What's the army like?

Hi, if you've been in the CCF you'll have a small idea of what it's like in the military. However, the cadets is the cadets, and really you're just dipping your toe in the water. Why do you want to get into the Grenadier Guards specifically, and in what capacity? Soldier or Officer?

I understand your reasoning for thinking of joining the Army at this time, but as you rightly identify, the economic fallout from the current situation will be long and very hard. For every job type and sector. The military will not be immune, in fact it is highly likely the armed forces will be front and centre when the treasury and Dominic Cummings start looking at departments to swing their big axe against. Money does not grow on trees. Despite what recent events might suggest.

Sorry, buddy, you guys will be paying for this for decades.

I don't know what the answer is, but you may need a good degree to get the competitive edge for whatever role and sector you aim for. Do not make the assumption that an Army career will be the easy way out until things settle down. It may have been once (circa1950s), but these are different times.

Good luck.

Hi, if you've been in the CCF you'll have a small idea of what it's like in the military. However, the cadets is the cadets, and really you're just dipping your toe in the water. Why do you want to get into the Grenadier Guards specifically, and in what capacity? Soldier or Officer?

I understand your reasoning for thinking of joining the Army at this time, but as you rightly identify, the economic fallout from the current situation will be long and very hard. For every job type and sector. The military will not be immune, in fact it is highly likely the armed forces will be front and centre when the treasury and Dominic Cummings start looking at departments to swing their big axe against. Money does not grow on trees. Despite what recent events might suggest.

Sorry, buddy, you guys will be paying for this for decades.

I don't know what the answer is, but you may need a good degree to get the competitive edge for whatever role and sector you aim for. Do not make the assumption that an Army career will be the easy way out until things settle down. It may have been once (circa1950s), but these are different times.

Good luck.

I’m sorry but that is *******s, most regiments are extremely short in manning and probably even more so due to not training taking place for the last few months. It’s probably one of the most secure jobs you could have at the moment. It’s been massively undermanned for years so the last things they’re going to do is start cutting people who are already serving.

Yeah, that's what I thought, they're very much struggling to get troops, I read they've just launched SAS recruitment. Also given the current climate I somehow doubt the government is about to be axing the armed services

Hubb mate, never make the mistake of thinking politicians care about the armed forces compared to other public services. I accept there is under manning in many regiments, squadrons and ships. So? They may be trying to aggressively recruit, and there will be many pinch points that urgently require resource to fill, but the govt priority will be towards rebuilding the economy, not the military. CV19 has, in the blink of an eye, changed the national landscape for many years to come.

And in any case, what exactly do you think the army will be doing in the next 5, 10, 20 years? Post Iraq and Afghanistan there will be no appetite to commit blood and treasure to military adventures that the country can no longer afford.

If you want to believe differently, mate, crack on.

Alright then, I guess you (a uni student I’m guessing?) much have a much better understanding of armed forces recruitment and job security than me.
Gotcha.

Alright then, I guess you (a uni student I’m guessing?) much have a much better understanding of armed forces recruitment and job security than me.
Gotcha.

I'll let you read some of my TSR posts (back to 2010) to get an idea of my background! I think I have slightly more knowledge of military job security than you may think.


But you're right about one thing. I know nothing about current armed forces recruiting, other than the adverts are aimed at grabbing the tech savvy, fleeting attention span generation. I'm sure they are effective.

However, I do know a bit about political mentality (regardless of party colour) and sentiment, having lived through a number of defence reviews and swingeing cuts. In fact the last time the armed forces lucked in was 1979 when Mrs T awarded them a massive rise. Whatever her faults in later life, she knew it was a good idea to keep the military on side. I once met a Labour Defence Secretary prior to a flight over Baghdad (coincidentally with a member of the Hereford Gun Club). Two years later I met him again, and we had quite a good chat about things. Actually he was a genuinely nice chap who appeared to have great respect for the military. He lasted about 2 more months before moving on. There is no sentiment in the Palace of Westminster.

I wish you well for your future career (if a currently serving squaddie), and I hope you see out your contracted time. I just don't want the OP to think the armed forces will be a ringfenced rock solid job when the country goes into a deep recession. Unless the govt needs lots of bodies to quell the revolting public, or build more pop up hospitals.

Well then I’m sorry but I don’t spend half an hour looking through someone’s posting history before responding. That’s fine, but from where I sat it’s as solid a job as any you can get at the moment.

Where you're sat is Ignorance Street, Dumbville, a town in the county of Guessworkshire


...unless you are suggesting that many other jobs might bin you off any second due to budget cuts. In which case, absolutely.

Wow, thanks for that. I don’t really see the point in insulting strangers over the internet but if that’s how you’re spending your lockdown time in the comfort of your sofa then by all means continue. Hopefully you’ll grow up one day.