Is there a certain age you need to or most people retire as a soldier ? As you may be too old or not fit enough to be a soldier anymore also when you retire can you train as an officer and become a high up person ?

Been looking online and I’ve gained information that people in the REME can do the AACC. However, I know there’s only 2 units, one of which is the Royal Engineers and the other being the Royal Artillery. If I was to be allowed to go onto the AACC what would my role be in a commando unit. I’m wanting to join as a VM for reference. Thankyou for any help.

I start basic on the 12th may at catterik and I’ve received a kit list but it looks basic just the hygiene stuff and clothes. Is their any items not on the kit list that would become an advantage of help though phase 1. Like a watch,name labels,sewing kit ect.

Hello apologies stupid question but I’m asking anyway. What should I take for a training weekend? I haven’t got a lot list told I’d get given shit that I need, I assume flannels (upper and lower body) and one large towel with toiletries shower gel/ bar of soap/ tooth brush/ paste baby wipes etc. anything else ?

I have a few questions about life as a aac pilot. If anyone here is one or knows one that wouldn’t mind be asked a few questions I’d really appreciate it.

Hello all, currently a lizard, got pass out very soon and got a long stretch of leave before going to unit. I wish to go to Dublin to see my gf, is it alright to just go or do I need to let CoC of where I’m going and my intentions?

Can someone who has a para start date pm me please. Just a few prep questions

Thank you

I (29F) am was hoping to join the British army as an officer, however, due to some delays in my application, I will now be 30 before I am able to start Sandhurst (and you must start before your 30th birthday).

Is there any way I would be able to still join the army as a regular officer or get sponsorship by a regiment to do so?

The alternative is that I could join as a reservist, however, would there still be opportunities to be deployed?

I'm a pretty introverted guy who doesn't have a large amount of friends, I'm also not much a "lad" type that I get the sense the Army is full of. I'm way more interested in talking about nerdy things rather than stuff like Football. I don't enjoy going out drinking or stuff like that. I'm not a particularly serious person but I'm absolute shit at banter so I end up coming off as defensive to people when really I just don't know what to say back. I'm worried this will make me an outcast in the Army and I'll end up just being miserable.

when I am nervous, I usually get a high bpm around 120, will thus cause problems in the medical

Yeah I know this sounds counter intuitive, I'm interested in joining my local reserves unit as a Driver. But I've never driven a car before and I don't have my license.

Will they be willing to train me from the very beginning and get my initial driving license?

Any details are appreciated

I was in the RLC about 10 years ago. I was telling a civvy mate when we were on the ranges we often used to literally hold up the targets (behind a bunker obvs) and there used to always be a vat of tea mixed with coffee?

He didn’t believe me but I swear this was true… someone confirm? No this is not a wah

So the role says that it requires gcse maths OR ICT. Now, I Dont have gcse maths. I do, however have national 5 english at A (roughly equivalent to gcse in scotland) and I have national 5 computer science. I also have a 2 year foundation apprenticeship in software development and IT (which is roughly the equivalent to an A level in England) Would this be a viable substitute?

I may be applying to AOSS in the near future and I can’t really find any information on the application process or how to succeed. I have looked on the internet and haven’t really found anything about how selection works other than that I gather that it is very competitive. As a result it would be good to have a baseline knowledge of the application process so that I can start preparing. It seems obvious that physical fitness and leadership skills would be what they look for in a candidate but is there anything else they look out for?

I know this is like a 'how long is a piece of string' type of question but how does the lifestyle differ between 2 very diffrent roles. As in is fitness the same in both and how are deployments. Also how are you treated aswell like shit or like humans?

From my understanding, you need to pass aptitude, get a cat 1 or 2 pass at AOSB briefing and pass aircrew medical to be allowed to begin flying grading.

Is there anything else that would weed out potential candidates for grading or do they simply take everyone who meets the above? Any info would be appreciated. Cheers

For a bit of context I bought a jumper in an army surplus shop for £3 a couple days ago (as a civie) and it’s got a Dragoon Guards squadron and cap badge on the left breast.

I’m in no way claiming to be in this Unit to anyone and I only bought it because the jumpers nice to loaf around in.

I’m just wondering everyone else’s opinions on the beard policy. I’ve started to grow one but deffo still feel it’s one big prank.

