Career in the Forces? (IT Related)

Stringy · 13 Jan 2009 at 22:01

Andr3w said:
working 7am-7pm atm, with no breaks (apart from a quick sandwich on the move) and possible working weekends...

FFS

You love it really

rypt · 13 Jan 2009 at 22:04

Stringy said:
Engineers are required to repair equipment at forward operating bases that are frequently attacked,

I'm not arguing with that, and as I stated I have no interest in wanting to fight in someone else's illegal war; that does not mean that I would not be interested in working with the sort of army equipment you get (I guess at the non forward facing locations though).

Stringy · 13 Jan 2009 at 22:08

Try and get a job with BAe or any of the other civilian contractors working for the MoD then

Hedge · 13 Jan 2009 at 22:36

rypt said:
I'm not arguing with that, and as I stated I have no interest in wanting to fight in someone else's illegal war; that does not mean that I would not be interested in working with the sort of army equipment you get (I guess at the non forward facing locations though).

I understand that you might not like the idea, but when it comes down to it, if you are in a situation where you or your comrades come under attack, its imperative that you have at least a basic ability to defend yourself.

The possibility of it happening might be slim, but it would be foolish if the "armed forces" didnt actually arm their troops with abilities to act in diverse conditions.

You might actually feel the training brings a side out of you that you never knew you had.

The draw of the military to me is the discipline and the desire to push myself a little harder than I am now (not hard

)

Chasser · 13 Jan 2009 at 22:39

rypt said:
We are in the 21st century, this is not WW2. We are not likely to be fighting an enemy that can pose a real threat of attack on the base, they can't get any aircraft near it because of Patriot SAMs (which we can have access to from USA). They sure as hell should not be able to get any troops near the base as well.

Quite wrong mate. Mortar and rocket attacks on the COB in Basrah were an all too regular occurance, in fact lives have been lost to indirect fire within the wire.

Just my tuppence worth, but with your current attitude, I'm surprised you've even considered a career with any of the armed forces or even the MOD.

rypt · 13 Jan 2009 at 22:40

Chasser said:
Quite wrong mate. Mortar and rocket attacks on the COB in Basrah were an all too regular occurance, in fact lives have been lost to indirect fire within the wire.

Just my tuppence worth, but with your current attitude, I'm surprised you've even considered a career with any of the armed forces or even the MOD.

And even if you are trained there isn't much you can do against a mortar attack.

My attitude is that I have no interest in a useless war, does not mean I do not want to work on the equipment as an engineer.

RoboCod · 13 Jan 2009 at 22:42

If you are working on Army equipment then you ARE helping the fight in someone elses "illegal" war! Without getting into the politics of it all I see there are two choices; fight it in Helmand or have to fight it in Leicester.

Mad_Jay · 13 Jan 2009 at 22:42

Me and my friend have both applied for Avionics technician, he has been fast tracked and is on his way to R.A.F Halton on the 18th of Feb, I on the other hand have decided to finish college 1st and then join.

Also gives me a chance to improve my fitness too.

Hedge · 13 Jan 2009 at 22:43

rypt said:
And even if you are trained there isn't much you can do against a mortar attack.

My attitude is that I have no interest in a useless war, does not mean I do not want to work on the equipment as an engineer.

I dont fancy dying in a war that I dont necessarily believe in, But Im willing to do my bit.

I dont think the forces is for you really mate.

Hedge · 13 Jan 2009 at 22:44

Mad_Jay said:
Me and my friend have both applied for Avionics technician, he has been fast tracked and is on his way to R.A.F Halton on the 18th of Feb, I on the other hand have decided to finish college 1st and then join.

Also gives me a chance to improve my fitness too.

Sweet, gonna be good for us all to chat about it

Fast tracked eh?, can you tell me when he had his medical etc.

I know they are desperate for AMMs so any info would be great

Chasser · 13 Jan 2009 at 22:44

rypt said:
And even if you are trained there isn't much you can do against a mortar attack.

My attitude is that I have no interest in a useless war, does not mean I do not want to work on the equipment as an engineer.

I was just responding to your earlier quote "We are not likely to be fighting an enemy that can pose a real threat of attack on the base".

If you express your current views at an interview for a job with the MOD, you won't get a sniff.

RoboCod · 13 Jan 2009 at 22:45

rypt said:
We are in the 21st century, this is not WW2. We are not likely to be fighting an enemy that can pose a real threat of attack on the base, they can't get any aircraft near it because of Patriot SAMs (which we can have access to from USA). They sure as hell should not be able to get any troops near the base as well.

Rockets are launched from within Basrah city. They launch from areas outside that of UK jurisdiction, that means it is up to the Iraqi Army/Police to deal with the offenders.

touge · 13 Jan 2009 at 22:48

Hedge said:
Sweet, gonna be good for us all to chat about it

Fast tracked eh?, can you tell me when he had his medical etc.

I know they are desperate for AMMs so any info would be great

I'm applying for an AMM and I had my interview, medical and fitness all in the same day(today).

They said if I chose avionics I would be fast tracked in but it's mechanical I want to do.

Chasser · 13 Jan 2009 at 22:50

touge said:
I'm applying for an AMM and I had my interview, medical and fitness all in the same day(today).

Good luck fella, hope you get what you want.

touge · 13 Jan 2009 at 22:53

Chasser said:
Good luck fella, hope you get what you want.

Thanks, I just need to be patient now and wait for the letter coming through the door.

Mad_Jay · 13 Jan 2009 at 23:00

Hedge said:
Sweet, gonna be good for us all to chat about it

Fast tracked eh?, can you tell me when he had his medical etc.

I know they are desperate for AMMs so any info would be great

He has already had his medical/physical/interview (we both started our application last November) and has a 2 day taster at Halton at the end of the month.

I have done none of the above yet, Since they know that I want to finish college 1st they might put me to the bottom of the pile.

But with the way my college course is going at the moment (Btec ND in electrical and electronic eng, final year) where 4 of my 8 teachers are off "Ill" or suspended, I can see why my mate has gone straight in. I'm seriously thinking about kicking off my application and getting in asap since nothing has happened at college for weeks, but I know the parents will kill me if I bail out.

I also have 5 days in Belgium for free in July (I take photos for a VW beetle racing team) so I got that to think about also, If I want to go or not.

Hedge · 13 Jan 2009 at 23:08

Mad_Jay said:
He has already had his medical/physical/interview (we both started our application last November) and has a 2 day taster at Halton at the end of the month..

So he had his medical/fitness recently, and they are starting him on the 18th? christ. thats less than 6 weeks.

Mad_Jay · 13 Jan 2009 at 23:10

Yeh thats quite impressive, Another reason which is tempting me to go now instead of later.

Hedge · 13 Jan 2009 at 23:11

Mad_Jay said:
Yeh thats quiet impressive, Another reason which is tempting me to go now instead of later.

I understand your dilemma mate. You must be thinking it would be a waste of a qualification if you ditch college, but at the same time you would be gaining a similar qualification in the raf.

Although you might hate the RAF, leave.. then be back to square one.

Tough one dude

Hedge · 13 Jan 2009 at 23:12

Ah guys. Anyone whos in this similar situation as me. Please add me to MSN - anderzz20 at hotmail dot com.

cheers