). As they can now be more selective this means that the standards you have to achieve on the course are much higher than the minimum ones given on the website and the letter you get sent if you want to start on the next intake:* Although the multi-stage bleep test pass is a level 9, you really need to be getting at least level 10-11 (you can download this to an Ipod/MP3 player and it is worth practicing before you go)
* You need to aim to be doing at least 30-40 press ups and sit ups in a minute
While I was there the Corporal in charge of us mentioned that the following changes are shortly being brought in:
* The time allowed on the three mile run is being reduced from 24 to 22 minutes, in line with the run Potential Marine and Para recruits have to do
* The low ropes exercise is being replaced by a 'P Company' style team stretcher race/log run, done in boots and with helmets
Out of forty lads who started on the Monday night, only twenty two of us passed on the Thursday, and five of those got a 'B' which meant that they will have to wait to start on the intake after the next one so if you want to start your TG course sometime in the next century it is worth making sure your fitness is up to scratch before you get there.
Most of the lads who failed were binned because they were hopelessly unfit - one bloke could only do 7 press ups in a minute, another dropped out of the run after about a mile. Not only do you get a chewing out from the PTI's and the PGAC Staff for wasting their time but the gen on you quickly gets about if you have done a miserable job in the tests and you have Trainee Gunner recruits and Reg NCO's coming up and taking the piss out of you in front of everyone. Also a couple of other lads were gobby to the PGAC staff and PTI's and got failed on their attitude.
As long as you have a good base level of fitness and dont give the PGAC staff or the PTI's any shit you will be fine, they allow you plenty of sleep each night and you get fed well. Other than the first night you also get loads of free time in the evenings (there is a TV and Common room in the PGAC blocks you can use, although you have to tidy it) and they take you down the bar where you can get soft drinks and snacks (although you are not allowed alcohol on PGAC even if you are over eighteen). You also get loads of opportunity to talk to both TG Recruits and serving Reg Gunners and NCO's when you are in the training centre at Honnington, which is worth taking advantage of.
Some last bits of advice:
- If you arrrive at Bury station early there is a pub just over the road
- Dont take too much stuff as you only have one foot locker to keep it in - MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THIS LOCKED WITH THE KEY ON YOU
- Take spare smart trousers and a shirt in addition to the one you have to turn up in
- Keep your hands out of your pockets and dont chew gum or you will get bollocked, not just by the PGAC staff but also by NCO's and Officers who are about
- DRINK PLENTY OF WATER BUT ALSO MAKE SURE YOUR WATER BOTTLE IS KEPT FULL TO THE BRIM ALL THE TIME
Anyway hope this is of help.
