A lifeline for a lifetime: one member's retrospective

James is a recently retired consultant surgeon and lifelong MDU member. Although he followed a normal UK professional trajectory through the medical student, surgical trainee, consultant surgeon arc, he had a parallel military career spanning 36 years which took him to some challenging situations, from the Falklands war to recent conflicts. He retired from the Royal Navy in 2012 and from clinical surgical practice in 2020. The latter end of his medical career was spent in remote surgery in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland as a general surgeon. James has always had a special interest in teaching, training and education/examination. Although retired from clinical practice, he continues to teach and examine for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.