Son has decided he wants to join up

sambowrose

i decided one morning, i wanted more out of life, told me mum at 17 i wanted to see the world and join the navy, she took me down the recruting office that afternoon, after passing my rt test, within 3 months i was in training, i have never looked back, 10 years later and i'm still in, and loving it. the inital training was nothing like i was expecting, they do look after you, the shouting is there for a reason, but you soon work that out, i'm glad i had the full support of my family, past and present.:j

miamoo

sambowrose wrote: »

i decided one morning, i wanted more out of life, told me mum at 17 i wanted to see the world and join the navy, she took me down the recruting office that afternoon, after passing my rt test, within 3 months i was in training, i have never looked back, 10 years later and i'm still in, and loving it. the inital training was nothing like i was expecting, they do look after you, the shouting is there for a reason, but you soon work that out, i'm glad i had the full support of my family, past and present.:j

What a great post, thanks, thats really cheered me up! x
Thanks everyone else who has posted, its lovely to read all your experiences. I will update as soon as I hear anymore, and its a communication systems op that my ds has been offered so sounds similar Vixtay!

andybenw

Advise anyone you know who wants to join up that to get an immediate pension leaving the forces you now have to have completed 18 years and be 40 when leaving.

Assuming the standard terms remain as 22 years service a 16 year old completing 22 would not recieve an immediate pension.

So wait until 18 if offered a 22 year contract, 22 if 18 year contract, and if you are offered below 18 years then you are shafted.

Apollonia

andybenw wrote: »

Advise anyone you know who wants to join up that to get an immediate pension leaving the forces you now have to have completed 18 years and be 40 when leaving.

Assuming the standard terms remain as 22 years service a 16 year old completing 22 would not recieve an immediate pension.

So wait until 18 if offered a 22 year contract, 22 if 18 year contract, and if you are offered below 18 years then you are shafted.

However, you have the opportunity to buy extra years of pension credit, so a 16yo can pay for 2 yrs worth of reckonable service pension contributions to qualify for the complete EDP package.

The MOD website has all the information for potential recruits and parents to look at. Just google AFPS 05 (Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2005) for the pdf, it is freely available.

Or click the link below:

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/PersonnelPublications/Pensions/AFPS05/Afps05YourPensionSchemeExplained.htm

Sparky29

andybenw wrote: »

Assuming the standard terms remain as 22 years service a 16 year old completing 22 would not recieve an immediate pension.

So wait until 18 if offered a 22 year contract, 22 if 18 year contract, and if you are offered below 18 years then you are shafted.

This is wrong.

Everybody joins on a 12 year contract. A full career is now two 12 year contracts so you serve 24 years. All service is taken into consideration on the 05 pension scheme so those that transferred to this scheme from AFPS75 had their "boy service" (under 18) added to their pension. All new recruits are on the 05 pension so all service is pensionable from the day they join even if only 16 and payable after 18 years minimum service.

The pension scheme is under review, as are all government pensions, so things could change making it a contributory pension in the future. The initial feeling is that it won't become contributory but the report is released next year.

miamoo

I had to come and update you on our latest news! He has his date!!
27th March he starts basic training at Winchester, I have just re-read this thread, and what a journey the last year has been! and its only just begining.
I am SOO proud of him, I'm also nervous, but I think thats natural.

He isnt a very strong swimmer, so I'm going to get him to go a few times a week to improve abit. Other than that its get his paper work together, any other tips??
Thanks for reading, and thanks for all the help I've had from this thread x

zarazara

Just give him as much support and encouragement as you can. I was at your stage a couple of years ago. My soldier son is upstairs asleep at the moment having arrived home early hours of this morning. I've seen him grow into a confident successful and respectful thoughtful youngman. I am very proud to call myself his mum. The army looks after their own very well. I' ve seen him grow and flourish in several areas, the Army encourages interests and rewards success, be it academic or sporting. He'll be fine, dont worry.

lcfc4824

I am a Sergeant in the army, Good luck to your son!!
I advise that your son keeps working on his fitness, and remind him when he starts training, not to take anything personally! it is just there to get him ready for his unit and deployments. There will be people in his intake who will quit, make sure he distances himself from them, it will get tough for him, but the army is not after supermen, if they did it would be tiny!
what trade is pursuing?
if he rings you saying he wants to come home talk him out of it, trust me he will thank you for it later, my father did the same for me, I havent looked back!
Good luck best wishes.

miamoo

Communications opperator, Royal signals. Yes thanks I am very proud! x

lcfc4824

I am a comms spec different corps, good trade!