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Right I've decided I want to join the armed forces at the end of this year of college. I was going to go to uni first but as it looks like things might be winding down a bit in the middle east I want to join now.

I either want to go Royal Marine or Parachute regiment. Right now I'm leaning towards RM. I was checking how long I need to serve before I can leave on each one. On the Royal Marine site it says I must serve 3 1/2 years from the end of training, does this mean I can serve 2 1/2 years then hand in my notice to leave with 12 months notice leaveing exactly on 3 1/2 years, or do I have to serve 3 1/2 years before handing in my 12 months notice?

On the army site it says I must serve four years and three months, is this correct? Then the same question as above about when I can hand in my notice.

Thanks for any awnsers.

I'm sorry nothing is dying down were did you hear that? and before your even in (which will be the hardest thing in your life) your asking about leaving?? Wether you are just coming across wrong I don't know but you sound like a waste of time for the Army and money.

Tom163 wrote:I'm sorry nothing is dying down were did you hear that? and before your even in (which will be the hardest thing in your life) your asking about leaving?? Wether you are just coming across wrong I don't know but you sound like a waste of time for the Army and money.

Wether I'm comming across wrong or not there's no need to be rude.

By dying down I meant they're pulling out of Iraq and the main reason (if not the only reason) I want to join is because I want to go on tours and experience what a fire fight is like. Once I've done that I'm happy to leave as I still have things I want to pursue in life (like Uni and my sport). I don't see a military life as a career. Which is also why I'm asking about leaving.

Now if you know the awnser or you can resist from being as asshole please reply again, if not, please don't. Thanks.

If you want operational experience but don't want to hold a career in the army have you thought about the TA?

just_me wrote:If you want operational experience but don't want to hold a career in the army have you thought about the TA?

Yeah, that's good advice and I'm already in the TA. Good bunch of guys but from talking to the ones that have been on tour (quite a few have been to Iraq from my company) it sounds like they got the menial jobs like sitting in sangars for weeks on end. I think they came under fire a few times while they were out there.

I suppose it's just not the tours I want, although that's the main thing. I also want to experience military life. I just don't want to make a career of it.

Brisks wrote:but from talking to the ones that have been on tour (quite a few have been to Iraq from my company) it sounds like they got the menial jobs like sitting in sangars for weeks on end. I think they came under fire a few times while they were out there.

What are you expecting...???

If you want to go rambo paintballing is always good for that.

going into the army or marines with thoughts of leaving before your even in training is a bad idea mate! just go for the regiment you think will suit you best and go for it, dont base your choice on when you can leave the soonest!

Ok nevermind then, I just wanted as awnser to a simple question if most of you want to break my balls over it, then forget it ill try getting the info somewhere else.

I wasn't purely basing my choice on how soon I can leave, but it's a factor in me choosing.

Thanks to the few of you that did try and help.

Mark wins the reward for the most retarded comment in this thread though, congratulations.

Alright I don't know the answer to your question in the first place but if you haven't tried the online recruiting office I would give them a try: http://www.armyonline.mod.uk/ . Obviously it wasn't what you were looking for but if you didn't know about it before, you do now.

Otherwise send a e-mail to the Parachute Reg and RM which can be found on their individual sites. Sorry I couldn't be much help but I guess that's the way it goes. Good luck with your app and you never know, you may like it and decide to stick to a life in the Forces!

Brisks,

There are plenty of guys who have joined the RM knowing that they will likely leave fairly early on, and not make a career of it, there is a fairly large problem with retention in the Corps as far as i am aware. This seems to happen alot more these days. Guys join, and get everything they wanted from their minimum service, and who's going to argue that after most likely two tours of Afghan they haven't done their fair share?

Personally i wouldn't say its a bad thing and it certainly wouldn't hinder your chances of earning a Green lid. If you really want it, YOU REALLY WANT IT, whether its to hold onto for four years or 22+, once a marine always a marine and so forth. The experience you gain for it will be with you forever, and will serve you whatever you do after.

Obviously from the Corps point of view its not ideal, they dont want to lose the experience but they certainly wouldnt say NO if hyperthetically they could see in advance you were going to get through training but then leave after 4 and half years.

On the other note as someone mentioned about the T.A, i know your already in, but is there not a more 'active' T.A unit you could join? One who's Op tours certainly aren't spent in the menial side of things.

I know the lads from the RMR who are on FTRS and have served on Herrick tours are doing exactly the same as the Regs, as it is the nature of the how the RMR works when required.

Things have obviously changed in the Corps then, it used to be three years from your joining date or your 18th birthday (whichever is the later) before you could put your year's chit in. Has this not been standardised across the Services with the advent of JPA?

Brisks wrote:Mark wins the reward for the most retarded comment in this thread though, congratulations.

Thanks bud, i've never won anything before!

But seriously though, most of the time you are sat in a FOB taking incoming, but the more experienced you get, the more patrols you will be going on.

To answer you question:

After 3 years of being in Bn, you can give 12 months notice.
So i guess the other 1/2yr is depot.

Thank you for the awnser. I think I'm probably going to go RM.