-{SpoonmaN}-

I'm in need of it. As some of you probably remember I'm in the UK putting my travel plans on hold to apply for soldier entry into the British Army. I had some medical concerns, but I put in my medical forms signed by my GP back home with relevant specialist's report and I've been told I'm through to Selection, so I'm probably ok, although there are still no guarantees. Anyway first I have to go to an interview on the 9th of January, and I need to make a firm commitment to as to what I plan to do in the Army. This is a tough call, I'd had my heart set on either OP Assistant in the Royal Artillery or Tank Crewman, but I've been told I'd be facing a 9-10 month wait for those jobs as everything except the Line Infantry and the Guards is full. Go figure.
Now, the office I've basically been sent to is a Rifles recruiting office, and I was happy to join the Rifles based on the news that 1Rifles would be moving into 3 Commando Bde, and my own assumption that this must mean they'll be doing the All Arms Commando course and being used in some sort of specialist role (motorized, airmobile etc), however it sounds like I was wrong and that this won't be taking place for a number of years, and instead 1Rifles will be stuck with the less popular jobs of doing tours in Bosnia and Iraq while the Marines get to fight the Taliban. Needless to say this does not appeal (it sounds like it doesn't to anyone in the Rifles either).

So, I am now somewhat stuck trying to decide on what I want to do. The Paras is probably out as I've been advised that parachuting is not a wise move based on a minor inner ear dysfunction (the aforementioned medical concern) that means my ears don't pop quite as easily as they should. I'm aware this may get me binned at Selection but I'm willing to risk it. Anyway assuming it doesn't, what would the British Army types on this forum recommend?

I was considering Irish Guards or maybe the Royal Irish, since, well, I dunno, I just figured that with my being part Irish and my having an Irish name, it made sense. However the no parachuting thing might be a problem with the RIR since they're part of 16 Bde, but I don't actually know what it is that they do there. Scottish Regiments are probably out since I'm concerned that I won't be able to understand anyone.

So, I've noticed a lot of UK flags and lot of people telling stories of their time in HM Armed Forces and I'm wondering what the people who actually know what they're talking about would recommend. I'd be ok with other Battalions in the Rifles I guess but I definitely don't want to be a back-seater to the Royal Marines, even if they are dead hard.

__________________
"I have this to say to the people of Australia: Kick me, I'm different."

dave lukins

SpoonmaN..I am suprised that there is a waiting list to go into a Tank Regiment. Are you talking about a Tank Regiment or THE Royal Tank Regt. There are Armoured Regiments of which there may be a waiting period as a lot of the "Donkey Wallopers" are a tad picky I will get onto my Regimental Site and ask people in the know if there is in fact a waiting list for the 1stRTR ...as a starting point



OK. Request sent, awaiting replies

RustyBattleship

As a former tank crewman myself, I always give this advice to young men wishing to join the Army.

Go for Supply Department. It's generally out of range of enemy artillery and exess items of shipment are always appreciated by the family back home.

Seriously; Go INFANTRY.

An Infantryman can ALWAYS find a hole. A tank cannot.

__________________
Able to leap tall tales in a single groan.

glyn

__________________
Semper in excretum. Solum profunda variat.

Gun Grape

UBIQUE

Its worth the wait.




Quo fas et gloria ducunt

And I'm not referring to those Latrine diggers

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-{SpoonmaN}-

London, King's Cross to be precise, but I'm probably relocating to Southgate in about a week and a half. Well if I could get into the RAC without having to wait 100 years then that would be my first preference but like I said the recruiters reckoned that Army was full. Then again, the recruiter who told me that was from the Irish Guards so I don't know...

dave lukins

I have spoken to recruiters, yesterday and today, and they say that the recruitment targets for new intakes are being met. However, there are more people leaving than staying. I also spoke to a friend in Sandhurst, he said because a lot less Officers are required, compared to the numbers required to the rank and file, Officer Intakes are full at the moment. Try and find an RAC recruiting centre, they will give you the up to date situation.

-{SpoonmaN}-

Well I'm not going for Officer selection so that won't be a problem. I think I'll go down and see the recruiters today and ask for the full story and ask some questions about the Irish Guards and the Royal Irish Regiment (for example how Irish do I have to be exactly etc).

dave lukins

None at all..but have a good look around, don't be pushed into anything today..take care to what you sign..the recruiter is after numbers just like every other business Ask him can he give you an address or telephone number of the nearest RAC Office. Good luck and keep us all informed

glyn

Capt Bluesman

Disclaimer: My experience is probably as far from the British Army as you can be and still be military.

However, I have learned a thing or two in my 21+ years of being in and around the military, and I'm betting new recruits and recruiters aren't substantially different there than they are here.

First, have you really, thoroughly researched the jobs you think you'd be interested in? Many a new service member has been sorely dissapointed by finding the job they had their hearts set on is not at all what they envisioned. Along those lines, have you researched the jobs that are actually open and available to you right now? It may be that they have an attraction you weren't aware of. If you have done the above, and your first choice is as it was in the beginning, then glyn has some excellent advice. Find another recruiter, and state, in a non-negotiable manner, what job you wish to do. If recruiters there are anything like they are here, they want you in. Want you in bad, and many will work some extrodinary magic to get you to sign the papers. If the one you are working with isn't, find one who is.

Also, if you find it is true that there is truly a waiting list for the job you want, is it worth it to you/feasible to wait it out? The military is a difficult life, no matter how you slice it, and having a job you dislike can make you truly miserable.

Good luck to you, and I look forward to welcoming you to the profession of arms.

-{SpoonmaN}-

I've taken the advice on board, I've opted to ask to have the interview where I'm expected to make a comittment postponed (also, I've been on holiday and my fitness is rather apalling, so I need another 6 weeks or so to get up to scratch). I've just moved out of the backpacker hostel I was residing in and found a room in a shared house, as well as a job, so I'm able to stay here for a year if I have to. There's a recruiting centre near my house so I'm going to go in there and firmly state that I want to join my first preference (Royal Irish Regiment) and I'll see what they come up with. Then I'll probably have a better basis upon which to make my decision when I do go to the interview.

Spec6

I do not know how it works in the British Army but I was trained as a tank mecanic but ended up serving a tour of duty in Nam as Infantry . So rember the military will use you were they want you .

glyn

-{SpoonmaN}-

Might be an idea, I'm still a bit confused, however things have become a little clearer of late. I opted not to cancel that interview, and I'm glad I didn't since it helped move things along, I'm booked in for Selection in early April (I should get the exact date in a week or two apparently). So that's more than enough time to get my fitness up to a respectable level. I have the second, "confirmatory" interview (personally I don't believe that's a real word but that's what the card says) on Monday, it's going to be with a new recruiter since my current one will be with the Carribbean recruiting team, so I'll be able to get some fresh answers, depending on his capbadge. I got the distinct impression that my previous recruiter wasn't ********ting me (was pretty honest about the drudgery and stress of frequent tours), probably because he knew I need no convincing to sign up, but we'll see.

Anyway R IRISH will be going on Herrick in April so I'd miss out on all their shenanigans there if I were to chose them, which I see as a bit of a downside although I'm sure I'd get my chance sooner or later. The Rifles is also looking like a strong contender, I wound up having that down as my first preference since it would give me a bit more choice later on, and it occured to me that Armoured Infantry would give me a bit of taste of, well, Armour and Infantry. I'll see what they have to say about choosing Battalions, and what they'll be up to in the future.

Anyway I'll let y'all know how Monday goes and go from there. I guess I'm pretty dead-set on Infantry now, and it's between those two regiments, so it's narrowing down now.