Commissioned officers and actual fighting!

Bully · Post by **Bully** » Fri 08 Aug, 2003 12:19 am

Hey all,
Right, well I'm brand new here, but at the moment I'm going for a 6th form scholarship. I've had the interview stage, and will find out whether I'm through to the next stage in a couple of months.
However, what I really want to know is do commissioned officers actually fight. I read a thread somewhere that said if you were more interested in being a do-er, then join as a recruit. admittadly, if I get the scholarship, I have to become an officer (and the financial support for my school fees is much needed at the moment), if I do not, then I have the options opening up for me.

Hang on, I'm rambling...I guess what I mean to ask is: if I join up as an officer, and go into the infantry, would I still have the opportunity to be in on the action and fight?

Cheers,
Bully

P.S. While I'm at it, I may as well ask - anyone here in the Fusiliers?

zero megahertz · Post by **zero megahertz** » Fri 08 Aug, 2003 12:52 am

Welcome to the forum mate. I dont know but I dont think so (maybe second-leiutenants see combat? which is what you will be if you join as an officer). You have to ask yourself what you want more. Are they paying you to do A-levels?

Personally I'd take the schoarship, you never know what will happen. You may have to leave the army and you would nearly need a degree to be a binman these days.

Bully · Post by **Bully** » Fri 08 Aug, 2003 12:57 am

Tell me about it!

Yeah, they pay me to do my A-levels and also go through uni, which is a pretty good deal!

Thing is, my dad seems to think that all ranks up to about Captain still see a lot of action. However, I'm a little dubious about this, and though it best to ask here!

Thanks for the advice,
Bully

zero megahertz · Post by **zero megahertz** » Fri 08 Aug, 2003 1:02 am

That is a good deal- a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was all set for a bursary from the RAF until I decided to apply for the Royal Marines- they stopped giving bursaries this year. So uni is out of the question for me unless something wonderful happens...

Bully · Post by **Bully** » Fri 08 Aug, 2003 8:22 am

I know, it's a fantastic deal. From the time I start my A-levels to the time I finish Uni I think it works out at about £9,000, which is excellent!

Do the marines not give Bursaries? I know they do scholarships, as I have a friend who is going for one. What made you change your mind? That's one major leap from gonig to the RAF to the marines!

tom · Post by **tom** » Fri 08 Aug, 2003 9:12 am

Yeah they dont give them any more because they told me that there were to many applications. and the scholarships involve no money but i am still goin for one though

chunky from york · Post by **chunky from york** » Fri 08 Aug, 2003 10:23 am

Bully, you will find that you are expected to 'lead' men up to the rank of Major. Above that rank you become part of the General Staff, that is what the red ribbon on shirt collars denotes.

If you read a history of the Falklands war or look at the press clippings about the Paras at Goose Green, you will find that a lot of people criticized \Lt. Col. H. Jones for being too close to the 'action' and getting killed. Saying he should have been further back co-ordinating the battle. However others say he inspired his men to overcome massive odds by setting an example and was just unlucky ( the version I prefer).

Best of luck

Bully · Post by **Bully** » Fri 08 Aug, 2003 10:29 am

@Tom: go gor it! however, if the scholaships do't involve money, what do they do? just a guaranteed place in the marines or something? just curious...

@Chunky: cheers. that's really what i wanted to know. so you are effectively able to fight up to the rank of major? excellnt, thankyou.
Oh, and I have to agree, that second interpretation is much better!

tom · Post by **tom** » Fri 08 Aug, 2003 10:58 am

When you go for the POC and you pass somtimes you still do not join the Royal Marines, but the scholarship secures you a place on the Basic training so when you complete and pass the POC you go directly into Basic training

Bully · Post by **Bully** » Fri 08 Aug, 2003 11:00 am

Ah, cunning! Good idea. Anyway, good luck with it. When is it? Any idea?

tom · Post by **tom** » Fri 08 Aug, 2003 11:20 am

whenever they decide to send me the dates of the interview in the post. they take their time

tom · Post by **tom** » Fri 08 Aug, 2003 1:55 pm

well i think you can , but i know a Royal Marine Officer who is 30 years old and a Major, and is going to apply for the SBS. so i think rank wont take you off the field but age and fittness will.

Bully · Post by **Bully** » Fri 08 Aug, 2003 3:47 pm

Yeah, I'm pretty sure you can. Well, I know that you can in the RAF - my dad's got a friend who keeps turning down promotion so that he can carry on flying! Plus I think my uncle did it so that he remained a Major for a fair while. Not sure about that one though...

Nimrod - that's a bitch! Glandular fever just before RCB. Well done on passing - that's really rather impressive! I suppose that if that's what you are interested in, the go for that Marine scholarship; what have you got to lose?

zero megahertz · Post by **zero megahertz** » Sat 09 Aug, 2003 12:07 am

Bully,

It was always a childhood dream of mine to fly a plane, but then I joined the A.C.F and realized that I would much rather be on the ground than cooped up in the cockpit of an aeroplane. Anyway, you can always specialize as a pilot in the Corps. (helicopters I think though)

Bully · Post by **Bully** » Sat 09 Aug, 2003 12:21 am

Oh, hang on - I was just using that as an example of how you could refuse promotion! No way would i like to be cooped up. I'd much rather be down on the ground, in the action. I have to agree though, it always used to appeal to me as well...

Home | About Us | Articles | Forums | Shop | Reviews | Search | Contact Us | Advertise With Us

Our Journey Comes to an End! Please read our latest Announcement: https://www.militaryforums.co.uk/military-forums-closure.php

Share This Page: