Taking on the challenge

9 May 2008

Leadership and management training opportunities available in the Defence Force make it an attractive career option – and it provides plenty of experiences you won’t get anywhere else.

THERE will always be a need for doctors to help the serving members of the navy, army and air force and for doctor Sam Hay, a Major in the Australian Army Reserves, helping to provide the best possible care for them is something he is proud of.

“I joined as a sponsored undergraduate in the Australian Army back in 1996 while still completing my medical degree,” Sam said.

“I was attracted to the army because of the teamwork, skills in remote areas and the notion of serving your nation.

“The fact that I would get paid to study was a definite sweetener,” he said.

The leadership and management training opportunities are something Sam feels have especially helped him both in his army career and working as a GP.

“I really relished the challenges and opportunities the army provided me,” Sam said.

“I have learnt to practise medicine in remote areas and become very flexible and adaptable in challenging situations.

“These opportunities have taught me how to work with minimal resources and still provide quality outcomes.

“I now feel prepared to handle almost any situation that comes my way, in both my military and civilian roles, knowing I can find a solution and get on with the job at hand.” While still working fulltime in the army, Sam was part of several deployments. It was in Aceh where he faced some of his biggest career challenges.

“I got there six weeks into the operation and was tasked as the senior medical officer for the 1st Health Support Battalion Hospital, supporting the local university hospital there,” Sam said.

“This was the first time I had been asked to step up to this role and it was daunting.

“I not only had to ensure we were delivering the right services but also, as this was a diplomatic role, liaise with other countries involved to make sure we were all working together to get the best outcome.

“It was a real eye opener and very much outside my comfort zone, but I really relished the challenge it presented,” he said.

“My army training really came to the fore here.

“I think that the leadership training and challenging opportunities you are involved with, that you don’t get in the civilian structure, are what makes working in the services so attractive,” Sam said.

There are many opportunities available for both full-time and part-time medical officers in the navy, army or air force
 

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