Graduates in Recruit Training

[will996]

Good evening everyone, I am a first time poster and I have an issue that I hope some of you will be able to advise me on.

I have recently graduated from university with a good degree and I have an ambition to join the Royal Marines. I am under pressure from various areas to go for a commision but having failed AIB before, for a different branch, I dont feel this is the option for me.

Is it unusual for graduates to join as recruits? Would a graduate fit in RT and is it common? Everyone I ask seems to think that a graduate would be out place and should only apply for a commision (which I feel is quite insulting to the Marines).

If anyone could tell me their opinion on this matter I would really appreciate it as the Royal Marines has become a serious ambition of mine, albeit in the recruit not officer role.

Thanks very much and hello to everyone!

[ofens]

Well done on completing your degree!
Officer or soldier is more about personality type than education.
Having a degree reflects well on your education, but it does not make you an officer any more than sticking a feather up your *rse makes you a chicken.
If in doubt discuss it with your AFCO.

[fodd]

Mate when i was a nod there was loads of lads with degrees just depends on what you want to do

[fubar84]

I think that ultimately if you're cut out for training then the fact that you have a degree is largely irrelevant. I have A-levels (not quite the same as a degree I know!) and I consider myself to be completely capable of achieving a degree.

On top of this I passed POC and AIB last year, didn't make the top 50 that went on to YO training, and am now going down the recruit route. I start recruit training in September

On my PRMC I met all types of people from young, immature lads to some really switched on fellas, and even guys taking a big salary drop to join the corps.

You're almost guaranteed to meet a couple of guys who are on your wavelength.

As the old adage goes - 'you don't know until you try'

All the best,
Ben

[will996]

Cheers lads, thats really helpful. I'll get myself down the AFCO right away!

[Weasel]

To be honest I think that you'll only find that it's a hindrance if you let it be. I have a degree myself, and I can't see it being a problem. I wouldn't have said that I was a "typical" bootneck, when I went to the AFCO, the person on reception said that I was to well spoken to be in the Marines and should join the RAF

To paraphrase what's been said before, it's not how many pieces of paper you have, it's the determination in your head that gets you though.

Best of luck.

[Felias]

Lots of Marines I know have degrees. Apply for a comission if you want responsibilities and are a natural leader. I dont have a degree just A-levs, but there are lots of guys with degree serving as Non-comissioned ranks.

[Chas]

Felias,

I am not posting this to cause inter service rivalry.
However it is very well known that Royal's academic
entry standards are at all levels higher than Perce's.
The fact that there are graduates serving in the ranks
demonstrates that strong, cogent desire and challenge to
become a member of an elite yet egalitarian brotherhood
achieved through a mutual standard and common denominator
namely the CCse. That is why Royal is best and long may it
remain so!

[james_m]

Felias,

I am not posting this to cause inter service rivalry.
However it is very well known that Royal's academic
entry standards are at all levels higher than Perce's.
The fact that there are graduates serving in the ranks
demonstrates that strong, cogent desire and challenge to
become a member of an elite yet egalitarian brotherhood
achieved through a mutual standard and common denominator
namely the CCse. That is why Royal is best and long may it
remain so!

"The thinking mans soldier" I believe Chas!

One-liner-avoidance-system-deployed

Cheers
James

[Chas]

Felias,
Correct.
'The thinking mans soldier.'
The the one I liked but albeit old fashioned was
nevertheless often heard in my day. 'A gentleman ranker.'
Possibly a throwback to WW1 but I am not that old whatever
Artist or others may say !
We had to travel everywhere on or off duty in
uniform. Hitching a lift when on leave was dead
easy. Everyone stopped for you. Two mates of mine
were in the in the Gordons as rankers and hitched in
uniform to Greece in 3 days. Must have been the novelty
of the kilt or what was alleged to be under it which made
people stop for them.
'Autres temps autres moeurs.'
Chas.

