Turned up on the Monday late because of the train, so me and another lad missed the initial Welcome Brief. About 12:40 we all went to lunch, ate fast and straight into the Med Center. We basically sat for 3 hours in a waiting room with Ross Kemp in Afghanistan on the telly, writing out our icebreakers and taking it in turns to go into the Hearing, Eyesight and Doctor rooms. About 9 people got deferred at this point for medical reasons inc. whiplash, bad teeth etc and sent home straight away. A group of lads that arrived the night before for asthma tests did their medicals in the morning I believe, and so while we did our medicals they did icebreakers and grenade test.... then had a looooong wait
After medicals, straight into icebreakers. We were divided into groups of 6/7 and put in a small room. It was easy enough, got a list of topics on the board to talk about just run through them. You have chance to get easy with your group during the waiting for meds so it's not so bad. Immediately after we learnt about the L109HE Live Grenade and the L110 Drill Grenade. Things like colour, significant features, what it's used for etc. You wrtie it all on paper, take it away to revise and tested on it next day. You should get 10/10 it's a pish easy. For IceBreaker, put some thought into your strengths and weaknesses, i didnt expect it and caught me out on day! haha. After we very briefly went outside to have 1 go each at throwing a drill grenade at a cardboard cut out.
Next up was the Static Lift, Dynamic Lift and Heaves in a small gym facility. It's simple enough, just follow their instructions, copy their technique and put 110% effort in till your body is about to implode. Note, we were told heaves aren't THAT important. A guy who did 2 heaves got an A and a guy who did 16 got a B. Goes to show.
And last up before evening scoff was the PT session. It will obviously vary dependant on the PTI, but consisted of a lot of running back and forth at various paces, running to one side of gym doing 10 pressups, running back then back again and doing 8 pressups.. and so on all the down to 2. then doing it all over again for sit ups, crunces, knees to chest jumps, then running out of building, around and back in. without break besides him explaining next step. put maximum effort in and you'll be fine. don't shortcut!
Next was shower, change into civvies and scoff... which was awesome the whole 2 days btw! Really good grub, and besides lunch massive portions. Sure to fil you up!
After, we were told what to do with beds, getting new sheets for tomorrow and what to do with dirty ones in morning. Then trade guys went off to do a TST which took 45 minutes. Fairly basic but do abit of revision GCSE maths if you can (Trade applicants only)
Finally was the NAAFI. More or less a small pub that doesn't serve alcohol. Some played pool, some watched Jeremy Kyle on TV.. everyone was pretty knakcered tho after a long day. It was straight to our rooms after that, lights out for 10:00. We just stayed up chatting banter and having a laugh until around then.
DAY 2
Alarms set for 05:00. The PTI wasn't coming till 06:15 but we wanted up, showered and time to sort bedding and pack bags ready. He checked our beds breifly, all fine, then all put bags in another room and straight down for a full english breakfast.
Next we had a day brief and did our grenade test, which he marked infront of us and then we watched a quick army clip on a projector. Then it was Team Tasks. We went outside, got briefed on how to lift and operate planks and stuff safely, then geared up in helmets and coveralls and split into 3 groups. The three games all consisted of the use of planks to get your team across "destroyed bridges", or a number of barrels. One of them was a race between 2 teams in your group. Make sure your loud, influential, physically involved, contribute ideas and look like your enjoying it. That's all their looking for.
Next up was the run. They took us off base to an off road public footpath. Did a 800m warm up run and then straight into the 1.5 mile. You run three quarters of a mile, round a gate and back again. Found out who the wannabe Paras are in the group (such as me haha) and keep pace with them. They will be looking to achieve a run in well under 9 mins 18 seconds. Advice: run at a higher pace for the first half of the run, then maintain a marginally lighter pace if you can't maintain it until a couple hundred metres from finish and sprint it! It's going to hurt.
After we all marched back to the block, showered changed into our suits and down to the briefing room for a Motivational brief and a detailed look into Army life. Then we had lunch, and after lunch went and sat in a classroom like room waiting to be called up for our Interviews. Don't muck about too much cos the PTI's come in and out.
Interview was very short and sweet for most. Go in with one of the Officers, reitterate why you want to join the army, why you want your chosen trade, what preperation you've done then and overview of your results from the 2 days. He will then input that data into his computer and that will give you a Score. you need to reach a certain score to reach a given Grade bracket. PS: for this, as informal as it is, WEAR SHIRT TIE TROUSERS SHOES minimum. If you have a suit, awesome. all about impressions
We then had another talk wih a senior chap about terms and conditions of service, pay, benefits etc, then given a pack lunch and sent on our way at about 15:15.
All in all, it was a superb two days. As a group you really gel together. You will also learn that the PTI's have a nice side, and it's a great insight into Army Life. you will know by the end of it if this is the path for you.
Tips
*No vests. short sleeved t-shirts for working out in
*Invest in proper running shoes, or you will get chewed (for your own benefit)
*Don't be cheeky, or get cocky with your new pals
*Don't talk when walking around in 2 rank.
*Listen to what they tell you!
*No walking in the gym.
*If asked to do something, go somewhere - DO IT FAST.
*Referred to them by their relevant rank.
*Don't answer back
*Have a sense of humour
*Enjoy yourself
