Royal Signals vs School (6th Form)

[Buzz]

OK this is my first post after ages of browsing through various other topics.

I've had something in mind the past 3 or 4 months and not really got round to asking anyone about it. I'm 16, nearly 17 (May) and I'm in 6th Form. I've got two months left of it and I'm in the process of joining the Army (I've just done the medical and awaiting an interview).

I passed the BARB with 71 points and my Careers Advisor said with the grades I got at GCSE combined with the BARB result, everything is open to me in the Army, so I know I don't need anymore qualifications or anything to achieve what I want to achieve.

I haven't been performing at school that well either, just been messing around, I saw it as a chance to spend one last year with my mates before I went off to the Army, however the past 2 or 3 months I've been falling out with some of them, and decided to get on with some work, I've got a couple of months left before exams and I've got an exceptional ability in German and computers.

I was wondering if you guys think I should focus on solely the Army, i.e. traning (running etc getting fitness up for any tests) or stick the last couple months of school and get a higher qualification in German and IT. Would this achieve anything, as my Careers Advisor told me everything was open to me anyway.

Sorry for any boring reading, I read in other posts people not being detailed enough, so I made mine as clear as possible.

Thanks for any help.
Buzz

[Buzz]

so I know I don't need anymore qualifications or anything to achieve what I want to achieve.

at the moment you have all that you need but what about in 6 years time?

I checked up on that 'cos I knew you would say that. I was told that I get qualifications in the Army helpful if you leave the army and work on civvie street, and since the Royal Signals is full of good trades, i.e. a Spec Op, where you can get NVQ's in Electronic Communications, or just an Electrician, these are all sorts of things that get qualifications recognisable in civvie street.

So I could get my qualifications in the Army, instead of just "waiting around" for my time to come...

However I do agree with your point, but I would rather start my career asap, as I am very committed to this.

[Buzz]

Yer they are fair points and that's made me think.

I am sure the army will be for me as I have been brought up by a father who spent most of his life in the army so I've got a lot of discipline and I can take a mental beating and I'm quite fit.

But I'm going to stick it and just get my exams done with and then focus 100% on the army.

Thanks for the responses didn't think I was going to get any.

Buzz

[Sig657]

Dont be a fool stay in school!!!! thats what they tell you mate you'll get this qualifacation that qualifacation etc. all sounds great but the actual reality is your gonna next to nothing qualifacations wise. Well thats the case with most trades in the Signals is. speaking from experience there. But dont be too influenced by what are read on these forums because at the end of rthe day your the one that has to make the decisions, it s your life and everones different! Good luck with your decission.

[Hantslad]

Do languages at A Level and then join the Int Corps at 18, that would be my advice. Or if you really fancy it, go to uni and then go for a commission. Just DONT JOIN AT 16!

[Buzz]

I dont need to go and study a language i can speak german fluently because I am half german. I have put r. sig as first choice because ill have a skill for when i come out of the army and telecommunications interests me anyway. Ive already been trained as a technician for a company that installs sky boxes and satellites etc. So r. sig should be a doddle.

[Hantslad]

Do a couple of other languages at A level (or any other subject for that matter) Then join the Int Corps, bags of responsibility, one of the quickest promotion ladders in the Army. The chance to go Commando or Airborne or work with SF. IT Security, Languages, Agent Handling.

There are a hell of a lot of good jobs in the Int Corps, plus a better than average cance of getting a Commission