SHORT SERVICE OFFICER ENTRY - 2014

2014-06-12T22:42:00.001+05:30

DGAFMS announced the recruitment of 300 Medical Officers on Short Service Basis to the Army Medical Corps.

The Advertisement can be viewed here @
http://www.recruitmentgovt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Army-Medical-Corps-Advt.pdf

Online Applications can be made through the website below
http://amcsscentry.gov.in/

The long wait is over. Cheers to all those who waited with patience. All the best & Regards.

NEW POLICIES QUASHED BY ARMED FORCES TRIBUNAL

2014-03-02T21:22:00.000+05:30

There was a great hue and cry over the new policies regarding Extension of Short Service Commission. Many officers were asked to leave service as their initial period of engagement was over. This order, however, was challenged at the Principal bench of Armed Forces Tribunal, Delhi.

The ruling dated 29/11/2013 on OA 38/2013 was given by the Hon AFT.

The judgement can be read here : http://www.aftdelhi.nic.in/assets/pending_cases/2013/OA/OA%2038%202013-29-11-2013.pdf

All aspirants are requested to red this before you apply for SSC.

Eventhough the orders are quashed, there is a good chance that AFMS comes up with a new order with new clauses.

Some New Policies

2013-12-10T16:55:00.002+05:30

Some new policies have come up which I would like all aspirants to know. These have come up very recently and will be with effect from 2013.

1) STUDY LEAVE FOR SSC OFFICERS :- The option of Study leave for SSC Officers have been removed with effect from 2013. Only Permanent Commission Officers are entitled for study leave. This is a major set back for those who would like to continue as SSC and then do PG outside AFMS.

2) CONTINUATION OF SSC :- Previously, the policy for continuing in service after 05 years of initial tenure was that "The officer has to APPLY FOR RELEASE well in advance to be terminated from active service. In case no application reaches HQ, the officer is automatically continued in active service".

The present policy requires officers to APPLY FOR CONTINUATION which will be scrutinized for eligibility and those who are found fit will be given continuation. This is another MAJOR set back for those who were expecting continuation and further do PG after 07-10 years of service.

WHY THESE POLICIES ?

Armed Forces Medical Services has supposedly been directed to work with a compliment which has 60% SSC and 40 % PC officers so that they get enough young officers to serve in field areas and save a lot on pensions. In the process the AFMS is presently becoming UNFRIENDLY TO SSC.

Doctors In Indian Armed Forces

2012-03-22T12:55:00.001+05:30

Where do i start? That has always been a dilemma, even while scribbling in my diary!. Okay.. I don't want to bore anybody with my not so good 'story writing skills'. A few words on how I got into it.

It's a dream of a great number of youths to become a doctor. For that one needs to surpass a lot of hurdles starting from your 10th standard performance. Then comes the 11th and 12th and ''the mother of all exams, 'The Pre med Entrance'".

Honestly, i thought that Pre Med Entrance was the toughest, but just had to wait 5 years to prove it wrong! It's the MBBS final exam, which is the toughest of all exams in the country. Just like any other doctor, i passed all that, then was doing my internship, in the famed Govt Medical College, Trivandrum.

One fine morning, sipping a cup of fine tea, I was reading newspaper when my eyes just got hooked in strong bold heading "RECRUITMENT OF SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION OFFICERS IN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS". It was a call for doctors to join the largest voluntary army in the world. The decision came up in no time. Do it. In a day or two, the application was ready, sent by BLUEDART COURIERS. I specify this, because as usual it the last day of receipt of application and it should reach Delhi in 12 hours. By experience, i tell you, Bluedart is the only courier which does that, but at a very high price of Rs 250/- for two A4 size papers in a packet.

