Hi! Considering joining...

[peacemaker]

Hi all!

First of all, I want to say that I've been looking through these forums for information on joining and everyone seems helpful and friendly so I thought I'd post on here!
I'm currently considering joining up as an officer in the army. I've got my AFCO visit tomorrow but also filled out a complete online application for regular officers. I'm 25, got my degree and have been working in computing for several years now, but am totally fed up with working behind a desk for a living. Have always been interested in joining up and just recently my brother has joined the Royal Engineers which has re-ignited my interest (which was only doused while I went away travelling). So, for my first AFCO visit what can I expect? is it like an interview with tests or just an informal chat?
Also, I play footy twice a week but haven't really trained other than that, I went out for my first 1.5 mile run last week and did it in just over 12 minutes, with 20 press-ups in 1 minute and 30 sit-ups in 1 minute. A good start or have I got a lot of work to do?

cheers!


PS. is 25 a bit too old considering a lot of the lads will be 18-20?



Ja

[Billy_C]

Use the search button, lots of information on fitness, age etc

[Sarastro]

Lo mate.

First interview is fairly informal, finding out about you, why do you want to join type questions. Wear a suit & be presentable of course.

Fitness not a bad starting point, certainly better than mine was when I had the same idea. Technically, you want to be aiming for 10 min or below 1.5 mile time, level 10.2 on a 20m bleep test (use search for more on that), 44/50 pressups/situps in 2 mins - 2 minutes for each set of exercises, not total by the way - though really 60+ plus on each will make the tests much easier.

Realistically, you want to also build up to doing a decent amount of longer running, from 3-6 miles, aiming for 7 minute miles is good. Also, do at least one sprint work session a week, as things like assault courses depend on short sharp bursts of effort. Finally, any experience of hauling stuffs, throwing yourself around & general beasting will make military style phys, assault courses, leadership tasks (such as the ones you will do at AOSB) and such, much easier; not to mention being essential preparation for all sorts of joy at Sandhurst like section attacks, learning to move in fighting order, leopard crawls and so on. I would suggest trying out something like British Military Fitness as a taster of what is to come and also very good fitness preparation.

By the way, I'm nearly 28, aiming for Sandhurst this September, so you should be okay At 25 you'll be only slightly at the older end of the intake, which nowadays consists largely of graduates between 21-24.

[peacemaker]

Hey Sarastro, thanks for the informative reply! its interesting you suggest under 10 mins for the 1.5 mile as i remember my brother saying something about 13 mins to pass the selection for the Royal Engineers, must be harder for officers?

One thing I forgot to ask, how long does the whole process take, assuming I pass the tests first time etc?

cheers!

[spiderbloke]

Realistically, you want to also build up to doing a decent amount of longer running, from 3-6 miles, aiming for 7 minute miles is good. Also, do at least one sprint work session a week, as things like assault courses depend on short sharp bursts of effort. Finally, any experience of hauling stuffs, throwing yourself around & general beasting will make military style phys, assault courses, leadership tasks (such as the ones you will do at AOSB) and such, much easier; not to mention being essential preparation for all sorts of joy at Sandhurst like section attacks, learning to move in fighting order, leopard crawls and so on. I would suggest trying out something like British Military Fitness as a taster of what is to come and also very good fitness preparation.

Do many students attend those fitness courses mate

[Sarastro]

Sure they might do, not seen many around London, but it will depend on the venue and time - I've been going at 7AM in a non-studenty part of the city, so more City corporate types, less lads who've been out on the piss the previous night

If you've got military aspirations, the staff won't give a toss anyway, they like blokes who want to go in (like = will beast you the more).

[Billy_C]

Realistically, you want to also build up to doing a decent amount of longer running, from 3-6 miles, aiming for 7 minute miles is good. Also, do at least one sprint work session a week, as things like assault courses depend on short sharp bursts of effort. Finally, any experience of hauling stuffs, throwing yourself around & general beasting will make military style phys, assault courses, leadership tasks (such as the ones you will do at AOSB) and such, much easier; not to mention being essential preparation for all sorts of joy at Sandhurst like section attacks, learning to move in fighting order, leopard crawls and so on. I would suggest trying out something like British Military Fitness as a taster of what is to come and also very good fitness preparation.

Do many students attend those fitness courses mate

Chaps .... may I advise my friends outdoor company. His pre-Mod training is second to none and at a cut of the price than that of BMF! The training is specifically tailored to suit your needs.

The Billy Goat Mountain Adventure company-

www.mountainadventures.co.uk

Billy

[ubique]

I would suggest rather than going on faddy courses and the like and relying on heresay and the like, go and talk to the blokes at the AFCO and get in, the preperation you need will be given to you, don't put it off just do it, your fit enough certainly to set the wheels in motion.

[LostandFound]

Make sure you get an honest answer from your AFCO about the age/regiment question. When I had my interview, I told them I wanted infantry. I was 26 at the time. Only later did I find out that its almost impossible to get into infantry as an officer over the age of 24, they just wont even look at you. Even the Gunners said I was borderline too old for them.

Engineers may well be a bit more open to slightly older lads, but contact them to make sure.

[peacemaker]

So, an update on my progress...

I've got my first interview in a couple of days which I'm looking forward to, seems to have been ages since I arranged it! I've been training regularly for the last few weeks now, my routine is as follows:

sun - 1hr competitive 5-a-side footy
mon - strength circuit (dips,press-ups,sit-ups,dorsal raises, chin-ups) x 2
tue - 1.5 OR 3 OR 5 mile run
weds - 1 1/2 hr 5-a-side footy training
thurs - strength circuit
fri - rest
sat - light run / swim or rest

with that routine i've gotten my 1.5 mile time down to about 11 mins and did 3 miles in 20 mins last week but I don't seem to be improving on my press-ups. I gave myself a test a couple of days ago, did 1.5 miles ok, 50 sit-ups no problems but in 2 minutes I could only do 24 press-ups!! Is it just a case of 'sticking at it' or are there other things I could do??
I really want to improve them as quickly as possible as I'm aiming for the AOSB around Aug / Sept if possible.

any help much appreciated!

Ja