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Hi, wasn't too sure where to post this question, anyway could someone tell me how promotion works i.e what is the time frame for moving up a rank? do you have to apply to get promoted? do you have to sit any tests/exams? etc.

cheers

What service are you talking about?

Sorry, should've said so. I'm hoping to join the paras.

Personally, i think i would concentrate on being accepted and passing basic before even contemplating promotion

Had done 5yrs as a tom then went from tom to sgt in the next 4yrs.
psTake Flo's advice first.

thanks got1. believe me theres nothing more important to me right now than getting in and getting through basic. its just that i'd like to know as much as possible about what is going to be my future career. hopefully :puppydogeyes:

There are always courses available at the learning centres situated on every camp. But promotion wise im assuming you would fall in line with the other services. Be a good boy/or girl to get your first stripe up, then its courses ie Juniors ( not sure para equivalent) then eventually your seniors. But it all depends on personal attitude and aptitude whether you will be put forward for those courses by your SNCO.

Take Flo's advice on her first reply-don't worry too much about promotion just now, getting in initially is the hard bit.

However, for your first stripe you do 'Drill and Duties', which is a 6 week course down at Pirbright. You will learn how to give lessons and how to take charge of a section in the field. The first couple of weeks are on the drill square, with the rest either doing skill at arms lessons or in the field. there is quite a bit of fitness too.

For your second stripe you go down to Wales for 15 weeks(!), for Junior Brecon. This is broken down into the skill at arms phase, where you learn how to teach Depot-standard weapons lessonsand how to run a range. Then it's tactics, where you take charge of a section in the field, with lots of section/platoon attacks. There is plenty of fitness and written tests.

For your third stripe you go back to Brecon for more of the same, but obviously aimed at Platoon Sgt level.

Hope this has been of help.

Promotion will very much depend on your abilities, and remember that you are up against some good men

By the way, ref your 'puppy dog eyes', your Depot instructors might not take to those much, 'red eye' maybe. Are you sure you've got the right attitude with a gay expression like that? And as for sitting exams, start getting your head around the fact that every course you do in Para Reg will basically be a beasting, it's not college!

Greenronnie wrote:start getting your head around the fact that every course you do in Para Reg will basically be a beasting

Do you think alot of blokes find promotion courses particularly challenging? I feel that as a tom i need a hell of alot of self discipline to keep myself in shape and maintain a keen interest in everything thats going on...quite difficult at times when nothing is happening and we are just getting spammed with mundane jobs. Did you find you had to train alot before going off to do D&D's, Juniors and PSBC? And did you find you had much more pressure put upon you because you are para regt?

To be honest I didn't have any time to train before doing any promotion courses, and yes there is more pressure on to perform when you come from Para Reg. Ref the motivation thing, maybe think of moving on somewhere else in Bn or doing PF or SF selection. I think it's easier to stay motivated if you have an aim.

Greenronnie wrote:Ref the motivation thing, maybe think of moving on somewhere else in Bn or doing PF or SF selection. I think it's easier to stay motivated if you have an aim.

I agree. However, im in a dead end sort of situation and really not happy where i am (even though iv just got there). I think im going to have to stick out the next year or so with the current platoon im in, then speak to my platoon commander about doing another cadre. Wouldnt mind going Patrols or snipers perhaps. Whats the PF cadre like? Its about 6 weeks isnt it?

Junoior and Senior Brecon, don't know what it's like now, but don't half bring back some memories. Concrete Hill,Advance to Contact and TQ.
All the usual runs and stuff before breakfast. Section/ platoon Attacks (get thev jimpy on the high ground)
Glad I dodn't have to do it again.
Good Luck

Sounds pretty much like it hasn't changed much.

Ref the PF Cadre Para 01, it is quite an intense 6 weeks in brecon, lots of tabbing, ranges, lessons on first aid, comms, SOPs. Finishes with a 10 day final ex with interrogation at the end.