Hi all, I have my basic training run through Christmas. I was wondering if I would be paid before/during/after Christmas leave. Thanks

Hi, i am currently studying child nursing and am wondering if i would be able to go home during holidays if i join the reserves?

I get it’s a big commitment and as i live so far away from home i don’t want to dive right in without being able to go home on my holidays. My holiday in the summer is around 8 weeks would i be able to take time out to go home? Thanks!

I’m quite keen to get back into rugby, I’ve not played since I was 15 and I was shit back then. I know the army is quite big on rugby but are there 2nd and 3rd teams for those who aren’t any good? (Joining the engineers to be specific)

Would I be graded unfit if I suffer from mild rosacea and have never had any treatment for it? I've looked through JSP950 and can't find anything on it, although I mightve missed it.

My doctors provided the army with my medical records which stated I grew up with adhd and anxiety disorder as a child. However I have not been on any form of medication for either since the age of 15 ( I’m now 27, quite old to join I know )so I felt this was a bit unfair. Has anyone else had something like this happen? I’m in the process of appealing it but would like to know if anyone thinks I have any hope in this ? Cheers !

As the title says, I can't really find any specific information on my current situation and I'd like to just ask a couple questions in pms to anyone who has experience with it, I tried emailing AFF but because im in the process of applying and joining they said they couldn't help me, thanks!

Hi guys

Back in 2020 when i was only 12, i had a nasty accident that did some damage to my skull, requiring the use of metal plates to fix it. Now its 2024 and i am 16, i believe i've fully recovered however in one of the many secondary schools i went to, they did have to do a risk assessment that forbade me from playing sports at a competitive level, however after speaking to my doctor they managed to convince the school to remove the risk assessment. However, i know the army has very strict rules on physical health, and im only at the stage when they are reviewing my medical history and i want to know if this may affect joining, cheers.

I don't want to just be stuck in clinics, etc. I'd like to be in foreign countries, helping with traumatic injuries, etc. is this realistic if I go in as an officer?

(edit: turns out I was misinformed and you can't go in as an officer)

I have done googling, looked on the website etc, but I know they might "embellish" a bit on the official websites etc.

Im aware one lasts significantly longer than the other but I'm unsure as to what the benefits of harrogate are over just doing say sixth form and having the opportunity to join as an officer if I'm smart enough. Does it provide any benefit excluding the extra experience and practice and catching you up to par with your core subject skills? Will having it on my CV help me get promotions quicker?

Just seen the new King Charles cap badge.

I don't want to hand my old one in, it fucking sucks, why does it look like that

This is the weekly thread for advice and recruitment questions.

The intent is to keep them all in one place each week to stop quality content getting buried in questions about how many socks you should take to basic training or if you can join the Royal Engineers if your cat has asthma.

If you're just visiting and have a couple of minutes to answer some of the questions or contribute to a discussion, consider sorting the comments by "new" (instead of "best" or "top") to see the newest top level comments.

Remember, nobody is obliged to give you an answer in your best interest and every comment is somebody's opinion. Don't act solely on advice from one person on the internet.

I'm currently deciding what regiment I want to join wanted to know if anyone has some experience with the light dragoons.

How are they?

How does daily life look?

I’m trying to find information on units and where they normally go to as I’m going to be getting my PPPs soon. Looking for which LAD/Bn would be better for me. I cannot find anything online unsurprisingly, and the number of units I can go to is large. Any ideas on where I can find info?

How would i go about boxing and fighting outside of the army, ive recently just arrived at reg and boxing is non existent so if i was to join a civi gym and potentially have bouts would i need permission of CoC or is it sort of a don’t ask sort of thing

I've seen the requirements and they don't seem too bad, but I know the minimum isn't usually enough. I was wondering where the bar actually is and how many people apply compared to the people who actually get accepted. Any tips on having a better chance at joining would be hugely appreciated! Thank you!

Hi I’ve just made my application and was wondering what it’s really like to be in the army through training etc, I’m hearing a lot of mixed opinions and most people I speak to say they hated it and my friend says he just sits in his dorm trading, also what the officer training is like etc and I’ve heard that the paratroopers training is bloody hard work but I’m prepared for it, just need some advice to what it’s all really like

If theres anyone in 216 or is a EWSI who wouldn't mind me asking some questions that would be really appriciated.

Thank you.

Strengths

• Third-year university student studying International Relations and Politics.
• Regularly does presentations for university.
• Committee member for a university society
• Decent physical fitness

Weaknesses

• Slow at mental math (actively addressing this).

Morning all,

My lad is looking to join next year via Harrogate (thanks all for the previous inputs) rather than doing his A-Levels first.

Reading the job roles and then checking out the comments here there is a lot of points made about “gaining some qualifications for civvie street”.

Currently he just wants to be a soldier doing soldiering and isn’t even thinking of when he leaves. (Currently thinking Rifles - so keen to hear points on what makes them stand out, career progression, culture etc.)

But my point is the majority of comments really only see the army as a short term step with a view to the next stage - so how many stay the course, move up the ranks and are a career soldier?

Has anyone any experience of joining an infantry unit and getting the ‘soldiering’ out of the system and then moving across to a more specialist trade later on I.e. signals, Int Corp - how easy is this?

TL;DR

Apologies for the ramble - Q - is joining to do soldiering short sighted, should all those joining always have one eye on their next phase or is it okay to go with the flow and enjoy getting paid doing the thing you love and it’ll all work out if you are bright enough?

I understand you need a parent unit,is this the case, does it have to be an army unit

I start basic training at catterick this Sunday I’m just looking for any tips or any advice or anything that will help me thank you ?🇬🇧👊🏽

My medical appeal was reviewed and it is says on it that i am still not considered medically fit. But they want me to have a face to face meeting to explain myself.

They said I can proceed to AC.

Obviously if they are saying I am still unfit. Will it be hard for me to appeal still? or is this a hopeful sign? I was medically rejected for headaches aggravated by stress

Did it make you a better person, find out what limits you could go to etc?

I have my interview for regular officer soon what kinds of questions should I prepare for?

Just finished my first five weeks of basic got my first pay check coming up and wanna double check if I’m missing anything so far I’ve found that I need to buy -dry bags -med kit -sewing kit -compact wash kit -better iron and ironing board 😂 -good tent pegs If you guys have any more suggestions have at it

I’ve done all the research possible and digested the whole description page of that role. I’m quite happy with how they make it sound, I’m seeing only positive aspects so far.

Now to ask someone who’s already finished or still doing this trade as an electrician in the Royal Engineers trade group:

If you’re still doing this trade, how have you found it so far and how positive are you with the experience you’ve gained that you’ll find a reliable job in the civilian life upon completion of the course?

Certification wise, are you quite pleased or there’s still so much more to gain that the army can’t offer?

thanks in advance for all the guidance and support

Hey, apologies in advance for all the questions but any answers are much appreciated.

1. What are the differences between 1,2,3&4 Paratroopers and do you get to pick which you go into?

2. Whats the min cognitive test score needed?

3. What should I read/watch/learn when preparing for the knowledge side of the AC?

4. What kind of things are the team tasks at the AC?

5. What kind of medical issues will get in the way of making it to basic training? (Mental, physical, neurodivergence)

Thanks you!