Army life - what's it really like?

[SirChenjins]

Apologies if this is in the wrong thread topic - I thought there was one called Armed Forces but can't see it.

I realise the question is very broad, but not really sure where to start. DS is 17 and in S6. He's not academic and loves to be on the go. He's a great lad, goes to school without question, quite quiet, easy going, hasn't given us any real headaches, has good bunch of friends, a lovely GF, lives for footy, and has a weekend job in a shop. He hasn't got a clue what he wants to do when he leaves school and has been getting quite annoyed if we mention it - if he gets cross he simply walks away and you know you've really pushed it.

Out of nowhere, he came home from school and said he'd been to a careers fair and had been speaking to the army guys. Seemed quite enthused, and was talking about the different careers he could have - seems keen on the engineer side.

DH and I know nothing about the army. FIL was in the RAF in the 50s and 60s but the army is a whole new territory. We'll go and speak to the local recruitment office with him but my initial thought is I don't want my boy to be sent overseas to get blown to bits. I've heard horror stories of bullying and suicides, and tbh I'm not thrilled by the prospect - but if that's what he wants to do we'll support him. What I don't want is a glossy recruitment centre promising fantastic opportunities and him get sucked into it all. Any advice/thoughts for a complete newbie to this?

Encourage him to join the marines.

They are more respected than the army and see more action than the RAF and Navy.

Wow! This is very very far from what it is like for most, and quite insulting to be honest. I’m sorry if this was your experience but it absolutely isn’t for most.

Both me and my DH served in the RAF in our 20's. For us it set us up for life, we both got degrees that got us guaranteed jobs when we left at a decent wage. Both enjoyed our time but planned it well.

I would say go for navy or RAF, the lifestyle is nicer. Lifestyle is cheap if living in digs, similar to uni but getting paid. If he wants to look at engineering lots of qualifications on offer. Have a plan, and save the extra cash for a nice house deposit when he leaves.

Avoid jobs which don't have a civilian equivalent for long term prospects. It's a lifestyle choice which can work in your favour if you plan it right.

Thank you all for taking the time to post - it’s very much appreciated. There’s so much to think about and take in, and it sounds like there’s lots of opportunities for him in terms of skill development, travel, sports etc. I have suggested to him that we go to the army and RAF recruitment centres so will see what comes of it. I actually think he’d do very well in the services from what you’ve all described.

@SirChenjins

Based on what you have said, OP, I would suggest one of the following.

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/roles/accelerated-apprentice-scheme-air-engineering

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/roles/accelerated-apprentice-scheme-weapon-engineering

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/roles/accelerated-apprentice-petty-officer-aapo-scheme-marine-engineering-general-service-megs

I would have suggested the following too, but I get the impression that he wouldn't want to continue in education at this point.

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/joining-options/funding-and-scholarships/university-cadetship-entry-uce

The option he would probably like most would be one of the accelerated schemes then completing a degree in service.

He will like this too:

https://www.royalnavyfa.com/

@SirChenjins

A quick note to add that the Accelerated Apprentice Scheme I've linked to above would be especially suitable, given his current level of education.

Air Engineering in particular would probably tick a lot of boxes for him.

Career progression via this particular option would be especially good - the starting salary is also worth noting.

DS joined BritArmy after GCSEs as a squaddie at 17. After 4 years got on officer pathway. If your son has done A-levels (is S6 Scottish or something to do with A-level equivalents?) then he could have an easier path. DS talks about the 'men' under his command now who are well paid and experienced and skilled, but not officer ranks.

Foreign travel: DS only went to Estonia as a squaddie. DS was in a vehicles group & is very competent at vehicle maintainance now.

The opportunities were amazing. There were many things DS talked about but didn't do because he was in officer selection process. Skiiing in Canada comes to mind.

My friend's DS joined as squaddie a few yrs after DS: that lad has served at Buckingham Palace (the big hat guys), played at Prince Philip's funeral, done a load of other cool things I forget. The modern military invests way too many resources (training, equipment, time) into their soldiers to treat them as disposable.

It's not very difficult to leave, the military doesn't want soldiers who don't want to be there.

I was super impressed by the financial planning advice DS got from Army when he was 18/19. Or at least DS took it on board. Planning for their career after military, setting funds aside to get own property, training, insurance (for life or injury & equipment) etc. We know someone who became a professional athlete (went to school with DS). Seriously when I noticed her career taking off, my first thought was to hope she's had the same quality of financial planning advice from her employer that DS got from Army.

ps: even as a squaddie, DS had super long leave breaks. Holidays never cut short. He's done a lot more travel as an officer now but keeps office hours while in UK, still nowhere near a combat zone (I think, I don't ask specific questions).

I've heard that military engineers are especially protected from combat or hazard exposure, too valuable a resource to risk.

Apparently the 3 services have mutual contempt so I won't repeat what DS says about RAF, lol.

@SirChenjins

One other thing I forgot to add, you mentioned visiting recruitment centres for the different services - they are generally Tri-Service now, so all the people you would want to speak to about this are very likely to be in the same building.

It's worth seeing a local recruitment advisor in person, rather than ringing the recruitment lines.

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/find-an-afco

https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/recruitment-centres

https://jobs.army.mod.uk/army-careers-centre-finder/

I haven't read the posts OP but just want to say we are an RAF family and our teen has wanted to join the RAF from a young age. We are very supportive. We have managed to carve a very stable and lucrative life in the military, DS is in the air cadets and loves it. He wants to be an engineer which has really helped keep him motivated in school. Not sure yet if he will join at 18 or go down the uni/officer route (he's still only Y9 so lots of time to change his mind!) but we love how much opportunity there is, so do recommend thoroughly researching the services to check which one best aligns with his personality, career etc, you can always change but I know my DH wished he'd researched more broadly at the start.

Thanks so much - loads to take in. This thread has been amazingly helpful

@SirChenjins

I thought that he might like to see what the entrance test looks like, OP; I think that he will sit this whichever arm of the services he selects.

Certain roles require minimum scores in some sections - Mechanical Comprehension will be an important score for an Engineering candidate, for instance.

He can have a peruse of some examples here.

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/joining-process/defence-aptitude-assessment/practice-tests#08-mechanical-comprehension