There was no intake into the military medicine specialist training scheme in 2026, despite more than 40 initial applications received, the Medical Independent (MI) has learned.
Following the completion of the Irish College of GPs’ selection process, four candidates presented for interview and two candidates were offered places, according to the Defence Forces. However, both offers were declined.
The military medicine specialist training scheme was launched in 2017. It was established with the intention of recruiting two trainees per year and ensuring a consistent supply of specialist-trained medical officers. The scheme’s second graduate was recently conferred with Membership of the Faculty of Military Medicine of Ireland at a ceremony in McKee Barracks, Dublin.
Its first graduate was conferred with membership in 2023, although has since retired from the Defence Forces.
Agreement has recently been reached on amendments to the employment terms and conditions of service for the scheme.
It is hoped the amendments will boost interest in the scheme, a spokesperson for the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (RACO) told MI.
The first amendment allows for the promotion to Commandant on a five-year fixed-term basis, the spokesperson stated.
The second amendment is the imminent introduction of an annual specialist register allowance of €12,000 for newly qualified graduates of the scheme.
While not yet signed off by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform, and Digitalisation, it is anticipated that the allowance will be introduced shortly after agreement was reached between RACO, military management, and the Department of Defence.
Both amendments have “significantly improved the attraction of the scheme to younger doctors for the entirety of the training and service undertaking period”, a RACO spokesperson outlined.
Applications for the 2027 intake were invited through the dual application process, with prospective candidates required to apply separately to both the Irish College of GPs and the Defence Forces. The College’s application deadline closed on 7 October 2026.
A spokesperson for the College said the scheme “is a high-quality programme with dual specialism in both general practice and military medicine leading to a place on the general practice specialist register and the military medicine specialist register”.
The Defence Forces said there are currently 21 serving medical officers, with seven vacancies.
“The Defence Forces continues to work with the Faculty of Military Medicine of Ireland and the Irish College of GPs to promote the military medicine specialist training scheme and encourage applications.”
This has included promotion through social media and the Irish College of GPs’ intern and medical student open day, and representation at the College’s recent ‘Meet the Schemes’ event.
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