exactly, eat the examiners tongue???

[Worthers Original]

passed the psycho tests on Monday

How did you do that exactly, eat the examiners tongue???

With a nice Chianti.

[Alfa]

What no fava beans to go with it?