Advice and opinions please

[Bored Civvy]

Hi guys.
As the title says Id like some comments on something thats been bothering me for ages.
Basically I got onto the Para CIC last year and left early on in training,mainly due to the culture shock,homesickness my fitness not as good as I thought and how in your face the instructors were.... I let their agressive attitudes get to me when I should of been thinking "b****ks to you Im gonna pass whatever you throw at me".
I generally think that I was too young to do the training mentally as by nature Im quite quiet and shy and having never been in that type of environment before and didnt approach training in the right way if you will.I let the enormity of what I was trying to do get to me and looked to far forward into training and what I was expected to do.
Anyway,Iv been thinking a lot recently about the opportunity I threw away and have started thinking about trying again as I still want to do it.I was just wondering if the paras or army in general would let me try again and if anyone on these boards has been in my situation or knows someone who has and could give me some advice or opinions on whether it would be worth me trying again?
I feel I have grown up a lot this past year and now see things in a different light than I used to.
Thanks for any advice and I apologise if I dont reply straight away.Limited computer access you see.
Cheers.

[Paratrooper01]

The regiment is always short of manpower and we are always on the lookout for fit, keen blokes to join.

I think there is a certain time limit to when you have "DAOR'd" and when you can join again. I guess you will have to explain yourself to the AFCO staff in your interviews etc.

The thing the para staff are after is aggression. I was quiet and a bit shy but i could get angry if i wanted and thats what they bring out in you and use it to make you push yourself further and harder than everyone else. I suggest before going back you find your inner aggression by whatever means (go and leather someone round the head down the pub if thats what flicks your switch...dont get caught!) and reapply for the paras so you can go back and show them what you are made of.

The instructors are only there to make a parachute regiment soldier out of you, but i always kept in my mind that they are only human and i always respected and looked up to them in the hope that one day i may be as good as them. I will always respect my section commander in depot, he is like God to you! He knows EVERYTHING!! Your platoon sgt is Gods Dad and we are all a big happy family

I was quite lucky, my platoon staff were all funny as hell and always cracked jokes etc and had a laugh with us when we were doing well. When we f*cked up of course we got hammered into the ground but you take it on the chin and keep going. Its only for 26 weeks after all.

Give it your best shot mate, but make sure you are ready.

[C4]

I threw it away and have started thinking about trying again as I still want to do it.I was just wondering if the paras or army in general would let me try again and if anyone on these boards has been in my situation or knows someone who has and could give me some advice or opinions on whether it would be worth me trying again?

Well unless you are medically refused, you can have another shot at it (or so I hear). My friend was refused entry into the army a few months or so before his 17th. The reason- he has a medical problem with his gut.

Go for it, go back and refuse to give in to the "anger" of the big man with the maroon beret. Remember, his job is to ground you down till you're nothing. Then he'll build you up and make you one of the best.

Do it. The army is currently 5000 or so short so they'll hardly send you away. They may (if you don't pass Para) recommend another career in the army.

[Alfa]

What you should also know is if you do re-join you can't DAOR again, if you sign on the dotted line for the 2nd time that's it, you're in the army for the next 4 years come hell or high water

[Tab]

During your training it is the instructors job to see just what you can take before you pack it in. They need to makes sure you can take all that any one can throw at you and still be there to take some more, the last thing they need is some one that quits when the going gets tough.

[JoJo82]

Don't take the instructs. abuse as personal, they are only weeding out the weak from the able. Seems to me you have re-thought you stanse and are more clear minded. I can't comment on the time frame of joining up but I can promise that you will claim your basic as one of your best highlights of serving.

You know for the future what is to be expected, keep your head down and march through.

Good luck and keep us posted xxxx

[plym_swimmer]

how old were you on your first shot?

[nipper]

what platoon were you in last year i was in athens 699pl but i got injured and tried again with normandy 701pl and then my injury made it so i had to leave. i m in your situation at the moment too. i didnt doar though, nor did i get medically discharged. i was granted early leaver or something because i asked to leave although i would of got medically discharged and didint want that in case i tried for the fire service. my injury was my back.

i m getting bored too and i too have been wondering about going back in and trying again. i believe i have sorted my back. the way i see it is that you are always going to think what if and if you no what to expect now then you can always brace your self for what is to come. they are harsh and strict but thats what makes the paras, they ask for discipline and perfection and that is what you need to give.

what they did in afgan this year was massive and that is what they are training you do, paras need to be able to switch that aggression on and off,

i think you have made your choice already, its just taking that big step again and doing it

i had two blokes in one of my platoon and they both rejoined and said it was the best thing they ever did

[Sandy The Guvnor]

i was in athens 699pl

Athens Pl's PTI is one good looking bloke

[SO19]

Are you sure about that Sandy?

[nipper]

yeah , i remember the all the lovely pt you gave us too and the education haha,

[Paratrooper01]

Battle pt was my favourite.

Sandy are they still doing battle pt in the programme? Also, isnt tabbing in trainers a bit hattish??

[nipper]

where does it say they are tabbing in trainers? they wasn't when i left in feb, or do you mean my comment on mfat forum, if so its because i aven't boots and am back as a civvi hoping to join 4para or back in the regulars

[Paratrooper01]

I read somewhere that recruits were tabbing in trainers now because of risk of injury. You can twist an ankle twice as easy in trainers than in boots, especially with weight on your back.

[Bored Civvy]

Hey guys thanks for all the replies.To be honest I was expecting a bit of a slagging....
Anyway,the more I think about trying again the more I feel I want to do it.My state of mind towards training is totally different than it was first time and now I know how to train for the fitness side better.
(Plus,Im having my tonsils out so I wont catch tonsilitis in training again........ )
Iv e-mailed the para recruiting team to see what they say so hopefully Ill get another chance.