I completed my internship, then the great Convocation ceremony. Soon it was all over. The fun, the student life, everything. Now one fine morning, I am a DOCTOR. I was looking for something to do other than sit and study for another year for PG. General Practice was, by then, a boredom for me, unlike many others who just started doing it. I didn't have to think much, as the Compulsory Rural Service call letter was served to me in a few days. I actually was happy with it.In a month, I joined for compulsory rural service in a very difficult rural area. I was well settled there very soon with a good number of private patients, a mass of loving and caring people around me, infact i loved being the demi-God of that village. Life was going on and on. I thought "This is life, of a doctor".There came the greatest ever twist in my life.

The Interview call letter for Armed Forces Medical Services. I was to appear before the interview board by April end, on a specified date.

Okay.. Enough on my life. Let's get into business.

HOW TO APPLY

Every year or twice a year, Army Medical Corps invites application from doctors to join as Short Service Commissioned Medical Officers. Every year they need 100 - 250 doctors to fill the vacancies. An advertisement is floated in all leading newspapers and the official website of Indian Army. Those who are doing their internship also can apply provided they complete it in time, latest by two months after the interview date.

ELIGIBILITY in General

Indian National
MBBS Degree (House Surgeons can apply provided they complete their internship in time)
Normal vision / Corrected vision of 6/6
No physical disabilities
Prescribed height and weight (see the advertisement)
Chest Expansion min 05 cms
Female candidates should not be pregnant while enrollment

(for specific medical fitness, see below)

THE INTERVIEW
Interview will be held at Research and Referral Hospital, Delhi. To and fro 'Sleeper class train tickets' can be claimed and will be reimbursed to your account whether you get through or not, whether you have traveled in any other means also.

TIPS FOR INTERVIEW - GENERAL

Be in a neat and clean dress (No need of wearing a suit or a tie or anything unusual. But just be well dressed. Please don't come in your baggies and slippers and shorts! For God's sake. (Believe me..There was a guy in shorts!!)
Have a neat haircut ( Not reqd to be in army cut, you are not yet selected)
Be there a day or two earlier.
Go to the R&R hospital a day or two before your interview. Candidates who come out of the interview hall will be sitting in another hall. You can sit with them. Ask for questions asked to them. You'll be accustomed to Instructions for candidates too. (I did this, so did many other guys who joined with me). It really helps with the interview. You may find one or two of your batchmates too there. (I found five!)
Try staying close to the interview location. Delhi traffic is really not trustworthy. You may get into hours of traffic block and miss your slot. Army is very particular on that. Be there in time.
There is a Western Air Command very close to R&R hospital, actually, the next compound. If you have any contact with somebody there, try getting a guest room there. (I'm grateful to my friend Dr Srikanth and his brother for arranging that for me. We all stayed together, roamed together, attended interview together , got recruited together and now we work together.)
Delhi will be steaming hot in March, April, May and June. Really cold in October, November, December, January and February. So gear up accordingly. (I went in summer, and it was hot as hell. Had to drink 5 litres of water to survive)
DO NOT TRY TO INFLUENCE THE INTERVIEW BOARD. it'll fire back. Armed Forces is not such a thing to mess up with. They really don't care much about politicians.
On the Interview date, if you have done two days of "listening" to the post interview candidates, you'll be uber cool.

THE INTERVIEW BOARD

Comprises of Army Doctors from many specialities, not all. It depends on the day and time.
One thing for sure is you'll have a Medical Specialist, Surgical Specialist, Pediatrician and most importantly a Community Medicine specialist. Army is really bothered about your common sense and skills in Social and Preventive Medicine. Be ready for that.Don't worry I'll tell you how to tackle that.
Usual tips- When you walk in, you'll find an officer sitting at the farthest end of the oval/rectangular table. He's the seniormost officer. Wish him the time of the day, no need to wish everybody. If there is a lady, wish her first and then the seniormost.
Do not sit as soon as you enter, even if you may find your chair empty. They'll definitely offer you a seat. Say a Thank you.
Sit with a straight spine, arms resting on your laps. avoid placing your elbows on the table.
Avoid using hand signs while answering.
Do not beat around the bush. Answer to the point. If you don't know the answer, say "Sorry, can i answer another question"?.
Remember. They are not sitting there to assess your depth in Medical Sciences, but the way of answering and your presence of mind. An average knowledge of a student who passes out from a Govt Medical College is more than enough.
Book your return ticket on a date one or two days after your interview. You'll have to stay back for Medical Fitness tests, once you are selected which might take a day or two.

