Any advice?

[Chrisno150]

Can u join the TA's when your in 6th form, College or school?

[Space Cadet]

yes you can join the TA while still in college/sixth form.. its a weekend thing.. just depends if you're up for it with all the college work to deal with aswell

also there are like 2 week camps a year and you get paid..

[TA_soldier_abernethy]

1. spacecadet, thanks for all your help!
2. im at college and i am in the TA

Well, i would love to wear that red beret it would be a real achievment. My Dad is keen on mejoining the RAF Regt and joining their para battalion, does anyone know what those guys are like?

I would quite like to be a recovery mechanic in reme (yet another idea) can u get ur red beret thru that?
It's so hard to decide!
The reason I say aug/sept is not because I am immature, it is because I am taking my AS-level exams at end of may/june/july so would have to after that!

[mike_B]

It is encouraging to see high ambitions and expectations. I myself have 'ultimate goals', it is healthy to do so.

Joining the pathfinders, red devils etc. may well be something you do in the future, but come on lads, lets concentrate on getting IN the army first eh? Me included, i'm still not in the army, and have only passed the most basic of tests. But my next tests are POC and main board, so that is what i focus all my attention on.

You're right Mal, i'd be surprised if many soldiers' routes worked out the way they wanted. Keep your eye on the ball ladies.

Mike

[TA_soldier_abernethy]

Ideally I would like to become a para in either the army paras, or the parachute part of the RAF Regt. Then I would like to join the special forces, or if that is not possible at least work with them.
This may sound a silly thing to say, but when i was 13 I ripped my hamstring in a football match and since then I have had trouble touching my toes, will that affect me getting into the army/paras? It is fully healed and my physio said provided I keep stretching it'll be fine and I'l be able to touch my toes again!
3Para does sound good, I have read about the pathfinder platoon and that would be amazing! I have also read a lot about 2Para but I have read very little about 1Para, what is their role?
Is it true most of the SAS is made up of paras?
Have any of you worked with recovery mechanics in the REME?

Cheers

[TA_soldier_abernethy]

also guys, another worry, im 6ft 1inch and weigh about 10 stone 8lb maybe slightly more.
Will that be ok?

[I love beasting]

Now you're scaring me, im 6ft 1 and weigh 14 stone 8lb. Im a big lad, have to stay away from the heavy weights.

[TA_soldier_abernethy]

but will my height/weight be ok? or am i too skinny?
what about my touching toes problem?
(see previous psots)
cheers guys

PS: what were the interviews like beasting? what prep have you done for selection?

[Mal]

Ive just looked up something about height and weight rations and it recons that you should be already and that you are classed as a SMALL FRAME (others been medium and large). However I would recommend that you try and get some build on yourself. Your best bet would be to eat things like Tuna sarnies, fishes and meats. I found that as I suddenly increased the amount of exercise and weight training I was doing I always found myself hungry and wanting more food. Now im putting on weight but, not as fat but as muslce, over last 4-5 months ive noticed im becoming more muscularly build. Note: I was quite skinny too before I wanted to put on weight to become more build. Meat and Fish m8, worked for me. Just dont eat loads of junk food like pizza and chocolate bars n stuff.

As for your touch your toes thing. I shouldnt think that it will be too much of a problem, however, saying that, ive gone who medical examinations, one down in RSB Westbury and another more detailed one at RSC Glencourse Scotland. They are pretty strict but I dont see how it should affect you if its fully recovered as you say. If I was you I might concider getting in touch with an army medical centre, or purhaps even going on the online army careers chat www.army.mod.uk and ask one of the SGT/WO2 about it,

Mal

[TA_soldier_abernethy]

I am looking at the raf regt aswell as the paras. from your knowledge, mal, whats your opinion on the regt?
Thing I am most worried about is being fit enough for the paras (i am starting the 4week course today!!), but I have 110% commitment and some people have said if you dont make the grade its not that important provided you give full effort and throughout your basics you get better, is that correct?

