What is 205 (Scottish) Field Hospital (Volunteers)?

205 (Scottish) Field Hospital (Volunteers) is a Territorial Army (TA) Unit with its Headquarters in Glasgow and Squadrons in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow.  As with any TA Unit, the majority of its personnel are volunteers.  '205' as it is affectionately known is the only TA Field Hospital in Scotland with members coming from all over the country.

In peacetime the TA trains for its Operational role.  This fact was highlighted when '205' was deployed to Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War in 1991 and Kuwait for the second Gulf War in 2003 and has been supplying volunteers since.

The Unit's involvement in the first Gulf war was remarkable as it was the first time in over 50 years that a TA unit had been mobilised to participate in an armed conflict.

As a result of recent Ministry of Defence changes the Unit is increasingly playing an important role in supporting the Regular Army.

Who Serves in 205?

Most Unit members are either in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) or the Queen Alexandra Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC).  The RAMC, Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC), Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC), and the QARANC, make up the Army Medical Services (AMS). 

The Unit also has members of the following Corps without which it could not function:

• Royal Engineers (RE) - our plumbers, joiners and electricians.
• Royal Army Chaplains' Department (RAChD) - our spiritual and moral support.
• Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) - our chefs, drivers and radio operatives.
• Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) - our electro-med technicians.
• Adjutant General’s Corps (AGC) - our admin and pay support.

So why do people join the Unit?

The reasons people give for joining our Unit are many and various.  In the main, Doctors and Nurses join to widen their skills and experience in a very different medical and clinical environment.  Service in the Unit also offers a variety of activities not normally found within the scope of usual pastimes.

Some Unit members who do not normally work in the medical profession, but wish to do so, join '205' to train and work as Combat Medical Technicians.   The remainder of the Unit, our chefs, clerks, drivers, and engineers, provide the necessary support for the Unit to function at its best.  

Many people join as the idea of military life interests them but they do not wish to make it a full time career. Joining the TA gives you the best of both worlds. The Unit regularly practises setting up its hospital complex of tents, wards, operating theatres, laboratories and other departments. It also exercises frequently in its medical role, using simulated casualties, both on exercise and at its training centre in York, as well as supporting Regular Units in locations such as Kenya. 

Play and social activity form a fundamental part of Army life. The Army recognises the benefits to be derived from physical exercise (PT) therefore PT and sport play an important role in our training. Our personnel are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of adventurous pursuits such as canoeing, climbing and abseiling.  Hill-walking and skiing are also popular . Life in 205 is not all work. For the last 14 years a Unit ski team has travelled on different occasions to Aviemore, Bavaria, Canada, Norway, Italy and France for training and to participate in various competitions. The Unit also has an active social life with regular functions arranged for all Unit members, their families and friends. We also participate in the Nijmegen marches, a multi national event held that is held in Holland.

Finally, and above all else, the Unit offers those who join a unique opportunity to become a valued and respected member of a highly skilled and professional team. Belonging to the Unit is just as important as being in it. The Unit currently has over 250 members, and they can't all be wrong!

What Training can I expect to receive?

After joining the Unit all recruits have to complete a Common Military Syllabus Recruits (CMSR) that is designed to teach the skills necessary to be soldiers. You will be trained in all aspects of military skills such as living and working in the field, weapons training, map reading, physical fitness, and leadership.

After this initial period of training you are expected to attend a trade qualification course. These courses will give you the basic knowledge and skills necessary to carry out your new job in the Unit. Courses are at 3 levels - Class 3, 2 and 1. Once you reach Class I level you are fully qualified and, after serving for a period in the Unit, can reasonably be expect to be promoted to a higher rank with opportunities to reach Warrant Officer level.

Will I get paid for my TA Service?

Everyone who joins the Unit is paid for the time that they attend it.  The basic pay awarded for TA service is the same as that paid to their regular counterparts.  Service in the TA offers you an opportunity to get paid for doing something in your spare time that you will thoroughly enjoy. TA pay rates are availale by following the link in the right hand panel.

How much time would I have to commit if I joined 205?

Every member of the Unit has an annual "Training Obligation" of:

1. An Annual 15 day Camp. Each year the Unit goes away to train at different locations.
2. 12 other days training. This is made up from attendance at complete weekends, individual weekend days (normally Sundays), and Wednesday training nights.

Every member of the Unit who fulfils their training obligation receives, in addition to their normal pay, an 'Annual Tax-Free' gratuity known as "Bounty."  The current rates are available from the pay link in the right hand panel.

Are there age limits to TA service?

In order to serve in the TA you must be between 17 years and 50 years old when you join.

How can I find out more about 205?

If you would like to know more about 205 (Scottish) Field Hospital (Volunteers), you may contact us as detailed below.  Please just ask for the Unit Recruitment Officer (ROSO), or PSAO (Permanent Staff Administrative Officer).  We are here to help and look forward to hearing from you soon.

We are open daily during normal working hours of Mon to Fri 9.00am - 4.00pm and every Wed evening from 7.30 - 9.30pm.
 
Phone: 0845 6038761 ( Calls charged at Local Rate) Fax: 0141 224 5171

E-mail: 205hosp-rhq-urweso@mod.uk

205 (Scottish) Field Hospital (Volunteers)
Graham House
130 Whitefield Road
Glasgow
G51 2YE