**British Armed Forces Discussion Thread**

Captain Planet said:
Firstly, what trade are you applying for? :)
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I'm Currently trying to fight the idea of Pilot out of my head. It's my "childhood dream" job but the odds of getting it are so distant (at least I assume they are) that I'm going to concentrate my efforts elsewhere.

Otherwise I'm currently torn between Weapon systems officer and Intelligence officer. The first being the more active role, the latter being the safe option as I already have relevant civilian experience. However, the careers advisor has informed me that having two roles in mind whilst doing the selection is fine, if you're not suitable for one you may get offered the other.
 
Geckovich said:
I'm Currently trying to fight the idea of Pilot out of my head. It's my "childhood dream" job but the odds of getting it are so distant (at least I assume they are) that I'm going to concentrate my efforts elsewhere.
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Don't assume anything mate. If you are qualified (2 A-levels or 3 Highers or equivalent, plus 5 GCSEs/SCEs at Grade C/3 minimum or equivalent, including English language and maths) go for it. Don't accept a lesser position and spend the rest of your life regretting it. Obviously they have the luxury to pick and choose the best for selection for the fast jet stream, but if you have the potential there are other types to fly in, transport and of course rotary. Don't write yourself off before you have even given it a go.
 
Make sure you are half decent at speed/distance/time calculations. At some point you'll need to make a plan of some sort and if you have a problem with it then it'll be much harder apparently.

Epic double post fail.
 
After Christmas and after I've lost weight and regained my fitness, am going to look into joing the local RE TA near my work, after college I was looking into joining the RE as a career but managed to get a job nearby which is failry decently paid for me, and I enjoy it, but I've still always fancied some sort sort of forte into the armed forces, and thought why not try the TA for a while. Because I don't fancy binning my job just yet, since they're going to pay for my degree next year, lol.
 
Zefan said:
LOL it was! That wasn't me being weird though, it was my mate :\ I said "That's Begbie" after you walked off and he felt the need to shout stuff :p
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I thought I heard something, then just thought he is a wierd chap and carried onto to the chippy.

Last day in No1RS :D (for two weeks :( )

Infact, do you not pass out today? Good luck mate, and enjoy! :)
 
Unfortunately my intended career is not to be. Went to an optician today and apparently my eyes have the slightest myopia (short sightedness). Absolutely miniscule, barely detectable and certainly not enough to warrant glasses. The guy said I was right on the margin.

However the RAF don't allow any short sightedness : ((((((((((((
 
ac1d1ty said:
Unfortunately my intended career is not to be. Went to an optician today and apparently my eyes have the slightest myopia (short sightedness). Absolutely miniscule, barely detectable and certainly not enough to warrant glasses. The guy said I was right on the margin.

However the RAF don't allow any short sightedness : ((((((((((((
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What trade were you going for?
 
just back on christmas leave in royal marine recruit training week 8 now, still a clueless nod but in a good postion to offer advice for people thinking about joining up having just done so myself :p

For TA infantry i advise you get down there asap its a lengthy process and as long as you have a heart beat and a bit of dertimination then you can get fit whilst "in the system" doing weekends away, for the first 6 weekends we were with medics and rmps and other equally chad trades so the fitness was minimal for those first 5 months
 
Geckovich said:
I'm Currently trying to fight the idea of Pilot out of my head. It's my "childhood dream" job but the odds of getting it are so distant (at least I assume they are) that I'm going to concentrate my efforts elsewhere.

Otherwise I'm currently torn between Weapon systems officer and Intelligence officer. The first being the more active role, the latter being the safe option as I already have relevant civilian experience. However, the careers advisor has informed me that having two roles in mind whilst doing the selection is fine, if you're not suitable for one you may get offered the other.
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Pilot - Right, as said you should try for pilot if you fit the criteria. I think it is something like less than 1% of all applicants are successful for pilot but if you have what is required then go for it. You want rotary wing anyway, that way at least you'll see some action!

IntO - I know IntO is very competetive at the moment, I'm not even sure the branch is open now for officer but I couldn't say for sure. The job sounds more exciting than it is.

WSO - back seat driver of a Tornado, spending your whole career you was wishing you was the pilot. That or some job in the back of a large fixed wing like the Nimrod or E3D. Personally I'd rather go for WSOp crewman. Sure, you're non-commissioned but your starting salary is actually higher and the job is probably more interesting hopefully hanging out the back of a chinook, merlin or puma.

I'm a fan of the rotary wing :D

Seriously though, join for the minimum time that they will let you and prepare to leave when it is no longer any fun with a Plan B career in mind.
 
Captain Planet said:
Pilot - Right, as said you should try for pilot if you fit the criteria. I think it is something like less than 1% of all applicants are successful for pilot but if you have what is required then go for it. You want rotary wing anyway, that way at least you'll see some action!

IntO - I know IntO is very competetive at the moment, I'm not even sure the branch is open now for officer but I couldn't say for sure. The job sounds more exciting than it is.

WSO - back seat driver of a Tornado, spending your whole career you was wishing you was the pilot. That or some job in the back of a large fixed wing like the Nimrod or E3D. Personally I'd rather go for WSOp crewman. Sure, you're non-commissioned but your starting salary is actually higher and the job is probably more interesting hopefully hanging out the back of a chinook, merlin or puma.

I'm a fan of the rotary wing :D

Seriously though, join for the minimum time that they will let you and prepare to leave when it is no longer any fun with a Plan B career in mind.
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Thanks, this is exactly the kind of thing I was after. Are you in the RAF yourself?

I think I agree with what people have said about going for pilot. I've put myself out of the running prematurely for no real reason and I'll only live to regret it thinking "what if?".

The only reason I can see myself not getting it is if I answer some question wrong on an aptitude test, in which case there's nothing to be ashamed of, I'm obviously just the wrong guy for the job. Other than maybe my mindset I see no issues. I'm fit enough, not too tall, not too small. 20/20 vision etc.

I'll look into WSOp as a serious contender.

Thanks again.
 
its harder yes, and pilot aptitude isnt as hard as many think, its other things that will get you chopped as far as the career is concerned.
So many fail pilots grading, or throughout pilots training.
 
peetee said:
its harder yes, and pilot aptitude isnt as hard as many think, its other things that will get you chopped as far as the career is concerned.
So many fail pilots grading, or throughout pilots training.
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Do you have any examples? I intend to be as prepared as possible, regardless of what role I eventually decide to apply for, so any info is great.

Cheers.
 
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