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Veterinary Officer
You make sure the military’s working animals are fit, well and ready to be deployed. Give expert advice, get qualifications and build a rewarding career.
Starting salary
Role details
Age
To apply for this position, you must be between 17 years & 9 months old and 36 years & 11 months old at the time of your application.
Fitness
Mid Thigh Pull 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m
MSFT (beep test) level 7.1
Education
Veterinary Degree and Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Need help?
Unsure about any requirements? Our recruitment team is here to help.
From horses to dogs, the Army has hundreds of animals in its ranks. As a Veterinary Officer, you manage our Military Working Animals' capability and lead soldiers under your command.
You deal with animal health issues – the kind you’d find in civilian practice – but also veterinary challenges that only the Army can offer. You'll advise on disease controls and biosecurity, too. With the opportunity to boost your qualifications by getting the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. Develop your expertise and you can move up as a clinician or a commander.
All this, plus travel, sports and Adventurous Training, too.
Key responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Work in challenging and hostile environments
Take responsibility and make decisions
Lead and manage people
Use patience and a consistent approach to get the best out of animals.
Carry out other military duties.
Step 1
Having successfully completed the Army Officer Selection process and a Royal Army Veterinary Corps specialist interview, you will be awarded a place on the Commissioning Course Short at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. You are taught basic military, survival and weapon-handling skills to prepare you for Army life. On completion of the course you will awarded a commission into the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
Step 2
You will then attend the Royal Army Veterinary Corps Entry Officers' Course, which provides you with the specific knowledge required to begin your career as an Army Veterinary Officer.
Your salary will increase to £50,540 once you have finished training and joined your unit.
Student bursary (up to £60,000):
Open to candidates who will graduate with an Army endorsed veterinary degree and intend to join the Royal Army Veterinary Corps as a Vet for at least 4 years
Paid in annual instalments of £5,000 during your final three years of university then a lump sum of £45,000 on successful completion of Officer training
You may also be paid an Army salary or a lump sum of £5,000 during each of two years of professional development.
Apply while you are still at university, before the end of January. You should apply not later than your first year to qualify for the full amount; the Army reserves the right to award bursaries of 1, 2 or 3 years. You must pass the Army Officer Selection Board for professionally qualified officers and the Army Selection Board for Royal Army Veterinary Corps to qualify. You must also start initial Officer training at Sandhurst before your 37th birthday.
All Army Veterinary Officers can gain postgraduate qualifications throughout their career such as a Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice. You may also have the opportunity to study at MSc level.