So who has spent time in the Army/Forces how do you feel afterwards

[drakulton]

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[no_sleep_til]

I didn't say you couldn't I'm just projecting a bit - the only way I can learn anything is by practicing over and over (and over and over) again By royally cocking something up 99 times so on the 100th time it just-about-works Don't think you'd want me operating a tank Anyway I got three good answers so thanks for humouring me

sorry if my reply seemed a bit blunt. it wasn't intended that way. the army is this huge machine and it has absolutely every relevant part and caters for every type of skill. and all of the courses most do are relevant to their particular job within the company/battalion

just to add. i was infantry and the closest i got i ever got to armour (tanks, etc.) was during a few different training exercises. i should have added a caveat to my initial post with something along the lines of "i was infantry and the rest of the army works differently". armoured regiments teach their trainee tank crews during their basic training (not sure of the duration of their training) and that's when drivers learn the way to drive tracked vehicles

it probably does read a bit outrageous because it seems such a short time to take in the necessary information, but the instructors who run the various joints & training establishments are top notch at what they do. to be honest i can't think of many courses that are much longer than 6 weeks. the exceptions are the section commanders course and and the pl sjt's course. both at Brecon, and they are both only 8 weeks. there will be some leftfield not-run-of-the-mill courses that go on forever. the PTI's course is about 12 weeks. but the majority of courses for infantry personnel seems to be around the 6 week maximum mark.

language courses go on for a while. i've just remembered that. the colloquial courses usually about 10-12 weeks. and the translator level about 8 months to a year i think.

on about practise: absolutely! usually there will be some sort of pre-course build up depending on the course. sniper stuff is mental; judging distance, cam & concealment (when it's it's raining that is a rare treat ). occasionally days out on the ranges, but they are few and far between. most of it was sniper knowledge and the associated numbers/distances/etc. associated with that role.

signaller's courses are even more outrageous. on the within unit precourse buildup they will probably lock you in a classroom for the 2 weeks and make you listen to non-stop morse. it's not used so much, but it's still taught at Warminster.

 

[lemonkettaz]

Been in since 2010. It has made my life what it is and I am very grateful for what I am now. Discipline to work, fit, ambitious and soon to be degree educated. So not a bad career.

I do believe the armed forces is what you make of it for the most part, sure you need a bit of luck when it comes to chain of command or even postings/deployments, but there is always opportunity if you are proactive.

 

[the_worrier]

I joined the RAF at 22 in 1997. I had just finished a 2 year HND and a year working for a Ford dealer, collecting cars for service/repair. The RAF paid me to go to uni twice more and I particularly enjoyed 2 postings of 2 years each in Cyprus and a spell at Recruit Training Sqn, RAF Halton (plus many others). 7 deployments in total to Iraq/Qatar/Afghanistan done and I retired in 2016.

I tolerated a month short of 4 years in civvy st before re-joining in Apr 20, having joined the Reserves about a year previous which reminded me what I was missing. So far, much happier. All being well, I retire next at nearly 57 …or 60 if they let me extend.

I consider myself to be fairly well institutionalised and I honestly don’t think that is a bad thing for me. I like the way we think and the way we do things. Civvies are fine just different. I would say the Service has changed over the last 25 ish years but not so that it is unrecognisable….. I see we are still getting our all expenses paid foreign holidays! I’m off again in July.

 

[no_sleep_til]

Been in since 2010. It has made my life what it is and I am very grateful for what I am now. Discipline to work, fit, ambitious and soon to be degree educated. So not a bad career.

I do believe the armed forces is what you make of it for the most part, sure you need a bit of luck when it comes to chain of command or even postings/deployments, but there is always opportunity if you are proactive.

nailed it in one.

the only other aspect i would chime in with is pick the right regt./corps and trade/skill. i've met a load of ex-squaddies since i've been out who were trade-trained and do the same job in civvy street as they did when they were in. which to me personally is a bit dull. i suppose i think that way because i had no useable trade when i got out.