Entry to Uniformed Services

[Hellocatshome]

Has anyones child done an Entry to Uniformed Services course at college?

My son wants to join the army, DH does not want him to join the army. We have compromised on him going to college until he is 18 and if he still wants to join the army then he can do so.

So he has found Entry to Uniformed Services course. Is it worth it either for then going into the army or then going on to do something else. Would he be better off doing 2 years in some sort of trade/engineering etc as he wants to go into Royal Engineers.

Engineering would be a great option.

Lots of uniformed service also go onto policing or fire service too.

I'd try to push him to engineering, so in the future when he leaves he's got the start of a career or education that's not in the forces or if he wants to go in a completely different direction, both options are open with engineering, it doesn't cut off forces, police etc or a totally different career.

And to have a good look at the uniformed course and other skills he may want to improve on for when he joins and see what things he can implement on his own at weekends, so improving his fitness, timekeeping etc.

Ime the Uniformed Services course tends to attract less academic students who want something with a physical element . Engineering would keep his options open.

He isnt fantastic academically but should pass about 5 GCSEs and is already doing a BTEC in engineering. I will definitely push the engineering angle as I've been having a look through the various different forces entry information etc and I cant see that having the Uniformed Services course is really of much benefit.

He is already super fit but I will tell him he has to keep up the training if he hopes to pass the entrance test.

He doesn’t need a Public Services course to join the army, or any branch of the military.

Doing a level 3 engineering course won’t stop him from joining the forces, but actually means that he will be more attractive to them when he applies - opens up more options. Also, he may change his mind

Yes although I’d go further and say it’s aimed at those students. If he’s more academic I’d say do Engineering and if it’s a BTEC it will be enough to go to Uni if he wants in a few years.
Also the Further Education thread is the one for 6th firm/college, have you posted on there? There may be others a year ahead on this.

Ah thank you I dithered about wether college was classed as further or higher education.

We have had a chat and looked at the entry requirements and as Uniformed Services course basically has no entry requirements he has parked that as a fall back incase of horrendous GCSE results.

So back to looking at engineering type courses.

Engineering sounds like a good call.

Plus joining the Cadets (not a recruitment vehicle, but he'll pick up lots of useful stuff) or, if none nearby, doing something sporty (fitness, teamwork) and some volunteering, maybe an expedition. I know I've just more-or-less described DofEd awards, but they are useful skills!

Doing the NCS over one summer would cover similar ground

Yes I was going to say about joining the cadets (if he's not already in them). It's usually only one evening a week, so he'd have plenty of time for it if he does a BTEC in Engineering which is only about three days a week. It would give him a really good insight into army life and lots of residentials on barracks.
My dd is hoping to join another uniformed services, and I briefly looked into this Uniformed Services BTEC but I came to the same conclusions as you, better to keep your options open. Also, you can do a free BTEC whilst in cadets too.