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.

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 advise on disease controls and biosecurity, too. You can 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.

The Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) provides the service lead in the development of good animal husbandry, training practice, preventive medicine and care for Military Working Animals (MWAs).

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.

Entry requirements

• Age:

  From 17 years & 9 months to 36 years & 11 months

• Qualifications:

  Veterinary Degree and Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

• Basic physical fitness assessment:

  • Mid Thigh Pull 50kg

  • Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m

  • MSFT (beep test) level 4.2

Training for the role

Step 1
Having successfully completed the Army Officer Selection process and a Royal Army Medical 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 Army Medical Services.

Step 2
You will then attend the Army Medical Services Entry Officers' Course, which provides you with the specific knowledge required to begin your career as an Army Veterinary Officer.

Qualifications you could get after training

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.

Pay & benefits

Your salary will increase to £47,680 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.

How to Apply

If you've got your qualifications, then apply online. Your application will be passed to our specialist team, who will help guide you through the process towards joining in this role. You'll need to pass a specialist skills interview to check that your skills are in line with our needs.