Medical Leadership in the Armed Forces

Disclaimer:  The views expressed in this article are those of the author, and should not be taken to represent the views of the Ministry of Defence.

For doctors in the Armed Forces, at each of the three levels, leadership may be effected in one of two main ways.  The first, classically, is where the doctor is in charge of the medical assets.  This might range from a relatively junior doctor in charge of a small group of medics supporting a combat group of 1000 troops, through to a medical commander managing healthcare delivery across a multinational force of 25,000 to 150,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen on deployed operations, such as the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.  The larger the force, and particularly at the strategic level (Stage 4), the more likely it is that the role becomes one of co-ordination rather than direct line management responsibility, and therefore the skills needed are principally those of listening and influencing.