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Applying to be a rupert
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Irish Rover
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- Joined: Sat 10 Dec, 2005 7:12 pm
- Location: The Emerald Isle
Applying to be a rupert
Finishing college this May, so got to get my act together. Applying for the Brits would be something id be interested in doing. Ive looked up the website, but has anyone on here got any information, advice or opinions. Ive always found through life thats its better to get feedback from the real people (people in the job) rather than official information from employers or any other info on an official basis.
Joining the Army Officer
The Regiment or Corps you express interest in will send you on a unit visit and you will get the feedback from the "real people" (Junior Officers returned from Operations) and you'll be assessed to see if you qualify for a sponsorship to the Regular Commissions Board. Its a straightforward process.Ive always found through life thats its better to get feedback from the real people (people in the job) rather than official information from employers or any other info on an official basis.
"Poor Ike, it won't be a bit like the Army. He'll find it very frustrating. He'll sit here and he'll say, 'Do this! Do that!' And nothing will happen."
Harry Truman
Harry Truman
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Irish Rover
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- Joined: Sat 10 Dec, 2005 7:12 pm
- Location: The Emerald Isle
Going through this process at the moment Irish, at your interview with AFCO you will be asked for regt. preferences, then fill in a form with these and other things before the first testing days (RCB Briefing).
I was under the impression that unit visits were limited to your time in Sandhurst however? Since you don't actually get assigned to a regt. until your 2nd term of RMAS.
I was under the impression that unit visits were limited to your time in Sandhurst however? Since you don't actually get assigned to a regt. until your 2nd term of RMAS.
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Irish Rover
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- Joined: Sat 10 Dec, 2005 7:12 pm
- Location: The Emerald Isle
That sounds better. So, you dont need to be definite of what regiment/corps you want to serve in just some ideas. How does the process go then. First an interview with your local AFCO then the Regular Commissions Board? What are the chances of getting through the first interview or is the second interview the main stumbling block?
First interview simply seems to be getting-to-know-you type stuff. Suppose it is possible to fail, but unless you are blatently unsuited I think it would be hard.
After interview, you can book RCB Briefing, which is a day-n-half assesment, mostly aptitude, leadership and a bleep test.
If you pass RCB Briefing, you go on to Regular Commissions Board, which is 3 days, the proper physical tests, more leadership stuff, interviews, the works.
If they still want you after RCB, you are into RMAS as long as you pass your medical, security doesn't think you are a terrorist, and so on. Couldn't say what the main stumbling block is, but imagine it's RCB in general.
PS Depending on which regt. / corps you want to go into Irish, it's can be best to be quite firm about your choice from the beginning, as some (ie Para, Ghurkas, Int) are very competitive, so being single-minded is a sign of your commitment.
After interview, you can book RCB Briefing, which is a day-n-half assesment, mostly aptitude, leadership and a bleep test.
If you pass RCB Briefing, you go on to Regular Commissions Board, which is 3 days, the proper physical tests, more leadership stuff, interviews, the works.
If they still want you after RCB, you are into RMAS as long as you pass your medical, security doesn't think you are a terrorist, and so on. Couldn't say what the main stumbling block is, but imagine it's RCB in general.
PS Depending on which regt. / corps you want to go into Irish, it's can be best to be quite firm about your choice from the beginning, as some (ie Para, Ghurkas, Int) are very competitive, so being single-minded is a sign of your commitment.
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Irish Rover
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Can understand how sheer single mindedness could be an advantage but then again, cant have a whole class of people who are just mad for the paras. Whats the time distance between all the various stages. If you pass the initial interview, is there a limit to how long before you book the next stage. And does anyone know how long from initial application the process takes? Thats probably the main issue with me at the moment. Ive my finals in May and obviously id like to know if im in or out before the end of Summer or around then (dont care when i start training just got to apply for other jobs aswell and dont want to commit if im gonna get the army), the other issue is that im in Dublin so an interview aint around the corner exactly. Anyway all this could be irrevelant mightnt get passed an interview or fail a test or something. Still the more facts and info you have the better decision you can make
Of course, what I meant is that if you do want to get into a contested regiment, it's best to say so right from the start.Irish Rover wrote:Can understand how sheer single mindedness could be an advantage but then again, cant have a whole class of people who are just mad for the paras.
