ARmy Rumour SErvice

Originally Posted by ConCTKD

Currrently going through the process of joining, hopefully the Queens Royal Lancers or another formation recce regiment. However my purpose is to gain some experience and then transfer over as a pilot. I know you can join from any regiment after reccomendation for cpl. Was just curious is anyone on here has done something similar?

Yep, almost exactly the same, but I wouldn't lower my standards enough to join the cavalry.

What regiment did you come from?

See above.

Did what you learn help being a pilot?

Yes, but I would have gained as much from almost any other trade. Ability counts far more than experience, particularly in the early stages. There have been soldiers (male and female, but very few, and none for years, female NCOs) from almost every trade qualify as an Army pilot, from cooks and medics to ex-SAS.

How did the transfer go, was your regiment helpful?

By transfer I assume you mean course application (see my reply to the thread on the RAC forum)? The application was a nightmare, my Regt "lost" the paperwork at least three times and managed to place as many obstacles in my path as possible (surely I wasn't that indispensible!). It took over a year just to get the application in, and that by subterfuge and the wrong paperwork to boot. Eventually I resorted to getting someone else to sign the application and took it to MW myself by hand.

When it finally came time to go off on the course I was summoned to RHQ, to the 2ic's office, for a 'leaving' interview (it was only a course, not to transfer) and was told in no uncertain terms, that if I were to fail the course, not to bother coming back to the Regt.

Any comments on something similar would be appreciated.

I'd keep quiet about your desire to become one of the chosen until the fateful day you actually apply, otherwise you might find your progress somewhat hindered. Be the best soldier you can, don't talk when you should be listening and never eat yellow snow.

Cheers, that's the depth of information I was after. So what regiment did you go from? What aircraft are you on?

Originally Posted by ConCTKD

Cheers, that's the depth of information I was after. So what regiment did you go from? What aircraft are you on?

My Regiment doesn't exist any more, and right now I'm on a desk.

Originally Posted by Enemy_Within

My Regiment doesn't exist any more,............

See, you were indispensible after all.

Don't know what the craic is nowadays but back in the early '80s one could do the Observer or Gunner course and keep original badge. that way you may get a feel for it and see if you want to re-badge. Also will help if you do go for pilot.

Originally Posted by badger770

Don't know what the craic is nowadays but back in the early '80s one could do the Observer or Gunner course and keep original badge. that way you may get a feel for it and see if you want to re-badge. Also will help if you do go for pilot.

It was a great apprenticeship, but that avenue closed some time ago.

AAC is a home for ex-tankies.

Talking of which, where is that filthy Welshman PG?

It used to be the case that "teeth arm" types were preferred at selection stage i.e. armour, guns, inf, engrs, etc. That said, I'm fairly sure we had a vet flying cabs at one stage, so the unit you come from isn't really the be-all and end-all by any stretch of the imagination.

I'd say getting into arty FO or specialising in FAC duties with the infantry might be useful, but then I know feck all really, been out of the mob for 12 years!