Officer selection

[steveg16]

Hi guys, this is (or will be) the situation:
I am currently studying for a Quantity Surveying degree and will finish when i am 25. My 25th birthday will be in the April and i will finish my degree in the May. I am currently 23.
I worked doing a slightly similar job with my Father before my degree but in my mind i always have wanted to be a Royal Marine Officer.
I intend to finish my degree to fall back on but I have decided I am going to apply.
Because the entry requirements stipulate that you must be under 26 on the 1st of September on the year of entry I will have met the criteria, just.
Obviously I intend to pass both POC and AIB first time but IF I don't there's a chance I would miss the boat for offier entry so to speak due to being 26 the next year.
I have done a search and found some information which has been a great help.
My question is could I do POC and AIB the year before I want to enter or has it got to be the same year as intended entry?
Sorry for the essay guys, just wanted to let you guys know where I am.
I will ring my AFCO on Tuesday as they are now closed for the Easter period. Thanks in advance for any help and/or advice.
Regards, Steve

[lil_dinger_bell]

Hey, I think you can take the POC and AIB before you actually graduate...but if not you can take both POC and AIB in June for the September intake, thus making the age requirement. I'm 25 and turn 26 in September and the Admirality Board sqeeezed both my POC and AIB in April so that I had a chance before I was too old.

Hope that helps

[misterpurple]

As far as I am aware, the POC and AIB 'pass' lasts for one year, during which you have to begin your training. However, if you apply for a bursary now and are successful, a place will be held for you on the year's officer training after you finish at uni.

[steveg16]

Thats great, thank you for that. Can I just ask, are you a graduate?
Best of luck with your selection mate.
Cheers, Steve

[steveg16]

As far as I am aware, the POC and AIB 'pass' lasts for one year, during which you have to begin your training. However, if you apply for a bursary now and are successful, a place will be held for you on the year's officer training after you finish at uni.

Thanks for that mate

[lil_dinger_bell]

Steve I don't know if that question was directed towards me but if so, yes I have a Bachelors Degree in Philosophy and Sociology with a Minor in Religion.

Thanks for the well wishes mate, you too, hopefully your dates all work out in the end.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Dinger,
just out of interest, if you are unsuccessful with officer entry will you be applying as a recruit?

[steveg16]

Even though that question isn't directed at me I'm fairly certain I will be.

Just need to re-learn Corps knowledge and brush up on current affairs a bit.

I plan on searching for this on here after I get in from the gym tonight but WHEN I get through officer training, am I able to request a particular unit? I'm sure I'd enjoy each of them. The only reason I ask is because I know an ex-Marine who was part of the fleet protection group and didn't like it as much as he thought he would.
Thanks in advance,
Steve

[Cool Hand Luke]

Even though that question isnt directed at me i'm fairly certain i will be.

Just need to re learn corps knowledge and brush up on current affairs a bit.

I plan on searching for this on here after i get in from the gym tonight but WHEN i get through officer training am i able to request a particular unit? I'm sure i'd enjoy each of them. The only reason i ask is because i know a ex marine who was part of the fleet protection group and didnt like it as much as he thought he would.
Thanks in advance, Steve

Yeah me too mate.

A mate of mine last year passed out in 938 troop, he opted to go to 42 commando but ended up being drafted to 45 commando. I think you can state a preference but I don't think it's guaranteed you will get your choice. Maybe it just comes down to where you're most needed, I'm not sure.

[Cool Hand Luke]

And Steve, gym on a Saturday night? Dedication lol! None of my local gyms are open on a Saturday night, except for Esporta which I don't have the $$$ for.

[lil_dinger_bell]

I will be joining as a regular if I don't get in as an Officer. I don't want to think about it but if that's the hand life deals me, so be it. It's is an even bigger pain in my ass because even if I am successful at both POC and AIB, I need to obtain a residency waiver which the MOD has said isn't always a 'done deal' upon successful completion. I know many people can pass both and not get chosen by the final selection board but it just adds one more hurdle for me to kick over.

Regardless of what happens, whether I will be leading or being led, I will eventually be a Royal Marine and that thought alone makes me a happy man.

Now its just the wating game for the POC and AIB, and the hope that my training and studying pays off.

[steveg16]

And Steve, gym on a saturday night? Dedication lol! None of my local gyms are open on a Saturday night, except for Esporta which I don't have the $$$ for.

LOL, it's Friday today mate. I had to go earlier due to shorter Easter hours

[Cool Hand Luke]

Oh yeah lol

[AJtothemax]

Oh yeah lol

Someone call a cab please, he's had it.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Lmao, mate I can't even remember typing that now, I swear I fell into a time warp or something.