View Full Version : life in the army?
hi all, this is a bit of a random subject but i thought there might be people with views and or experiences of life in the army.
the reason i ask is because i am thinking im going to join up but want more info than just the sugar coated versions from the recruiters!
im 23, a qualified mechanic and mot tester so i would like to join as a mechanic in the REME. apparently this is a well respected job but wanna know about stuff like what id be doing if and when i get sent to afganistan. would i be a mechanic 6 days of the week and on patrol for or visa versa? i dont mind if i have to do patrols, and to be honest thats part of the reason i want to join, but i would join as infantry if thats all i wanted to do.
anyways, if anyone has any views or experience id like to hear from you.
cheers
jon
there are some people on here that could give you insiders feedback.....I've never been to the army and don't intend to.
I've had 2 friends that joined full time (not TA). both a few years ago.....both despatched to middle east places and also before that in europe......they are now both off duty permanently and government is paying them their last full salary........as they have become permanently ill due to certain medication they were given
you hear many stories.....what is true, what is not nobody knows. All I know is they are not able to get a full time job and they go through weeks of medication in "hospitals"
they might be the exception, but personally I don't think it's worth it
best of luck with whatever you choose
PM Richie, aka 'Old Man REME'.
He's away at a wedding but he'll tell you all you need to know. He's forgotten more about life in the army than most of us will ever know.
Try this forum...you'll have some fun there...be prepared to take some flack tho - newbies are their play things!!!
http://www.arrse.co.uk/
thought about it when i was younger, came to my senses, couple of my mates never though....
a few of my old mates dads were in the army and seemed to enjoy it.. suppose if its what you want then go for it...
I have a mate in Para and he had a really tough time at the start. Been in since school and now only a few years to go. Once he got to grips with it he has since travelled the world and done some amazing things. But also some horrible hard and quite nasty things too. I reckon unless you go from school or college you may have a hard time people telling what where how all the time at 23. But what have you to lose, if all fails come back out go back on the spanners dude. With a trade like mechanics in any form you could travel and pay your way at leisure if you really wanted to.
Ride on.
Dangerous Dave
22-11-08, 12:03 PM
Join the RM mate...;)
the_lone_wolf
22-11-08, 12:43 PM
is it anything like being in the navy (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw)?;)
Dangerous Dave
22-11-08, 12:45 PM
is it anything like being in the navy (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw)?;)
Ha, ha.... thats Army guys dressed up in Navy uniform. ;)
missyburd
22-11-08, 12:50 PM
Awww you've just missed Neio, shame!
Neio would surely give you some sound and constructive advice. He is keen and green after all and a lifer :cool:.
Dangerous Dave
22-11-08, 01:20 PM
Can't say for the Army as I am in the Marines and have been so for 18 years, but at first it is gruelling as you would expect from basic training. You will meet a lot of new friends, friends for life too, and with a chosen path you will really enjoy your career.
Your first call is as a soldier, your chosen path will always be secondary.
I considered joining the TA as some of my mates had.
I did a "Look at life" weekend - which meant I turned up on Friday night & we went down to Salisbury Plain for the weekend for a massive war games scenario - loads of soldiers (~1000's..) turned up to shoot/blow up things.
That was the good part.
I hated being told what to do all the time. And not knowing anything. One moment you're in place X, the next you're being driven to place Y.
No pleases' or Thank yous'. Just do it.
I decided that as I wasn't an automoton it wasn't for me. I kinda like to know the reasons for why I'm doing stuff.
Sentry duty kinda sucked - it's 2am & -12 Celcius & all you want is your sleeping bag & you're having to guard the big, blowy up things.
Having said that the lads were great. And blowing things up kinda rocked.
Can't say for the Army as I am in the Marines and have been so for 18 years, but at first it is gruelling as you would expect from basic training. You will meet a lot of new friends, friends for life too, and with a chosen path you will really enjoy your career.
Your first call is as a soldier, your chosen path will always be secondary.
