Thinking about joining

KierNet

Hope its OK for me to post this here!

The last month or so I have been thinking about joining the Army, I'm popping into the local careers office tomorrow afternoon to get some more information.

I've got a couple of questions, mostly about the opportunities you get. I thought that I would get a more of a un biassed response on here than a forum that is just for the Army and trying to sell it etc.

On the things that I've seen on TV about the Army, the adverts etc, a lot of people say its the best thing they've ever done, they wish they did it earlier etc, did you find this?

I'm not the most confident of people, but in the last couple of years I've come out of my shell loads, is something like the Army going to help me develop as a person?

I'm sure I'll have more questions to come.

Thanks .

helsee

which part of the army are you looking to join? it wont be a quick process recruitment is slow-and-stop in most areas at the moment. I ask which area you want to look at this will affect the opportunities you will be offered. My dh is a soldier with REME and joining up is the best thing he ever did, for him as an individual and us as a family. Not to say there isnt hard times but you have to take the rough with the smooth.

snowball1972

Yes they will develop you and make you more confident etc, depending on what you do, you will get civvy qualifications.

At the same time don't believe everything in the adverts, there will be times when you are bored out of your mind (guard duty for example).

KierNet

helsee wrote: »

which part of the army are you looking to join? it wont be a quick process recruitment is slow-and-stop in most areas at the moment. I ask which area you want to look at this will affect the opportunities you will be offered. My dh is a soldier with REME and joining up is the best thing he ever did, for him as an individual and us as a family. Not to say there isnt hard times but you have to take the rough with the smooth.

If I'm honest I'm not sure what part I want to join, I do like look/sound of infantry.

snowball1972 wrote: »

Yes they will develop you and make you more confident etc, depending on what you do, you will get civvy qualifications.

At the same time don't believe everything in the adverts, there will be times when you are bored out of your mind (guard duty for example).

Thanks! I understand its not all going to be exciting, don't think it can be worse than my current job xD.

My mum doesn't really like the idea of me joining, which I can understand, is there anyone else that has children in the army? How did you feel to start with? I know my parents will support me in whatever I decided to do, but want to show them that its not just going to war and fighting etc.

Kinda off topic...what does DH mean?

helsee

Dh....darling husband lol.

personally i would say to try for a trade if you can....that will give you more opportunities for development and things you can carry over to civvy life after the army. Go and see the recruiters but take what they tell you with a pinch of salt...do your own research too!. They will be avle to explain whats open to you and that might give you a starting point of where to go. Joining up now pretty much means you WILL go on tour and sooner rather than later if your infantry, how would you feel about that?
In the meantime work on your fitness so that when you get to selection and hopefully basic your physically at your best to cope with it.

If your mums worried i believe theres a section of ARRSE thats for parents

KierNet

helsee wrote: »

Dh....darling husband lol.

personally i would say to try for a trade if you can....that will give you more opportunities for development and things you can carry over to civvy life after the army. Go and see the recruiters but take what they tell you with a pinch of salt...do your own research too!. They will be avle to explain whats open to you and that might give you a starting point of where to go. Joining up now pretty much means you WILL go on tour and sooner rather than later if your infantry, how would you feel about that?
In the meantime work on your fitness so that when you get to selection and hopefully basic your physically at your best to cope with it.

If your mums worried i believe theres a section of ARRSE thats for parents

Thanks!

I'm not sure how I would if I'm honest, I was a Police Special, although I haven't had to deal with anyone trying to kill me, I've had to deal with some things that most people won't have had to before.

Fitness is something I need to work on...need to loose a bit of weight first, managed to get rid of a stone with is a start!

I'll check ARRSE out! Thanks again!

Alias_Omega

KierNet,

I would visit an AFCO that has all 3 services (RAF, Navy, Army) and let them offer what they can provide for you.

Across all 3 services, there are the same trades / jobs, just different names for them.


For an infantry type of job,

RAF have the RAF Regiment
Army have Infantry
Navy have the Royal Marines

This above is just an example, and remember that you wont actually join the forces on the first visit. Also, if you cannot get into the Army, the Navy / RAF might offer you a place instead.


You dont say what grades you have from school, but i would take all the information you have with you, present it to the AFCO (All 3 services if you can) and see what the outcome is. You might find a job that interests you, and away you go.


Though, these are my views. Its up to you to pick your future, though you need to get your family on side otherwise you could be fighting an uphill battle.

Sorry,

Alias

WhiteHorse

These days the Army is portrayed as a mix of Outward Bound and international social work. But it isn't. At the the end of the day, it's about killing people, don't ever lose sight of that.

Yes, it can do a great deal for you (as can the other two services), and can be one heck of an experience. But you should also remember that the British government has a long record when it comes to betraying its servicemen.

If you still think that its for you, then pick some area that will give you a trade that will easily translate into civilian life later on.

KierNet

Many thanks for the replies! I think its AFCO that I'm going to later, does it stand for The Armed Forces Careers Office? I'm guessing so.

I've only really got GCSEs, I do have something in Media Studies, and a AS in Film Studies, although I can't see it going to be of much use lol.

KierNet

Just got back from the careers office, been given a load of different booklets to read, need to loose some more weight before they'll take my application (which I knew). Having a D in English lit might be a problem, might look into retaking that if I see something I like the look of.

andy208833

The only advice i an offer is Get a Trade!! Do something that will help you get a job once you decide you have had enough, something you can build on with resettlement and earn a decent living.

I have nothing but respect for anyone in the infantry and the risks they take everyday but there are no infantrymen in civvy street. If you are set on the army then the REME should be a good start.