INTERVIEW - TOPICS THAT YOU SHOULD BE KNOWING
( I deliberately said "Knowing" because you can't "STUDY" Medical Sciences for an interview. It's that vast. )

Emergency Medicine including first aid and CPCR (latest)
BLS and ACLS guideline (latest)
Management of Burns, Electric Shock, Fracture, Trauma, Head Injury, Injury to Spine
Few medical topics like Status Asthmaticus, Myocardial Infarction, Hepatitis, Infectious diseases- usual ones. No need to read about Brucellosis, Borreliosis, Q fever etc.
Cardiac Murmurs and their causes. No need to go in depth
All National Programmes including Immunisation, TB, Malaria, NVBDCP(very important), RCH, Health for all etc
They'll ask you things pertaining to your state/region. They get transferred to all places. So don't bluff.They definitely have first hand knowledge on the epidemiology. So use common sense and read about diseases according to epidemiology of your area.
Read on questions asked on previous days (That's another reason why i asked you to be there a day or two earlier)

RESULTS

Results will be announced the same day, soon after your batch of ten comes back from interview hall.
Those selected will have to stay back till you finish up with your forms, inspection of your documents and verification of credentials.

SELECTION TO DIFFERENT SERVICES- ARMY, NAVY and AIR FORCE

Army Medical Corps is common to all the three services. So you can be commissioned to any of these three services. Selection criteria differs. There are bogus reports on something called a "Rank List" whereby first few will get Air Force, then Navy , then Army in that order. Totally wrong. They'll try to give your first posting at your home station (for a few months). Just to make you comfortable until you learn about the service. So your commission does depends, upto an extend, the service hospital that's available near your hometown. (I had a Naval Hospital near my hometown, and I got Navy, so did some of my friends)

MEDICAL FITNESS TESTS

Unlike others who are recruited, doctors do not have to undergo Physical Tests, but have to undergo a battery of medical tests. Those candidates who pass the interview will be taken to Armed Forces Clinic, New Delhi. You're now in the place where The President of India gets his/her treatment. Following things are examined and if found abnormal will result in disqualification, either permanent or temporary.

Permanent disqualification - Candidates who are permanently disqualified, can apply/appeal for re-inspection in the nearest service hospital after payment of a certain amount (Rs 200-400)
Temporary disqualification- Candidates who are temporarily unfit are asked to review before another medical board in the nearest service hospital after 42 days (free of cost). If found to be fit, shall be commissioned, else made permanently unfit.

Medical Tests done:

Height and weight as per chart given below

Age Period	15-16 Yrs	16-17 Yrs	17-18 Yrs	18-20 Yrs	20-22 Yrs	22-24 Yrs	24-26 yrs	26-28 Yrs	28-30 Yrs
Height (Cm)	Weight (kg)	Weight (kg)	Weight (kg)	Weight (kg)	Weight (kg)	Weight (kg)	Weight (kg)	Weight (kg)	Weight (kg)
157.0	43.5	45.0	47.0	49.0	49.5	50.5	51.5	51.5	52.0
160.0	45.0	46.0	48.0	50.0	51.0	51.5	52.0	53.0	54.0
162.0	46.0	48.0	50.0	51.5	52.5	53.5	54.0	55.0	55.5
165.0	48.0	50.0	52.0	53.0	54.0	54.5	55.0	56.0	56.5
167.0	49.0	51.0	53.0	55.0	56.0	57.0	58.0	58.5	59.0
170.0	51.0	52.5	55.0	57.0	58.0	59.0	59.5	60.5	61.0
173.0	52.5	54.5	57.0	59.0	60.0	62.0	62.5	63.5	64.0
175.0	54.5	56.0	59.0	61.0	62.0	63.0	64.0	64.5	65.0
178.0	56.0	58.0	61.0	62.5	63.5	64.5	66.0	66.5	67.5
180.0	58.5	60.0	63.0	65.0	65.5	67.0	67.5	68.5	69.0
183.0	60.0	62.5	65.0	67.0	67.5	70.0	70.5	71.0	72.0

