Hi Guys, My 16.5 year old son wants to be a RM, He has applied and done his tests and is having his interview on the 22nd June. He is in the process of getting fit but has not done much research on the RM history due to studying for his GCSE's.
Has anyone got any advice on things I can do to help him get through his interview. Also any view on a 16 year old joining the RM would be appricated.
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Advice for a dad
I don't have any advice, i'll leave that to the experts...
however I will say it's good to see you're supporting him in his decision. I know for one my dad near shat himself when I told him I wanted to join the forces, and made it clear he'd rather i was safely couped up in an office from 9-5.
He's 16 and a half so you'll probably be a huge influence on him - and hopefully you'll use that influence to improve his determination and 'drive' to succeed. You being 100% behind him will certainly not do him any harm.
Cheers
however I will say it's good to see you're supporting him in his decision. I know for one my dad near shat himself when I told him I wanted to join the forces, and made it clear he'd rather i was safely couped up in an office from 9-5.
He's 16 and a half so you'll probably be a huge influence on him - and hopefully you'll use that influence to improve his determination and 'drive' to succeed. You being 100% behind him will certainly not do him any harm.
Cheers
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Mike The Sceptic
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Hi Tony. I'm 16 myself, I'm currently applying and just recently had my interview on Monday.
To be honest, it will be hard to fail the interview. Only a small fraction is about history and the rest is about the interviewee themselves; homelife ect.
I did weeks of studying the history and the only questions that my revising helped were "describe the Royal Marines' badge" and "What year was the seige of Gibraltar?" But it will definatly pay off to learn as much as you can.
Hope your son does well! Good luck to him
To be honest, it will be hard to fail the interview. Only a small fraction is about history and the rest is about the interviewee themselves; homelife ect.
I did weeks of studying the history and the only questions that my revising helped were "describe the Royal Marines' badge" and "What year was the seige of Gibraltar?" But it will definatly pay off to learn as much as you can.
Hope your son does well! Good luck to him
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I believe that can vary between AFCOs, though. I know a couple of people who's interview was based mostly on them and their hobbies etc, while others have been packed with questions such as questions on the forces history (things like the only woman to join the RM etc).Hi Tony. I'm 16 myself, I'm currently applying and just recently had my interview on Monday.
To be honest, it will be hard to fail the interview. Only a small fraction is about history and the rest is about the interviewee themselves; homelife ect.
I did weeks of studying the history and the only questions that my revising helped were "describe the Royal Marines' badge" and "What year was the seige of Gibraltar?"
I think it's best to try help him learn across the board. Some of the history, what the units have been up to recently, where they're currently stationed, what the 32 week training entails etc.
Rich.
P.S. : There's a thread around the forums that contains a lot of questions that have been asked in the interview. I have no idea how old it is, but I'm sure it'll be pretty helpful.
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Mike The Sceptic
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Ah yeh, sorry if it sounded as if I was trying to say it's not worth learning much history. It definatly is. Even if I knew there wouldn't be many history questions, I still would have learnt just as much.
A good technique you can use to help your son learn the history, Tony, is to leave historic dates on post-it notes around the house, like on the fridge, cupboards, computer ect. That helped me ALOT! Another thing you could do, which my Father did was every now and again ask him a random question, eg 'what year was the capture of Belle Isle'
It's good to see that you're supportive, I know if my parents weren't, I'd be going through hell.
A good technique you can use to help your son learn the history, Tony, is to leave historic dates on post-it notes around the house, like on the fridge, cupboards, computer ect. That helped me ALOT! Another thing you could do, which my Father did was every now and again ask him a random question, eg 'what year was the capture of Belle Isle'
It's good to see that you're supportive, I know if my parents weren't, I'd be going through hell.
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Nice name tony 
Like people said know about a range of subjects, history, training, prmc and make sure can talk confidently, clear and doesnt babble rubbish.
There are many views on what age to join. Some lads join at 16 and get through it fine but then some try at a young age, drop out and go back later. Some want extra quals, more life expeirence or to grow up more. Its up to the individual.
