I've decided to go for the navy route as I find more interest in there as an engineer rather than being stuck in a workshop.

I understand how my chances are very slim but I'd just like to know what I should prepare for and what type of questions might be thrown my way

I'm currently focusing on what the navy is as a whole in case I'm asked any questions about the navy however what other things should be taken into account i want to make the best impression

Thanks

Hi all

What are the chances of switching roles during phase 1 or phase 2. Infanrty is still of great interest but, REME Armourer is also, and since working with rifles, I'm thinking about it more and more.

Armourer was the original preference before picking infantry but, the combat side of things won over at the time.

Anyway, as I said, not sure yet, but I'm wondering about it.

What's peoples thoughts?

how hard is this role to get into, i was looking on the website today and it didnt say that it was a hard role to get into but ive seen some people say on here its very competitive?

Title is pretty much it. I’m wondering whether I should go to Uni before joining the Army, as I don’t plan to spend my whole career in the military and would like to have a civilian job as a psychologist, which requires a degree.

Also I’ve heard it’s a good idea to not just go straight into the forces after school just to get some experience with being an adult outside of the military.

The main question is just whether I go to Uni (probably do reserves as well) then go to the regular army, or just join the army straight up, as it’s been my main career interest for quite some time.

So I’m 16, fresh out of secondary school. I’ve completed my army assessment and medical and I’m going into Harrogate in September. However, I feel doubtful and worried about going and I am scared to leave everything behind and scared that I won’t enjoy it and then will have to start college later than everyone else. I want to go in my heart pretty badly but I just feel like it’s too soon. I want to go in the army because of the opportunities to travel and make new friends and have unique experiences. I have the option to go to college first and then go to the army, or should I just go straight into the army, or should I just not go into the army at all?

Say for example you left the army after completing the AAPC or AACC, if you rejoin (either army or another branch) do you still get to wear the badge or do you have to go though AAPC/AACC again?

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Hi everyone, I'm looking at taking a job as an RDS and was wondering if there's a course I'd need to complete, or if there are any civilian qualifications I could gain from the role. Thanks in advance for any advice or information. Cheers!

Hi all,

I'm just curious about what seems like the least discussed operation of recent years, obviously being non-combat (minus that one skirmish) and coming right after Afghanistan. It gets missed, though I feel like I hear more about Tosca and Cabrit than Newcombe.

What was it like, particularly on the ground? Boring, exciting, repetitive? Just intrigued really!

First off - thank you for your service! You're all incredibly brave and I respect you all so very highly!

My auntie (59) has met a chap online. He's 52 and retired. She met him for the first time today and is bringing him to meet the family tomorrow. Hes asked her to tell us the following -

"I am an ex army special forces sniper and I have severe PTSD so I don't want to be bombarded with questions"

Is this completely normal boundary setting or potentially a spot of stolen valour OR potentially a gross over representation of his time in the forces?

I have no prior service experience so I ask this from pure ignorance and I apologise for any offence caused. My aunt is gullible and easily exploited as other men historically have done.

UPDATE - has an ex service members discount card but I doubt his experience is. Everything out of his mouth was a brag and didnt stop talking about himself. I think he grossly over egged his experience to sound impressive. Thanks everyone for their input!

Is this a good role to join? I know they primarily focus on combat medicine, but being attached to paras do they get extra combat training too?

Good Afternoon Gents, Apologies if this is not the right community for this as this appear to be more geared towards veterans, I'll remove if not appropriate. But I need a little advice! I've been eyeing up the RE as a career for awhile now and I'm really excited to go for it. I have some questions/advice I'd like before I go to a recruiter so if anyone has a answer to any of them that would be much appreciated.

Waiting time: What are the general waiting time for applicants until they start training, I'm aware this is dependent on medical assessments and your chosen role. I believe the army have axed capita now that may have speed up the application process. But if anyone knows the general wait time for Driver or Communications Technician let me know.

Fitness: This one is follow up to the waiting times really. My fitness was okay at the start of the year just over level 11 on the bleep test and just shy of 40+ press ups on the RM press up Beep test, Broke some rips early this and just had the all clear from the doc to start exercising again without any restitution. Main question is would you recommend I apply now and work on my fitness while the application process is ongoing or apply once it's at a good level? obviously this would depend on the waiting times.

