I'm you a year from now.
I'm 17 with my Birthday in July, finishing my A levels. I'm applying for a commission in the Royal Marines and I have my POC on the 4th of June.
You have the luxury of time and you have more than enough to get yourself fit. Going to give you some pointers:
Buy a pair of boots, standard issue "combat high". You can get them from the internet for about £50. Make sure they fit well and you break them in well. Don't just leave them in the back of your closet only to bring out for your POC.
Get use to wearing boots, if you have only ever worn trainers it will be a little bit of a shock. I've made mine my default footwear but then I’m much closer to my dates. You will probably get blisters and dealing with them will be good practice for the future.
Keep your rugby up and try and join a gym. Reason why is because when you’re there you are there to exercise and nothing else. No distractions (apart from the cute girl with the big tits) so you can just get your head down and exercise. Mainly cardio but don't neglect your upper body.
If you have a choice between going for a run and doing a weights session do the run.
If you can't join a gym for whatever reason then running, cycling, swimming, press-ups (elbow’s in), sit-ups and pull-ups are fine. In actual fact doing those exercises would actually be better for you with regard to your RM aspirations.
However I would only focus on those when you've only got a couple of months to go towards your POC. Then you can really accelerate your fitness. Doing all that takes far more effort than jumping on a cross trainer.
You want to get a good standard of fitness that won't take too much time and effort without demoralising yourself. You have such a long time pushing yourself too hard would do just that.
Remember that you’re not going to be tested on the bench press or on a running machine. The PTI's couldn't give a shit what you can bench press. Do what will count for when your actually there.
Buy this book
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fighting-Fit-Co ... 0752805894
It's a no bullshit guide and good. It will also give you some good advice on what you should be eating. Diet is also important.
Make sure you are up to date with what's going on around the world and learn as much about the RM as you can. You will have to intensify this nearer the time but just a general knowledge will give you a good starting point.
In about September pop your ugly mug down the AFCO and get yourself on the radar. You will probably have to get your application forms sent off before Christmas so make sure you don't miss the boat.
Get good at mental arithmetic by just doing loads of it.
Make sure you can write good essays too and your debating skills are up to snuff.
Anyway that’s just a general overview of what you should be doing. Posts back with what A-levels you're doing (it better not be dossy ones) and a quick run through of your fitness e.g. what you can do, can't do, good at, bad at etc.
One tip I can give you though. Before you send a post run it through Microsoft Word. Not having a dig at you but you will improve massively with your spelling and grammar by looking at the mistakes you are making. Do it always and you will see what mistakes you are making and (hopefully) learn from them.
Do as I’m doing by prepare for failure. There is very stiff competition and I am only young. If I fail I will take on what they have said and try again. I obviously don't think I will fail otherwise I won't be doing it but I am just baring in mind that someone my age rarely gets in. Not unheard off but still rare. Don't think that just because you've put your mind to it it will be a sure thing.
Remember, if it was easy everyone will be doing it.
Post back, I didn't write all that for nothing!
Brows
