Son has decided he wants to join up

Johnocyprus

jennihen wrote: »

Hi!
My Baby girl wants to join the Navy. I'm so proud of her decision and the focus it has given her. She has matured in front of my eyes, and, even though a little part of me hopes she changes her mind, I will support her every step of the way.

My daugher joined the RN four years ago and the RN has made her the confident woman of 23 years that she is now. I would recommend any of the services to any young person and lets face it, there aren't many career choices out there.

Alias_Omega

I have removed 4 of the last posts from this thread.

These posts were not constructive to the thread, and was taking the path of heated dispute.

This thread is not the place.

Alias

miamoo

Me again, just wanted to keep you updated. He has his 3rd interview on the 24th, he is really looking forward to it, he has had his head either stuck in the info leaflets or been reading the arsse forum, he is alot more clued up now. If all goes well on the 24th (fingers crossed) he will go to selection at lichfield.
Thanks Alias for cleaning up the thread

Snunn1

Just my two pence worth, as I'm currently serving in the RAF, I recommend anyone joining any of the three services to think long and hard about the trade they choose. When I first joined my trade, I was told that due to work commitments, manning levels etc. competing in sport as a duty would be less accessible than it otherwise should be. Other trades have no issues in dealing with this due to the way in which they operate but as my trade revolves around working as a team, sometimes we can't afford to let people go to play sport.

In the Army on the other hand, if you excel at a particular sport and you play at a service/county/country level, you will generally be
enthusiastically encouraged by your seniors who will usually do their best to accomodate any sporting representation. It's a huge plus point on your annual appraisal, I even know of people who have been promoted solely on the fact that they've competed at World Championship and Olympic levels!

My last point is that the RAF, in my experience, is heavily geared towards officers. If you can perform at this level, you'll find that everything you've ever wanted will become available to you, specifically the many perks to compensate for the additional responsibilities. Well worth the blood, sweat and tears at Cranwell initially by all accounts.

Hope this Helps

miamoo

Me again!
The latest update is he is currently at Lichfield doing the 2nd day of his 2 day slection!!
He txt last night to say he is enjoying it, and if he gets through he is hoping to get a good grade so he can start January.

strong96

my husband is serving, in february due to go back to afghan for 8months, my son has just finished training is now on way to kent for 5 days training then off to join his regiment and out to afghan next month. at one point i will have husband and son in afghan at same time serving with 2 different regiments i wont be watching the news.

miamoo

Crews_Nest wrote: »

He wanted to play golf professionally and started a Btec course. Hated it. Has had a year out and feels isolated. He is very talented but lonely and realistic.
I want to feel pleased and proud that he is taking control of his life but I am not being very brave.
He has reasonable GCSE grades but no other academic qualifications. I made him do a Princes Trust course - community service etc. He loved the team work and that helped him decide. He is very good at xbox military games and has spoken to guys online who have or are serving soldiers - some with high rank, he tells me.
I don't want him doing two years training and then getting sent to his death. He assures me he will not.
I have found some messages helpful but I still feel heart broken and feel that I have lost him already. It is selfish and I know I have to put my feelings aside for his sake.

Hi, I only just noticed your message. I dont have alot of experience myself but I would say you both need to sit down and discuss all his options.

Dont let him feel like he is a failure for dropping out of the golf course, get a prospectus for the local college, there are hundreds of courses if he wants to study.

If he does want to join the services get packs from the Army, Raf etc and go through them together (you will be amazed at some of the stuff they get up to!)
It will put your mind at rest alittle, and just take things one step at a time x

Good luck and try to be proud of your baby for wanting to do something amazing with his life! x

inforeq

miamoo wrote: »

After speaking to him last night he said he would like to join the REME but I think it will depend on his exam results.
He did consider the RAF but he thought that there are more opportunities to play sports in the Army which he loves, is this right?

(I appologise if this sounds like a stupid reason to choose the Army over the RAF but he is only 15, I am trying to help make sure he makes the right choice)

Hi - my husband is also REME, he has done almost his 22 years. The only thing I can say about your son wanting to join is that he must def get a trade in the army, maybe even use it to his advantage and become a "tiffy" if he has a bit about him.

Theres lots of brilliant opportunites in the forces for our youngsters but he and you as a family has to be prepared for the eventuality that he will go to Helmand etc - this will not be a one off, my husbands unit is currently going on a rota basis, 6 months away and 12 months at home (3 sqn rotation). Potentially we are talking a lot of metal work on his chest by the time he is 40 years old.

There is the option of him attending military college, this is believe is a good route into the forces, the kids can actually leave (after a consultation period), if its not for them, but at the same time they are being educated, mentored and receiving a salary at the same time (dont quote me but i think its about 14K when they come out of phase 2).

I hope this helps

miamoo

Thanks everyone for all your posts, he has been provisionally offered a position in the Royal Signals!!
We are all really excited, he is looking forward to getting a start date for training, which hopefully will be March 2011, he will go to Winchester.

I cant beleive how far he has come since I started this thread, thanks everyone who has contributed its really appreciated.

beks

miamoo wrote: »

Thanks everyone for all your posts, he has been provisionally offered a position in the Royal Signals!!
We are all really excited, he is looking forward to getting a start date for training, which hopefully will be March 2011, he will go to Winchester.

I cant beleive how far he has come since I started this thread, thanks everyone who has contributed its really appreciated.

Congrats to him and you for being there for him. :T

My OH started in the Royal Signals before changing to the Royal Engineers. He doesnt regret a single day and would do it all again tomorrow if he got the chance.

Good luck to him and I hope he stays safe.
Big hugs to you in advance- you will have to keep your chin up when he goes away.