Advice on joining the army.

Pay is good? for a private in the infantry? you're joking right? i could get better pay in the foreign legion hell my father earns more money.
The MoD royally screwed up and ruined any respect i had for them if it wasn't for the massive cock ups in the government remember the MoD is part of the state, maybe i'd have joined the Army but i decided against it after spending 2 years of my life researching about it and getting the correct fitness level.

For a 17 year old with no other qualifications, yes, the pay is good. Very good, I'd say, once you consider the total package on offer.

Are other things available? Yes. Are they easier? Not really. Are they realistic? Not really.

treat like crap for 4 years crap pay even 17 year old me would have laughed. If he had the same knowledge i have today, when i was 17 i was doing the level 2 uniformed public services course then i did the level 3 course.

Well if he was aiming for the parachute regiment the french foreign legion would be more realistic and about the same difficulty of the British Army.

should probably inform you i am a female, who after considering my options i decided i didn't want to go and do my A-levels. I'm more than capable of completing them if i wanted to.

should probably inform you i am a female, who after considering my options i decided i didn't want to go and do my A-levels. I'm more than capable of completing them if i wanted to.

You should then.

While yes you can join the Army without them, the higher the qualifications you have, the better off you'll be - both in and out of the Army.

There's a lot of nonsense on this thread from people who've obviously never been anywhere near a careers office. Good luck OP - nice username btw - and as one of the few people here who have actually served (ex-RE officer) if you've got any specific questions you can't get answered from the internet or careers staff post them here and you'll eventually get someone who can answer them. Good luck!

Does anyone have any advice on the army? Whether it be tips on general life or training.

Good on you.




Firstly, I would advise you to aim to become an officer if you have the potential. Most females that join the engineers do so as officers. There are very few female Royal Engineers. Many of them are unhappy as nearly all of the Royal Engineers regiments have a very 'laddish' culture. If that's something that appeals to you - go for it.

Secondly, you will almost never use your trade unless you are a driver or a signaller. It's a great shame that we spend so much time and money training people then they hardly ever get to use their trade unless they are part of a STRE (Specialist Team Royal Engineers.)

Certainly go for the Royal Engineers if you want to be a Combat Engineer (That is, bridging, demolitions, water supply, etc) but don't go in as a specific trade as you'll probably never touch it outside of your A2 or A1 training.

Finally, and this is more of a personal point so take it with a pinch of salt, I don't believe the army will be doing anything too interesting for the next few years and there's not a lot of political will to get it doing anything of consequence either. Consider the Navy or the RAF. You won't be doing much changing the world but you may do a great deal of 'changing yourself.'


PM me if you want more specific information on trades and the like.

SS

would you recommend the navy or RAF more than the army now. Or maybe another corps?

Couldn't really comment on opportunities in the RAF or Navy but I would consider all 3 services. Even if it means you have to change your username.

What are you hoping for from your career?

fulfilment, i just want to do something i'll enjoy and won't look back and regret and the sense of pride from being in the services

Admirable but difficult to give advice from. Keep the enthusiam though.

Have you considered the Intelligence Corps? Military Police? RAVC? Medics?

What sort of thing appeals to you? Do you like fixing things? Driving? Flying? Medical? How fit and sporty are you? Have you seen any roles so far which sound interesting? Google 'army rolefinder' and see how you get on with that.

no matter how much i look on the rolefinder i just cant seem to be like "yes that's what i want to do"

Don't worry, there isn't always something like that. Maybe start by narrowing the options down to 5 or 6 then doing some more detailed research on those? At the end of the day, it's a job, and there are upsides and downsides to any job.

As someone else posted, have a look at RAF and Navy jobs too - some trades are quite similar and they'll come with their own pluses and minuses.

Are you thinking about a full career or just doing a few years?

Have you been to a careers office yet?

Does anyone have any advice on the army? Whether it be tips on general life or training.