**British Armed Forces Discussion Thread**

Apok said:
How possible is it to progress through to an officer rank or trade without qualifications?
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It is a common misconception that you need a degree to be an officer, only those jobs with more specialist requirements will mean you need a degree e.g. Legal Officer, Engineer.

Army
35 ALIS points (34 for SCEs) from 7 GCSE/SCE subjects, with a minimum grade C/3 in English language, maths and either a science or a foreign language; plus 180 UCAS Tariff points from at least two A level passes grades A-E or SCE Higher grades A-D.
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RAF
2 A-levels (at grade A-C) or 3 Highers or equivalent, plus 5 GCSEs/SCEs at Grade C/3 minimum or equivalent including English language and a grade B/2 in maths.
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...If you do have a degree it would mean you graduate from officer training with more seniority perhaps (it will take you less time to reach substansive next rank i.e. you will get a pay boost). When you go for officer selection they are looking to see if you have the qualities to lead, not the IQ of Einstein.

As for your Q about trades? I'm not sure what you mean? You can apply to join nearly any trade in a non-commissioned rank. You do not need any quals/specialisation in that trade prior to application (not sure about nurse though) and they will train you in that trade while you're in.
 
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Ghosteh said:
Ah cool cool. Good luck at your new unit, start enjoying Germany while we still can!
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Yes, the overseas postings are dwindling. I was posted to Virginia Beach, US, for 3yrs in June. Sadly I had to turn it down :( :( I hope something similar comes about again - I had already priced up my Camaro :(
 
Apok said:
How possible is it to progress through to an officer rank or trade without qualifications?
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Further to what you asked though; if you join up as non-commissioned it is then possible to apply for a commission without A-levels, only GCSEs, assuming you have served long enough and attained some experience.
 
Captain Planet said:
Yes, the overseas postings are dwindling. I was posted to Virginia Beach, US, for 3yrs in June. Sadly I had to turn it down :( :( I hope something similar comes about again - I had already priced up my Camaro :(
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Indeed, I'm getting at least my tax free motorbike before I leave Germany lol. Got to make the most out of it!
 
That would be telling :D but thanks anyway! There are some dubious decisions aren't there. Makes you think the board just do ip-dip-you're-it sometimes, this doesn't apply to my promo though of course! ;) :p
 
Pfft, can't keep such things quiet! lol.

There are yes, it's only her first stripe, but she's all about the facetime, rather than any capability. Will be a while before I'm eligible for promotion, so I couldn't care in the end.
 
Hmm it's difficult with people like that because usually they have to rely on the people around them to support them and make them look good, but then you don't want to be seen not doing that and tripping her up to make her look bad do you. I take it she had it on a time served basis?

No worry, just keep plugging and you're sure to leap frog her, it's all in the report writing. Be sure to keep a log of absolutely everything you have achieved every year, it's fine putting you're a great soldier but it means nothing without substance to back that claim up. If you;re not happy with your report and have the evidence to back you up have a word and have it re-written. A lot of junior guys have no idea they can actually do this. For your information, I out rank her :p
 
Captain Planet said:
Hmm it's difficult with people like that because usually they have to rely on the people around them to support them and make them look good, but then you don't want to be seen not doing that and tripping her up to make her look bad do you. I take it she had it on a time served basis?

No worry, just keep plugging and you're sure to leap frog her, it's all in the report writing. Be sure to keep a log of absolutely everything you have achieved every year, it's fine putting you're a great soldier but it means nothing without substance to back that claim up. If you;re not happy with your report and have the evidence to back you up have a word and have it re-written. A lot of junior guys have no idea they can actually do this. For your information, I out rank her :p
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Well, she's actually just got to the same rank as me, so you out rank me as well :p, but it's not me being bitter or anything. As I'm a tech, and a few years older, I will be ahead of her pretty much solidly though out my career.
It's more of a problem with the signals as a whole now, I'm not sure how much this applies to other corps. The capability of you in your job roll only goes in a very small part towards your promotion. One of the biggest things is to do with the organisation of events and such things like that. I just think the system is a bit ridiculous overall.

Either way, Im happy with my report, just have to keep it up for another 2 years and I should be picking up my 2nd stripe hopefully. Then after that, heading towards a specialist job roll, fingers crossed :D.
 
fire_munki said:
Anyone here in the TA? Thinking of joing and want some opinions other than the booklets from the AFCO.
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Did you have a chat to the guys in the AFCO, as well as picking up leaflets?
I'm only just starting to work with some of the SAS(Saturday & Sunday :p) guys before tour, some seem alright, but some still a very 'civilian' in work, which in some ways brings something new to the team, but at the same time, some things just don't work in the 'real' army lol.
 
Currently waiting for my Psychometric test date. A little bit nervous as I got a few wrong in the practice booklet.

My knee is crap at the moment too, hurts even when I walk. I hope they will let me delay the Medical/PJFT if it comes to it.
 
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