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hello all, i have applied for the army and completed my BARB test this week. But the people at the AFCO are totally SH*T at telling you things and giving you information. Plus i cant find any into online. What i want to know is something about when i go to selection, what i will be doing over the 2 days, what tests and what results am i expected to get, i am joining as a REME armourer, plus could you tell me time scales, from barb test to basic training.
Thanks for any help given

Hi Rugby Boy. If the ACIO are not giving you the info you need then go back in and bug them till they do. They have all the info and some! It is their job to tell you, that is what they get paid for. Specific dates relating to intakes are only available from them.

if you do a search i am sure theres a detailed post about selection. anyway heres what happened on mine.

Introduction then medical - a lot of waiting about, doc checks out your joints (by getting to you to bend and squat etc), eyesight, blood pressure, Fat %, BMI. the usual stuff but in greater detail. then its off to the hearing test, very easy, sit in a booth and press when you hear the sounds. Trip to the bar and then bed. Strenght tests- 3 exercises, one where you kind of get strapped in standing up and have to lean back as hard as you can for a certain amount of time, one is where your lifting weights to head height or above, and sorry i cant rememeber the 3rd machine?!! Then we had the jerry can carry, you hold 2 jerry cans and have to do a a kind of bleep test in line with the PTI, then its on to pull ups, jump up to wooden beam and do as many as you can, i only managed to do 10 but in my final interview he said thats average at this stage. be warned though they do knock some off if you dont go right down whilst doing them. Then theres the 1.5 mile run, you get taken on a little cheeky warm up first so try running more than 1.5 miles whilst training, i did but some people on the RSC didnt and struggled when it came to the run?! If your RSC is up near Edinbrough then its quite a nice run haha down a country path along a river lol, just put in max effort. Then warm down - do as the instructor says asap, some guys in our group were messing about and we had to do bowt 30-40 mins extra running where he just kept shouting right to the tree, sprint to the goal post etc and leopard crawling. After that we did the grenade test, (NOT LIVE ). quite fun, scramble through a tunnel and throw a dead grenade in to artifical bunker. Finally its off for a shower and changed into a suit for final interview. In between the physical you have an ice breaker presentation where you speak about yourself etc in front of the group, a very brief lesson on the weapons (which you have a test on the next day) and if your trade requires it a maths test.

hope that helped mate and good luck.

Ps, mine was in may and got offered basic training in november

Im currently in the selection process for the Army and this is what I managed to find on the Army's website about the fitness tests:




What is the soldier fitness test and run time?
As part of the selection process to join the Army as a soldier you will be required to pass a fitness test. If you click on the related links on the right you can view the web site that covers this test in detail.

The Carry
This test confirms the strength of the muscles in the upper arm and shoulder girdle. You will be required to carry two jerry cans(large water containers) each weighing 20KG (44lb) over a set course at a constant speed of 5.4 kph.

The test result is measured as the distance in metres achieved while keeping up with the set pace.

The set course is a distance of 150 metres which is expected to be completed in a maximum of 2 minutes.

The Static Lift
With the feet shoulder width apart, bent legs and the back kept straight, you will be required to pull against a device called a Dynamometer which is attached to the floor. This measures the maximum amount of force you can exert in a single lift.

The result of this test is measured in kilogrammes.

The Dynamic Lift
This test measures how much weight can be lifted from the floor to a height of 1.45 m (the height of a 4 tonne truck) Using an Incremental Lift Machine, at a start weight of 5-10 kg, you will need to lift the weight safely to a height of 1.45 m.

The weight will then be increased progressively after each successful lift. Lifts are made with the legs bent and the back straight.

The result of this test is measured in kilogrammes.

The Back Extension
The large muscles in the back are used during the lifting and carrying of objects and when marching with loads. The strength of these muscles is measured using a special Back Extension Rig.

You will be strapped into the rig and asked to extend your back as much as possible against a resistance. The force generated by the back muscles is measured in kilogrammes on a digital readout.

The Heaves
Hanging under-grasp from a beam with the arms fully extended, heave the body up towards the beam until the chin is clear of the top. Once this is reached, lower to the start position under control ensuring that the arms are fully extended.

This is repeated as many times as possible but is a 'best effort' test.

This particular test does not have a pass or fail score but does help towards your overall fitness assessment while at the Recruit Selection

The Run
First you will warm up with a run and walk in a squad (as a group) for 6 minutes over a distance of 8 hundred metres. This is then followed immediately by a timed 'best effort' (individual) run over a measured distance of 2.4 km (1 1/2 miles). The course will be on level ground and on a good running surface.

The required time will depend on what job you have applied for

Level 1
Run time 12.45

Infantry

Pioneers

Level 2
Run time 13.15

Royal Artillery

Royal Armoured Corps

Royal Engineers

Household Cavalry

Level 3
Run time 14.00

All other Arms and Corps

Parachute Regiment
Run time 9.18

Junior Entry Army Development Course
Run time 14.00

Junior Entry Army Foundation College
Run time 14.30

Sorry its a bit of along post but I hope it helps.