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I got a bit of a predicament at the moment and wondered what your opinions are on this. I know that at the end of the day it's up to me to decide, but wondered what you would do.

Basically, as you know, I had to delay entry again, meaning I have to do PRMC again as the years pass has expired.

Saying that, my Navy careers officer said to me, if I dont want to do PRMC again, as I got a good score on my recruit test (the BARB test) I have a lot of options open to me in the Navy too. Especially if I'm worried my injury will return during recruit training. He particuly recommended Aircraft Engineer. I was pleasently surprised with that and later on in the day he called to say if I fancied doing aircraft engineer, I could be in by Xmas as the course instructor used to be a Marine and would make an extra space on the course for me!

So now I'm stuck in a good situation....do I go for Marines, what I've always wanted to do (as you know), or go for Aircraft engineer, which would set me up with a great career and pay (so I've heard ). I was told that I could do the All arms Commando Course in the Aircraft engineer part if I put in for it a few times, but I dont know which to do as I dont wanna live in regret!

I'm 25 now so gotta think logically, but don't know what one to go for! What are your views on it? What would you do if you were me? I mean, if I went for Marines, I would 'hopefully' pass training when I'm just about to turn 27! I'd be a fairly old Marine!


Dave

Well it depends when your hips going to be better, is there a forecast on this? If you go in as an aircraft engineer by the time the commando course comes around you may be to old as younger lads may be getting on it. If marines is what you have always wanted and you hip is getting better stick to your dream. But whatever floats you boat, or whatever flies you plane

Yep, exactly what I was thinking too mate. I've had a thought to do this - go for PRMC, pass PRMC (hopefully!), hopefully complete training, see how this goes for me and if the option is still there, transfer to Aircraft engineer at a later date if I am not set in a career with the Marines.

Daveb,

Its just my opinion of course but if it is your dream to join the marines i think you should go for it, or you could spend your whole life regretting it. That might sound a bit dramatic to some but i really dont think it is.

Even if the worst happens and you do get injured in training, it will not be too late to go into an other career in the navy, such as aircraft engineer, but given your age if you leave it too much longer it WILL be too late too join the marines. As for trying to get on the All Arms course at a later date, i would imagine this will far harder than going for it now. Are they likely to send you off on the AACC after training you as an aircraft engineer at the age of 28ish? Im not sure if there is a need for aircraft engineers to be commando trained, but someone in a higher place may give you a better answer on that.

I left training in week 8 and have not stopped thinking about it since, im going to re-join (if all goes well), next year after i finish at uni, as i know i will NEVER stop regretting leaving if i dont, i get the feeling you may regret not joining.

Good luck what ever you decide mate,

Agree with dwarfy, follow your dream first and then if it doesn't work out you can take another look at other careers on offer. Your time in the RM can only be in your favour. If you don't then you'll have a long time to live with 'what if...?'.

Having said that, what would I do?, I'd sit down and figure out what I want to do and wouldn't allow other people's opinions to affect it. Just because you thought that you wanted to join the RM shouldn't stop you from changing your mind if you've come to the conclusion that it isn't actually what you want to do.

Hey mate, thats something i had to think about under different circumstances though. I completed college and got accepted for an appernticeship with Virgin Atlantic but sep 11 happened and it went tits up to say the least. I was being told i was wasting myself by the AFCO by joining the marines as they were saying i could try for the navy Artificer but all that didnt appeal to me anymore thus i completed the application for a Marine. As you said that would probably set you in better sted for when you leave the forces, but ive always wanted to be a Marine more hence i didnt chose the navy. My Parents kinda pushed me towards the Avaitin industry so i was never always 100% sure i wanted to be an Engineer despite being a well paid job ect. Its a nasty one to think about dude, but if its been a year and your still injured well the navy would sound more appealing to me. Good luck in your choice.

Dave you have managed to stick with your dreams for the marines so far even after everything thats happened to you. Not many people would have been able to do what you have done and they would have just gave up. You have proved you can do prmc and if it is truely your dream and your injury lets you then you should go for it and will hopefuly pass again and start basic.

Dom

Cheers lads. Thinking about it, I really do feel that I will always live in regret if I dont go for it. I have always wanted to be a Marine, and I guess the reason I have thought about Aircraft engineer is because of this injury and it lurking in the back of my mind that I may not fully recover from it....though I guess most people who have long term injuries think the same.

Thinking about it more, I'm definetely gonna stick with it and do PRMC. I aint giving up.

Cheers for the words of advice lads, and Dom thanks for those kind words mate

[quote="Daveb"]Cheers lads.

Thinking about it more, I'm definetely gonna stick with it and do PRMC. I aint giving up.

quote]

GOOD!

Have you got a civilian trade to fall back on? Id suggest go for it. age limit for marines has been bumped up to 32 so your by no means past it. Im 30 now and tempted to apply myself but my loyalty lies with the rockapes who im currently reapplying for (was in last year but came out - long story) As long as your fitness is there youve got a chance I guess thats what the PRMC is for. If anything being older will put you in a better position as you will have maturity, initiative and in my experience strength on your side. Fair one you may learn about planes etc in the other job, but Ill garantee you as an infantry soldier in the marines you'll learn all there is about combat, life in general, being confident and knowing how to handle yourself in almost any given situation. In my book these attributes are very hard to find in most jobs, let alone develop them. Id say go for being a steely eyed killer, chicks love it apparently!

Dave in all honesty mate i was in the same prediciment, when i was 16 i did the prmc but dropped out on the second day due to inury (also could'nt hack it at that age). About a year later i injured my back quite seriously playing rugby and now (i'm 23) thought that i'd never be able to apply for the marins ever again (thinking i'd fail the medical)!!. Up until last week i've contemplated going along the same lines as you as the forces is something i've always wanted to be in, joining the navy as an engineer or something along those lines, but always thinking in the back of my mind what if?? saying to myself i'd make a good marine (everyone does it if it's your dream), So i decided to write to someone regarding my back and what my chances would be, this officer laughed and said nearly every marine has your problem so theres absolutely no problem at all when applying you'll sail through the medical. I've just wasted 7 years thinking what if, what if, what if!!!!!, So mate go for it you will regret it if you don't give it a shot!! i'm now training sh*t loads to hopefully get a date for early january.

we arn't getting any younger mate so go for it!!!!

All else fails i'm sure you'd be the best dam aircraft engineer in town

chris