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I have a couple of questions about the Infantry. Now I am considering joining but I have heard some bad stuff about the infantry. I would certainly like to see action as a soldier and infantry are obviously at the heart of that however ex-army friends I have spoke with have told me that when your not in combat all you do is spend your days running around keeping fit. Surely there is more to it than this? What of any qualifications? Does anyone actually join the infantry out of preference? What can it offer?

gone

BM_Fated wrote:I would certainly like to see action as a soldier and infantry are obviously at the heart of that however ex-army friends I have spoke with have told me that when your not in combat all you do is spend your days running around keeping fit. Surely there is more to it than this?

Well I'm having trouble seeing what use front-line troops would be if they're never on the frontline!

Ghost

Fitness to a combat soldier is paramount, So they spend certain ammount time keeping fit and training, when you are in Barracks. Much is also spent on weapon training and tatics, you should spend time training to meet any type of threat, from riots, terroist threats, to full combat. The training can't stop as you never know just when you will be dropped in at the deep end. The harder the training the more you learn, and learn to work as team, the better you become.

The Infantry is the best corps, no matter what anybody says the other lads dont even get to throw grenades or fire the LSW, Ive spent the last two weeks doing live fibua(including at night)-you will not match the buzz you get from doing that in any other part of the army!

Depending on your abilities and motivation you can do anything you want to do in the army. You can apply yourself to do qualifications...you need to be at a certain level anyway. I've chosen Infantry, purely because it's in my blood. I could of chosen any other job, but I've been at University and didn't want to fall into a trade job like the REME. I all ready have a trade and a number of fall back options, but I don't think I'll need them.

You have got to love the active lifestyle...I can't think of any other job that can fulfill my ambitions. I want to travel and just have a real purpose in life. The more I read about it the more I want to do it.

My dad has mixed feelings about it all...He took me to the train station for recruitment selection and lectured me about army. He had a really good life in the army but he said If was to do it all again he wouldn't. Told me you will get in and said there's a better life else where. I had a fantastic 4hr train journey up to Scotland and got on the recruitment bus at the other end. Thinking to myself is this really what I want to do...It doesn't feel good at all, you are treated like shit, an I mean shit...the only thing you can tell yourself; it can't get any worse. Expect nothing good just adapt.

You also have to remember; A lot might disagree but most regiments not including the Para and RM regiments are just basic soldiering. I read a book about a special forces guy who only applied to join the SF to do the jobs he thourght he should of done in the first place. The Ssgt at my local AFCO said why are you joining the Light Division, why not a more elite regiment like the Para's or RM? He said i'm not trying not to put you off put they get to do more of the job you want to get into. Plus going for para training from your regiment is going to be very difficult. It's up to one man to decide, plus cost. The system is to change in 2005 so he couldn't add anymore to it. I does give you something to think about!

My advice if your unsure; is to read the modern / history books, see what regiments forght in what wars. Read who went into Iraq first not who's there now etc. and where certain regiments are based! It all helps in your understanding. If you have the ability to re-trade then there's always other options.

If you've not already read the propaganda!

http://www.army.mod.uk/careers/combat/j ... ldier.html

http://www.army.mod.uk/careers/combat/t ... pment.html

http://www.army.mod.uk/careers/combat/j ... _menu.html

Look into all the options too...RAF / Navy etc Don't jump into anything, remember you have the control until you sign on the line.