A few questions about the army etc

Im on the route to becoming an officer within the Army (RCB Main board date in April). Im also a member of the OTC.

If anyone has any questions you can email me. Also that arrse link is a good one for questions but think carefully before you ask or you will be shot down and ignored for any further questions.

Few points though:

Joining the Army is something you have to consider very carefully, the competition to become an officer is fierce. Not only do you have to desperatly want it they have to want you too. Its not a case of they will take anyone. The selection process is a logn one which will take you about 18 months in which time they will find out everything there is to know about you, there is no hiding anything.

Join the OTC if you want to get a taster of the army but by no means is it anywhere near like the real thing and oppinions of the army shouldnt be based on your experiences though it.

You need to vbe physicly fit before you consider going on FAM visits let alone RCB so make sure you work on that now. (MSFT 10.2 at a bare minimum 44 press ups / 50 sit ups in 2 mins respectivly).

Im actually packing to go and see REME this weekend so i wont be around to answer any questions if you have any but email me if you want :). (thomashugorichards AT hotmail DOT com .)

(dunno if the mods will let the arrse link stay on for much longer so remember it while you can ;)).

EDIT:

Average age at Sandhurst is 23...promotion prospects for a 29 year old are poor so earlier you go the better (as long as you finish your degree for the seneority and increased pay).
 
Balddog said:
but what are the chances of the TA doing anything?
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A guy is a TA medic, he was called to go to Irak couple of years ago for a month's time I think, and he goes for training and target practice every so often.
 
Nix said:
I'm considering doing Officers training once I finish uni. I'm also considering doing the UOTC thing maybe next year. See how it goes, I might completely change my mind in a week.
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I passed the RCB briefing last november. The hardest part i thought was talking about yourself for 3 mins. (just make stuff up)

First off you get put in touch with a careers advisor (mine was a Colonel in York), then you go off to various bases and get sponsored by a corps or division. (The RLC Regimental HQ has the best food iv ever had in my life) then you have a 2 day briefing in which you are assessed, once you pass that you go again for 4 days and thats your final asessment.

You dont have to be uber fit but fit enough to do an assault course and a run after some pt.
 
Balddog said:
but what are the chances of the TA doing anything?
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Depends on the unit and how willing you are to volunteer. Some units can be considered 'operational' (I believe thats the phrase) meaning that once you are trained you WILL see action. Certain specialist units are in such demand.
 
Oooo Defcon5. How did you do at your briefing? Whens your main board? (I got a Cat 1 and board in April).

Oh and do get uber fit it looks better and you look like your taking your application seriously. Standing up for 2 minutes (not 3 ;)) isnt very hard as you just prep it before you go and reel it off. Makes you look confident that you can stand up in front of 8 people + 2 Directing Staff (DS) and talk about yourself without any ums and arrrs.

Also Fam visits to regiments are such a good laugh, you spend a few days with similar minded people eat some good food get to see some great things (In my FAM visitis ive fired an artillery piece, jammed some mobile phone, driven around in a tank, climbed all over an apache and many other things). They bring out the best things you can do. I would imagine the RLC one to be the most boring visit ever but each to their own i suppose :).
 
cleanbluesky said:
Depends on the unit and how willing you are to volunteer. Some units can be considered 'operational' (I believe thats the phrase) meaning that once you are trained you WILL see action. Certain specialist units are in such demand.
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Almost true. The OTC are Category B soldiers meaning your only ever going to be called up after they have run out of cubs beavers or brownies to send to war.

If your in a Category A unit you can write a letter to your Commanding Officer to plead your circumstances that it would ruin your study etc.

This is all if your a student though. If your a normal person with normal circumstances and your called up...your called up. This is the army after all...

Oh and some regular army folk never go into a war zone...I know my uncle didnt.
 
Hugogo said:
Oooo Defcon5. How did you do at your briefing? Whens your main board? (I got a Cat 1 and board in April).
Got a cat2, mainly as i ballsed up at that speakin thing, i really hate talking about myself.

I couldnt do the mental arithmatic with out a lot of prompts either, and i failed to wriggle out of the "have you ever been in trouble with the police" question! (his words to me as i left... 'stay out of jail'!)

Havnt booked a main board yet, gotta wait 6 month and then do it, but i might wait til after iv finished uni.

