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Original poster

If DS cant be an Army Officer what can he be?

150 replies

LoyaltyBonus · 08/11/2019 17:20

This is DS1's dream, has been for a really long time. He's not very academic and had to work really hard to meet the entry requirements for Sandhurst (3 Ds at Alevel) but his way with people and his ability to lead is amazing. I dont know where be gets it from, DH and I are quite shy but DS has this amazing quiet confidence that he can achieve anything, whilst not being at all over confident iyswim. He can convince others they can do anything too. He was the most senior cadet in the county when be finished ACF and all the adults and cadets he worked with have tremendous respect for him, something that never happened for him at school, he always seemed to struggle there.

Anyway he's failed the medical for the Army, on something very minor but that's that. His plan B if he didn't make it to Sandhurst was always to join as a regular soldier, so life now needs a complete rethink.

Any suggestions? So far he has Police Officer, any other ideas of things for him to pursue

OP posts:
sleepyhead · 08/11/2019 17:22

Fire service - don't know if his medical issue would also exclude?
Paramedic?

SpringFan · 08/11/2019 17:25

Depending on what the medical issue was, he might be able to join one of the other services.

Original poster
LoyaltyBonus · 08/11/2019 17:27

It's minor hearing loss, well within the published hearing requirements but the doctor who examined him advised he should take extra precautions to avoid further loss through noise trauma and the Army have said this is not compatible with being a Soldier

OP posts:
PocketDictionary · 08/11/2019 17:30

I've seen at advert today here on MN for apprenticeships at GCHQ (they are in more than just one location).

Kyvia · 08/11/2019 17:30

That would be fine for the police (perhaps not firearms).

He must be gutted, poor thing.

sleepyhead · 08/11/2019 17:31

Would he enjoy outward bound work? Ranger services? Youth worker? These all have a major people/leadership element to them.

owlofathena · 08/11/2019 17:31

My husband failed medical for army due to something minor as well. He is now a prison officer and really likes his role. It's a very challenging but rewarding job. Might be something for your son to consider

Original poster
LoyaltyBonus · 08/11/2019 17:31

So have I pocketdictionary but they require much better A levels than DS has

OP posts:
Brooksey5 · 08/11/2019 17:31

The Navy or RAF may have different requirements? I have a friend with profound hearing loss in one ear and she managed to secure a position in the merchant navy.

Surely worth pursuing other armed forces 👍🏻

Windygate · 08/11/2019 17:33

Has he considered other branches of the armed services? Might be worth looking at the RAF.

superfandango · 08/11/2019 17:34

I'm sorry he failed the medical, that must be so disappointing for him after all that! Has he checked that the issue that failed him for the Army won't also exclude him from joining the police?

Original poster
LoyaltyBonus · 08/11/2019 17:34

The Navy have higher hearing requirements than the Army and he has a bee in his bonnet about not being clever/posh enough for the RAF

OP posts:
Crunched · 08/11/2019 17:35

I would second paramedic considering the qualities you describe him possessing.

Contraceptionismyfriend · 08/11/2019 17:36

As above. Each branch has different requirements. He can extend his application to RAF, Navy and the Marines. .

SunnySomer · 08/11/2019 17:37

I was going to say prison officers too... though with some hesitation. It’s quite a shocking and difficult environment, but people who are good can really progress and get into some really interesting aspects of work.
Plus, I think real leaders, people that others automatically respect and respond to, are something the prison service really needs more of at the moment.

MozzchopsThirty · 08/11/2019 17:37

Paramedic pay is awful and not at all on a level with the level of responsibility or skill needed for the job

It makes me so angry

Original poster
LoyaltyBonus · 08/11/2019 17:37

It's hard to check superfandango, as on paper he met the hearing requirements for the Army, it was the advice to use extra ear protection that scuppered him. The police do have a hearing test as part of their medical and he would meet the published levels but they don't actually do their medical until you get to the uniform fitting stage!

OP posts:
Original poster
LoyaltyBonus · 08/11/2019 17:39

Yes, I've looked at Paramedic for him and was shocked at the low level of pay relative to e.g. Police. But he's not keen anyway.

OP posts:
Original poster
LoyaltyBonus · 08/11/2019 17:40

Prison Officer, hmm that could be interesting. Can you apply at 18yo?

OP posts:
AlwaysCheddar · 08/11/2019 17:40

Have you tried appealing the medical decision?

Brooksey5 · 08/11/2019 17:43

Some kind of business management apprenticeship? If he’s a people person, determined and a good leader I could see him going far in any kind of business.

Another thing I thought of is teacher? Perhaps with a goal to progress to senior management one day

Akire · 08/11/2019 17:45

Army police etc can retire after 25y. Paramedics are an essential service not emergency... so cant retire till 67 for now and expected carry on same level up to that age!

SpringFan · 08/11/2019 17:45

Not all branches of the RAF are snobby! RAF police or RAF regiment are quite human.
If the Police are really going to recruit 20000 officers in the next few years, his hearing may not be an issue.

Original poster
LoyaltyBonus · 08/11/2019 17:49

Yes, he's going to submit an appeal Cheddar but we can't provide any evidence that says his hearing is better than it is.

OP posts:
mpsw · 08/11/2019 17:51

What is it that attracted him to the Army?

There can be all sorts of reasons, and knowing which elements were most important to him might help with ideas for other occupations