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

[LoyaltyBonus]

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

I'm ex-RAF. IMO least snobby of the 3 services. Tell him to try some work experience at a RAF unit before he damn them with his prejudices 😁

Also the recruitment system is quite different, so the medical bit won't transfer. Hearing tests can be poor on one occasion but fine on another. Worth getting checked out.

With his quals, I'd recommend he look st non-commissioned aircrew.

@nana

Thank you I didn't know the difference!

I'd love you to update, OP, about what happens.
I don't have much hope you'll win on appeal grounds folk have given here, but I'm curious what happens.

Still watching with interest.
Not sure what to do about Ds1.

@Bunnyfuller please stop lying. I have a guards officer asleep on the sofa next to me. Your untruths are harmful to recruiting.

Many thanks.

Household Division uniforms are paid for in the same way as every other uniform. Your fibs are bizarre and I won't let them stand.

You can carry on perpetuating stereotypes or you can admit that you don't know what you're talking about.

@Genvonklinkerhoffen

I’m not sure why you’ve ramped straight into the aggression. Lying implies I am deliberately trying to mislead people. I’m not. I was genuinely told this by the Guards officers I worked with when I was serving. As most posters here, I offer advice as far as I know. I don’t call people liars if I know different to them. And I certainly don’t want to get into a fight on a thread asking for advice for her son - I posted my experience - I can’t, and wouldn’t argue with anyone’s own experience.

You know different, fair enough. Perhaps things have changed since I served. If I’m wrong I apologise.

I’m sorry if I’ve upset you. I’m unclear why you’ve reacted so strongly to me, one voice amongst millions.

Sorry for de-rail, OP. I’m wrong about Guards officers, please ignore my post there.

£20k sounds like someone was taking the mick... but what DO dress uniforms cost? I found an incomplete FoI request but no actual modern numbers.

So much room for fetishisation eek. The uniforms do get very fancy. I think I'm reading that officers pay for their own. My tame soldier is away partying at university so I couldn't ask him. He was mentioning something about "number 1s" uniform costs if he does Buckingham Pal. guard duty next summer (may have an opportunity).

When my DH commissioned out of Sandhurst,bthey all got an allowance. How they spent the allowance was up to them but it just covered the basics of everything-jysh. DH being a Yorkshire lad got some bits Secondhand to afford his own sword. Others spent multiples of the allowance. No idea if Guards officers got a higher allowance!

As for second incomes... DH spent some time attached to a Cavalry regiment. Many of them had second incomes to afford their Mess bills. DH had a Mess sponsor as there was no expectation for an Attached Arm to be able to afford it... (Basically, DH paid for his food and drink... He didn't pay for upkeep of the Mess or subscriptions).

Capits are ridiculous- like failing a chaplain recruit for being too involved in their religion... think there's a lot of appeals

As part of any appeal I am assuming you can submit your own private hearing assessment ? I see he had an internal (capita) second private Salisbury test. Do you have the funds to instruct your own indépendant private audiologist/consultant ? No doubt this is not an uncommon situation and there will be specialists familiar with army criteria and how best to test and present his situation in appeal ?
Bottom line is although devastating there are alternatives where his skills will be centrally attractive. Bottom bottom line is he won’t want to do anything which compromises his hearing although I understand that can be difficult for a young person to fully understand in these circs.
Good luck op.

I've served with the cavalry and paid my own mess bill. These tales are from a time when commissions were bought and sold and they absolutely don't reflect the modern army.

You are issued every uniform you need whether it's a dress uniform or not. Some people choose to buy parts of it in order to get more comfortable/bespoke/historical but you don't have to buy any uniform ever. Even swords will be issued from the armoury should you need one. A lot of people choose to buy their own or are gifted one by their family.

The allowance is to buy mess dress, the only uniform you're not issued. I picked mine up for £200 second hand from my regimental museum.

Please don't let money stories put you off joining the army!!

I realise I've contradicted myself in saying you have to buy mess dress. You are given money to buy it with so it's not an out of pocket expense. It's all covered.

@LoyaltyBonus
How is it going? did he appeal? Would he consider another service if unsucessful?

Is it possible he could join a commonwealth army? Perhaps Australia? I don’t know the regulations but is it worth a look?

There are a lot of very young police officer recruits at the moment. I personally think some lack life experience but hey, they’ll get that very quickly.

A lot of forces now are doing the police apprenticeship thing where you have to take a degree which he may not enjoy if he isn’t academic

However he could look to apply as a PCSO with a view of applying to be a police officer after a few years. It’s not bad pay and gives you a lot of necessary skills for future roles

Oh meh. Did t notice this was an old thread 🤦🏻‍♀️

Good evening all. OP here. It's been a long time coming, he put the appeal in mid November , but DS has finally heard today that his appeal was successful. He's thrilled.

Thank you all so much for your help. "Just" selection to pass now!

Amazing news op. Well done your son for following his dream. My fingers are crossed for him.

Oh, I'm so pleased OP!

Amazing news OP. This thread was full of good advice and encouragement and I'm so glad his persistence paid off. He's amazing.

Congratulations and good luck with the next step!

Great news

nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-categories/emergency-and-uniform-services

This is a great list. Coast guard?

OP that is such good news. Ok so pleased for you.

I am still investigating Ds1.