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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:
weebarra · 08/11/2019 17:51

I have a friend who was previously cabin crew and ruptured her eardrum a couple of times prior to applying for the police. She failed the hearing test once, but then passed it!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 08/11/2019 17:52

A friend's son badly wanted Sandhurst, but failed to get in. He joined the police force and has done very well, now in the anti-terrorist squad, or whatever they call it.

Thecrown3 · 08/11/2019 17:52

What attracts /attracted him to his dream profession? That might help direct us/me.
I had exactly same happen to me, was accepted for military police but then whilst awaiting call up date I injured my knee... I ended up becoming a bus driver!! ( don’t ask!) but I did enjoy that for 13 years

Disfordarkchocolate · 08/11/2019 17:53

Has he looked at the civil service or the military police? He sounds like a great young man.

owlofathena · 08/11/2019 17:53

I will ask dh when he returns from his shift but I'm sure you can apply at 18.

iklboo · 08/11/2019 17:53

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

I work with a couple of ex RAF guys - neither are massively clever and certainly not posh. Grin

BigFatLiar · 08/11/2019 17:55

I'd go for police or fire service. Merchant Navy would be a good option.

Volvemos · 08/11/2019 18:03

RAF dog handlers

stucknoue · 08/11/2019 18:04

He could see if the navy would take him they have slightly different requirements? My dd is in the officer programme and she will be gutted if she can't proceed ...

SunnySomer · 08/11/2019 18:04

You need to be 18 to apply to become a prison officer. prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk/prison-officer/tips-for-applying/
The thing that can be problematic for young people is lack of worldliness and sometimes naivety. Because you’re often dealing with people who are really not that nice and who are frustrated and therefore angry. So he’d need to be quite resilient.

Clangus00 · 08/11/2019 18:05

What about airport customs & excise? Or immigration?

stucknoue · 08/11/2019 18:06

Ps merchant navy is a great career, my friend managed to retire at 42 (loaded!)

Original poster
LoyaltyBonus · 08/11/2019 18:14

Thank you for all these, keep them coming!

I know, I think he should try RAF too but he has a rather fixed idea on that FTB at least.

He is very disappointed but I'm very impressed at how maturely he's dealing with it. ATM he's working really hard at Mcdonalds and wowing them with his management skills Smile

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 08/11/2019 18:19

DH is in the RAF. We're not posh. It's made him deaf, though, despite using all the ear defenders they provide. He just about scrapes through his hearing test each year.

itsboiledeggsagain · 08/11/2019 18:19

Not all police forces carry out recruitment in the same order. You could try another I hear west midlands is nice

He'd get a degree too

ConFusion360 · 08/11/2019 18:20

The French Foreign Legion?

en.legion-recrute.com/

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 08/11/2019 18:25

Poor lad. I remember how gutted now- DH was on failing his medical. He got in on appeal after a good reference from his TA (now Army Reserves) CO. And incidentally hasn't touched a rifle in 5 years and only his pistol once a year as his particular job doesn't require it. Has he looked into whether he can be in the Reserves still?

My DHs other job in his spare time is his Volunteer role as a Scout Leader. Lots of the skills he uses as an officer are the same he uses with the Scouts. But that isn't a career.

mpsw · 08/11/2019 18:37

I'm pretty sure hearing is common standard across armed forces, except the Navy, whose definition of 'good' hearing is rather higher than the other Services.

Was he given a grading (1, 2, 3, 8? Or good, acceptable, poor?)

You can certainly request a review of the decision. A lot might come down to his hearing scores on the day, and you can also request a repeat test (get his ears syringes/micro-suctioned beforehand).

If you appeal, you will probably need to get an expert opinion from an ENT specialist with a good reputation. A lot would ride on what caused his hearing loss in the first place (as that can make a considerable difference to likelihood of further damage). But yes, you have to get (and pay for) the evidence.

It's also the sort of thing you can ask your MP to intervene in - they can't influence the outcome, but if you get the run-around on securing a review they can cut through that (though you'd have to wait a few weeks before that avenue is remotely possible!)

Savingforarainyday · 08/11/2019 18:39

Civil service? Apprenticeships now open.

Has he thought of Merchant Navy?

Management apprenticeships?

Border Force? I believe vacancies are open now.

I agree with pp - what drew him to the Forces? Is it the structure? Leadership?

mpsw · 08/11/2019 18:40

MoD police have different recruiting standards, so that might be a possibility (that's the civilian MoD police, not RMP).

The common standards mean he wouid also not make the medical standard for RAF or RN either.

However, if he reapplied to one and went for a new medical, it is possible he might pass - hearing tests can give surprisingly variable outcomes

AllTheWhoresOfMalta · 08/11/2019 18:40

A friend of mine was in the army, as was her partner. They’re now a police officer and a paramedic respectively. Both love their jobs.

Curtainly · 08/11/2019 18:44

Civil service? Depending where you live, there might be some good opportunities, if you do just a location search it will come up with prison jobs etc as well. But he might enjoy the MoD or something?

SoupDragon · 08/11/2019 18:46

he has a bee in his bonnet about not being clever/posh enough for the RAF

Sparklypurpleunicornsaremyfav · 08/11/2019 18:48

My dad was in the army for years and years 17-35, he left to do a levels and degree he went back into permanent ta til retirement age of 60, back in uniform etc. From the age of 30odd he was in an office, not on active service or anything but is still deaf in one ear from fire arm training.
My point being anything which involves fire arms could exacerbate his problems. I really hope he finds something he can love just as much

Shosha1 · 08/11/2019 18:59

My DS did exactly the same 25 years ago. Again was senior county cadet. Failed at medical.

He decided to totally go another way and did a apprenticeship as an Electrician. Worked hard and qualified as hugh as he could. 4 years ago decided to do OU and has just got a degree in Electrical Engineering. He passed with a distinction. He is now looking at graduate entry into the RAF