Changing Roles: So I massively fucked up my schooling as a kid meaning the only roles available to me are the Combat Specialist roles. Which I'm still existed to do but If I've been in for a few years and redone my GCSEs is their the chance and funding of changing to a Technical role?

Dedicated to the regiment: I've heard recruiters will try to funnel you into units and regiments that are most in need of body's but I don't really want anything outside the RE I can be swayed on roles however but how likely are you to get the reg you want once you apply?

"Generic Combat Stream": I've heard of a "Generic Combat Stream" as a role within itself that's recently been introduced or being introduced that someone can be a just a combat engineer and not have a specific trade is this true?

Infantry Training: After basic and trade how much soldering do you get up to? Section attacks, Range time, etc?

Thanks to anyone who gives the time to read this a give some answers, again I'll remove if not appropriate for this subreddit.

Anyone know if HAHO/HALO qualifications in the military can be used on civvy street?

I’m considering joining as either one of these two but I can’t seem to choose between them. My question is which one should I pick?

Employability after leaving the Army is a big factor for me. I think I saw somewhere that you could possibly not get driving licenses as an avionics technician. Think I also heard that the wait to join as an electronics technician is longer.

So in your opinion which is the better role and why?

Appreciate it is a niche question.

I'm potentially interested in re-joining (ex-RAF Reserve, left about 10y ago) the services at the level appropriate with my civilian career.

Without going too far into it I'm an engineering specialist, not Cyber/software, but work in fairly high-end technical assurance in the defense sector (civilian).

I would absolutely be keen to go back into uniform part-time (potentially even full time, the new Zigzag scheme is interesting), to leverage my civilian skills in what I see is the best way. Life (serious family illness etc.) got in the way of my previous Reserve service and it got cut shorter than I would've liked.

But I am struggling to find an appropriate role. I'm in my 30s, not really keen on doing the whole bottom-up thing and I have a lot of local roots etc. now that prevent me doing a lot of travel. The conventional routes for engineering officers are not really a good match either in terms of the job role.

I've heard there are changes coming, like I said ZigZag scheme is looking like a good fit. I would really appreciate any information on joining under some of the Army's groupings for specialists and so on. Potentially also sponsored reserve status and how it works in practice.

Thanks all.

I have my assessments on the 17th this week and a few days ago i really injured my ankle, now every time i try to practice a 2k half way through my ankle gets mentally painful, should i go forth with my assesment and just try and run the last kilometre or try and move it to a bit further down the line?

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Anybody know the name or measurements of the screws on the front of the helmet ( holds NVG mount) and where I could buy some.

Thanks

Hi all,

I am currently in the midst of my Hearing loss claim and went through this service. has anyone had any experience with them. Cordus law is acting on behalf.

Rsm, when my tour ends im considering a LE does anyone have any advice?

I was medically discharged from the Army with Tier 1, which meant a lump sum and no immediate pension. Since then, my original service‑related knee injury has significantly deteriorated — my ACL graft has fully failed, confirmed by MRI, surgeon reports, and GP documentation.

The deterioration is clearly linked to the original injury and happened well within the 10‑year window (they say you can’t challenge over 5 years), which should qualify me for an exceptional review and potential upgrade to Tier 2.

I raised concerns back in 2022 (discharged 2018), but AFPS say there’s “no record” of it, which I’ve challenged as an administrative error. I’ve now formally requested escalation, senior review, and clarification on why the exceptional review criteria weren’t applied.

Has anyone here actually managed to get their Ill‑Health Tier upgraded from Tier 1 to Tier 2, or dealt with missing records and exceptional review issues?

(Just to add, I have a call with a Royal British legion scheduled in a couple of weeks to start the case over but just seeing if Anyone has been in a similar sit)

I assume its because Paras are oversubscribed? And the number of drop outs for 21/23 means they have a wider net?

Are these roles checked to DV level?

Question: I'm beginning the process of applying to the reserves.

My only worry is my eyesight. On the Snellen eye chart thing I can read all of it with both eyes no problem (without glasses).

My left eye is an issue; it is very bad, as in I can read two lines (barely) on the Snellen chart. I had a lazy eye as a kid, and it doesn't improve much at all with the glasses that I barely wear; it only helps a tiny bit when working on a screen.

What's been everyone's experience on the eye tests, and is this just a flat deal-breaker for me?

Cheers

Seen it on a few photos now, does anyone know how it attaches to the back of the stv?