Page 13 - Cadet Review Spring 2022

FROM CADET
TO SURGEON
An interview with
Major Aimee Charnell
At all of the Lord-Lieutenant’s Award ceremonies in 2021 the Editor engaged in conversation with several of the Reservist recipients and one of the questions asked was “have you been a cadet?”. Having asked the question at the West Yorkshire event a positive reply was received and the follow up question was “are you prepared to tell us about your journey?” The Editor was delighted to find that Major Aimee Charnell was both an ex cadet and was willing to tell her story of cadet to surgeon, so to find out more about her journey read on...
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER
It is a joke amongst my friends and colleagues that I wear many different hats. I am lucky to have a varied career. I qualified as a doctor ten years ago and worked as a general surgical registrar before starting a PhD in medical education. I spend lots of time writing exams for medical students and teaching doctors how to teach medical students.
I joined the Army Reserves 12 years ago while at medical school, and I now enjoy being a medical officer alongside my clinical work. Having lots of exciting roles honestly means that I appreciate all of them more.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A DOCTOR?
I never imagined that I would be a doctor. I grew up in an area where many people did not get GCSEs, so did not attend university. I joined the Army Cadet Force aged 13 and enjoyed first aid, even winning a first aid competition. I had a job during my A levels, so I completed a pre-med course before starting my medical degree.
I’m not someone you might think would have made it as a doctor. In addition to being bought up in a low-income area, I also have dyslexia. I never thought I could be a doctor with dyslexia, but I honestly think it has made me a better doctor. I see things differently from my colleagues, so often see things that others have missed and find it very easy to explain things to patients, often drawing pictures to help explain operations.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE ARMY RESERVES?
I had initially planned to join the army straight from school. Many of my friends in the cadets made a pact to join the military. My grandad had been in the army, so I knew that joining would have made him proud. When I decided to pursue medicine, I had initially planned on joining full-time as a doctor once I completed training. However, I missed my cadet training while at medical school. I knew I
At work as a Doctor in 2021
wanted to combine medicine and the military. I spoke to a recruiting officer who advised I consider the Reserves. I had never considered this option. I never really knew it existed and certainly didn’t think I could have such a significant military role in the Reserves. I joined in my fourth year of medicine.
When in the cadets, people told me that things would be different when I joined the army. When
I never imagined that Iwouldbea doctor. I grew up in an area where many people did not get GCSEs, so did not attend university
Competing as a member of the Unit’s Bismarck team
CADET REVIEW SPRING 2022 13