how do i convince parent's that royal artillery is not c9ap

[chris_]

when i said its a step down i meant in terms of physical difficulty and such.

RM isnt neccesarily superior to RA, but the difficulty of the training and selection make it harder.

both are good at what they do, but the demands on the RM outweigh that of the RA.

RA may have pressure from time, accuracy etc, but RM not only have to be able to be accurate, but be mobile and switched on enough to get to cover, fire accurately etc., and have to be able to do it after walking for several hours with a good few stone of kit.

not to forget most of the time the RA will be firing at things they cannot or can barely see, at least well out of range of normal infantry.
they arent under pressure like the RM, who can have the enemy 300m away, laying down lots of fire, and if they cant stay switched on and alert they may be dead pretty soon.

it looks like a step down because you consider the RM, then opt for the RA, which gives the impression of "RM was too hard, ill settle for the RA"

its the same as if you planned to do a history degree, but then changed your mind to become a plumber.
that is seen by many a step down, even though they are very different.

[LostandFound]

Nah sorry chris_ I really don't agree with your post. What you need to remember about RA is that with the kind of wars and conflicts we are involved in these days, most of RA's tours aren't using the big guns but are in fact in an infantry role.
Also, RA have many different roles including air defence etc which are very much on the front line and in sight of the enemy.

I agree that the selection procedure and the training are pretty much as intense as it gets for the armed forces when applying for the marines, and you will be part of a constant spearhead force expected to be the first into action whenever and wherever. However in terms of the job itself you still need to be extremely fit to serve in RA to an effective level, and if you are on 105mm light gun etc then you need to be strong, very quick and mobile (able to pack up and fook off within minutes), highly skilled as infantry as well as a gunner.

You just need to decide in your head whether you want to be a marine or a gunner and then just go for it. If you want to be a marine, just go for it. If you fall short of the required level to get in, then go for gunners.

[Gravityguy]

Nah sorry chris_ I really don't agree with your post. What you need to remember about RA is that with the kind of wars and conflicts we are involved in these days, most of RA's tours aren't using the big guns but are in fact in an infantry role.
Also, RA have many different roles including air defence etc which are very much on the front line and in sight of the enemy.

I agree that the selection procedure and the training are pretty much as intense as it gets for the armed forces when applying for the marines, and you will be part of a constant spearhead force expected to be the first into action whenever and wherever. However in terms of the job itself you still need to be extremely fit to serve in RA to an effective level, and if you are on 105mm light gun etc then you need to be strong, very quick and mobile (able to pack up and fook off within minutes), highly skilled as infantry as well as a gunner.

You just need to decide in your head whether you want to be a marine or a gunner and then just go for it. If you want to be a marine, just go for it. If you fall short of the required level to get in, then go for gunners.

I'm not qualified to say whether you are right or not but your last paragraph appears to contradict what you said in your earlier paragraphs?

[LostandFound]

Nah sorry chris_ I really don't agree with your post. What you need to remember about RA is that with the kind of wars and conflicts we are involved in these days, most of RA's tours aren't using the big guns but are in fact in an infantry role.
Also, RA have many different roles including air defence etc which are very much on the front line and in sight of the enemy.

I agree that the selection procedure and the training are pretty much as intense as it gets for the armed forces when applying for the marines, and you will be part of a constant spearhead force expected to be the first into action whenever and wherever. However in terms of the job itself you still need to be extremely fit to serve in RA to an effective level, and if you are on 105mm light gun etc then you need to be strong, very quick and mobile (able to pack up and fook off within minutes), highly skilled as infantry as well as a gunner.

You just need to decide in your head whether you want to be a marine or a gunner and then just go for it. If you want to be a marine, just go for it. If you fall short of the required level to get in, then go for gunners.

I'm not qualified to say whether you are right or not but your last paragraph appears to contradict what you said in your earlier paragraphs?

Which bit?

[ChrisBell]

I think he ment this bit:

If you fall short of the required level to get in, then go for gunners.

