RAF MSOs are a fairly rare breed. The Branch has had a fairly odd structure which is now evening out. They are led by 3 Gp Capts - at present this is the senior rank that an RAF MSO can attain. The Branch also encompasses all the Commissioned Medical Technical Branches (Environmental Health, Radiography etc), and personnel from these branches can move across to the main stream MSO branch. In total the MSO Branch (encompassing Med Tech) should be approaching 100 personnel. The RAF MSO is a multi-tooled specialist who has a range of skills in adminstration, logistics, operations and governance.
TRAINING
RAF MSOs complete IOT. At the present time the Initial Medical Support Officer Course is under significant review - I believe it is hoped that an iteration of the new course will run in the new year. Initial training for new entrant MSOs (in the form of a specific course) has not been good over the years and a concerted effort is now being made to get it right.
The other 'initial' courses all new entrant MSOs should complete are:
Aeromedical Evacuation Ground Phase
3 weeks long, run at HQ Tactical Medical Wing RAF Lyneham. At present this is an attendance course for MSOs. It provides an overview of Aeromedical Evacuation.
Operational Induction Course
2 weeks long, run at HQ Tactical Medical Wing RAF Lyneham. Is designed to enhance the skills of the individual in field living and provides specific to role training.
Other courses are job dependent.
POSTS
A number of areas where MSOs could be posted (incomplete):
AIR HQ - RAF High Wycombe. A multitude of posts covering such areas as operations, logistics, governance, training, administration and policy. The MSO rank range is from Fg Off to Wg Cdr. There are about 20 posts.
Defence Medical Services Department - London. 8 posts currently ranging from Sqn Ldr to Gp Capt. 1 Sqn Ldr is currently based in the USA.
Defence Medical Education & Training Agency - Fort Blockhouse, Gosport. 6 posts, Flt Lt - Gp Capt.
HQ Tactical Medical Wing - RAF Lyneham. The Wg is responsible for initial deployment of all RAF medical services personnel on operational or exercise deployment anywhere in the world. The Wg also provides strategic Aeromedical Evacuation, Critical Care in the Air Support Teams, Deployable Aeromedical Response Teams and training courses. The OC is a Wg Cdr, there is a Sqn Ldr post (OC Ops Spt (Trg) Sqn) and 5 Flt Lt posts (OC Logs Flt, OC Ops Flt, OC Ops Induction Trg, OC Training Stds and Coord and OC Management Plans).
No 4626 Sqn Royal Auxiliary Air Force - RAF Lyneham. 1 permanent post (Flt Lt) , 4 Reservists.
No 612 Sqn Royal Auxiliary Air Force - RAF Leuchars. 1 permanent post (Flt Lt), 1 full-time Reservist.
Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre - Headley Court. 2 posts (1 x Flt Lt, 1 x Wg Cdr).
Defence Medical Services Training Centre - Keogh Barracks, Aldershot. 2 posts both Flt Lt.
Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit Peterborough - 3 x Flt Lt posts.
Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit Portsmouth - 1 post. Sqn Ldr.
RAF Centre for Aviation Medicine - RAF Henlow 5 posts (Fg Off - Sqn Ldr).
Department of Initial Officer Recruiting - RAF Cranwell. 2 posts (1 x Flt Lt, 1 x Sqn Ldr.
Medical & General Supplies Integrated Project Team - Andover. 4 posts (Flt Lt - Wg Cdr).
The branch maintains 1 Flt Lt/Sqn Ldr on External Training each year. There are a number of changes a foot which may see MSOs working alongside some Stn Medical Centres.
On Operations they deploy as Ops Officers, WatchKeepers, Medical Advisors and Adjutants of Medical Units. Medical Support Officers support the deploying medical force.
