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Hi guys, hows things going for you all ?
Ok, I've been wanting to join the army since I was a little kid, Im now 19 and gone through college.
Im very interested in the technical side of soldiering, field craft, vantage points, ambushes, archs of fire etc...
I used to look at my mums old maps even I was younger and form plans on how to flank the enemy and get the jump on him using any cover available and so on.
I was the kid who could never be caught in game, like manhunt. I always got top gunner on paint ball or the laser version.
I got best recruit on 2 insight courses that I've been on with the army

I'm not trying to compare anything to what soldiers do but I'm trying to get across how I think and what I enjoy.

I'm not ready to join the army, I'm handing in my application tomorrow.
I want to be a Para but my mum got down on her knee's and begged me not to join as a front line soldier. She's a single parent so naturally we are closer then most other mother/son relationships (not that close u dirty git's)
So I looked into the Artillery as a light gunner, not as much danger as being an infantry man but I wont be doing the things I think I like about being a soldier, also I feel I have more to offer as an infantrymen then a gunner for the RA.

I'm kindly asking for your opinions and what I should go for, anything that will help me make my mind up will do, I'm totally grid locked on this choice because I know I can still be a para as a gunner in the RA.

I have an interview soon so I hope I can make my mind up by then.

Thanks for your time guys&gals, take it easy.
Jess.

(btw, the fitness difference of the para's to the RA doesnt matter, im as fit as... someone who is really fit) cheers!

Go for Royal Signals if i was you mate. You can still go 216 Sdq Para signals, and do loads of infantry stuff, but still do the Comms aswell.

You get a good trade, something to fall back on in civvy street. Also do alot of work with Special Forces and obviously Para aswell if you go for 216.

It would be my second choice if i couldn't go for Para reg for whatever reason.

Good luck.

Or do the AACC with the artillery. But like james said, go for one with a trade you can fall back on. I have changed my first choice from signals to Royal engineers Combat engineer/carpenter and joiner. Its a trade and combat type stuff

Don't go artillery. I've read your post and we dont want you frankly. We dont want to be anyones second best, especially because their mum told them to.

james (future Para) wrote: Also do alot of work with Special Forces and obviously Para aswell if you go for 216.

Good luck.

your thinking 264 SQN james, they do the SF signals work.


SP

Jessy, you can have a good life in the Army, but it will up to you what you make of it. There is just one thing, there are NO women in the front line Regiments, now I know there are women in support roles in the Parachute Regiment,but they are all Penguins.

lol tab.

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll look into the signals today at the recruiting office.
CheesePossessed, even though that was an extremely negative post, its your opinion. If it were up to my mum I'd still be in college or uni by now and dont get me wrong, I will give my best and more to what ever section of the forces I join.

Sticky Blue, being a light gunner isn't as dangerous as being on the front line, yes I could get bombed to hell by enemy jets or artillery or shot by snipers... but how many county's are we at war with who have that capability ?
There is a list for what dangers gunners have, but infantrymen gets everyone in the book. I do see your point though.

Righty, im off to get my hair cut, handin out some CV's, doin some fitness then going to the recruitment office, I'll make my mind up by then and I'll let you all know how it goes.
Thanks again.

Jessy wrote:I used to look at my mums old maps even I was younger and form plans on how to flank the enemy and get the jump on him using any cover available and so on.

Bit sad isn't it!! Maybe you should become a rupert

I want to be a Para but my mum got down on her knee's and begged me not to join as a front line soldier.

Maybe you shouldn't join the army. Maybe the TA would be more suitable, then you can get a normal job and still run around with guns as a hobby.

I'm kindly asking for your opinions and what I should go for, anything that will help me make my mind up will do

You wont get into any regiment unless you are totally focused and determined to get there. If you dont have the same feeling towards a regiment that you are trying to join; fact is you probably wont pass basic training and wont last five minutes.

I'm not ready to join the army, I'm handing in my application tomorrow.

Bit of a contradiction isn't it? how can you not be ready, yet be handing in your application in soon?

James

Jessy wrote:
Sticky Blue, being a light gunner isn't as dangerous as being on the front line, yes I could get bombed to hell by enemy jets or artillery or shot by snipers... but how many county's are we at war with who have that capability ?

Not been on the front line? Tell that to the blokes on Telic 1, they WERE the front line. In one instance they were 15kms in front of their "supporting" infantry. They survived strafing by "friendly" aircraft, contacts by "friendly" troops and oh yes, nearly forgot - 3 weeks CONSTANT counter bombardment. I could tell you about the direct fire into a mass Fedayeen assault against the gun position in Nasiriyah (Yes Brits did fight there!!) but I won't, you'll just have to read the books when they come out!
A job isn't dictated by what you read about in a book / list. Believe me, I've read my so called "job description" and what we have to achieve in reality i.e ops is never mentioned.
Rant over - out

james (future Para) wrote:

Jessy wrote:

I'm not ready to join the army, I'm handing in my application tomorrow.

Bit of a contradiction isn't it? how can you not be ready, yet be handing in your application in soon?

James

probably meant to say 'now'

Brian- wrote:probably meant to say 'now'

If only people knew how to spell correctly...

lol, yeah I was meant to say "now" how stupid did that look.
Ok I went to recruiting, spoke to friends & family.

I've made my mind up to go for Artillery and in the future try to get into the para section.
Im not choosing artillery because of others peoples influence, I was totally deadlocked on which one to pick, I've now made my mind up.
My eyes have been opened (thanks to you guys) about some of the dangers the RA may face but this is something I really want to do so im gonna go for it.
Also very interested in becoming a PTI since thats what im currently doing as a civvy.

Thanks for your time guys.

If only people knew how to spell correctly...

oh and james, I didn't actually spell anything incorrectly, I simply misplaced a word, in which case, is my grammar, not spelling.

I know Jessy your spelling is like mine, it is all correct but like me you make the odd deliberate mistake to make sure every one is awake.