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Hi

Went to the AFCO this week as I've decided not to go to university and wanted some info on possible careers in the forces.

After speaking to a man from the RAF I decided that WSOp does look like a good career and something i'd enjoy.

My question is, if after my minimum length of service in the RAF I decided to leave and try and go for Royal Marines officer, would that be possible?

Um just a question, why dont you just go for the royal's straight up instead of fannying around with the RAF if thats what you really want to do?

That had crossed my mind, but after looking on here it's quite clear that older applicants are preffered when applying as an officer for the Marines.

I just thought I could wait a few years until i'm a bit older.

I know the requirements are only a-levels, but I was told there wasn't one 18 year old on the 2007 officer's course. Pretty much all of them are straight out of Uni or older.

Do you reckon you'll need a degree?

I know they don't say it's required but with the competition for places are you less likely to be accepted into officer training if you don't have a degree?

I would say four years in the military would impress the AIB more than a degree to be honest. Unless you were a mong obviously

Well, if you did i'd suggest joining the Navy and not the RAF. You'd be able to transfer over very easily and being knowledgeable in it and a part of the Royal Marines kind of 'mother branch' would help you a lot.

Or, you could join as a Rating, now, and then make it clear all throughout your time with the RM's, that your ultimate goal is to get a commision. This is what I got told was the best plan of action for my situation. More likely to recruit an already established RM than go and take someone who needs to do Commando tests, and learn the Royal's way of life, apparently

Have a word with your AFCO about it, the guy I talked to was EX AFCO, and that was his advice.

KODE

ROYAL'S straight up!
no question about it

Depends on your time frame. There's no harm in applying as an officer now; if you don't get accepted, you can then join as a nod. Alternatively apply directly as a nod. Once you're in, as long as you show the right qualities, you can apply for a Corps Commission no problem, which isn't that different at all to applying from civvy street, except if you fail the selection process you're still a Bootneck. Beware however that should you make it into a batch, if you fail at any point in the training you will be out on your ear, you can't go back to the other ranks. Having said that, if you've already passed Bootneck training and the AIB there's no reason to think you'd fail the training itself. You probably won't want to go back to Lympstone for another 14 months after you've been there for 9 already though!

just to hijack this thread momentarily..I'm most probably goin to do my masters in physiotherapy, but still desire to become a royal marine,so I will apply after completing my degree.

Anyway my question is, is it possible to switch from a royal marine officer to an RAMC officer, as my understanding is that I won't be able to practice as a physio in the RM and I would eventually like to go into my chosen field.

thanks for your help!

lewdog wrote:just to hijack this thread momentarily..I'm most probably goin to do my masters in physiotherapy, but still desire to become a royal marine,so I will apply after completing my degree.

Anyway my question is, is it possible to switch from a royal marine officer to an RAMC officer, as my understanding is that I won't be able to practice as a physio in the RM and I would eventually like to go into my chosen field.

thanks for your help!

Think you may find it hard to transfer due to the fact that it costs a bomb to train up a fully booted and spurred RM officer. They will expect you to give back something for all that training in other words.

Artist

I understand that and would hope to spent a good few years with the RM before thinking of making a move. just want to know if its a possibility.

lewdog wrote:I understand that and would hope to spent a good few years with the RM before thinking of making a move. just want to know if its a possibility.

You never know until you try.

Artist

Of course you could leave then apply to the Army. So yes it is possible. I don't know if there's a more streamlined route than that given that you're transferring across services, with completely different officer training as well as all the differences inherent in the services themselves. It probably wouldn't be good for your career either (and Orificers do tend to be career men).