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Gidday lads,
I have a bit of a dilemma and am hoping i could get some advice from you lot

Ok, basically I've just passed selection into the NZ army as an Officer and I've been offered a scholarship, which means I would begin in Janurary. But I've done some serious thinking and I realised the only real reason I did all that was from pressure through the olds, and I don't want to do it. What I really want to do, and have done for a long time, is join the Marines.

What I am thinking of doing is when I am in England in November (there for about a month, staying with some family friends, parents not coming) is just go ahead and get on a PRMC and I am fairly confident I could pass. Then, if succesful I would come back to NZ, do my Initial Officer Training, then, after about 6 months pack up and move over. I wouldn't tell my olds about any of it until I was just about to leave.

They want me to be an officer because my dad started as a Private in RMP and is just about to retire as a Captain in RNZMP, and my mum served 4 years in RMP so they say they have the experience and that I would hate it. I don't want to because at 18, I don't feel I have the life skills or maturity to lead 30 odd troopies, and would rather be a private/marine anyway.

They are going to be absolutely gutted but I think I need to do it...it is my life after all

I know that inevitably only I can make the final desicion but any help or advice would be greatly appreciated,

Sorry for the rambling
Cheers, Gareth

P.s. I hope they don't read this site

Undertow,

Just tell them what you want to do, you're 18 it's you're choice not theirs, iI would suggest not going through with that plan about doing 6 months in the NZ army then dropping it, it sounds a bit to far fetched. Just tell you're parents what you want, apply for PRMC and if you pass then ring up the NZ army and tell them you're not joining, simple as that.

Also, if you pass PRMC you'll probably start 3-4 months afterwards.

Hi mate,

If your heart isnt into doing it and you dont want to do it, you will not only regret doing it when you're older but also be thinking 'why diddnt I go for the Marines' and live to regret it.

As you said, it's your life mate. I know your parents want you to be an officer in the NZ army but if you dont wanna do it, dont.

My family wanted me to continue my Computing career (I was a team leader of a computing support team), but I always knew I wanted to be a Royal and have gone ahead and done it (well....in the process at the moment (PRMC soon)). My family initially weren't too happy (they were more worried than anything), but they accepted what I wanted to do and also realised that I am (fingers crossed) gonna be in one of the most elite corps in the world, which makes them very proud.

Also, you are still carrying on your family tradition of being in the military, plus it's part of the Commonwealth.

Finally, before November, I would email/contact the Navy careers office to get the ball rolling, as you never know, it could take a long time for them to fit in an interview/test etc (luckily mine was only a weeks wait from the time I signed, but some are longer).

So, to sum it up, go for the Royals mate. It's what YOU wanna do. I know it's hard to go against what your parents want you to do (as I have experienced this), but you will be glad in the long term mate

Dave

Whats the NZ army by the way ??

New Zealand Army.............

If you apply for the RM your AFCO officer (usually a Navy CPO with 22+ years of experience) will ask for your current address in the UK. YOU ALSO need to tell him if you have applied for any other forces - if you lie about anything, then thats grounds for your application to be rejected!

There is a lot more to it than just applying.........and popping down for a PRMC. You need to pass the recruit test, an official interview, a medical plus a pre joining fitness test (and you MUST get a time of 9 minutes 30 or under).

IF you pass the PJFT (pre joining fitness test) then the AFCO officer will decide if your fit enough to go down to Lympstone for a PRMC......

The Royals are one of the worlds elite........if you try joining them on a whim........or if your not 100% commited you wont make it.

Dont u have to have stayed in the UK for a certain time to be able to join the Royal ??

For Officers, yes. If your applying as a normal Marine you just need to be part of the commonwealth.....

Be warned though, security checks take longer to clear if your from overseas......

Good luck

GS.

Cheers for all the help guys, it will be hard but if got some time to think about it...I;ve already got the ball rolling with the AFCO, have a place sorted and the fitness won't be any problem at all. I am a full British citizen with a Brtitish passport so hopefully that will make things easier.

But taking into account what you guys said, i think I will just tell them, Thanks a lot, been a great help

Gareth