what do we need to know about the 14 week training?

angeleyesxx

hi

firstly. the coat hangers - yes they have to be wooden ones and if you've got a Wilkinsons near you then you can get them there in packs of 5 i think and there not that expensive. They do say smart clothes as basically its for coming and going to camp but no not really as my oh used to wear his but now he just wears a nice smart shirt and smart jeans but Primarc sell them pretty cheaply and the shirts & ties are only £4 for a set in various colours. As for his Iphone - NO! dont let him take this with him but yeh a basic one just in case anything happens and when they get there they do setup insurance at the base. There is a laundry on camp which they can use and they are charged at the beginning of the course for this in full. As for his wages, when he gets there he will be given a cash payment of about £100 to put them on for a bit and then this is taken out of their first months wages so please let him know that he probally wont get a full months wage and it is pretty low to start with as this came as a shock for me and oh!

spike7451

At least they dont have to make 'Bed Blocks' these days! mhoc,I'd tell him to ditch the hair gel during training as it'll be a waste of time & money.For one he'll be wearing a beret all day & two it's something less for the drill pigs to latch onto.
And you were saying he's an ex cadet,best for him to keep scthum about that.We had an ex-cadet on my intake wayyyyy back in the early 80's,most unpopular bloke on 13Flt due to his 'knowledge' that he shared
But please pass on my congratulations to him & best wishes on his sucess.

angeleyesxx

my oh was an ex-cadet and hes been fine as there were a few of them with him at the start but yeh the other guys might not like it but once he gets through the first 5 weeks and earns his beret he should be fine and i agree loose the hair gel as by the time he's finnished he might not have much hair anyway as the army like it short but not skinhead as thats too short.

coldstreamalways

There is a barber, fear not, they will be directed there if hair fails to meet muster!! Also there is a laundry, just next to where I work, I see hordes of lads marching with their string bags to and from the dhobi!!

Please try not to worry, I know it's scary, I've done it!! However, welfare is absolutely paramount these days and if he forgets something there are shops on camp or a first class stamp will get it to him ASAP.

mhoc

Ok we are now very close to time.

Are we supposed to have had any paper work in the post by now? Son is ringing army carears tommorow and just wondering.

Also my OH has a theory that because his start date is just 5 weeks before Christmas he says he might go, do the paperwork, be fitted for uniform etc and then sent home to start after Christmas. I said this is a mad theory - anyone agree?

mhoc

Also on the possible kit list someone sent me it says

swimmming trunks

What he has are the beach type of swimming shorts - are these not suitable? If not what are and where could we get something suitable . We have ths usual jjb sports etc

Alias_Omega

Mhoc,

Im sure these would be ok.

Dont send him with the speedo type of swinwear, he will be the mock of the course. Just some plain, none branded swimming shorts items, maybe in black / dark blue. No yellows, green, pink, red, see through etc..

Alias

BLT_2

mhoc wrote: »

Ok we are now very close to time.

Are we supposed to have had any paper work in the post by now? Son is ringing army carears tommorow and just wondering.

Also my OH has a theory that because his start date is just 5 weeks before Christmas he says he might go, do the paperwork, be fitted for uniform etc and then sent home to start after Christmas. I said this is a mad theory - anyone agree?

One can only hope. This would definitely be the best option, the indoctrination into military life takes a while and is best carried out without a break that early when they are still in the startup phase. He may love every minute of it, but if he doesn't getting a reprieve that early and experiencing normal life again may tip him back towards civilian life.

lolly_896

I signed up nearly 8 yrs ago to the day, We had a break in training i think it was about 10 days over xmas and the long weeked! (My mum was ever so pleased) Remind him to keep training in the 10 days off over xmas it is the season for being lazy and i remember people being quite a bit unfitter after coming back from xmas leave - Good Luck to your son - PS Try and get him a decent iron X

snowball1972

mhoc wrote: »

Another thought.His hair grows quite fast and he needs a cut every 4 weeks - assume that there is a barber that thye go to?

(At the moment he just has a no 4, cultivating the long sideboards and unshaven look for the summer, hate the idea of the hair being cut very short)

Don't worry about haircuts, the NCO's will keep him right!