What is the procedure for joining the paras?
I am 17yrs 4months, finishing my exams in may/june then leaving school and want to join ASAP however I have a holiday booked 23-30 July and if i dropped out of that my girlfriend would kill me, especially as she has already shed many tears over me wanting to leave for the army.

I want those dam wings though more than my girlfriend

[Mal]

I know how you feel. I split with my last girlfriend because I didnt want to have any other commitments or anything like that apart from the Paras. Dont want any excuse to drop out of training or anything like that, im totally commited to the Paras no matter what.

I can tell you now that if could be a while before you start your training for the paras. Im 18 now. I left collage last july. I mentioned my interest to the army and things but they never got back to me. So instead, in about Aug/Sept time I contacted Para HQ myself, and they booked my on a para insight weekend for Nov 4/5 which was wicked. Got back into contact with the army and they said they would get back to me within 2 weeks. Took them till after chirstmas to get back to me. My next step was my BARB test (touch screen questions). After that I confirmed my first, second and third choice, first been the paras. Couple days later I had an interview to confirm my commitment and choices. 2 Weeks later they put me on RSC, Glencourse, Scotland and said I might be joining the Paras on the next intake in Feb/March. Got delayed. I phoned em up and now im joining in JUNE. Ages away from what I was expected. Just make sure you keep on top of THEM, not them on you, otherwise you'll be waiting your whole life lol.

Just try and keep your fitness up, but dont train too hard (overtrain) as it can lead to injury. I used to compete in cross country for county and overtrained, and as a result had shinsplints for 6months or so - not a nice experience! They do a screening week to test your fitness at first before oyu start phase 1 training. THEY WILL GET U FIT, however, you need to be quite fit yurself first. But yeah, as others say, its not all about physical fitness. Its about determination and willpower too, for example, if your doing pullups, and you've just managed 6, and cant quite do 7, give the 7th more than your best effort. Even if you dont manage it, thats what the intructors are trained to look for. They are not trying to fail you! Also it has been common for recruits during training, if they are not fit enough or fail in one area, they can be backsquadded. This basically means that they are given a second chance and put back maybe 4 weeks or so to build there fitness up more, ready to try again.

I am looking at the raf regt aswell as the paras. from your knowledge, mal, whats your opinion on the regt?

Opinion of which, the Paras or the RAF Reg?

By the way, get yourself booked on the next available LOOK AT LIFE Inight Course down in Colchester. Its a para weekend FREE of charge and they send you a free train warrent too. Dont cost you anything and gives you an idea of the paras, there training, and also some breifings and videos about the fitness and the regiment,

Mal

[Sig657]

I don't think you'll be needing to touch your toesin the paras mate, well i hope not anyway!

It's too early for you to decide about what part u want in, its hard enough to get in mate, i would keep a broad minded view on what exactly what you want to do as its early days, set yourself a more realistic challenge thats going to get you closer to whatever youre actually aiming for in long run. i.e. Running 10 miles in 1:50 mins. or even the 1.5 miles in 9:30 seconds.

[Sig657]

also, im 6 ' 3 (189cm) i head the max height is 190cm

[Mal]

One thing about touching yur toes, I keep getting told by loads of people who have been in the paras and been through training that one the tranasium, on the paralell bars they shot you to stop half way accross and then touch yur toes, then stand up then carry on. They got to be kidding right, mind u its come from more than one person....UGHHHHHHHHHH.

Mal

(If it is true you can lie to me and tell me that u dnt have to do that if u want lol)

[TA_soldier_abernethy]

Hey.
Sorry long since last reply just been through a messy break-up with my girlfriend. I will be leaving college in 8 weeks and joining the army if i can she wouldnt support me which is understandable. she took it badly, very badly, any advice on this little matter? one thing i can say is my mates really have stood by me throughout and it makes you realise how important friends are.

A question, on the RSC thing do you go there with three choices on what you want to do and at the end of it they tell you what you can/cant do?

Like I said i am also looking at the para part of the RAF Regiment. but over time I am becoming more and more kene on the paras. I want those wings and even more I want that beret.