The 'right' age

[MrC]

As previously said only you can know when the time is right, but I would definitely consider spending a few years maturing, and possibly looking at some qualifications, as you won't be in the RM forever..

There are some good examples of things you can do afterwards, see Steven Preece for example, but I have met a few people from RM, and other infantry type backgrounds who struggle to find employment after serving, one person only served around 3-4 years of what he was hoping would be a full 22 year career but was MD'd due to a motorbike accident he sustained... There is a current thread on Arrse about being MD'd with the prospect of not being able to find anything else (Link).

I personally wouldn't join at 17, some lads do and I am sure you would enjoy it regardless of age. I would first have to experience other walks of life after leaving education, working, travelling etc. If you are really committed to a career in RM there is no rush.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

[mm1306]

1) Times where you have lead a group or demonstarted leadership. This could be coaching, or a fitness group, RMR, TA etc. About how you were able to assert your authority and what you did when people didn't listen to you.

2) Where you have shown examples of working in a team. The most obivous example would be a sports team, hopefully with a physical element. For example rugby or football. My main sport is cricket and no, we don't stand around in the sun all day! Things such as DoE, Cadets or Ten Tors would be good.

3) Having a job is always useful too. It gets you out and about, not sat at home watching TV all day! It gets you into contact with other people and how well you react around other people- social skills!

Although I think there is a heavier emphiasis on Officer to have more life experiance etc, It's good for anybody joining the forces to have a bit more of the outsie world.

I have written these from an Officer point of view because this was what was explained to me at my AFCO. Even if you aren't going for a Commission, you will do your chances no harm to have particpated in a team sport and so on.

Phew! Hope I haven't missed anything out?!?!?!! Does it answer your question at all?

David

Yeah that answers the question pretty clearly. That Lt Rogers in the commando doc though, he's 21 and training recruits. Bloody impressive(by modern standards), he seems about 5 years older than he really is when compared to some 21 year olds I have observed.

[misterpurple]

Yeah that answers the question pretty clearly. That Lt Rogers in the commando doc though, he's 21 and training recruits. Bloody impressive(by modern standards), he seems about 5 years older than he really is when compared to some 21 year olds I have observed.

Doesn't do much to dispel the super-bootneck myth though does it? Or are they all like that

[LostandFound]

There is no "right age" to apply. It's all in your mind

[kieran turner]

I'll tell you my little story.

At 15 I decided I was going to join the Army(I know this about RM but the principles are the same). I got all the relevant paperwork together etc. and applied.

Well I didn't continue my application, why? Well I didn't feel I was ready. I went to college did an NVQ1 in Electrical installation and have continued with this with a modern apprenticeship and I am being quite honest in that I have qualifications coming out of my arse in this particular field.

Now the latter was 4 years ago and I'll be brutally honest I have learnt so much in those years, mainly by actually working in a skilled envorioment, I have mentally matured and I am far less naive with regards to life itself.

Now I honestly believe that the lessons I have learnt in those years will equip me far better when I decide to re-apply (in the process of). I believe in the years between 16-19 it is a huge learning curve.

Now I am in no way saying don't join at 16 but I would urge you to consider possibly going to college and getting some form of qualification that would put you in good stead within the Forces. You will learn alot in this time and I do think it would help you when you do join.

This isn't meant to disrespect anyone on here who did join at 16 but I;m just giving my opinion on the matter.

Cheers Kieran

[daveroyal]

Alright mate,

I joined when I was 17, passed out when I was 18; so it can be done!
Id just go do a PRMC, it should give you a good insight into what training will be like (not everything!), but it should help make up your mind. Dont get bogged down by people telling you to do it later on, make your own mind up and go for it!

Dave.