I think its great that his dad has come on here and is asking for help and advice. This shows hes got great family backing and will give him a good boost. Some peoples families hate the idea of them going in the forces.
Like people said know about a range of subjects, history, training, prmc and make sure can talk confidently, clear and doesnt babble rubbish.
There are many views on what age to join. Some lads join at 16 and get through it fine but then some try at a young age, drop out and go back later. Some want extra quals, more life expeirence or to grow up more. Its up to the individual.
I think its great that his dad has come on here and is asking for help and advice. This shows hes got great family backing and will give him a good boost. Some peoples families hate the idea of them going in the forces.
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Shrek The Royal
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16 is young i would say it is good to get some life experience first, however dont let that detur him if he thinks he is ready. He won't be going anywhere operationaly untill he turns 18. You will see his confindence and character come on in leaps and bounds as will his attitude to life and other people. We have all been 16 so i am sure you know what i am talking about.
Having been on Perce training camps, i can say that a 16 year old Perce Recruit acts like a 16 year old Kevin (partly to do with the way they are treated) where as a young Royal is generaly a lot more mature, dont get me wrong you still get Spleins.
Having been on Perce training camps, i can say that a 16 year old Perce Recruit acts like a 16 year old Kevin (partly to do with the way they are treated) where as a young Royal is generaly a lot more mature, dont get me wrong you still get Spleins.
Tony,
Iam currently in the process of 'trying' to join the marines and started the process when i was 19. The physical side of things ive had to to just nuckle through but the worst thing about my application is my parents support NIL. Yeah fitness is intense but if you have the family support behind you it makes a hell of difference ( well for me it would be nice).
I wanted to join the armed forces ever since i can remeber but decided to wait till the end of school and when it 'felt right'. After school i decided to travel a bit and worked in Nepal and the south pacfic before finally becoming comfortable wth the idea of going to the uk and getting ready for RM selection. YEAH OZ ENOUGH OF THE SAP STORY all i mean i suppose is just support him what ever his decision because it will make him more mentally prepared to tackle RM traning wether its now or 4 years up the track.
sorry to bore you guys to death just what i think about it..
Owen
Iam currently in the process of 'trying' to join the marines and started the process when i was 19. The physical side of things ive had to to just nuckle through but the worst thing about my application is my parents support NIL. Yeah fitness is intense but if you have the family support behind you it makes a hell of difference ( well for me it would be nice).
I wanted to join the armed forces ever since i can remeber but decided to wait till the end of school and when it 'felt right'. After school i decided to travel a bit and worked in Nepal and the south pacfic before finally becoming comfortable wth the idea of going to the uk and getting ready for RM selection. YEAH OZ ENOUGH OF THE SAP STORY all i mean i suppose is just support him what ever his decision because it will make him more mentally prepared to tackle RM traning wether its now or 4 years up the track.
sorry to bore you guys to death just what i think about it..
Owen
PJFT- 15/5/2006-9:00min
PRMC-18/7/2006-PASS
RT- 2/10/2006
PRMC-18/7/2006-PASS
RT- 2/10/2006
Thanks
Guys and Girls,
Thanks for all your replies and messages of advice and support, After reading more of the forum and your advice both my son and I are much more confident about a successfully interview and future progress in the RM.
Tony
Thanks for all your replies and messages of advice and support, After reading more of the forum and your advice both my son and I are much more confident about a successfully interview and future progress in the RM.
Tony
I'm gong through the application process right now as well and I would say that my biggest regret is not doing it sooner (I'm 21 now by the way). I was in much better physical condition when I was younger and I feel like I've wasted the last 3ish years since I left college doing a boring office type job.
It is a good idea to learn some stuff about your prospective employer before you go for an interview as with any job. May not be useful in the role as a Marine but it shows that he is keen and willing.
Good on you for giving him so much support, you sound like your setting a good example.
It is a good idea to learn some stuff about your prospective employer before you go for an interview as with any job. May not be useful in the role as a Marine but it shows that he is keen and willing.
Good on you for giving him so much support, you sound like your setting a good example.
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mancuniankid
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