Ok

[Pate]

Screw it.


Just a quick summary of myself.

I've bolloxed just about everything in my life so far. People, places, university, you name it.

I'm no longer a teenager, I'm 21 and I need to start life somewhere. I've messed up university (2nd year), and think a real swift kick is needed to unlock my potential.

So thus, my plan is to join the army. Going to spend the summer training (already running a few k everyday, along with lifting), read up on this area and commit.

From what I've read, it's not something you can easily leave, disciplines hard etc.

Hoping it's going be the best thing for me.

Opinions?

 

[Pate]

stfu and get on with it

I am.

Currently getting up to scratch with various things that could be required at interview, along with formulating a letter so as to explain sufficiently why I'm dropping out.

 

[Pate]

Do or do not. There is no try. Get on with it, you're 21 FFS.

Tell me about it. Life is to short for just wandering through in a daze. At least this way I'll be doing something productive, and hopefully instilling a work ethic I never had.

Go get yourself some aye-rackys boy.

eh?

 

[Pate]

I got that, I was just guessing at what he was insinuating.

 

[Pate]

Sort your life out and if that means going in to the Army then do this. If it doesn't then don't.

You're 21 years old, legally an adult (let's ignore what your post says about you for a moment), and should be able to work out what you think are positive things to introduce into your life.

Stop being such a dick and just get on with it.

**** you lol. Does it hurt to have peoples opinions and advice? Really?

If it aggravated you that much, why didn't you just click "back" rather than waste your time?

If I was sure about what I wanted in life, I wouldn't see the need for this thread.

Whatever you do, all the best to you!

Thank you, the best of luck to you also.

 

[Pate]

So you'll be the solider we see in the news for friendly fire in a few years

Haha, hopefully not. More than likely to be the yanks....

Ouch but so ture!

Oi.

 

[Pate]

Why's he being a dick? He's realised he's messed things up so far and is looking to improve his life.

Good luck kenmare, just go for it and hopefully things will work out for you. When I was 21 I didn't know where my life was going, in fact I was nearly 30 before I sorted myself out. And ignore the usual GD "You're a ****" remarks.

Cheers mate, appreciate it.

Out of curiosity, and obviously only if you want to share, what route did your life take when you were 21?

 

[Pate]

why drop out. i muffed up my 2nd year. just re did it. claimed a good degree. screw joining the army. rather not get killed thanks very much. oh and your 21. hardly over the hill

This is indeed an option, hell I'm sure if I worked every hour of everyday I might even be able to claw my degree back.

But the heart of the issue is my incredible lack of work ethic. I can't motivate myself for work in the slightest and thus feel that I need to be in an environment that will test and push me to my limits.

 

[Pate]

You need to ask yourself some pretty serious questions about your motivation for joining the Army.

Joining any military service is long term commitment and not really something you should do simply because you think it may be the soft option when it come to make decisions about your future.

Go down to your local ACO and have a chat with the recruitment officer, they will be able to help you make the right choices.

I was in the military for 18 years and I never every regretted it, but it is a serious commitment and is not for everyone, so be sure that it is what you want to do, and not what you think you need to do.

Thanks for giving me your opinion, appreciate it.

I certainly do not view the army as a soft route, in fact the values and discipline the army employs is diametrically opposite to the life I've lead thus far.

I've always been the smart one "who would do well". I'm not doing well at the moment, and like the few years that have drifted by, I'm afraid of the next few doing likewise.

I want to prove myself, be the best....to be fufilled. I just need someone to kick my arse enough til I do it off my own volition.

I'll take your advice and speak to a ACO.

Look, what are you asking us for? Strangers on a computer forum and they're going to decide whether you join the Army or not? Does any of this sound odd to you?

I didn't mean to annoy you. I just think you're looking in the wrong place for your answers.

That's cool dude, I get what you're saying. I'm not asking people to sort my life out, merely offer what they might feel to be helpful information.

The right words in the right place can make all the difference.

 

[Pate]

Might I ask why you have messed up second year? Also how badly?

edit: OK you sort of answered that in post above. Do you have any other "passions" that maybe you could get a career-ish job in? Then maybe go back to uni at a later date?

I've attended around 5% of my lectures/seminars. Just been drinking, living the life etc.

I'm now 6 weeks away from major exams/coursework which incorporate a years worth of intense study.

Which part of this do you feel the Army will want to recruit you for?



I'm not an Army guy but I'm pretty sure you've just described the opposite of what they would want.

On the surface, I'm presentable, capable and it looks like I'm full of ambition.

Also do you not think that most people would be tested and pushed by the army?

 

[Pate]

At 21 you haven’t really failed at anything. Just be very sure that going into the army is the right thing to do and not just an easy way out. Good luck in whatever you choose to do but think long and hard about it.

I know thanks. I just need someone I can ****ing talk to about this, someone to see the issue and give me solid advice.