[Dangermouse]

degrees mean f@#k all in my opinion. Its the knowledge and what you make of it that counts, not a qualification. I've lost count of the amount of students i've met who have never worked, live off watsits and can't even cook a bowl of pasta without causing a credible fire. Its the person that counts. I'm at uni now, but my heart as always been on joining the Marines as a rating. I'd be tempted to join as an officer, but probably wouldn't make it if om honest with myself.

[will996]

Hi Dangermouse,

I dont agree that degree's mean nothing. Certainly to gain a good result in a credible course takes a large amount of dedication and hardwork (at least it did in my case). Although I take your point about the lack of common sense of some students although in my experience this is in the minority. Uni is also a great experience and laugh and I think some qualities needed to complete a degree such as self motivation, hard work and discipline would transfer well to the RM.

I presume a degree could only be a good thing if you were to apply for a commission at a later date? (as long as the right qualities have been displayed during service up to the point of application for a commission)

Cheers for all the replies, its interesting to hear all your views.

Will

[themattmeister]

I had 3 graduates in my troop including myself and we're all in the same coy at 42.

Some of the training team think it was a bit strange that someone with a law degree would join the marines instead of doing the obvious but there you go.

I had the same expectation to try to go officer and my heart wasn't really in it, in the end it was a waste of time - just do what you want to do and don't let anyone else deter you.

[Dangermouse]

Sorry, I said that wrong. I think that degrees have a lot of intrinsic value to those that take them (I'm happy I'm at uni and have looked ionto the possibility of taking a Masters), and the knowledge gained is invaluble to an employer, but I meant to say that having a degree does not necessarily help a persons character or make them a leader. If a person has the right qualities, thier level of education should not come into it. Education is just one measure of intelligence, and not the most important one. Most employers simply don't have time enough to explore the full potential of every applicant, therefore a degree gives them some idea of thier intelligence, yet it should not be set in stone.

But, in my view most people who join the Marines do so for the lifestyle, mental and physical challanges, a sense of duty, family tradition, etc, etc, etc, so education should not matter. I now I could get a decent, well paid job when I leave uni, but thats not what I want. I wouldn't personally let anything disuade me from attempting to join.

[Artist]

Back in the early Seventies when I joined not to many guys even had CSE's or 'O' levels let alone a Degree! Some went onto bigger and better things by utilising the chances for improvement offered to anyone who asked for it. I managed to hack a History Degree via the Open University route whilst serving at no cost to myself.

One of my Squaddies joined with no quals whatsoever but was found to be a natural born leader of men. So he was encouraged to get some quals by the bosses. In the space of seven years he was a C/Sgt. Then he went SD (Special Duties) which is the route taken by SNCO's/WO's offered a Commission and finished up as a Full Colonel.

Remember one thing gentlemen, You can have a PHd in Applied Phsyics but if you don't have a bit of Common Dog living between your lugholes your going to find it harder than you could ever imagine.

I've met guys with Qualifications coming out of their ears who found recruit training just to much to hack. They could write a thesis on the chances of life on Mars but were lost when they had to make their bed or polish their boots. Quite a few of them bought themselves out at week 12 or were discharged as unsuitable.

I'm not saying that all you guys with degrees and suchlike are of this ilk by any means so please don't think I'm having a go at anyone who has worked their guts out getting a Degree prior to joining the Corps. Because I ain't. The main things your going to need, be it recruit training or YO training is:

A. Common Dog.
B. A Positive Mental Attitude.
C. A good sense of humour.

At all times regardless of what your doing or where your doing it.

And yes the Royal Marines have always been known as the "Thinking Mans Soldier" I'm sure most of you have heard the expression; "Tell it to the Marines" It means that if you can get a cynical, worldwise Bootneck to believe you then it must be true. Although some "WAGS" of an Armyish background have tried to turn it into a hint that a Marine will believe ought he's told by a Perce. Their Jealous of us you see chaps.

Artist