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what trade?
what trade?
Just wanted to get a few peoples opinions on the army trades that I am considering. I'm 22 years old and am just finishing off a university degree. I want to join the army when I finish but do not want to become an officer as I do not think that I would come across well at the RCB. I have always wanted to be an infantry soldier but I was talking to someone recently who has served a long time in the army. He suggested that I probably wouldn't stick it in the infantry as I would have a degree and would be ordered about by people younger than me. He suggested the RMP or the Intelligence corp. He suggested the RMP as I am doing a law degree and also as I have an interest in the civillian police. The Intelligence corp was mentioned as I have A-level french and studied italian for a year at university. Having looked at these jobs on the army web site I am interested to know a bit more about both. I have read things about both jobs being boring and that in the intelligence corp you spend most of your time behind a desk. Having spent 4 years at university being bored to tears would I be letting myself in for more of the same by going for either of these trades. Also what are the chances of getting to work with the paras or commandos in either trade and doing p-company or the AACC?
What feat of arms will we perform today?
Re: what trade?
Why do you think that?tain wrote:I do not think that I would come across well at the RCB.
What utter claptrap. The only reason a degree would be held against you is if you waved it in front of everyone all the time. It's not that unusual these days to have one anyway. If your attitude is right you'll get on with most people.I was talking to someone recently who has served a long time in the army. He suggested that I probably wouldn't stick it in the infantry as I would have a degree and would be ordered about by people younger than me.
As far as the Int Corps is concerned; I believe that it is mostly paperwork unless to go to 14 Int or the FRU then I guess it may become a little more exciting. Don't expect anyone to issue you with an Aston Martin or a jet-bergan in any case.
Both brigades only take what they need. To do the AACC you have to be in possession of a skill the RM's want; 3 Cdo brigade for instance take certain skills from the Army that RM's don't generally possess; Artillery, Engineers, aspects of logistics. The point is that unless you have something to offer you aren't going to get onto the AACC. I guess it's a similar story with P Company.tain wrote: Also what are the chances of getting to work with the paras or commandos in either trade and doing p-company or the AACC?
There is a small secretive int unit within the RM but whether you could transfer from the Int Corps is another matter. I guess there is a reasonable chance of working with SB at some stage too.
Why not go down to the AFCO and have a chat with someone. The likes of me will give you 15 year old info and I'm a relative nipper!!, the guys at the AFCO have current data.
Good luck.
What trade?
Consider the Royal Signals as well. If you're switched on and keen there are some very interesting possibilities indeed. Look into 14 Signal Regiment, Electronic Warfare.
Then there's the Engineers, there's a group within the RE that deals with assisting the police in investigations and internal/external security, went on a potential officer visit once and it was an eye-opener.
Then there's the Engineers, there's a group within the RE that deals with assisting the police in investigations and internal/external security, went on a potential officer visit once and it was an eye-opener.
"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
Thanks for the info. Regarding the RCB I have read about what it involves and I think that I lack the confidence at the moment to be sucessful at it. I was thinking of joining as a soldier for a few years become a bit more self confident and then maybe trying to become an officer.
What feat of arms will we perform today?
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Northpolar
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Why not just try for the RCB and let them judge if you have the confidence to become an officer mate?
Confidence is an attribute that comes naturally to some individuals but can also be induced through delegation of responsibility (something you'll encounter a lot of in the forces). The RCB are looking for potential, not for the ultimate warrior. I would say that common sense would carry u a lot further in the initial stage than being over-confident.
If worse comes to worst u can always go the soldier route if the RCB doesn't work out, but u might just surprise yourself!
In my opinion if one sets one ones goals as high as possible the lower alternatives cant be that bad either 
On a final note you'll get more of your share of the action as an officer!
Confidence is an attribute that comes naturally to some individuals but can also be induced through delegation of responsibility (something you'll encounter a lot of in the forces). The RCB are looking for potential, not for the ultimate warrior. I would say that common sense would carry u a lot further in the initial stage than being over-confident.
If worse comes to worst u can always go the soldier route if the RCB doesn't work out, but u might just surprise yourself!
In my opinion if one sets one ones goals as high as possible the lower alternatives cant be that bad either On a final note you'll get more of your share of the action as an officer!
What trade?
tain,
If you attend the RCB and they decide you don't have enough confidence you will likely still be offered a place at RMAS if you complete Rowallan Cadre, which is a bloody difficult course and I would think long and hard before attempting it.
Why not go for a trade? Officer vs. soldier? Each has its advantages, don't believe everything OTC types or YO's on unit visits tell you. Is commanding a rifle platoon any more satisfying than commanding a section? There will always be someone commanding more men than you, unless you're the PM, I guess.
Remember, officers rarely get the chance to acquire trades, and I've met many soldiers who are well on their way to satisfying civilian careers. A trade makes you a sought-after specialist, leadership experience will make you a middle manager.
My impression, and I could be wrong, is that it will be easier for you to pass RCB than it will to be noticed from within the ranks. There is an effort to spot leadership qualities, which anyone LCpl and above has anyway, but it won't be easy. However, there are many younger soldiers attending RMAS in numbers as cadets and 300 WO's a year are becoming late entry officers there.I was thinking of joining as a soldier for a few years become a bit more self confident and then maybe trying to become an officer.
If you attend the RCB and they decide you don't have enough confidence you will likely still be offered a place at RMAS if you complete Rowallan Cadre, which is a bloody difficult course and I would think long and hard before attempting it.
Why not go for a trade? Officer vs. soldier? Each has its advantages, don't believe everything OTC types or YO's on unit visits tell you. Is commanding a rifle platoon any more satisfying than commanding a section? There will always be someone commanding more men than you, unless you're the PM, I guess.
Remember, officers rarely get the chance to acquire trades, and I've met many soldiers who are well on their way to satisfying civilian careers. A trade makes you a sought-after specialist, leadership experience will make you a middle manager.
"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
You need to decide what you want to join for is it a career or some adventure? Once you have made the choice then that will determine your choice of Arm. It would not be much use joining a deskbound technical arm if you want adventure and vikki verka. If you have the qualifications to become an officer do it, confidence comes through training I worked as an instructor at the potential officer wing RAC at catterick for a couple of years and it was suprising how much people came out of their shells with a bit of bully er pushing. If they still run PO courses get yourself on one of those they were only 8 weeks and would give you a chance to see the army from both sides.
