YO's

[willgoodman]

Hey Guy's

Hope everyone is getting along well, been reading a few of the posts and everyone seems to be doing pretty well. Seen a few of the lads on here pass out, your mothers must be so proud!

YO2004 is f@#k awesome, got commando course out the way and have just been in Virginia and Washington D.C for 3 weeks. Spent way too much money and am now spending my summer crackin phys to stop me spending any more money!

Sorry to the guys who'd asked the questions before about YO training if you want to post them again i'd be more than happy to answer. Congrats to the two lads on here who have made it into the '05 batch, have heard the training team planning your're first few exercises....ahhh all that fun to come!

Just remember to take it all with a pinch of salt, do your best in everything and be a rubber duck, because remember you can't crack a rubber duck!

Will

[themattmeister]

Just a small question, what have yourself and other YO's done in the past to demonstrate your marine officer potential at the AIB, e.g were there loads of ex-head boys, rugby team captains, OTC, reserve forces, charity workers in the 2004 batch?

[willgoodman]

Was a mix really, i had been a rugby team captain plus played loads of sports, besides that i hadn't really done all that much and had no military experience except what my family had told me.

When you get to the aib its all about being honest and telling them what you want to hear. remember to tell them everythign you've done and blow your own trumpet without sounding arrogant. Other than that the best thing to do in the AIB is to just be yourself and if you are you will do a lot better.

Hope that helps

Will

[themattmeister]

Thanks Will. I get you, be economical with the truth.

[letsrole]

Alright will, what A-leves did you take and what grade did you get in them?

[willgoodman]

I took, Sport science, human biology, ecenomics and geography, and got BBCC. And no degree. for the application process you require 140 ucas points from 2 a- levels.

Will

[letsrole]

I’m taking leisure and recreation AVCE, physical education and design and technology.... Not exactly academic subjects at the best of times but do you think this would go against me, as I didn’t choose subjects such as maths, science or English? I chose these because I was interested in them and didn’t want to be doing subjects in 6th form that I would regret (like most of my friends), should I explain that reason to my careers officer? Sorry if it’s a bit of bone question just wondering

[dannyd]

Will,

Firstly, congrats on getting this far.

Secondly, a bit of a bone question but one that has been niggling at me. Seeing as you've recently passed the Cdo Cse & have now been awarded the Green Lid, do you wear the 'RM Cdo' shoulder flashes or are these only awarded once you've passed out?

Thirdly, how long is the YO course? I've had answers ranging from 50 weeks to 65.

Good luck for the rest of training. Let us know how it goes.

Regards,

Dan

[willgoodman]

Yeh you get the commando flashes as well thank goodness.

Training for me at the moment is down as 60 weeks, i don't know what it is for the next intake. However im in week 45 now and you do your commando course in week 35

The course is awesome and the amount of effort they put into it is second to none, i can't think of a day i can look back on and genuinley say there wasn't a moment when one of your oppos made you laugh....best job in the world!

Will

[Dave_n]

how old are you will?

well done seeing as something like 70 officers get in a year i think?

[willgoodman]

There is 60 per intake at the moment. I was 19 when i started and i'm 20 now. There is 5 sprogs in our batch who have all made it through, there are three that are 19 now and another lad who is 20. all the rest are between 23 and 26. There are 8 lads in the batch without degrees as far as i know.

Will

[dannyd]

Will,

Cheers for the heads-up.

Another bone question for you, in the current G&L there is a photo of your batch with their (I presume newly presented) green lids on & one of the YOs is receiving a certificate for winning the Cdo Medal. In the background there is a guy with a maroon beret on & what looks like the 1 Para DZ flash. Is he part of your training team?

Regards,

Dan

PS Although I doubt anyone really cares, one of my best mates is pictured on the 45 Cdo pages in the same G&L, halfway up a mountain with a gimpy.

[Chappy]

Will,

Cheers for the heads-up.

Another bone question for you, in the current G&L there is a photo of your batch with their (I presume newly presented) green lids on & one of the YOs is receiving a certificate for winning the Cdo Medal. In the background there is a guy with a maroon beret on & what looks like the 1 Para DZ flash. Is he part of your training team?

Regards,

Dan

PS Although I doubt anyone really cares, one of my best mates is pictured on the 45 Cdo pages in the same G&L, halfway up a mountain with a gimpy.

I seen that - was curious too and would be interested in knowing what he was doing there. Cheers for bringing it up.

[sd88]

How long has it taken people from first going into the AFCO to doing the POC? I've been told it will be up to 8 months which seems a bit long.

[willgoodman]

You're right, he is a Para Captain, he's not part of my training team but he's on an exchange draft and works in command wing. He ran the 30 miler with one of the syndicates.

On your training team as YO's the TO (training officer) will be an army captain who's job is to teach you the tactics and doctrine laid out by the army and the MOD

Will