Note to All youngsters!

[davo141]

I recently posted a topic on here about weather or not to take my A-level exams and concentrate on Training for PRMC at the time....Having sucessfully passed PRMC i also took two A-levels in Media Studies (alternative Career) and ICT (seems to be needed everywhere!).

I may not have done brilliantly but having finished the course and knowing that i have something else to go back to if in the impossible (if only!) event of injury or removal from training...

So to all those lads at school a career in any force is not garuenteed, dont think about just training for the forces as anything may happen! get a job that would be managable for a while, maybe a few years or do the unthinkable and goto further education as a back up, it also opens up more doors within the forces!

Dont be a pratt ey! think as i nearly didnt and would of messed a lot up! but advice from Sticky and co. pursuaded me to stay!

Cheers, davo

[lew]

To add to davo's point, if you do stay on and do further education. Do it at 6th form if you can, as places at college cannot be guaranteed.

If you do go to college, choose a course that will defiantly run for the full amount of time, forget the uniformed services, or public services courses as they are just not worth the worry of if they will be carried on. My course was closed through lack of numbers, as was another member on this site.

Stick to A levels if you can boys and girls, as I now have nothing but GCSE's and cannot afford to go back to school or college.


lew

[Machiavellian]

Just to add another point to davos point...I have just done a year at 6 form and I've come out with an A-Level in Business and an AS Level in ICT. It was hard work workin my studies around training for PRMC and training, but it CAN be done!

And as Davo said I now have a fall back option if something does go seriously wrong in training...(touch wood it doesn't).

Tom

[Artist]

One other thing that has not been mentioned is the chances of further Education in the Forces.

Quite a few people I know did A levels Gcses and such like.

I got City & Guilds in Graphic design when doing my Printers course in the 80's and I also got a BA through the open university all paid for by the services.

People have joined with nothing as far as Quals are concerned but through making the time have achieved what some would consider impossible. Education is a must in all walks of life including the armed forces. And lets face it nearly every job in civvy street seems to want you to have a few quals.

Artist

[Jon]

Ive just finished my A Levels and, even though I wasnt botered about them much, im glad I did. I initially wanted to join the Marines at 16 but stayed on in school. With hindsight it was a good decision because I was in no way fit enough or mentally prepared for the Marines back then.

However, I did make the stupid decision to repeat my GCSEs after my first batch of results weren't good enough for my schools sixth form. My results first time round were not that bad and I should have simply gone to another school. However at the time I believed that I wouldnt ever complete A Levels anyway, therefore used the time as a repeat to get fit.

However, when I got my exam results the second time round I was talked into staying on to do my A Levels just to see how I got on. I never really worked hard for my AS exams because I didnt think that I would be staying on for my A2s. However it seemed pointless to leave half way through therefore I decided to stay on, just to earn some qualifications to fall back on. However, motivation to work hard did not exist in me unlike in the other students - who wished to go to university therefore needed good results. Anyway my point is that you never know what is going to happen, so you should work hard at what you are currently doing. Qualifications are good to fall back on. However, if you dont want to stay at school there are other alternatives. I know a few lads who are on apprentiship (spelling?) courses learning to become mechanics and electricians - they are guarenteed a job at the end but dont have to take it.

Even though I probably wont use my quals for a long time, they are important. I was advised by the recruiting officer that it was best to wait for my results before I apply for the Marines, therefore they must be taken into account and can only be a positive.

[minimac]

I'm trying to get into College but I thought I was definately not going to do A Levels so me being a shortsighted bugger means that I'm going to struggle to get a place! Lesson to be learnt: Get your application in EARLY! I posted mine this morning .

Looks like I'm going to have to stay at my schools 6th Form. Problem is- I hate the place.

Thanks to everyone on the Forums for telling me to get my head out my arse and get back to school. Its the right thing to do!

Cheers lads. MM

[Tab]

Minimac, it is nice to see some one taking the advice and saying thanks, and I trust that all goes well with you and your studies.

[davo141]

Thanks to everyone on the Forums for telling me to get my head out my arse and get back to school. Its the right thing to do!

Cheers lads. MM

Couldnt agree more mate! they did the same to me and it has been the best advice! glad i finished so heres another...

great big group hug for the forum..ahh

Chhers, davo!

PS yes ive had a few, yes ive just fireman carried the mrs. nearly a mile to her house after a row and she truned blue and collapsed...phuck knows how i made it that far with her but still...rugee knows shes worth it

[mattt_h]

any ones whos going techie in reme try and get a level maths it sure helps

[Edwards159]

What are the advantages of going in as a soldier after A-levels then?? I thought it would just be the same as if you were to join after GCSE's

[wannabe_bootneck]

Everyone seems to have forgotten the simple fact, higher ed. is hardbut it can also be a right larf, plus you get the added freedom of age but still get to prat around a bit like a kid. A very tasty mix indeed to say at the end you should come out with well respected qual's. More birds than you could shake a stick at to, all in the prime of their lives!

[Humphs]

Edwards159

What are the advantages of going in as a soldier after A-levels then?? I thought it would just be the same as if you were to join after GCSE's

upto the rank of a JNCO you don't need any qul's but when you go for a SNCO 's you do .( not sure what they are in todays exams ,ask at recruting office,) So if you get them done before you get in that's one thing less that you have to worry about.