To be upset that DS has applied to join the army?

[Mumof2NDers]

DS2 is 16 and has applied to join the army! I’m supporting him through the application process and I’m accompanying him to an event at Catterick next week but I’m scared that he won’t get in and be devastated. I’m equally scared that he might get in.
The opportunities for training and travel are amazing and could set him up for life but the state of the world at the moment is a worry.
I tried to delay the process by asking him to go to college for one year (hoping he would change his mind) but he only lasted 8 weeks because it wasn’t really what he wanted.
DM told me to put my big girl pants on and help him to achieve his dream or risk him resenting me forever for trying to stop him.

At 16 has he applied to go to Harrogate? My DS has just done the same.

Yes he has! If he gets through the medical and assessments he’ll be going in September. How do you feel about it?

I think that in some ways he (and you) are lucky that he has such a clear vision for his future. Rather that than the aimlessness of so many lads his age.
I hope he gets what he wants.

A bit like you but the good thing is Harrogate is for a year and he can leave if he doesn’t like it. It’s not like joining at 18 when you sign for 3 years and it’s difficult to leave.

The medical screening is particularly hard I believe. Any whiff of anything medical issues can mean an automatic no.

This is probably the best time to get in. Experienced and well-trained soldiers with a proper trade and specialism will not be the cannon fodder if a large-scale war breaks out that involves expanding the scope of the forces enormously.

What specialism does he want to go into? They don't just hire people to run around the countryside waving guns around anymore AFAIK. So is there a civvy street option to do the same specialism and what are the prospects of doing that vs the forces? Will he apply to other forces if he doesn't get into the Army?

I'd say if it's his dream and nothing else in life will make him happy, then all you can do is be pleased for him even if you're crying privately because it sounds like he's the type for whom it's better to live one day following your dream than a lifetime as a mouse playing it safe. But as a mum of course you will worry (that's our job).

You sound like a great mum. I completely understand how you feel. Giving him the space and confidence to do something which scares you is amazing.

My ds did 4 years from 18....from 16 it's 6 years!! Does your ds know that?
Ds came out a few months ago..
Enjoy the day op. It's great.

I joined at 17. It wasn't for me so left after my 3.5 years. Dont regret it one bit though and it made me grow up.

There has been ( in the past few months ) a series on tv about a bunch of new recruits doing their training at Catterick , perhaps it's still in catch up.

He’ll be going to Harrogate AFC and they can leave any time up until they’re 18.

He wants to be an ammunition technician. I don’t think he will apply to join any other. My family background (dad, uncle and grandparents) is RAF so I’m not really sure why the army tbh.

Try to be positive. It’ll be the making of him. Id be very proud.

I joined the RN when I was 16, only now I have my own children do I realise how my parents must have felt :D

Its a good career though for those suited, or even if someone just stays in for a few years you can get some really decent training and experience behind you; I'd say choose the trade carefully! Pains me to say it but I would also see if he'd consider joining the RAF, depending on his interests I'd recommend one of their IT trades- you get a decent apprentiship out of it, do interesting work, less likely to ever be front line, and people secure really decent jobs when they leave.

Oh thanks! I’ll have a look at that. I can watch that with him

This is a good watch OP. This is filmed in Harrogate over 2 series.

https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/raw-recruits-squaddies-at-16

Thankyou. We’ll give that a watch. He’s had me watching lots of videos on YouTube so far. Especially the passing out parades. He keeps asking will
you be really proud? I’ve told him I’m already really proud.

He wants to be an ammunition technician.

Obviously his choice, but I'd strongly consider this or similar thinking of an entire career as a civvy too:

https://jobs.army.mod.uk/roles/royal-signals/cyber-engineer/

Part of his reason for joining is we live on the edge of a small town very close to another town with astonishing levels of anti social behaviour and he wants to get away from that. We’d move if we could afford to.
Also he has ADHD and he can’t see himself doing a “normal 9 to 5 job”

Sadly he won’t be swayed. We’ve spoken about cyber security and that it would be a job for life and very well paying.

Is he on medication for adhd OP as I have been told this would be an issue

Can you convince him to go to uni so he can then try to join as an officer? That's what my DH did, he wanted to join at 17, his parents convinced him to wait and try as an officer once he gets his degree and he is very grateful for it. His experience in the military has been vastly different to how it would have been if he joined so young.

You get treated much better in the RAF, wouldn't he fancy that?

I'd have a look at weapons tech in RAF
https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/roles/roles-finder/technical-and-engineering/weapon-technician
Raf tend to have better conditions

Could he join a military preparation academy in the meantime? They have rolling admissions and he'd get a real feel for life in the military before he starts.

Its changed now, it used to be a few years medication free and able to function without it. Now subject to passing the medical you can be taking meds for it but they do assess whether should there be a supply issue whilst deployed for example you could cope without it.

Sadly he won’t be swayed. We’ve spoken about cyber security and that it would be a job for life and very well paying.

Ah thats a shame, but end of the day any trade does offer opportunities and a unique lifestyle.