Thinking about joining the army...

Permabanned
Joined
25 Mar 2006
Posts
1,343
Location
Birmingham
I would like to speak to someone who is a current soldier in the british army, got a few questions about things like pay, training, what it's actually like etc.

I plan on going down the army careers office next weekend but I would like some to go in somewhat prepared.

If you don't mind speaking to me about it could you just leave ** msn or watever, ta.
 
Soldato
Joined
29 Jun 2004
Posts
12,957
Nothing wrong with joing the services. Infact, I see an improvement, as this article clearly demonstrates:

BBC News said:
Defence Secretary John Reid is set to unveil a new flagship £60m Army barracks in Edinburgh.
Glencorse barracks in Penicuik, Midlothian, will be the permanent home for the Royal Highland Fusiliers.

The 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, has spent the past two-and-a-half-years in Cyprus.

The Army said the "state-of-the-art" living space has all the amenities expected of a modern college campus, rather than a traditional barracks.

The new facilities include en-suite bedrooms with double beds, satellite TV, broadband, and phone access in each room.

French prisoners

The barracks can house about 400 single soldiers and 151 families.

Friday's official opening marks the latest incarnation of the site, which has a history stretching back more than 200 years.

In 1803, the camp was used to house French prisoners from the Napoleonic Wars.

Before the revamp began in 2003, the site was used as a recruitment centre and for the basic training of all of Scotland's infantry regiments.

The defence secretary will be joined at the ceremony by Major General Euan Loudon, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, and Lieutenant Colonel Paul Harkness, the Commanding Officer of the Royal Highland Fusiliers.

Some may argue "is that where my tax payer's money is going to?" In short, yes :p But how else are we going to get more people in the military.


But if you think you can do it, go for it :)
 
Soldato
Joined
27 Sep 2004
Posts
13,281
Location
Glasgow
Well, what would you like to do in the army?

Most people that have served in the army, would tell you to specialise, do something that you can get a trade out of. A mechanic, or an engineer, for example.

Or, if you've been to uni, or got certain qualifications, you can become an officer, which requires longer training.

The pay isnt exactly great, and I'm sure army.mod.uk, will give you the layout of a soldiers pay. They pay obiously increases, as you climb the ranks.

Oh, and depending on where you stay, you'll likely serve in a regiment, local to you.

If you can be more specific as to what your after, maybe more help can be given :)

[EDIT]
Here's a link to salaries:
linky

Also, am I right in thinking, theres an online careers officer? If thats still running, you can chat to an army careers officer over the net, during the day.
 
Last edited:
Permabanned
OP
Joined
25 Mar 2006
Posts
1,343
Location
Birmingham
Hmm yeah well I'm not sure exactly what I want to do...

I'm not too sure on the difference between a Soldier and an Officer, an Officer is a more managerial paperwork role and senior to soldiers no?

I was thinking I would prefer to be a Soldier because I want to travel and play an active part on the ground. I was thinking maybe infantry soldier which is basically a combat role or possibly a role in IT/Comms but I'm really not sure, I'm 17 and I've just finished my first year at college, I'm in the process of doing my 4 AS level subject exams now, I was thinking I'll wait till I get my results in August and if I've done good, as in D/C/B type then I'll carry on and do my A2s next year but if I do rubbish then I'll join up. I just think the army is such a great career, get to travel, make great mates, experience new things and I think it would improve me as a person, motivation, organisation, discipline etc. and I've never been away from home, I just think it would be a great experience to travel etc.

From what I've read Soldiers start at about 13k per year as a private but every couple of years there is opportunity to move up rank and after 2 years as a lance corporal it's something like 15k and just keeps getting higher, retire at 40 with a great pension etc. it just seems so good.

