EXPERIENCE ADVICE NEEDED ABOUT JOINING THE ARMY

[Patriotic_Brit23]

Hello, May I say before I start this post, that im only 14 and I have plenty of time ahead of me, but i'd like to get some experienced input.

All my life I wanted to be a professional footballer. But i've always known that that's a bit of a long shot. And I realised that its best I have a fall back plan. I'm doing pretty well with my football. My dad played for Southampton and he's coaching me. My dads mate who played for millwall said I was pretty good for my age. Anyway back to the point. I've been considering the army for a while. Seeing i've never been fond of planes and boats. But my uncle was in the intelligence corps a few years ago, and I was asking him about it. He told me to join the intelligence or be an engineer of sorts. However I figured if I was going to be in the army, I'd want to be doing something frontline. But my parents think im too clever to join the infantry. And want me stuck at a desk job like my cousins. ( who are in the army, doing finance and etc.)

I just want some things clarified please

• Is everyone in the Infantry Thick?
• Should I join the army if im afraid to die.
• Do they have football in the army
• What is the most exciting not combat role?

[EH_BURNETT]

Well lets start;
• Not everyone in the infantry is thick. Especially these days a few good qualifications are handy for joining up. My friend only just got into the Infantry and he had 5 GCSE'S and 2 A-levels
• Should you join the army if your afraid to die. Yes, I mean unless your slightly odd I think most people have a certain fear of dying. Just because your in the infantry doesn't mean your going to die. Especially in modern warfare where it's no longer large scale assaults etc there is a low chance of death
• Yes, the army has a football team. (Not as good as the RAF's )
•For me, although its not actually non-combat, but damn near it, would be artillery

[Patriotic_Brit23]

Well lets start;
• Not everyone in the infantry is thick. Especially these days a few good qualifications are handy for joining up. My friend only just got into the Infantry and he had 5 GCSE'S and 2 A-levels
• Should you join the army if your afraid to die. Yes, I mean unless your slightly odd I think most people have a certain fear of dying. Just because your in the infantry doesn't mean your going to die. Especially in modern warfare where it's no longer large scale assaults etc there is a low chance of death
• Yes, the army has a football team. (Not as good as the RAF's )
•For me, although its not actually non-combat, but damn near it, would be artillery

Cheers for that burnett, So are you in the RAF or the royal artillery?

[Patriotic_Brit23]

Bump

Other opinions possibly?

[Suckles32]

Hello need some much needed advice on join up. Iv been look at joining up i am 30 years old 31 in may. I been looking at the RAF Regiment or The Paras. I would like information and views to which one has the better career progression, who looks after the troops better and who would you recommend. All help given would be handy.

[Tab]

You are 14 years old and have quite a few years before you can join the Army, so forget about the Army and enjoy yourself till you are near leaving school then ask these questions

[mike.dt]

Hello need some much needed advice on join up. Iv been look at joining up i am 30 years old 31 in may. I been looking at the RAF Regiment or The Paras. I would like information and views to which one has the better career progression, who looks after the troops better and who would you recommend. All help given would be handy.

You need to make a decision soon! Although you're eligible, your age is well against you unfortunately. Career progression in the paras is very much the same as in the RAF regiment, it's based on experience and merit. If you consistantly perform well on exercises and in general, are fit, and a potential leader then in due course you will be considered for promotion. It very much depends on you. The RAF reg (let's face it) are probably less of a frontline role if you ask me... the provide force protection, so therefore spend alot of time patrolling air bases, or supporting the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT).

Whereas the parachute regiment can quite often be left in the brown stuff for months and be expected to come out shining (Search 'Parachute regiment in Sangin' for more info). So the two regiments are a completely different breed. The parachute regiment also provides a large chunk of it's strength to the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG). Traditionally (as i'm sure Tab will verify ) the paras provide alot of the manpower for the SAS as well.

So in summary, if you want a hard, action packed lifestyle that may eventually lead to special forces then the paras is for you. If you want a less difficult and less action packed lifestyle which will not prepare you well for SF selection then look at the RAF regiment. But ultimately it is what you make it! (Sorry to any rock apes reading this )

Good luck mate and hurry up with your decision!