+1. I used to be in the Army, Royal Signals and it did set me up nicely for life outside the Army, I still work on Defence contracts and love it.
As DD says, with a chosen path you will really enjoy your career. Make sure you choose well as it is not so easy to change once you have completed your trade training. I was lucky and managed to see quite a few places around the world and made some great friends, many of whom I am still in contact with.
Good luck with your choices. Foxy :D
cheers for all the feedback, a bit of a mixed bag as i expectd.
as for being ordered around and stuff like that i think i could cope with that as im pretty good at holding my tounge and just getting my head down and doing the job in hand.
the main reason of considering the army is that im at a point where im a bit fed up of the routine of goin to work and making other people money day in day out and not feeling as im doing as much as i think i could if you know what i mean.
i think if i was 5 years younger id go for it but im just a bit put off about being stuck around a bunch of 16 year old gobsh!tes all the time.
cheers again
jon
Mr Speirs
22-11-08, 02:30 PM
I think you'll find after a week of basic training those 16 year old gob ****es will grow up very quickly. Wouldn't worry bout that too much.
Apart from you will always be Grandpa :) hehe
I know its not the same these days. But I went from a criminal to an upstanding member of society (apparently).
Loved my time served. Went all over the world, did some fantastic and unbelievable things I probably would have never experienced otherwise. Would recommend it to anyone. Well I would have then. Can't say about now as I left 11 years ago. I hear its a different Army now. :rolleyes:
ThEGr33k
22-11-08, 03:55 PM
This sums it up completly. The MOD and the forces dont give a **** about its people. Im supprised your friends get the support they do!
This is one of the many reasons im getting out of the RAF. Id never advise anyone to join up.
there are some people on here that could give you insiders feedback.....I've never been to the army and don't intend to.
I've had 2 friends that joined full time (not TA). both a few years ago.....both despatched to middle east places and also before that in europe......they are now both off duty permanently and government is paying them their last full salary........as they have become permanently ill due to certain medication they were given
you hear many stories.....what is true, what is not nobody knows. All I know is they are not able to get a full time job and they go through weeks of medication in "hospitals"
they might be the exception, but personally I don't think it's worth it
best of luck with whatever you choose
Dangerous Dave
23-11-08, 11:32 AM
I know its not the same these days. But I went from a criminal to an upstanding member of society (apparently).
It can be done, no offence to you BigApe but now a days lads are standing up in court in front of a judge with the plea that they are joining the army in three weeks please do not sentence me.
The Royal Marines will not except a candidate with a criminal record.
The MOD and the forces dont give a **** about its people.
That depends what force you are in to be honest Gr33k.
It can be done, no offence to you BigApe but now a days lads are standing up in court in front of a judge with the plea that they are joining the army in three weeks please do not sentence me.
No offence taken. That is exactly what I did in court. Little did I know they would reduce my criminal charge on the condition that I enlisted and completed basic training. Had I not finished it would have been a direct route to prison.
The Royal Marines will not except a candidate with a criminal record.
Quite right too. Marines are a way different calibre than the standard services. Wouldn't want the likes of me in there. :wink:
timwilky
24-11-08, 09:28 AM
Join the RM mate...;)
Mate of mine claims he was the youngest to do the commando course in peace time. His RM service has left him with fecked hands from too much artic and a fecked eye from a thunderflash in the face. Whilst he did manage to blag some extra years with the eye, a change in medical officer resulted in a discharge. Something to do with he could no longer sniper with only one working eye. He does get a small pension as a result.
The stories he tells are that you RMs are a bunch of dirty b'stards.
He does enjoy taking the P when somebody stupidly says things like where you a marine. No, I was a Royal Marine with emphasis on the Royal.
Dangerous Dave
24-11-08, 10:18 AM
The stories he tells are that you RMs are a bunch of dirty b'stards.
Aye, we play dirty tricks to teach the youngens.
Training for the RM is tough, but you are being trained to be a Commando not a soldier! You are trained to fight from behind enemy lines, the RM is the only standard armed forces which trains it personell to do this.
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.