Joining Army Age 27 - Tips/Advice?

I am 27 and start training in a few weeks. I've been planning on saying that for about 10 years but it is only happening now due to me messing up when i was younger and ending up in Young Offenders. I've had to wait until now to show that I can stay out of trouble and I know I really want to do well.

For anybody whose been through training>

I know at 27 I'll probably be one of the oldest recruits - from what I've been at so far most of the others lads were probably teenagers. Do there be many people my age? Is it harder/easier being a bit older?
-Yes and no, they have more maturity to deal with stuff and get stuff done. You probably won't be he oldest either as on my basic 2 years ago there were 2 32 year old blokes who passed it. There were a good 5-6 who were late 20's as well.

Would any of the training staff be around my age or would they be older?
- More than likely, one of our corporals was 24

Do the training staff know much about you or just what you tell them?
-Just what you tell them/what you out on your application

Dis you know if anybody else talked/found out if they had a criminal record - would it be a big deal?
-If you tell them in your application, no. If you don't and it gets found out at a later date then yes, s**t will hit the fan.

Did you miss girlfriend/home much when you were in training?
-Yes but you can call them often

Are you allowed smoke during training or is it looked on as bad to be smoking?
-Not really as half my intake Did, more by the end!

Did anybody leave during training or anybody hey kicked out?