I sent off for the free DVD and brochure from the army website and it's quite interesting and informative, but I'm just curious about for what length of time a year will be spent out on operations, what does a soldier do when not on operations aside from training expeditions, like it says you work a 8am-5pm 5 day week like a normal job, what exactly does that entail? Do soldiers work in the recruitment offices etc. when not on operations? Umm, just wandering about the living accomodations as well, and if you're required to live at the base when not on operations, what the bedrooms are like, I understand you share a room with 3 or 4 other soldiers, does it have internet, can you bring your own laptop and ps2 etc. to use at night when off duty.

Sorry if it's all a jumbled mess, just trying to get my thoughts down quickly, if anyone could shed some light on the uncertanties raised above I'd appreciate it thanks.
 
Permabanned
OP
Joined
25 Mar 2006
Posts
1,343
Location
Birmingham
Nice 1 I dent notice that online careers officer thing, I'll do that tommorow they're closed atm, still though I would appreciate the input of current soldiers as I don't want to sound like a complete dumbass when I speak to them.
 
Permabanned
Joined
9 May 2005
Posts
20,834
Location
NE8
shifty_uk said:
Well, what would you like to do in the army?

Most people that have served in the army, would tell you to specialise, do something that you can get a trade out of. A mechanic, or an engineer, for example.

Or, if you've been to uni, or got certain qualifications, you can become an officer, which requires longer training.

The pay isnt exactly great, and I'm sure army.mod.uk, will give you the layout of a soldiers pay. They pay obiously increases, as you climb the ranks.

Oh, and depending on where you stay, you'll likely serve in a regiment, local to you.

If you can be more specific as to what your after, maybe more help can be given :)

[EDIT]
Here's a link to salaries:
linky

Also, am I right in thinking, theres an online careers officer? If thats still running, you can chat to an army careers officer over the net, during the day.

Christ...People accept that kind of money to be cannon fodder?

*n
 
Associate
Joined
29 Jun 2004
Posts
2,259
Location
Rainham, Kent
I've heard that the Signals are good to get into - if you're lucky you get a lot of training in networking and other valuable skills that are virtually guaranteed to get you a good job when you get out. Otherwise the Engineers would be a good choice for similar reasons, just try and avoid infantry unless you want to spend your life in the army.
A friends son is shortly joining the engineers as a plumber, will be doing all sorts of stuff (underwater pipework etc) and shouldn't have a problem finding work when he leaves the army.
 
Associate
Joined
24 Sep 2005
Posts
1,395
Do you want to be a career soldier (in it for the long haul) or do you want to do a few years and then onto something else?

I would recommend a trade of some sort either in the RE or REME for starters.

I did 26 years in the Army in the Parachute regiment, finding work afterwards is hard. "Trained killer" and "expert with bayonet" don't go down too well on a CV. So do yourself a favour and choose your route in the army your after-army life in mind.
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
12,354
I'd think twice about it:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5024104.stm

The news comes as Parliament debates a law that will forbid military personnel from refusing to participate in the occupation of a foreign country.

You join the army to defend your country...then your bosses lie to you and abuse you for some other purpose other than defending your country...and you're not allowed to say "no" :confused:
 
Soldato
Joined
2 Aug 2004
Posts
4,288
Location
The moon
You want to be a Pongo? EH?!?!? [/banter]
Violent-J said:
Hmm yeah well I'm not sure exactly what I want to do...

I'm not too sure on the difference between a Soldier and an Officer, an Officer is a more managerial paperwork role and senior to soldiers no?
An Officer holds a Commission from the Queen (read: Her Majesty's Government), which gives them the power to give orders to their subordinates. In the Army it is very much not a paperwork role (well, not mainly), and isn't until you get into the Senior Officer ranks (which won't be for a good few years). With A Levels you can become an Officer, but your local AFCO will be in a better position to advise you on career paths.
*the rest*
As for all this I'm uncertain, so your best bet is to ask at your AFCO. Get over to ARRSE - The British Army Rumour Service, a forum for people in the Army, have been in the Army, or are just interested. They can help answer your questions a lot better than a bunch of geeks :p
 
Last edited:
Associate
Joined
24 Jul 2004
Posts
1,580
Location
Preston, Lancs
Even the brigader only earns 55k a year?!?

