Getting into the military

[Rotary Madness]

Hi guys i wonder if anyone could help. I know you can goto army recruitment centres, or ones for the airforce or navy etc, but is there anwhere i can go to talk about joining the armed services in general? I mean id like to get into either the army or airforce, i dont particularly think the navy is for me, but what role to go for in either? Id just like to go somewhere to chat about my options in general regarding armed service.

Thanks for any help

Greg

[shirt]

your local armed forces recruitment centre should have all three under one roof.

i guess from your nickname you want to be a heli pilot? i wouldn't knock the navy for that, they do some very interesting flying and remember they also use them as transport for the marines. i personally went quite a way down this route before realising me and the forces would not make a happy marriage.

one thing i would recommend is the following:

all [or most] RAF bases, naval air stations etc. will have a civilian liason officer. this is usually a retired chap who has had a long career on that base and is used rather like a PR person.

find the bases nearest to you, call them up and ask to speak to the liason officer. explain to them that you are interested in joining up as a pilot and wondered if its possible to come down and look around the hangars, speak to the crew etc. i would be very surprised if they turned you down, and it looks good when you turn up for a recruitment interview having already put in the legwork.

i did this and went to NAS yeovilton. had a cuppa and a chat with the liasion officer, who had arranged for me to spend time with the squadron CO, a pilot, an observer [navigator], and a pilot engineer. was there for about 4hours in total including a tour around the hangar and a sit in the lynx and sea king.

i was already in the RNR but doubt it would be any different for you. everyone i met was more than happy to talk to me about their career and how they 'made it'.

hth.

[Ranger 6]

Good advice there, but remember if you are going rotary the Army has more helicopters than the RAF and Navy put together (or they did a few years ago anyway!).

I would add that it's also worth considering if you can take what you learn back into civilian life. The technical trades in all services are very good, there's been another thread recently on this so have a scout round.

Good luck, I did 8 years in all regular and TA - didn't do any harm at all....wibble

[Rotary Madness]

Thanks guys! My names more down to the fact i own an rx7

The reason im looking at getting into the military is basically im 20, for the past 2 years ive just done boring work to pay for my fast car habits (impreza then said rx7) but litterally all my money goes on the cars, and for the huge outlay i pay on them (like 70% of my wages) i dont really get to use them often, because all my money goes on just owning them at my age.

I dont really have a career, ive wanted to become a mechanic, but in todays financial climate, its not the best idea. I thought if i could join some form of armed forces, then i could get myself qualifications that i could use in civ life afterwards, and spend 4+ years going places and doing things id never do normally, and get paid to do it! Im relativly young, might as well get out there and do some stuff. I can always come back and get another fast car.

Ofcourse my first choice would be a pilot, i mean who wouldnt want to be, but im 6'4" and have to wear glasses/contacts, so the whole fighter pilot route is out unless i get eye surgery. But id be more then happy to fly some big ass chopper or cargo plane. Id also be happy fixing tanks etc, means id also be able to get into a mechanics job afterwards or engineering etc. If it came to it i could join as a boggo soldier, my only concern being once i got out, theres the slight problem of wtf is the civilian equivilant of a soldier?

Ta
Greg

[shirt]

if you want to go engineering, i'd say make sure you are working on aircraft or ships systems. more chance of earning a better wage once you come out.

can't help with anything else sorry, but i wouldn;t go into an interview situation saying you've been larging it up for the past few years.

[wildoliver]

I understand exactly the position your in. Last year I started to get tired of the hassle of working for myself and the appeal of the Army was the outstanding pension and an interesting job.

I must admit I still haven't discounted it, although the whole 24/7 job thing does concern me, the last thing I want is to sign up and end up hating it.

I've gone all the way down the process short of going off for selection. So if you want someone to talk to get in touch.

[Simon Brooks]

You sound like you may still be young enough to think about a pre-services course that a few further education colleges run, whilst these don't guarantee a place in any of the armed services they do put you on the right course and are proved to make being accepted a lot easier

good luck

[fltmgr]

Hi.

I'm not ex-military but work with a lot of the guys. If you want to earn decent money, get yourself into mine clearing, bomb disposal stuff. I'm in Darfur at the moment with a team, there are guys here earning big bucks doing what they learned in the military, there is so much crap going on in the world that I can't see the demand dropping anytime soon!

Mat.

[willyturbo]

I'm a REME electronics technician. Done 8 years and due out next year, but i've really enjoyed it. From working in an accounts office as a civvy, I've got to fix techy bits on tanks, robotics and armoured vehicles.

Joined at 21 and got my c, c+e licences, travelled loads, played alot of sport and made loads of good friends. The technician trade has got me nvq's and a modern apprenticeship. Its also a trade that promotes you quickly. (more money!)

Try the recruitment office, then find out more from people doing the jobs you like the look of. Bet the members on here cover loads of the military trades.

Good luck.