In case candidates belonging to the North East and hilly area like Gorkhas, Nepalese, Assamese and Garhwalis, the height will be relaxed by 5 cms and weight commensurate with reduced heights.
This is the IDEAL WEIGHT. 10% relaxation is given from the above. Those who are between 10%-20% will be temporarily unfit and will be asked to reduce weight and re-appear for medicals after 42 days(6 weeks)

Wax in ear will be temporarily unfit. So better get it examined and cleaned before interview. Perforation of TM will be permanent unfit.
Minimum dental points reqd- 14
Skin diseases - Pmt Unfit
Corrected vision 6/6 is a must. Worst eye uncorrected 6/60. Lasik done one year back is acceptable. Colour blindness is permanent uunfit
Hernia/abdominal surgery in the past one year - temporarily unfit
Hydrocele/varicocele - Pmt Unfit
Chest expansion min 05 cms
Cardiac murmurs
Hepatomegaly/splenomegaly- Temp Unfit
Knock knees, Kyphosis, Scoliosis, Pigeon chest, barrel chest, flat foot - Permanently unfit
Phymosis and Paraphymosis - Permanently unfit
USG ,Chest Xray, X ray of long bones will be done
Pregnancy - Pmt Unfit
Blood Tests : Hb, TLC, DLC, ESR, Platelet Count, LFT, RFT, Serum Cholesterol, FBS
All specialist examination including Gynecology examination for ladies

COMMISSION

Those candidates who pass the Interview and Medical test, will be given a verification form to be filled and sent to Armed forces HQ in a month. They will receive a letter in their address for appearing before the Commanding Officer of the hospital where they'll be posted initially. Commission ceremony will be held at the respective hospital, and there you are. An Army Captain(AMC), A Surgeon Lieutenant in Navy, A Flight Lieutenant in Air Force. Welcome to Indian Armed Forces, the largest voluntary army in the world.

LIFE IN ARMED FORCES

If you are looking for a govt service, if you are looking for something different from a regular general practitioner, if you are ready to work anywhere in the country, if you are jubilant enough, if you have a service mentality, then My friend, Armed Forces is the right place for you.

SHORT SERVICE TO PERMANENT COMMISSION

After 02 years of service, you'll be provided three opportunities for appearing for Permanent Commission Interview. Eligibility :Minimum 02 years of service, Maximum 08 years of service, Age less than 30 for MBBS, 31 for Diploma holders, 35 for Post Graduates, Maximum three attempts.

BENEFITS

Salary - All inclusive emoluments 70000/ month, take home 56800/-
Unlimited Medical Benefits - Free for you and your dependents
Free Ration - Every month you take home lots of quality food products for you and your family (for married officers). For single officers, you're provided great food in the mess for a small amount.
Accommodation in good facilities
Free quality education for your kids- Kendriya Vidyalayas
Pension : No pension for Short Service Officers. Armed forces is the only service in India with Pension Benefits (all others are contributory pension)
Post Graduation: For permanent commission officers, after 4 years of reckonable service can appear for PG entrance, relatively very less competition, and secure a PG seat. For SSC, it's after 8 years with a bond to work for total 14 years. SSC officers will be given DNB seats after 4 years with a bond of 14 years service. You'll be considered as Ex-service officer and will get quota in seats in Army institutions if you select to got out of service after 05 years.
Adventurous and Out of the way life

WELCOME TO ARMY MEDICAL CORPS

For any queries, post as comments or mail me : drsyam@gmail.com

Doctors in Indian Armed Forces

SHORT SERVICE OFFICER ENTRY - 2014

NEW POLICIES QUASHED BY ARMED FORCES TRIBUNAL

Some New Policies

Doctors In Indian Armed Forces