Want to join the Paras

So as the title says, I want to join the parachute regiment. I really enjoy outdoors and fitness, I love playing football and being part of a team and I want to make a career out of serving my country by jumping out of Hercules (I know that doesn't happen too much anymore).

But I'm worried about what I would do after my 4 years of service as in what jobs I could do on civvy street, I'm very interested in Structural Engineering and have an HNC conditional. This is also an in demand skill to move to Australia, I love Australia and want to move there too. But I worry that by joining the parachute regiment I won't be able to fulfill my dream of moving to Australia because by the time I leave it will be too late to enjoy being in Australia. I'm 17 (Basically 18) and it takes 4 years to fulfill your initial enlistment, 4-5 years to get a MEng in Structural Engineering, plus you need about 4 years of work experience to get a decent job to support yourself, all of this added, accounts for 12-13 years of my life, so by the time I get there I will be 30-31, an age I feel I will not be able to enjoy Australia as much.

I mean, no offence intended to anyone that is 30 odd, but it's the part of your life when the vast majority are more interested in a family lifestyle and less interested in living a little (partying, activities etc...), but hey my attitude might change by the time I hit 30.

If anyone gets my dilemma and could offer advice I would be more than greatful. (Helpful constructive advice, not people telling me not to become a 'politicians instrument', give me a good reason not to join if you don't think I should)

Thanks, Ryan.

Ever though about doing the MEng and joining 4 Para instead?

There are limited jobs in the civilian world that a Para can do, due to there being not many jobs around that require one to kill. However, the other skills you will learn will be transferable, such as discipline and leadership and will get you into less skilled jobs. However, they won't on their own get you to Australia and allow you to work in engineering, because as you know, you need a degree. If I were you, I would join 4 Para, rather than go regular. If you want to be a career soldier, then you will not be able to do the MEng whilst in service (other than the OU), and only be able to complete it when you leave. Which I think is not something you want to do, because you want to experience life to the full as a young man.

Go 4 Para.

V.helpful, thanks alot and I'm glad you understood the question first time. I couldn't think of a way to word it cos it was such a specific question.

But thanks again!

How about this: http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/26637.aspx ?

I thought about this too because if you come a parachute engineer you can get a trade and what I've been hearing from my family in Aus, tradesmen are some of the highest paid. It seems Aus is a blue collar job country, all the labour jobs are highest paid.

Thanks for the advice!

So as the title says, I want to join the parachute regiment. I really enjoy outdoors and fitness, I love playing football and being part of a team and I want to make a career out of serving my country by jumping out of Hercules (I know that doesn't happen too much anymore).

But I'm worried about what I would do after my 4 years of service as in what jobs I could do on civvy street, I'm very interested in Structural Engineering and have an HNC conditional. This is also an in demand skill to move to Australia, I love Australia and want to move there too. But I worry that by joining the parachute regiment I won't be able to fulfill my dream of moving to Australia because by the time I leave it will be too late to enjoy being in Australia. I'm 17 (Basically 18) and it takes 4 years to fulfill your initial enlistment, 4-5 years to get a MEng in Structural Engineering, plus you need about 4 years of work experience to get a decent job to support yourself, all of this added, accounts for 12-13 years of my life, so by the time I get there I will be 30-31, an age I feel I will not be able to enjoy Australia as much.

I mean, no offence intended to anyone that is 30 odd, but it's the part of your life when the vast majority are more interested in a family lifestyle and less interested in living a little (partying, activities etc...), but hey my attitude might change by the time I hit 30.

If anyone gets my dilemma and could offer advice I would be more than greatful. (Helpful constructive advice, not people telling me not to become a 'politicians instrument', give me a good reason not to join if you don't think I should)

Thanks, Ryan.