Veterinary Technician / Nurse

Royal Army Veterinary Corps

At a glance

  • Soldier
  • medical

Keep Army animals bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Gain valuable experience, get qualifications, travel worldwide and make some great friends along the way.

  • £25,200The minimum amount you’ll earn during training
  • £33,978Your pay after completing basic trade training
  • AgeFrom 17 years & 6 months to 35 years & 6 months
  • QualificationsSee qualification details

This job gives me a huge morale boost and the job satisfaction I crave.

Animals – mostly dogs and horses – are an important part of Army life. As a Veterinary Technician, you take care of them alongside our highly skilled Army Vets. You work all over the world and deal with everything from injured search dogs to sick cavalry horses. You could be preparing an operating theatre one day and nursing hospitalized animals the next. It’s great experience that can help you get valuable qualifications and a job if you return to civilian life. When you’re not building your skills and career, you’ll have time to enjoy sports and make some amazing friends.

Royal Army Veterinary Corps

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).

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Key Responsibilities

  • Overcome physical challenges

  • Manage equipment and veterinary supplies

  • Use patience and a consistent approach to get the best out of animals

  • Work in both a clinic and in the field

  • Carry out other military duties

Have any questions? Talk with us

Regular (full time)

Entry requirements

  • Age:

    From 17 years & 6 months to 35 years & 6 months

  • Qualifications:

    Must be a qualified Veterinary Nurse and registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

  • Basic physical fitness assessment:

    • Mid Thigh Pull 50kg

    • Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m

    • MSFT (beep test) level 5.8

    More information about the fitness test

Training for the role

Step 1
Initial military training teaches you how to be a soldier. This covers everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle. This course takes place at either Pirbright in Surrey or Winchester, Hampshire.

Step 2
You will then be posted into the Defence Animal Training Regiment at Melton Mowbray where you will complete a Transition to Military Practice course and the Patrol Dog Handler course.

Qualifications you could get after training

The Army will support and train you throughout your career, offering you considerable opportunities to develop your skills.

Pay & benefits

Earn £25,200 during basic training. When your training is finished, and you will start your trade training on £25,864. Once that is completed you will earn £33,978.

How to Apply

Once your online application has been approved, you'll meet with a local recruiter. This is your chance to tell us about the role that you're interested in. When you go to the Assessment Centre, you'll take tests - the results will show whether you'd be suitable for this role, or should consider a different role.

More about the joining process