Which batteries do you use for your peltors as mine don't seem to last long? also is it common for the battery to self discharge when they aren't used and powered down as one instance I put a new pair in came back a day later and they wouldn't switch on.

Hi guys,

Quick one but I was diagnosed with ADHD around 12 years old, stopped taking meds around 2 years ago during uni as didn’t need it anymore. Currently having my medical record reviewed, is that likely to be an issue despite not being medicated anymore?

Cheers in advance

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 know I don’t belong here but before you take the piss be aware I am a triple prestige general on call of duty, so I know full well what it takes to serve ;-)

Jokes aside, I am a bulling enthusiast. The issue is my shoes have poc marks and no smooth surface to bull up. I presume it’s bits of dirt and polish over the years. Anyone know how I can fix this?

Also in terms of technique:

I brush the shoe of dirt I apply a thick coat and brush off I use a damp cloth and apply about 4-5 coats one after another, drying each time. Buff with ladies tights.

I then do the same again. I find a pair of my wife’s stockings the best thing to shine them up with.

Any improvements on this? I never seem to get the military shine perfect.

Oh and I use kiwi parade gloss

Thanks

Well what's the most weird shit you've seen while at base tour or anything to do with the army?

How do you send mail to a base that doesn't have a BFPO? Sorry if this is a dumb question. I just couldn't find any information about this on any official sites.

So I'm very confused with my recent medical deferral.

I'm English but living in ROI currently so all my application is done through NI at the moment (in the process of moving back to England).

My GP in England sent my medical records over to Belfast as requested. They also sent me a copy for my records. I've apparently been medically deferred because there were no records prior to 2010. There was, it's my entire record since birth since they even mentioned issues I had as a kid such as eczema.

I had a fracture in 2020 and apparently there's no discharge letter about it. There is and it's there in my records on page 18 I'm literally staring at it.

Since being told this I've had 0 contact from anyone, I've contacted my CSM and been left on read and I've no way to appeal through my candidate portal. I'm very confused and nobody seems to want to help me? Doesn't seem overly professional and giving me reasons that straight up aren't true seems weird.

Without giving away too many details I’m currently serving and have been arrested for GBH.

Not sure what the final outcome will be whether it stays at GBH or drops down

Has anyone got any information on his this will be dealt with by the army? As I’m quite concerned about losing my job

Curious how many are actually gonna rock up to first parade off leave with a 'beard'..

View Poll

What the title says.

My partner is wanting to sign up to the Royal Engineers as an electrician. He comes from a forces family - his mum and dad were high ranking, both left about ten years ago now, and my dad was a Gunner.

I’m not going to try and talk him out of going. If anything, I want to help him to be in the best shape possible before he goes, and he knows I’ll be here when he gets back/comes out/whatever. I have my own career and spend a lot of time studying various degrees/qualifications, and will probably do another degree to pass the time when he goes.

My question is, what should we both expect?

I know we won’t see or speak to each other for long periods, I know all that sort of thing, but generally what I’m wondering is:

• How likely is it that he’ll die or be seriously injured? My dad isn’t around to ask, and his parents say it’s Gunners that are cannon fodder.
• He thinks the army will fix his ‘faults’, by which he means the fact that he’s clinically obese but actually just a bit chubby and insecure about. He thinks the army will teach him discipline that will help him stay trim, essentially. He’s not out of shape and is very active, just genetically a bigger guy.
• How can I support him just before he goes, and when he’s gone?
• What sort of careers have you all gone into when you went back to civvy life? He’s not very academic and chose the Royal Engineer route as he’s nearly guaranteed a trade when he comes out

Please don’t take the piss. I’m worried for him, but equally supportive of whatever he wants to do and just want the best picture.

Next steps after leaving the army

I just need some advice for when I sign off from the army this year. I went to Harrogate 4 years ago but turned 18 while still in training so I can sign off, I just don’t enjoy the job anymore and want to broaden my horizons.

I didn’t go to college at all because I joined up straight after I left school just before lockdown hit. I’m just in a pit of a predicament with stuff regarding what courses I could do before I leave, what are the next steps for when I leave, what jobs could I do etc.

I left school with decent grades but I can’t go back into full time education due to not having a place to move back to so I’ll have to work full time straight away so I’m just stuck in a bit of a rock and a hard place, any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you all.