My boss is ex army - well, ex MOD infact. He told me that basically whilst any 'grunt' can and should expect to be at the rank of about corporal / seargent within about 5 years, only a very select few get high in the army. Those that do are born into that position - that is, their fathers and grandfathers were that position. Sounds a lot like jobs for the boys to me.

Whilst I have a great respect for the armed forces, at entry grunt level i dont think i could / would put up with what they put you through. I looked into joining the TA recently, but it was more of a social thing, and when I noticed they expect you to go and fight in wars I disagree with (Iraq... and most likely Iran) then I gave up my pursuit.

Good luck though if you do decide its for you, and I do know personally 3 retired soldiers / officers who are well mannered, authorative and strong people. I like what you become, but as someone else mentioned already, are you really willing to risk dying for £30 a day?!?
 
Permabanned
OP
Joined
25 Mar 2006
Posts
1,343
Location
Birmingham
Cueball said:
Do you want to be a career soldier (in it for the long haul) or do you want to do a few years and then onto something else?

I would recommend a trade of some sort either in the RE or REME for starters.

I did 26 years in the Army in the Parachute regiment, finding work afterwards is hard. "Trained killer" and "expert with bayonet" don't go down too well on a CV. So do yourself a favour and choose your route in the army your after-army life in mind.

Well I really don't know, it depends on whether I like it or not. I understand you have to serve a minimum 4 years and then have to give a 12 months notice before you can leave so I would leave as soon as I could after 4 years if I find it's not for me.

Respect for that mate, 26 years is a great service. I'm suprised you say it was hard for you to find civilian work after leaving, I would have thought all of the great life skills learned in the army such as communicating, leadership and team work abilities would be looked upon favourably by employers :confused:

An engineer/trade role sounds interesting but I have absolutely no skills or experience in bricklaying/plumbing/electrician etc.

Would that be a problem or would they train me up?
 
Soldato
Joined
12 Jun 2005
Posts
2,812
Location
A lake!
Violent-J said:
An engineer/trade role sounds interesting but I have absolutely no skills or experience in bricklaying/plumbing/electrician etc.

Would that be a problem or would they train me up?
They train you. They pay you to learn a trade. It's like school, but better!


Also: Why are people afraid of dying?
 
Soldato
Joined
12 Jan 2006
Posts
5,610
Location
UK
Ex-RoNiN said:
I'd think twice about it:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5024104.stm



You join the army to defend your country...then your bosses lie to you and abuse you for some other purpose other than defending your country...and you're not allowed to say "no" :confused:

Yet another law coming into place to ready us for the up and coming oil wars which will be taking place in the years to come. Its a pitty it has come to this fighting over oil which of course has been done before, but this time its different the world will change a lot in the next 10 years and for the worse :(
 
Soldato
Joined
27 Dec 2003
Posts
5,011
Location
UK PLC
penski said:
Lies.

I genuinely thought that grunts made a bit better than 30-odd quid a day.

*n
Well, unlike anybody that has actually posted, im in the army and earn £100 a day, and thats for 7 days so £700 a week for 52 weeks a year.
Yes the job can be hard but depending in what you want to do it doesnt have to be. Im in the Parachute Regiment so earn more than other Infantry but have done things that geeks have only dreamed of after playing BF2.
Ive met people from every continent on the earth and unlike most in the UK, i can speak from personnal experiance.
If ou think its for you then go for it, its not easy and if you want to do something truly different then go for the top (Para Regt).
Look like me below .
palmtrees15by.jpg
 
Associate
Joined
24 Sep 2005
Posts
1,395
Violent-J said:
Would that be a problem or would they train me up?
People join the army who haven't even learnt how to wash their own arse properly. You are taught *everything* you need to know how to survive.
 
Back
Top Bottom