help with army training course.

pookienoodle

Hi.
My sister in law is a single mum with 2 kids still at home.
the eldest is due to start his training for the army in january.
the list of things he has to take with him on the training course is huge.
He needs amongst other things an iron,first aid kit,torch,mobile phone.
the whole family is trying to help out but he needs a lot of stuff.
does anyone know of any grants or benefits that may be available to help out.
he is a good lad trying to make something of himself and is trying to find a job to help out but most places say no when they find out he will be gone in january.

C_Ronaldo

What about trying agency work,

pookienoodle

He has talked to a few agencys but he is only 16(nearly 17) and has no experience.
most manual labour places won't touch him as his age causes problems due to health and safety regs.

millymollymandy2K7

has he tried any hotels/restaurants? they are often looking for waiting staff/dishwashers ath this time of year to cover the christmas period and most are really quiet come january, so might be happy for him to want to leave than anyway. Also if he has a look in the local high street/shopping centre as most stores are advertising for christmas staff just now.

alwaysonthego_2

Has he asked the relevant person in the army whether they have a scheme to help buy equipment?

Emmylou_2

I know that Tesco have a very cheap iron - it's about a fiver.

He could also try freecycle

pookienoodle

thanks so much.
will ask his recruitment officer.

London_Exile

For the kit he is being asked to bring with him (much of it he won't use BTW) He could try going to a surplus store - especially if you live near a depot, as a lot of kit gets sold on. So you might be able to get whats needed on the cheap, but in excellent condition.

That aside, the only other piece of information I can give you is this; is the lad building up his fitness? Especially upper body and his stamina and endurance? If he can ace a mile and a half run in under 11 mins and bust out a minimum of 6 pull-ups to the bar he should be okay to get through the CMS. Also, if he hasn't already he should gen up on the history of the unit he will be joining, as thats something the training team will want to see. Overall he should try and enjoy the whole experience of being there - as it's the first step in what can be a great career. And understand that basic training isn't what it's like when you get to your unit. It's a lot more relaxed.

For the folks back home be prepared for some calls home wondering whether he has made the right choice and there might even be some tears. Don't worry though, it's part and parcel of the whole experience of basic training. It's designed to be tough and the step change from Civilian life is steep and nothing really prepares you for that. So get them to listen to him but not go overboard and try to reassure him that he'll do okay.

Good luck!

Conor_3

Just a word of warning:

When he gets there, they'll try and sell him stuff he doesn't have, such as ironing boards. THEY ARE NOT CHEAP. Just warn him. Likewise, stuff in the NAAFI shop, such as boot polish etc, seems to go up in price on a weekly basis so he's better walking into town and buying there. The lads he's sharing a room with could lump together to get stuff and go on a weekly rota basis - we did.

honeypop

He (or his mum) could try ebay for the kit he needs. My OH was in the forces and said they get you to buy a lot of stuff then when people realise they don't need it they sell it on ebay to get rid of it (and to get some beer money as the pay is atrociously low!).

A quick search whenever OH needed something brought up LOADS of stuff at very cheap prices. And in a round-about way they would still be supporting the forces by boosting morale of the person they buy from so he can get a few drinks, or another piece of 'much needed' kit!

He should also be able to get a temporary christmas job in a shop, at this time of year they are advertising and then you leave in January anyway, so that should help him out a bit.

Hopefully he will be well prepared, 16 is young to join up!

London_Exile

Don't you still need parent's consent to join up @ 16? Conor, first six weeks of my basic, I didn't even get to see the outside world - nearest I got was the guard house! The memories that come back................

As long as he keeps his head down and listens to what he's being told to do, he'll be alright.