I talked to a councillor at the university, who didn't see the issue at all. The parents are as always incredibly supportive of me, but to much so?

I've nothing else to add but I'm sure it'll work out for you because at least you're thinking about how to make your life better.

A good start, man

Thanks man, 'preciate it.

 

[Pate]

Dropouts = cannon fodder

That's heartening to hear.

I understand where the OP is coming from. If you're a squaddy you can't exactly "hide" from your responsibilities like you can at uni.

Well, I'd be hoping to join as an officer, but I take your point.

 

[Pate]

more informed opinions to be found here
http://www.arrse.co.uk/


I'm sure it will be an experience that many here would envy,
good luck

Thanks for the link, I'll check them out.

 

[Pate]

Yeh I just realised as I posted that as you have got in to Uni I'm sure you would be qualified enough to be an officer. It's something I seriously considered before I went to uni... went to loads of interviews n stuff.

Got a mate at Sandhurst now.. sounds like a good place. The thing I found out about the army is (officer or not) once you're committed.. that's it. I was going to join the OTC at Uni but I was really put off by the attitude of everyone.

If you think the lifestyle suits you and you are prepared to commit to it then you should be alright.

I joined the OTC for a time. Not the most pleasant of people. The ego trips of some people was mental.

 

[Pate]

Drop and give me twenty.

No problem sir.

 

[Pate]

I here's bud.... Life's what ever you make of it, a lot of young people have screwed up in the past and thought the last resort is the Army... and gone and done it, loved it etc.

My mate was in the same boat ish, he left school with ok but not great grades, He's abit of a D*** really a mate but not a great mate (the kind that would backstab you if he could) He started College on a work placment scheme train as you go type of thing, not an apprenticeship as such, He got a placment in a Shop work place studing retail NVQ's he did this for 2 years but went from placment to placement because of his attitude to work so in the end he worked in about 8 different shops in the 2 years..... got the NVQ's Level 1, 2 and Mid way through 3 then jacked it all in thinking that was no life for him.
And tobe honest he was not bright enough to do anything more than Retail.....Shop assistant.

At 18 he decided to Join the Army, did the training, found it hard but got through it with the help of his family and us mate's when he came back at the odd weekend - we would go out and have a laugh.

Now 12 Years later he's done everything you could imagine in the army, he joined almost every army sport they do, Boxing, Foortball, Skiing and more this is the kind of stuff you do in the spare time in the Army, he's been to god know how many countries fighting and defending our country, He's changed his role in the army so much he can cover most job's in there, from tank gunman to front line infentry, fighting in Iraq. a lot calmer now though as for the last 6 months he's been living in the UK in a house paid for by the Army to drive one of the top bosses in the Army around, Yes this is an actual job for him, he still get's his full wage and the house paid for, He earns more than me and get's to live for free........he still does a tour 6 months of the year abroad where ever they send him but the rest it's an easy life, racks up about £3000 a month and he's lucky if he spends much of that while he's away, so when he's home he's loaded and with no rent or morgage to pay......

He loves it and so glad it sorted his life out.
BTW he's one of the lucky's one's this story could have had an early end as you are fighting in the army and many can get killed.... remember that it's a gamble, if your going to do it you have to give it 100% all the way.....

Good Luck on your choice - I'd way speak to an Army advisor though!

Thanks for taking the time to write all that out, I appreciate it. Certainly food for thought...

 

[Pate]

if you're a 2nd year cant you retake in the summer capped at 40% then work hard in the last year?

That is indeed an option, though I've missed most of my coursework as well this year.

 

[Pate]

You should have a think about what you've just said about your life. You should also probably speak to someone. And I don't mean us.

Who would you recommend chatting to?

This ^.

I took my daughter a few weeks ago. I was amazed how thing have changed. The entry process is not just about entry or not. It's about finding out about the person you are, and choosing a career that fits both you and the army. This is means tested by a series of mental and physical tests over a period of time which results in a career list so they'll match certain jobs for you. You might actually find something that you've never thought of doing.

That's encouraging to hear. I'm going to give the AFCO a ring in a bit and book an appointment.

 

[Pate]

Good, they will be able to give you the myriad of options and training programs available to you and give you an insight into life in the Army.

You could be a proper soldier and join the Royal Marines though....

Haha, and follow in your noble footsteps...... I simply couldn't live up to the legend.

 

[Pate]

Good luck with it Kenmare.

I hope the Army gives you the discipline you need. The level of apathy regarding something as important as your degree is normally indicative of depression to some level. If that rings true you may benefit from talking to your doctor about it and getting referred to a specialist to identify exactly why you're casually self-destructive.

Regardless, I hope your story ends well.

I've been told this before, but truth be told, I'll be able to cope and I'd rather not the stigma of being labelled depressed, for the simple fact of peoples perception and job prospects.

It's perceptive of you to point that out though.