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Original poster

Has anyone had a child go AFC Harrogate

9 replies

Lightsandtights · 22/09/2023 19:50

DS wants to go. It’s all he’s wanted for the last 2-3 years. He’s was 15 in June.

We are talking about it. I am a bit more relaxed but DH is against it. All DH sees is front line soldiering, war and danger. He doesn’t see other roles yet.

If your DC went how was it? DS wants to go September 2025 so when he’s 17. He’s talking about leaving school next June - we are in Scotland - so after his exams and doing a year at college. Or he will leave school after 5th year in June 2025. School is not easy for DS. Maths and an English are a struggle.

What if he goes and absolutely hates it. It could be the making of him. I’ve seen a couple of videos about Harrogate and the facilities look amazing.

OP posts:
TwoScottieDogs · 22/09/2023 20:05

Does your DS attend army cadets? My DD is 14 and started cadets a few months ago. Like your DS she finds school hard and has extra English and maths lessons.

She is keen to apply to join the army at 16 - which worries me. However she loves cadets and it's given her a real confidence boost.

So I'm afraid I can't answer your question but I'd love to know more about AFC Harrogate (I must confess that I'd never heard of it until now even though we live in York!)

LakeTiticaca · 22/09/2023 20:05

My son was there 15 years ago. It's tough and he was on the phone crying the first week. I told him to see how it goes for the week then we would look at pulling him out. Once he got into the training he loved it. They can leave if they don't like it, as they don't officially sign their service until 18. He is better off entering to do a trade, rather than infantry, then will have skills if/when he comes out later .

LakeTiticaca · 22/09/2023 20:06

PM me if you want further info x

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Original poster
Lightsandtights · 22/09/2023 20:16

TwoScottieDogs · 22/09/2023 20:05

Does your DS attend army cadets? My DD is 14 and started cadets a few months ago. Like your DS she finds school hard and has extra English and maths lessons.

She is keen to apply to join the army at 16 - which worries me. However she loves cadets and it's given her a real confidence boost.

So I'm afraid I can't answer your question but I'd love to know more about AFC Harrogate (I must confess that I'd never heard of it until now even though we live in York!)

Yes, he joined cadets the second he could and he loves it. All of it. It’s the one thing that he goes to every week. Other hobbies have come and gone. Cadets has him up, ready and organised without being asked to. He’s working towards promotion to Sargent at the moment.

OP posts:
TwoScottieDogs · 22/09/2023 20:19

@LakeTiticaca I presume you have to do the basic training before you learn a trade?

LakeTiticaca · 22/09/2023 20:21

TwoScottieDogs · 22/09/2023 20:19

@LakeTiticaca I presume you have to do the basic training before you learn a trade?

Yes everyone does x

TwoScottieDogs · 22/09/2023 20:23

@Lightsandtights Sounds like my DD, we have to set off early for cadets as she considers arriving 5 minutes early is "being late". She takes it all very seriously. We like the fact she has a focus though.

Original poster
Lightsandtights · 22/09/2023 20:28

LakeTiticaca · 22/09/2023 20:05

My son was there 15 years ago. It's tough and he was on the phone crying the first week. I told him to see how it goes for the week then we would look at pulling him out. Once he got into the training he loved it. They can leave if they don't like it, as they don't officially sign their service until 18. He is better off entering to do a trade, rather than infantry, then will have skills if/when he comes out later .

He did like the sound of engineering but you need a science qualification. He’s not doing a science at school at all. I’ve said he needs to look at the roles on the website to see what qualifications are needed and we can take it from there. From my quick look, kids with no exams are put into infantry roles but if you want a trade, you need more than maths and English.

OP posts:
LakeTiticaca · 22/09/2023 20:42

@Lightsandtights my eldest lad also served in the army, he also joined at 16 but didn't do Harrogate, he did the shorter basic, I think about 17 weeks. He joined Royal Signals, didn't have terrifically good GCSE results but he passed phase 2 training with flying colours. It might be worth your son looking into Signals. My lad loved it. Went all over the world ( including both Iraq and Afghanistan but that was the time he joined, mid 2000s so everyone went)

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