[LostandFound]

My post was just trying to say that I disagreed that the RA are under less pressure than Marines when it comes to battlefield/tour situations. I agree that the selection procedure is more physical for the Marines, but I don't agree at all with the comments about what to expect in a fighting scenario. Sorry for any confusion.

[jase25064342]

hi there...like the others have said marines is an infantry unit artillery is a gunnery unit....so its not a step down, its a different job.....29 cdo is a choice but firstly your gunner not a marine so itl be a waste of your time to go artillery if you wanna go marines. and as for time period you lookin at nearly four months basic after afc and cmsr then add another 3 or four months phase 2 training depending on trade...then its off to iraq lol.....
but overall there is no unit in the british army that is crap and it always annoys me when people say this unit is better than that ect....
but good luck with whichever one you choose.

[Sully]

there is no unit in the british army that is crap and it always annoys me when people say this unit is better than that

Well said, couldn't agree more.

[druadan]

Agree with what has been said above, good points well made. What strikes me is: Are you looking at becoming a Gunner as an Easy Route to a Green Lid?

If so, you're going the wrong way about it. I'm not one to judge, but if that was your train of thought, you need to rethink. If not, consider neck wound in, and ignore this post.

[Chateau Lafite]

Dantae,

My advice for what it's worth;

1) Try for the Marine's first. You may make it. You may not. But you'll be a better man for trying either way. If you fail go to point 2.

2) Enter the RA. Do a year. Get fitness and drills up. Then either;

3) Try for 4/73. A Tip Top unit, and a very tough role - try tabbing 30k a night for 4 nights, with 80lbs, over rough terrain covertly (i.e no roads/ paths, Hard routine, etc). Along with the PF's and SF, 4/73 are usually one of the first in theatre.

or

4)Go for 29 Cdo. Green lid. 'nough said.

5) If you fail 3 or 4, you are still RA, which offers some of the best qualifications the Army has. Skills that could be usefull after the Army. I.e Surveyor. The RA has some very bright blokes in it - people that can work out parabolic curves at different barometric pressures and humidities. (And will bore you to death about it!)

The only thing you have to do now Sir is fill out the bloomin form! Don't be afraid of failure. All successful people have failed at some stage. The losers don't even try.

Best of luck mate.

Out

[DANTAE]

ok im definatley going to wait till my fitness is higher im going to hate it but itll pay off in the end this is because i want a green lid (this will happen regardless because i will do the ngo course) i want to go special force's and(im basically picking the hardest course's going diver,NGO,special observer ect why do i do this ) the only thing i am decideing now is do i want to be a royal marine infantry man or a royal artillery commando either way there will be 4 commando test's and a dagger with waves on it (i know im getting ahead of my self but if i dont go in with the goal in mind ill never get it) rest assured im not taking the easy way out.

forms are done for royal marine commando and have been since just before the beggining of summer

[Artist]

ok im definatley going to wait till my fitness is higher im going to hate it but itll pay off in the end this is because i want a green lid (this will happen regardless because i will do the ngo course) i want to go special force's and(im basically picking the hardest course's going diver,NGO,special observer ect why do i do this ) the only thing i am decideing now is do i want to be a royal marine infantry man or a royal artillery commando either way there will be 4 commando test's and a dagger with waves on it (i know im getting ahead of my self but if i dont go in with the goal in mind ill never get it) rest assured im not taking the easy way out.

forms are done for royal marine commando and have been since just before the beggining of summer

DANTAE

Do what you think is best for yourself mate. The Gunners have a different role from the Bootnecks. But make a command decision soon or you will find yourself up shit creek without a paddle. Sorry but to be brutally frank you have to have a set course for your career.

Because at the moment it strikes me that you don't know whether to Wind your arse or scratch your watch! as you seem to be posting on all parts of the site ref your future career always asking people what would be best for yourself.

Go for your gut instinct and settle for that mate. I will delete your post on the RN side as the only reply was from me. OK?

Artist

[DANTAE]

ok artist the only thing i know for sure at the moment is i want a green beret and no worrys about the naval post