The RLC was quite good actually, did lots of pt, was served hand and foot by french waitresses calling you 'sir' (could definatly get used to that!) ended with a free binge sesh at the bar!
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pyro said:
How old his he? British citizent? Wants to go to uni? TA? Regular? Best thing to do is go to armyjobs.mod.uk and get an information pack, then go have a chat with an officer at his local recruiting office.
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That's all very well, but don't forget that they'll be COMPLETELY biased as they obviously WANT you to join the army, and will only tell you how great it is...
 
The University OTC, URNU etc will never ever be called up. In my opinion they are just Government sponsored drinking and copulation.
If you are at Uni and interested in a career in the armed forces join the reserves. The RNR for example has units in London, Northwood, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Belfast, Rosyth and Greenock.
 
Thanks for the posts fella's i've let him have a read. He's also asked around some people as well - and the opinions have been extremely varied.

Some have said it's fantastic, while others like the posts above have said make sure you read the fine print etc before you sign up. Another thing, he's asian and has been told he should really think about it for the military is the most constitutionally racist workforce there is? Wasn't sure what to advise him tbh.
 
The UOTC is more of getting a 'feel' for it then actual soldiering. It's like being allowed to stretch your legs so to speak. The nearest one to me is in Exeter. If I was at the same university as my friend or if he transfers I would almost definately go. It's one thing doing it on your own but better with a friend.
 
greenlizard0 said:
Come on somebody must be able to share their experience etc?

And if you're getting all paranoid no i'm not attached to the press :rolleyes:
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I dont think there are that many millitary types on this forum mate, i dont think anyones being paranoid, im sighning up to the army asap i think, if i fail uni or pass it.
 
Stringy said:
There is nothing wrong with worrying about your personal safety and joining the Military, it's doing your bit that counts. It's very unlikely that someone in the Navy (or ground trade RAF) would ever see combat, although if they did, after the rigourous training they endure, I've no doubt 99% of them would be able to see it through.

I'm hoping to join the RAF as an Officer, either Fighter Controller or Flight Operations Officer. Now there is pretty much no chance that I'd ever see any combat action (other than basic defense tactics in the first 4 weeks of Initial Officer Training). I wouldn't say it was one of my main reasons for choosing the RAF, but I seriously question whether or not I think I'd be happy going for Army Officer or the Marines, when their main role is to shoot and get shot at. That's just the person I am, however if the time came where I was needed to pick up a gun and do my part, I would happily do it.
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Unlikely, but possible. Air Traffic and Fighter Control bods have roles with the TACATC which are part of the Tac Comms Wing. Some are Para trained and drop in if needed to get a bare base activated or prep a tac airstrip. Could also be attached to 16 Air Assault Bde. They have (or used to) have RAF FC's on some of the Forward Air Controller teams. Again para trained, so I suppose you could end up at the sharp end.

willd58 said:
I dont think there are that many millitary types on this forum mate, i dont think anyones being paranoid, im sighning up to the army asap i think, if i fail uni or pass it.
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L-Plate, DaveP3 (I think thats his user name) are Royal Sigs and MoratJG is (I think) RMP. L_Plate is a knowledgeable bloke, spent a time on recruiting duties so knows his stuff.
 
Well i was in the army for 12 Years got the dizzy rank of colour Sergeant
i was in the Prince of Wales regiment and loved every minute of it well to be honest i would have ended up in the nick along with all my other mates when i was 16 a few of my mates started glue sniffing and i thought sod this sign on the dole every 14 days for the pittance of if i remember back to 1984 was about £67 a fortnight not to sure but i went into town in Hull after i signed on and asked the guys at the army office what it was like and stuff and with in a month i had to get my old boys permission to join the army and travelled the world meet many new friends and also learnt how to dismantle engines and various other stuff and now have a job at British aero space building jet engines
lol i say go for it i joined for 12 years only reason i left was for my wife sake in the end
gee should have kept in the army missed Iraq but went of two tours of Ireland now that’s fun lol
Want to ask me any questions on army life i try to answer your question honeslty but yes expect a lot of marching and bulling your boots kit and shouting at you but hey the rewards are great
i did manage to get every single driving licence can drive anything on the raod Bus,Wagons,cars,Bike all through the army
i also can drive jcbs,and dumper trucks
Enjoy it sign up for the army if i was 16 again i be or had a choice i back there now
 
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