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

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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

My dad failed the medical for the army, and went into the merchant navy instead.

He had a brilliant career, started at 16, left in his 30’s to change career that was relevant to his time in the navy and did really well there.

Obviously 30/40 years ago, so I’m guessing it would be a bit different now, but he went all over the world, travelled to some incredible places and worked his way up the ranks. He loved it and only stopped because he wanted a family.

DS1 is in the army in an armoured cavalry regiment. He's been in 5yrs and is a Corporal. He was rejected on his application because he had childhood migraines. Our GP wrote him a letter, he appealed and was accepted and in basic training less than 6 months later.

There's a bit of lighthearted ribbing and piss taking going on between him and DH whenever he comes home. It's quite funny really, they're both very protective of their respective branch.

Although saying that, has you're DS thought about the RAF regiment?

Definitely police - such a huge range of varied positions within - firearms, counter terrorism, intelligence, bomb squad, police dog handling...

An interesting physical career would be safari guide - lots of exciting training available

Another stray thought, was the hearing test carried out in a proper audio booth? If it wasn't, then he should have it repeated in the correct conditions

Was talking to a young guy recently who had gone into transport police (lower academic threshold) & then swopped to police when wanted to move area.

Air traffic control?

If he is so inspirational and such a good leader, surely he would be a fantastic leader/manager in any industry.
Has he come up with any ideas that he could turn in to his own business?
Or has he thought about becoming a manager in a private business?

he has a bee in his bonnet about not being clever/posh enough for the RAF Nah, the RAF aren't clever or posh (or at least the RN doesn't think so!) Disclaimer: RN on both sides of the family, and dh retired RN ; db and dn still serving.

Hi scary

How hard did you have to bite your lip to avoid saying "garage mechanics"?

I know 2 young men, both ex school friends of my DD, that have had similar experiences though the reasons for the failed medical were different. One had his heart set on the RAF and he specifically wanted to fly. He couldn't get medical clearance for that but was accepted for a ground based role, so there is definitely the possibility of looking at other things in the armed forces. The other one was heading for Sandhurst until the medical ruled him out. He has taken a completely different route and has trained as an outdoor pursuits instructor. I suppose it makes sense as that is a job that requires very good leadership skills and a high level of physical fitness. By all accounts he is absolutely loving it. Unfortunately it isn't terribly well paid, but he has plans to set up his own business once he is more experienced and I would think he has the right attitude and capabilities to make a go of that. The skills and character traits of a good army officer are definitely transferable to many different professions.
It is horrible when something like this happens but I do believe that something that seems like a disaster at the time can be the start of a positive change to life.

@mpsw He got H1 in both ears on a second test but the first one, done in a noisy environment where he could hear a nurse talking outside the door and soldiers on parade outside gave him H1 in one ear and H2 in the other. So he's passed the standard but as his hearing is not "perfect" the ENT specialist recommended double hearing protection to avoid further loss. He saw a specialist at a private hospital in Salisbury but we're unclear whether that was an Army doctor or someone appointed by Capita. I'm sure if he'd got the results from the second test first time round he'd have been fine but I'm also sure the ENT advice makes sense (wouldn't it for everyone?)

Theres a lot of rivalry between the services. My ex forces DH (squaddie) and his mates all saw the RAF as snobby and a bit glory hungry - it wasn't that they knew anybody in the RAF, but general inter-force prejudice. If your DS has been in ACF for a long time that's probably where he gets that impression, because my DS was an NCO in the ACF and the same rivalry extends towards the different cadet forces.

I agree that prison officer could be a fulfilling career, or river police, stadium safety officer, MoD civilian?

Assuming he's sporty and outdoorsy just because that kind of person would be interested in the military - how about some kind of sports coach/ instructor, personal trainer etc.

Or security guard, even just for now to earn an income. People skills are sorely needed.
Agree with police and prison officer but would leave it until he's older. No 18yo no matter how charismatic will get respect from middle aged hardened criminals.

RAF? Junior service. In my experience the RAF is looked down on by everybody
(I’m an ex Sqn Ldr. My mother was a cleaner and my dad was a travelling salesman for plastic end caps. Dead posh )
DH was army. At one point we were at a dinner party with some sort of Russian princess, a handful of Hons, and a classical ballerina who had put herself through Cambridge by cage dancing.
I bloody love the services. All of them.
He doesn’t sound as though he has the academic ability for GCHQ/5/6 etc. I would suggest TA/ RAuxAF until he figures out his next move. But I might be tempted to get another hearing test done. They are notoriously crap. In 16 years of annual hearing tests I largely sat in a booth pushing buttons at random intervals and crossing my fingers. I have never experienced a sound proof booth yet.

Oh your poor DS. I used to live near an RAF base and they had a lot of new recruits based there. Went out with one of them when I was a teen. They are definitely not particularly posh. I would encourage him to give them a try.

What about working in custody? It's a responsible job (albeit poorly paid) but it would also get him involved with law which could be useful for the police or the prison service...

Oh forgot to mention if he has graduated from Sandhurst then most banks (especially investment banks) will also be willing to hire him for leadership roles

Grumpy, he didn't get to into Sandhurst on medical grounds

I know it will work differently in each place but my friend's DP is doing his police training at the moment. He's 30. He says they're all about that age as they like you to have some form of life experience. I'd be surprised if an 18 would get in, but your DS does sound impressive, so you never know!

I hope it works out for him.

As a pp mentioned, it would be really helpful to know what specifically attracted him to the army in the first place. From what you describe, it sounds like he could do really well in many jobs!

I think you need another ENT opinion. When I was his age my hearing was 20% in one ear which was on going for a year or so. One day I felt something in the canal and managed to pull out a huge ball of wax with a grommet inside it. My hearing went straight back to normal!

I didn’t see if it is an ongoing problem or something like mine that could be resolved.

RAF? Posh? ROFLMAO! DF was Dental Branch and met most of the knighted retreads, and they were all chaps you could imagine eating dripping sandwiches.

Another chiming in to say not all of the RAF are posh! I dated an officer and he was most certainly NOT posh or particularly clever. Some of his friends were a bit posh though, so I can see why your son might have that impression. But it’s by no means everyone.

Incidentally, the poshest person I know in the military is an army officer!

The thing with a military role is the management skill aspect (as an officer, it is done very early in training I believe). That is very valuable.