I want to join...

[bornslippy689]

I would really like to hear what situation some others were in before they joined. Im 18 and have just finished 2 year of college, i have wanted to join the forces since around 14-15. I feel stuck in life right now, with 3 GCSE's at grade C and the rest at F's and E's. Ide love to hear how you guys felt before you joined and what situation you were in, i feel quite alone tbh and hearing im not the only one in this boat would help.

[Element]

Qualities not qualifications, I know MANY people that joined the army with nothing whatsoever, some even dropped out of school. I joined with after college into the Armoured Corps with no problem! There are a lot of regiments that require nothing to join, just go down your local AFCO and tell them exactly your situation (and be honest), they'll be happy to help you

[Tatyana]

Hey there. I'm 19 and I'm starting my basic training at Pirbright on 15th Oct, and I can't wait. I finished school with 4 A-C grades and the rest were D's and E's. I was also interested in joining the Army, but my aunt wanted me to go to college first. However i dropped out right at the start of the 2nd year, i'd swapped subjects a few times...nothing really held my interest there and i was unhappy. Then i started my application for the Army, had my interview in January, went to selection in March, and now I'm just counting down the days until October Looking forward to handing in my notice and making something of myself in the Army, I'm really excited.
So yep, thats my situation. Good luck with whatever you decide to do

[bornslippy689]

Hey thanks for the quick replys, can really relate to the second poster. If theres one thing i regret it's not getting it sorted when i were 16, getting pressured into college instead by relatives. Im going to see an army careers advisor soon as i can to get an idea of what my options might be. Looking forward to hear more from others!

[Skeav]

Hey mate

I left my 6th form after the first year having hated it with a passion from near enough the start (aged 17). I had good GCSEs and passed on many higher paid jobs within the Army so i could join the Parachute Regiment, as being a soldier is what i've wanted to do the vast majority of my life.

As Element says, dont worry about qualifications. Im not sure on the other jobs, but Infantryman doesn't require a single GCSE, but does require personality traits that many a straight A student will never possess.

Dont worry about not joining when you were younger, you're probably better off for not joining then anyway, as now you'll be more mature and more able to cope. Besides, that was then, its happened, start your career as you mean to go on, possitive and keen to get going, forget how much you regret not doing it before.

At the moment (having been medically discharged and now 19) Im re-enlisting, so im really looking forward to getting back into it and finally getting my maroon beret,wings and getting on Operations.

I wont say good luck to the both of you, as I dont believe in it (its a long story, dont ask) but I will say work f*ckin' hard, take the pain and play the game and get it done!

Cheers

"Matt"

Feel free to add me on msn if you wanna ask any questions or just chat to someone like minded.

[bornslippy689]

Alright guys ive decided i wanna be a sapper! Cant decide between combat engineer or armoured engineer though, havent done a barb test yet either.. what score will i need to get in? My math is pretty crappy (got an f), does math play a big role in engineering?

Cheers for the replys so far guys

[Element]

I shouldnt think so, your recruiting officer will tell you all you need to know about grades/barb test scores! Personly i would go armoured (Being armoured myself), as you get to crew the new challenger2 based Titan & Trojan vehicles (Awesome peice of kit, was at Bovi when they were testing them).

[Angry_Young_Man]

I believe their is no combat engineer trade. Everyone in the RE is trained TO BE a combat engineer and then given a trade, for example: Armoured engineer, Fitter, Bricklayer, etc.

Just had a look and apparently you need a minumum of a D in Maths GCSE but ask at your ACIO/AFCO if thats a problem.
Info:
http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk/Jobs/JobDeta ... category=2

Dont worry too much about the BARB test, I did it a month ago and its pretty easy just take your time.