Joining the Army and ranks

[This Side Up]

Abz, you would start at the bottom of the ladder. You must prove yourself to the Army, a piece of paper won't do that for you.

Let me turn this question on its head. Why do you think you would deserve/be eligible to join as a higher rank than normal, given your degree/qualifications?

 

[The Halk]

I have absolutely no desire to join the army, nor any inclination to bother researching it. I'm just chucking this in the thread...

Am I right in thinking that in the Second World war when people were being conscripted they may have joined as an officer dependent on education/job?

 

[mdjmcnally]

Well I can't remember what exactly that was about, but you can join as a Private and become an NCO later on, providing you've got the qualifications. Having a degree may allow you to rise up the ranks a lot quicker than other soldiers, but you will still start right at the bottom. Most people that have higher qualifications though will join as an Officer.

Non-Commissioned Officers aren't real Officers, as the sergeant-major says in Good Morning Vietnam "I work for a living"

Non-Coms have alway's formed the backbone of the army, but are essentially the link between the Officers, ie Lieutenants and higher, and the men.

 

[Vulcan]

Non-Commissioned Officers aren't real Officers, as the sergeant-major says in Good Morning Vietnam "I work for a living"

Non-Coms have alway's formed the backbone of the army, but are essentially the link between the Officers, ie Lieutenants and higher, and the men.

Not sure why you was quoting me, I'm well aware of what NCOs are and their duties.

 

[Amp34]

Why would anyone think they get "bumped up the ranks" even with a Degree and "loadza certificates".

You join as either an officer or as a Soldier.

Army, Royal Navy and RAF are probably one of the few employers where you have to start at the bottom of your stream. There are a couple of exceptions eg qualified doctors start as Lt, but 95% start at the bottom and work up, regardless of age, experience etc.

Incorrect as such, if you have a degree (or even A-Levels) you will probably be advised by the AFCO to apply for a comission (officer), rather than join as a private. However if you did join as a private you may get bumped up slightly in short time due to your degree (to say Lance Corporal) if you were doing something related to it. The most obvious example is within the Royal Engineers, very few of the ranks will have a degree as almost all people with an engineering degree would go in as an officer.

I would be a excellent IT engineer but a lousy private, for one I would be unable to wake up for training coz I was up all night surfing

You'd be rubbish in the Armed forces full stop as they all have to get up early...

 

[Simi]

You can just buy a commission into the Kings army, m'lad!
Oh wait, wrong century