Army Foundation College

[GnomeDePlume]

DS wants to join the Army as a junior soldier. He wants to join REME.

Does anyone have experience of the application process please? How competitive is it? How long is the process?

All thoughts or experiences gratefully received.

[Bettyboo12345]

Hi,does anyone have their son/daughter starting Harrogate army foundation collage in September 2016 or are already there?

[triplets]

Hi yes you accepted my friend request, my name is Anne Peace. Yes am on the Harrogate March 2015 page. You learn so much from others!

[maryryan1970]

What's your name on fb? I just added someone and forgot the name now I don't know who it was! I am such a dope! They don't bring home much tbh. Mine wasn't allowed to bring kit home but other platoons were so depends on staff. Mine only had small hold all and wore the suit home he went ievenin! I think they made them wear suit home so I could see how much weight he lost! Will you send me inbix message on fb so I know its you, are you on any support pages for army mums already? Xx

[maryryan1970]

Triplets my js didnt get advance because he started the week before yours but yours will. There are loads that started with yours on the fb page. Add me now and I will add you it's fantastic for info on how othet js's are doing. When you add me drop me an inbox so I know who you are. My prolific picture is of my two sons now and when they were young Half andhalf picture. My name on fb is Tina Ryan Mallon xx

[triplets]

maryryan did your js receive any advance on his wages to come home with, also some parents said their js got a report others didnt? Dont think their admin is consistent!! How much of their stuff do they have to bring home?

[triplets]

Hmm hoping my js hasn`t lost too much weight, he was like a stick insect when he went in! That has been his only complaint maryryan the food is not good and there is not enough of it!

[triplets]

Found you and have sent you a friend request! The FB group is brilliant isn`t it?

[triplets]

I am on FB too, will go find you! :)

[n1cruth]

5 sleeps ladies! Can't wait!!

[maryryan1970]

Hi triplets my son passed in on Friday! So amazing proud! The change in my boy is unbelievable! He has lost a lot of weight in the six weeks and currently home on leave until Sunday week today. You will love the passing in parade bring lots of hankies! Anyone with a son or daughter in AFC harrogate you are welcome to add me on Facebook I am under Tina Ryan Mallon, there is a support group for parents of js that I find invaluable. If you add me I can join you xx

[triplets]

Hi everyone.........lost this thread somehow!! How is your js now maryryan when did he join? Well cannot believe my js will be passing in next Frid and then will be home for a week ! Almost 6 weeks since Ive seen him, have missed him so much. The first three weeks he hardly contacted us, their phones are taken off of them most of the time. The last two weeks he has contacted us most nights. The only thing he has grumbled about it the quality and lack of food! He seems so confident now when he rings, he was never good talking on the phone now we cant stop him! I never doubted he would make it, he is "living his dream". If I am very honest I am still anxious about his choice of career, but am behind him all the way. Very proud :)

[Gpeel123]

Hi di135

My daughter is 16 in August and has just had her interview at Preston army careers centre so awaiting fitness / medical at Edinburgh , she wants to be an artilery logistic specialist . Her run time is 13 mins at present .x

[Gpeel123]

Hi di135
My daughter is 16 in August and wants to go to AFC, she has had interview at Preston careers office and now waiting for fitness assessment . Her run time at mo is 13 mins, she has a back up plan in place for a sports course if all doesn't work out .x

[maryryan1970]

Hi I have a son at Harrogate AFC struggling a bit how are your lads getting on xx

[TheFairyCaravan]

Triplets and Jaylou I've been thinking about you both today. xxxx

[bexter72]

Hi Bonnie2015, dropped my son off on Sunday! Wow what an emotional day! He rang me last night, which was lovely, and said he's had the head shaved! However is off paintballing on weekend!
Good luck to your son!

[GnomeDePlume]

DS's application has been deferred for 6 months. I suspect the problem is that his stand back attitude has caught him out.

He has had a firm shouting at talking to about his general attitude. On reflection he is wondering whether to apply to the RAF, not as a second best but wondering if the ethos may suit him better.

Hey ho.

[GnomeDePlume]

DS is now waiting for feedback from his Insight course to find out his next steps. He is aiming for September entry. Hopefully DS has got through so next thing will be pre-selection but at the moment he is on tenterhooks to find out what the feedback was.

[Bonnie2015]

Hi Bexter72. I see from your post your son is joining the March intake for Harrogate Afc. My son is too, although a different date from your son. My son is really looking forward to it and I'm so pleased for him. Hope all goes well for your son.

[Bonnie2015]

Hi there. Im totally new to mumsnet so this is my first post. My son is joining Harrogate Afc in the March 2015 intake. Would love to talk to others who are in the same position with either their son or daughter joining up too.

[bexter72]

Hi everyone, really new to this, actually found this site tonight.
(not sure what DS means sos)
My son is 16 and is off to Harrogate on Sunday (8th March) Its very surreal and emotional, yet i am keeping my emotions to myself as wouldn't want him seeing me upset.....i'm dreading it but also so proud as I know this is what he wants to do. he wants to become a chef through the Army.
i'm a bit concerned as we have had the confirmation email with training date etc, but our GP didnt sent paperwork off until 10 days ago, so haven't had official letter through or train/travel details through. We are planning for the 8th but not sure what will happen if we don't hear by at least Tuesday. Anyone else had similar worries and/or their son/daughter off on 8th?

[ragged]

Thanks Gnome, I somehow missed those replies earlier.

[charliemaine1bee]

Hi
Can anyone help.My son 16 has applied and says he's been accepted all without my knowing before today.He said his estranged dad is going to sign it as he knows I wont.he was under camhs until last few months and I believe he's lied about his medical history.
Can his dad who has no parental responsibility ( and who has not been part of his day to day life) actually enroll him without my signature.

[GnomeDePlume]

Here are some links as well:

AFC Harrogate

RMA Sandhurst

Welbeck 6th Form College

Is your son in cadets at the moment? My DS is in Army cadets and my DD is in Air cadets. All the cadet organisations are great for getting them used to the military atmosphere.

[GnomeDePlume]

Here's my duffer's guide:

Army Foundation College Harrogate is for Junior Entry soldiers. Soldiers joining this way will do basic training then go on to their trade training. For those joining infantry regiments I think they do their basic & trade training at Harrogate. Those joining technical regiments do their basic training at Harrogate (24 week course) then go onto their regiments for their trade training. Depending on the trade the trade training can last years.

Soldiers at AFC Harrogate are paid. I think it nets out at something like £1000/month.

Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is where army officers are trained. The course is 44 weeks long and is incredibly tough. Cadets at Sandhurst are paid (£25000/year while in training)

Welbeck is a 6th form college. It is for students aiming for engineering careers in the forces or MOD. Entry is competitive and there is a sliding scale for fees.

I hope that helps a bit!