How to join Pakistan Army as Doctor - Male & Female

CAREER as ARMY DOCTOR

By Captain Dr. Saad

KEMU 2011-16 

DISCLAIMER: The article is based on personal views and does not represent or conform to any official policy of the Army. 

KE has a bright history of close association with the Army. The most renowned personality of Army Medical Corps Lt General Mushtaq Ahmad Baig was a kemcolian, and first muslim principal of KEMC Colonel Elahi Buksh belonged to Army Medical Corps. Interestingly, our beautiful campus of KEMU was, once upon a time, Artillery Barracks of British Indian Army.

Colonel Elahi Buksh

Lt. General Mushtaq Ahmad Baig

Recently I have seen a positive and welcome trend of more kemcolians showing interest in Military career after MBBS than before. I often get messages from juniors regarding the career prospects, and quite often the ambiguities in the young minds are more or less the same. So, I will briefly summarize the career structure of a military doctor and the joining procedure while busting some common myths.

Career Structure :

After 6 months training in PMA ( AFPGMI for females), a military doctor gets commissioned in the rank of (direct) Captain ( bypassing 2/Lt and Lieutenant ranks) and ascends to higher ranks, ultimately reaching the rank of Lt General (2nd highest rank of army, a three star General.)

After 2 years of service in Army (not necessarily hard area service) Army doctor gets 2 choices:

●        Specialization

●        Administration

Both have their own perks, and both fields get promoted to higher ranks.

Joining Procedure:

1.    M Cadet Scheme: 4th and final year students can join through this scheme. (They will complete their degree from KE/ own college). The Army usually pays back the expenses of degree (around 10 lac).

2.    GDMO Scheme: For those who have completed MBBS

3.    Specialist Scheme:  For those with their Specialization completed. They get the rank of Major directly

Selection Tests:

1.    Apply at https://www.joinpakarmy.gov.pk

2.    Intelligence and Academic Test

3.    Physical Test (only for those who apply in M cadet scheme. GDMO scheme and specialists scheme are exempted from physical test)

4.    Interview

5.    Medical Fitness Checkup at CMH              

Study Material:

●        Any good ISSB book (I would recommend Dogar or Baloch) to get an idea.

●        The selection procedure assesses your personality, so confidence and honesty would get you through rather than cramming any book.

Myths about Army Doctor Career:

1.    No specialization opportunities: This is totally wrong and absurd. In my opinion, an army doctor can specialize more easily than CIP. Although there is a bar of 2-year service before joining specialization, but the same two years must be spent in BHU / Periphery in civil as well, so it's almost the same.

2.    No private practice: Again, this is totally wrong. All specialists can do private practice within CMH in the evening.

3.    Army Doctors don't get the same benefits as other army officers: Wrong. Army doctors get the same service and retirement benefits as any other army officer.

Perks of Military Doctor Service

1.    Respect

2.    Safe Working environment of CMH

3.    Better Learning Facilities than most civilian hospitals

4.    Merit based career progression

 
Best of Luck my dear kemcolians. Godspeed.