Anyone in the armed forces?

[Daz3]

It's always been in the back of my mind about becoming a royal marines commando but this year I've set myself the target to achieve it or to start the process. Has anyone had experience in the military and what the life is like? It's something I've always wanted to do since leaving school but don't want to get too old that I may regret not trying to do it. Daz

 

[r37]

tried to join up myself but got a lengthy deferral thats up soon so i can finally start the process. I have several friends in various forces and all of them love doing it. Its generally thaught that the fitness is the hardest part at first but once you get into the swing of it its brilliant, and the fact all of them seem constantly in the pub or round the back of it with a 'close personal friend' is a winner.

http://www.arrse.co.uk/forum.php

thats a brillaint forum to read, the recruitment section is jam packed full of advice on fitness and every aspect of joining and there are seperate sections for engeneers, marines, infantry, ect that all contain information on joining up and how to get the best out of the interviews. Also pleanty of excelent threads on there that have had me in stitches for hours. As far as what military life is like i cant comment on other than what ive heard, but it sounds pretty deceny.

Edit: Check the wiki for 'marines disease'.

 

[DangerousDave]

You need to be fit to join the Marines. Unless you are a regular for the local semi-pro football team you will need to prepare your fitness. You will not be helped with your fizz in the RM, you will be expected to be at the required std from the start.

Look up BFT, Beep Test and CFT. When I was in BFT was a squadded run / fast walk (pace set by the PTI) in 11mins followed immediately by an individual run of 10.30 (Marines and Paras need to be able to breeze this test). The Beep Test is a common test (google it), different regiments/corps have different pass standards. CFT was 10 miles in 1hr50 with bergen and rifle (again in a squad paced by the PTI) followed immediately with a fireman's carry and loading a weight in the back of a Bedford.

Check out the educational standards reqd to be an RM and the tests you will need to do before (and after) you join.

Don't be put off, be encouraged, and good luck.

 

[Ian_C]

I did 23 years in the RAF (left in July 09) and would recommend the services to anyone. Service life is what you make of it - plenty of opportunities if you choose to take them. You must be prepared to move about and be inconvenienced however this was one of the appeals to me. Every day is different. Definitely differences between the 3 services though. Go and see the career's offices - the guys in there are knowledgeable and experienced and will tell you the truth. If you want any specific info on the RAF then just ask

 

[DangerousDave]

I did 23 years in the RAF (left in July 09) and would recommend the services to anyone. Service life is what you make of it - plenty of opportunities if you choose to take them. You must be prepared to move about and be inconvenienced however this was one of the appeals to me. Every day is different. Definitely differences between the 3 services though. Go and see the career's offices - the guys in there are knowledgeable and experienced and will tell you the truth. If you want any specific info on the RAF then just ask

I agree that they are a good source of knowledge, but they have their quotas to fill. If they need clerks, they will try to steer you down that path. You need to know what you want and stick to your guns (unless a better option is presented).

I had a good time (I was REME attached to the REs [& others]). If I were to recommend someone one service it would be the RAF (stability for married quarters later in life, but with a worldwide deployment potential). If I were to recommend one type of role it would be to be the member of a Corp attached to another Corp (or Regiment). If you want excitement, I would be REME attached to the Paras (you are out there fixing the kit where it is broken [sometimes while it is being used]). If you want an easy life I would be RLC attached to the REs.

A point to note now is to consider what 22 years of being a Marine is training you to do, compared to what 22 years of being a tradesman attached to the Marines is training you to do. And you both wear the dagger .

 

[peteslag]

I would advise that you talk to the careers office before deciding. Joining the Marines isn't like joining the regular RAF/army/navy. The Marines may be right for you but you may not necessarily be right for the Marines. It takes a very particular type of person to function well in the type of environments they work in. The careers guys will know exactly what they are looking for and be very frank with you about your chances.

I know 2 guys that left the RAF to join the marines, I don't see much of them any more but they occasionally post pictures and videos on facebook. They both seem very happy, so if you are the right kind of person I would say go for it!

 

[Daz3]

Thanks for the advice I have a couple of friends in the forces, royal marines is what I've always looked at but I'll be going to the careers office to ask a few questions etc. I'm also fully aware of the fitness levels involved and over this year I'm going to be in serious training so it won't be taken lightly which ever route I decide to go. As for getting a trade it's not something I'm worried about too much I'm a qualified welder/fabricator with all the bits of paper. I think it'll be amazing to travel the world and serve for my country. Everyone I've spoke to says it's a great career and as said above never boring and doing the same thing day in day out to an extent

 

[DangerousDave]

Crack on :-bd

 

[peteslag]

Go get 'em tiger, I wish you the best of British :-bd

 

[Daz3]

Cheers guys \m/

 

[Jamezee]

pm sent

 

[zedonist]

I think with all the cuts going on it should be called the unarmed forces........................that said if you want to go to the worst, most inhospitable theatres on the planet, poorly equipped, un-armed, no back up, hated by your fellow country civillian peeps (becuase they dont understand why we are there) then go for it..................

What you will get though............. is the best training in the world, get fit, have plenty of leisure time in some pretty cool places doing some pretty cool things, make some amazing friends (including the ladeez), blow some s*** up and leave with a trade and a good pension after 10 years,

See you at the Army n Navy rugger soon mate , hopefully we will win this time.