Ok
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Associate
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I here ya bud.... Life's what ever you make of it, a lot of young people have screwed up in the past and thought the last resort is the Army... and gone and done it, loved it etc.
My mate was in the same boat ish, he left school with ok but not great grades, He's abit of a D*** really a mate but not a great mate (the kind that would backstab you if he could) He started College on a work placment scheme train as you go type of thing, not an apprenticeship as such, He got a placment in a Shop work place studing retail NVQ's he did this for 2 years but went from placment to placement because of his attitude to work so in the end he worked in about 8 different shops in the 2 years..... got the NVQ's Level 1, 2 and Mid way through 3 then jacked it all in thinking that was no life for him.
And tobe honest he was not bright enough to do anything more than Retail.....Shop assistant.
At 18 he decided to Join the Army, did the training, found it hard but got through it with the help of his family and us mate's when he came back at the odd weekend - we would go out and have a laugh.
Now 12 Years later he's done everything you could imagine in the army, he joined almost every army sport they do, Boxing, Foortball, Skiing and more this is the kind of stuff you do in the spare time in the Army, he's been to god know how many countries fighting and defending our country, He's changed his role in the army so much he can cover most job's in there, from tank gunman to front line infentry, fighting in Iraq. a lot calmer now though as for the last 6 months he's been living in the UK in a house paid for by the Army to drive one of the top bosses in the Army around, Yes this is an actual job for him, he still get's his full wage and the house paid for, He earns more than me and get's to live for free........he still does a tour 6 months of the year abroad where ever they send him but the rest it's an easy life, racks up about £3000 a month and he's lucky if he spends much of that while he's away, so when he's home he's loaded and with no rent or morgage to pay......
He loves it and so glad it sorted his life out.
BTW he's one of the lucky's one's this story could have had an early end as you are fighting in the army and many can get killed.... remember that it's a gamble, if your going to do it you have to give it 100% all the way.....
Good Luck on your choice - I'd way speak to an Army advisor though!
My mate was in the same boat ish, he left school with ok but not great grades, He's abit of a D*** really a mate but not a great mate (the kind that would backstab you if he could) He started College on a work placment scheme train as you go type of thing, not an apprenticeship as such, He got a placment in a Shop work place studing retail NVQ's he did this for 2 years but went from placment to placement because of his attitude to work so in the end he worked in about 8 different shops in the 2 years..... got the NVQ's Level 1, 2 and Mid way through 3 then jacked it all in thinking that was no life for him.
And tobe honest he was not bright enough to do anything more than Retail.....Shop assistant.
At 18 he decided to Join the Army, did the training, found it hard but got through it with the help of his family and us mate's when he came back at the odd weekend - we would go out and have a laugh.
Now 12 Years later he's done everything you could imagine in the army, he joined almost every army sport they do, Boxing, Foortball, Skiing and more this is the kind of stuff you do in the spare time in the Army, he's been to god know how many countries fighting and defending our country, He's changed his role in the army so much he can cover most job's in there, from tank gunman to front line infentry, fighting in Iraq. a lot calmer now though as for the last 6 months he's been living in the UK in a house paid for by the Army to drive one of the top bosses in the Army around, Yes this is an actual job for him, he still get's his full wage and the house paid for, He earns more than me and get's to live for free........he still does a tour 6 months of the year abroad where ever they send him but the rest it's an easy life, racks up about £3000 a month and he's lucky if he spends much of that while he's away, so when he's home he's loaded and with no rent or morgage to pay......
He loves it and so glad it sorted his life out.
BTW he's one of the lucky's one's this story could have had an early end as you are fighting in the army and many can get killed.... remember that it's a gamble, if your going to do it you have to give it 100% all the way.....
Good Luck on your choice - I'd way speak to an Army advisor though!
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Thanks for taking the time to write all that out, I appreciate it. Certainly food for thought...
Associate
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No Worries and Good Luck.....
That is indeed an option, though I've missed most of my coursework as well this year.
Man of Honour
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This ^.
I took my daughter a few weeks ago. I was amazed how thing have changed. The entry process is not just about entry or not. It's about finding out about the person you are, and choosing a career that fits both you and the army. This is means tested by a series of mental and physical tests over a period of time which results in a career list so they'll match certain jobs for you. You might actually find something that you've never thought of doing.
[FnG]magnolia;19102049 said:
Who would you recommend chatting to?
That's encouraging to hear. I'm going to give the AFCO a ring in a bit and book an appointment.
Good, they will be able to give you the myriad of options and training programs available to you and give you an insight into life in the Army.
You could be a proper soldier and join the Royal Marines though....
Good, they will be able to give you the myriad of options and training programs available to you and give you an insight into life in the Army.
You could be a proper soldier and join the Royal Marines though....
Haha, and follow in your noble footsteps...... I simply couldn't live up to the legend.
Out of interest, just how difficuilt is it to leave?
Can you buy yourself out if you really want to?
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Associate
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Good luck with it Kenmare.
I hope the Army gives you the discipline you need. The level of apathy regarding something as important as your degree is normally indicative of depression to some level. If that rings true you may benefit from talking to your doctor about it and getting referred to a specialist to identify exactly why you're casually self-destructive.
Regardless, I hope your story ends well.
I hope the Army gives you the discipline you need. The level of apathy regarding something as important as your degree is normally indicative of depression to some level. If that rings true you may benefit from talking to your doctor about it and getting referred to a specialist to identify exactly why you're casually self-destructive.
Regardless, I hope your story ends well.
I've been told this before, but truth be told, I'll be able to cope and I'd rather not the stigma of being labelled depressed, for the simple fact of peoples perception and job prospects.
It's perceptive of you to point that out though.
Associate
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go for it - the army is a great career choice, and if you stick out the crap at the beginning, you will be looked after for life.
No you can't buy yourself out, that doesn't exist anymore.
You cannot leave during the first month of training, then you can give 7 days notice of PVR (Premature Voluntary Release) at anytime during the next 6 months, after which your PVR rights are rescinded.
Basically you need to complete 32 weeks commando training and 2.5 years return of service before you can submit your 12 months notice of intent to leave service.
But in reality you will know within that 6 month initial period whether the Marines is for you and whether you are suitable for the Marines. Once you go past that period most people are in for their 18 years.
Are you still considering it?
Associate
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Its kinda funny thinking of it that someone that presumably fails in life could come up with the idea of being entrusted with a rifle and this would be the one thing that works out fine. Then again, judging your life at around 21 makes about as much sense as releasing an autobiography at that age.
Have you thought that, rather than "living the life" at University, you're not actually suffering from depression. Lack of motivation can be one of the symptoms.
edit: looks like someone else has said the same thing. Wouldn't worry about the stigma, a not insignificant proportion of people suffer with depression at some point in their lives, either brought on by a major life event or just being wired that way. At the end of the day it's an illness like any other.
edit: looks like someone else has said the same thing. Wouldn't worry about the stigma, a not insignificant proportion of people suffer with depression at some point in their lives, either brought on by a major life event or just being wired that way. At the end of the day it's an illness like any other.
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Thanks for that. It seems daunting, but theres plenty of time to make up your mind.
Yes definitely. In the process of getting myself into shape physically at the moment.
Then just got to build up the courage to make an appointment at the carriers office and get the ball rolling.
The PRMC is no push over is it, christ.
Yes definitely. In the process of getting myself into shape physically at the moment.
Then just got to build up the courage to make an appointment at the carriers office and get the ball rolling.
The PRMC is no push over is it, christ.
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No it isn't easy, but at least it gives you an idea of what to expect and I am sure that you will do just fine.