Things to do...

[Scott_Allen]

Hey guys,

I am just finishing my A-Levels this year and I want to join the Royal Marines as an officer... BUT! I do not want to go to university.

I am however joining the Royal Anglian Regiment TA which is my local unit as I am taking a year off after I finish my school career.

I am just looking for suggestions of things to do from now, through my gap year to help me have the best chance of getting in.

I have started to work on my fitness now, and will obviously continue to do so, and some ideas I have come up with to do during my gap year are:

- Travel
- Charity work in the 3rd world

But I am stuck on ideas now that could maximise my chances of being accepted without going to uni.

Thank for any help.

[Tartan_Terrier]

Why don't you want to go to university?

Think about this from the Royal Marine's point of view, they have hundreds of applicants they can pick and choose between. Maximise your chances and get a degree first.

You can continue in the TA or even the RMR (if there's a detachment in your area) while you're studying.

Regards
T_T

[Scott_Allen]

Because I simply dont want too...

I hate education as a whole, and I cannot think of a single subject I would want to study at uni.

I am sure there are thousands of other things I could do to help my chances besides uni.

[Tartan_Terrier]

Because I simply dont want too...

I hate education as a whole, and I cannot think of a single subject I would want to study at uni.

I am sure there are thousands of other things I could do to help my chances besides uni.

I know what you mean, I didn't want to go to uni either. Wish I had now though......

One of the lads in my platoon is doing a degree in military studies. Does that sound like it might be your thing?

T_T

[McGuire86]

they have hundreds of applicants they can pick and choose between.

Don't think they have so many applicants as they would like to, if this was the case why are they so understrength at the moment?
I might be wrong, it's just from what I've heard and read, so don't think I'm trying to start an argument

[Scott_Allen]

Because I simply dont want too...

I hate education as a whole, and I cannot think of a single subject I would want to study at uni.

I am sure there are thousands of other things I could do to help my chances besides uni.

I know what you mean, I didn't want to go to uni either. Wish I had now though......

One of the lads in my platoon is doing a degree in military studies. Does that sound like it might be your thing?

T_T

Not really mate lol. The thought of studying anything even slightly academic for any long periods of time sends shivers up my spine, Heheh.

[Dangermouse]

Because I simply dont want too...

I hate education as a whole, and I cannot think of a single subject I would want to study at uni.

I am sure there are thousands of other things I could do to help my chances besides uni.

Same as me mate when I left school at 18. Had a year out, was in a crap job, failed PRMC so though 'f@@@ it', and came to uni. I'm 'studying' Strategic studies, which basically means I can read a book about terrorism, the SAS or nuclear weapons once a week and call that an academic vocation. Just started a module in Special Forces and doing my dissertation either on Special Forces in Popular Culture (an excuse to play on Metal Gear and watch Rambo all day), Special Forces and the Developing World or something about Private Military Companies.

My point is, if theres something you're interested in, you'd be able to find it at uni. I'm not saying you should go to uni, that's your choice. But don't be put off because you don't think you'd be interested in anything. And believe me, uni is nothing like school.

And at school I was always in trouble, came away with two Ds and an E at A Level. Found out I had piss poor fitness too down at Lympstone. Didn't have the grades or desire to be an officer, or the fitness to be a recruit. Now hopefully this time next year I'll have a decent education to fall back on and fitness levels that will make Jay Cutler nervous (joke).

[Scott_Allen]

Cheers danger...

But I am still lookin for ideas for things to do to maximise my chances of being selected for officer training.

NOT UNI! lol.

Thanks again.

[ihavethedetermination]

Doing the TA is a good thing. You will get the chance to take leadership courses and learn what qualities officers need in order to be selected. You will also be able to get advice from your NCO's and CO's (Commissioned Officers & Non Commissioned Officers), also if you impress them they will be good referees for your aplication.

In my opinion and it is just that, why go abroad to volunteer? You could volunteer here in the UK and you wont have to leave the TA and you could even get some operational experiecne.

I have a mate who was going into the RM as an officer and he spent 12 months training for the fitness levels as he wanted to be the best, he's now not going for officer as he want to get operational experience before trying for corps commission.

To answer you original question, you need to do things that you can use as proof that you can learn, make decisions, deal with consequences, understand the political world and are fit enough. Volunteering will help with some of those, the TA will help with others, the gym will help with the fitness and the Sunday papers generally have a fair bit of politics in them (make sure you read a selection and not just one paper due to bias). You just need to show that you have thought about it and used the year to tick all the boxes that they have.

Go into the careers office and tell them that you are thinking about becoming a Royal Marine Officer and they will give you the info you will need to make sure you have the qualities.

Just my opinion though

Hope it helps

[Scott_Allen]

Thanks fella.

Just the answer I wanted.

I have been asked to come back to my AFCO in December to talk

[ihavethedetermination]

Good stuff lad, well December aint that far away. Do you know what your gonna do in the mean time?

Best of luck for your "chat"

[Scott_Allen]

Well in the mean time I am getting things squared away with the T.A, working on my A-Levels, and just looking about for any charity style work I could do.

Also working on my fitness ofcourse.

[MadAd]

I went to uni for three years and studied for a degree in 'comm's'. I did enjoy it. Wasn't really until the first year of uni that I started to get into the idea of joining the RM's.

My advice is do your 'A'levels because they are important. If you want to go to uni do, if you don't, don't. you can still get in as an officer with 'A' levels and GCSEs. It goes on how many UCAS points you have.

[letsrole]

You hate education as a whole, do you think when in YO training you wont be educated in the class room? It's not all in the field you know!

[Scott_Allen]

You hate education as a whole, do you think when in YO training you wont be educated in the class room? Its not all in the feild you know!

I knew somone was going to say that!

lol! Bit different don't you think, from a few classroom sessions on HOW TO DO YOUR JOB, to 3 years of studying for a degree :S