Time distance between various stages varies, though after your RCB Briefing I believe the Army assigns you dates rather than asking you when you want to come round for tea.
After passing the initial interview, you can choose when you want to go on to Briefing. I picked up an injury right about then, so it has actually taken me around 5 months between interview and Briefing. Just let them know what is going on and they should be understanding.
If you have your finals in May, then September would be the earliest you can enter RMAS. Intakes are January, May, September each year. I would imagine you might be glad to get a summer off for training and a bit of freedom after finals too
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Irish Rover
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- Joined: Sat 10 Dec, 2005 7:12 pm
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You would be right in assuming that! A couple of months to increase the fitness and enjoy the last bit of freedom would be real nice. Starting in September would be ideal, but if i was told that may would be the only chance and training started the day after my exams. Id be straight out of the exam hall and onto a plane. What unit are u interested in joining? There is no specific regiment that i want to join, obviously ive a few regiments/corps in mind but to be honest i would be happy serving in any unit. Have to say the process seems very fair and accomodating for anyone applying
Officer
Sarastro,
Most cadets at RMAS were sponsored by a Corps or regiment who sent them to the RCB. I was the exception, sponsored directly from the careers office. I happened to visit the Royal Engineers after the RCB briefing and they said "we'd sponsor you but we don't need to so we won't interfere with the application process."
Potential Officer (PO) visits are a regular event for units. You may very well visit the same unit during 2nd term at RMAS. During 2nd term at RMAS I visited the RLC, who I listed as a choice of arm in term 1.
Most cadets at RMAS were sponsored by a Corps or regiment who sent them to the RCB. I was the exception, sponsored directly from the careers office. I happened to visit the Royal Engineers after the RCB briefing and they said "we'd sponsor you but we don't need to so we won't interfere with the application process."
Potential Officer (PO) visits are a regular event for units. You may very well visit the same unit during 2nd term at RMAS. During 2nd term at RMAS I visited the RLC, who I listed as a choice of arm in term 1.
df2inausI was under the impression that unit visits were limited to your time in Sandhurst however? Since you don't actually get assigned to a regt. until your 2nd term of RMAS.
"Poor Ike, it won't be a bit like the Army. He'll find it very frustrating. He'll sit here and he'll say, 'Do this! Do that!' And nothing will happen."
Harry Truman
Harry Truman
So there it is, I'm in the same boat as you were, being sponsored directly by AFCO, guess we have a slightly skewed view of how it works then.
Do you have any idea how being sponsored by X regt / Corps affects your chances of being eventually chosen for that unit? IE presumably the highly competitive units must also sponsor some for RCB, do those cadets have a better chance of winning a place there in 2nd term? Sounds like an obvious answer, but I like to know the size of the mountains I have to climb
Do you have any idea how being sponsored by X regt / Corps affects your chances of being eventually chosen for that unit? IE presumably the highly competitive units must also sponsor some for RCB, do those cadets have a better chance of winning a place there in 2nd term? Sounds like an obvious answer, but I like to know the size of the mountains I have to climb
Officer application
Sarastro,
All that matters at this point is that someone sent you the the RCB. Units like the Parachute Regiment or Corps like the AAC have additional hurdles besides PO visits and week 22. What unit do you see yourself in? You will have only 2 choices or arm by about week 9 in term one, what will they be?
It won't hurt you chances of going to that unit but week 22 reports are everything and welcoming units can turn to harsh rejections in a second if your report is poor.Do you have any idea how being sponsored by X regt / Corps affects your chances of being eventually chosen for that unit? IE presumably the highly competitive units must also sponsor some for RCB, do those cadets have a better chance of winning a place there in 2nd term?
All that matters at this point is that someone sent you the the RCB. Units like the Parachute Regiment or Corps like the AAC have additional hurdles besides PO visits and week 22. What unit do you see yourself in? You will have only 2 choices or arm by about week 9 in term one, what will they be?
"Poor Ike, it won't be a bit like the Army. He'll find it very frustrating. He'll sit here and he'll say, 'Do this! Do that!' And nothing will happen."
Harry Truman
Harry Truman
