Originally Posted by eye_spy

Originally Posted by CrapSpy

Originally Posted by eye_spy

This includes the possibility of undergoing aircrew training and if successful, working on aircraft and receiving aircrew pay.

Has this finally been sorted? Last I heard the ASTOR IAs would not get flying pay because of some a*se RAF rule.

Blimey, now you're asking. True answer is I don't know. To be honest, thats the first time I have heard that one CrapSpy. I shall endeavour to find out and get back to you via this means.

Wait out

Cheers ES. From memory the a*se RAF rule had something to do with flight safety. i.e. INT CORPS junior will not recieve said flight safety training and so cannot receive flying pay. Or some such b*****ks.

Last idiotic question. I promise (cough). Does Int. Corp accelerate your progression up the officer chain compared to other corps? And how long untill i hit the 40K mark from training? Lastly is there a max age limit to the army?

The money is a factor as I have a 60K a year chem Engineering career lined up, but frankly its boring. Nonetheless...i want paid well. May be wrong career for me i must admit. Advise welcome.

Thanks.

No, promotion is in line with the rest of the Army. At the moment, you hit the £40K mark around the rank of Major.

Although these questions may have asked before, I would be most grateful if someone or more than one person could answer the following:

1. In your opinion is joining the Int Corps a good career move?

2. After phase 2 training what type of posting is a new recruit likely to get?

3. I have just graduated from Uni with a 2:1, if I were to join the ranks would my degree help in terms of promotion? I.e. would I get promoted quicker?

4. Do Int soldiers get some real responsibly early on in their careers?

5. What is phase 2 training like? Is there a lot of parades, inspections etc. Or is it more relaxed than phase 1?

Thanks for your help

1. It depends what your long term ambitions are. It's a varied and interesting career but you don't get paid much in relation to jobs with comparable responsibility in civilian life. It's really what you make of it.

2. Usually a Combat Int or Security section, or further language training.

3. The fact that you have a good degree will flag you up to people as someone to watch, but it won't have any direct impact on promotion. Just out of interest, why are you not considering a commission? You have the academic qualifications to go down the officer route.

4. Yes, up to a point. A LCpl in a Bde Int Section might well find him or herself briefing the Bde Commander or COS from time to time; and in a Security Section will be allowed out on his or her own fairly early on to deal with various issues.

5. Much more relaxed than Phase 1, not nearly as relaxed as when you have finished training (actually, this is an assumption as I did my basic training 20 years ago at Sandhurst).

Thanks for your reply,

I did apply for a commission, got a Cat 1 on my RCB briefing, but failed the main board.

It was/is a bitter pill to sallow, but I am sure the RCB don’t make many mistakes, as they are of the opinion I am not officer material, I must accept that.

The army careers advisor at university suggested I should apply to the Int Corps or the RMP as a soldier, as he said these have good promotion prospects.

The money issue is a bit of a factor, I am on graduate scheme for a nation wide charity, its a good career, with good money. However, I’m not sure I want to spend the rest of my working life updating websites, and writing newsletters for local councils, which is what I do now.

Originally Posted by eako

Thanks for your reply,

I did apply for a commission, got a Cat 1 on my RCB briefing, but failed the main board.

It was/is a bitter pill to sallow, but I am sure the RCB don’t make many mistakes, as they are of the opinion I am not officer material, I must accept that.

The army careers advisor at university suggested I should apply to the Int Corps or the RMP as a soldier, as he said these have good promotion prospects.

The money issue is a bit of a factor, I am on graduate scheme for a nation wide charity, its a good career, with good money. However, I’m not sure I want to spend the rest of my working life updating websites, and writing newsletters for local councils, which is what I do now.

Shame about the RCB.

I'm biased of course BUT FOR CHRIST'S SAKE DON'T JOIN THE MONKEYS. The rest of the Army will hate you, but you'll hate yourself even more. The Int Corps is a good part of the Army to be joining at present: it's growing in size and influence and in comparison to other Arms and services, promotion is fairly rapid. The downside - which may not be a downside for you - is that you will spend a lot of time on operations. If you find you don't like it, you will have some transferrable skills for civvy street and a cast iron 100% 'licence to Walt' about your years spent in military intelligence, which will often get you through the front door whilst job-hunting.

Thanks chickenpunk,

One last question and I will leave you alone to moderate this forum in peace.

I have successfully achieved the required score on the BARB for the Int Corps. However, there are further tests to taken in order to get employment in the Int Corps.

What are these tests? My army careers advisor seems to know little about them, apart from the fact they exist.

Thanks again,

eako.

Originally Posted by eako

Thanks chickenpunk,

One last question and I will leave you alone to moderate this forum in peace.

I have successfully achieved the required score on the BARB for the Int Corps. However, there are further tests to taken in order to get employment in the Int Corps.

What are these tests? My army careers advisor seems to know little about them, apart from the fact they exist.

Thanks again,

eako.

One is the Modern Languages Aptitude Test or MLAT which is discussed in another thread. This simply measures your ability to learn languages and is not a pass/fail. It is a long time since I was involved in recruiting but I would assume that the other 'tests' are an interview and security vetting.

The vetters will be looking at things like debt levels, alcohol and or drug abuse, criminal record, sexual behaviour and so on, all of which have a strong bearing on your employability with classified or sensitive material.

Possibly one of the, er, younger members of the board might be able to flag up any other tests which take place.

Originally Posted by eako

1. In your opinion is joining the Int Corps a good career move?

Yes. But remember this is my opinion. Lots of people join and regret it. However, I have enjoyed it and found it very good.

2. After phase 2 training what type of posting is a new recruit likely to get?

Depends. Hopefully either an Int section or a Security section. Some fresh from the factory types are getting sent to "exotic" postings to work as collators etc, but this is not an ideal option. It may seem "great" to the soldier but long term it isnt. (Again, my opinion).

3. I have just graduated from Uni with a 2:1, if I were to join the ranks would my degree help in terms of promotion? I.e. would I get promoted quicker?

Not really no. The corps has lots of soldiers with degrees (either gained before service or during). If you are clever, confident, skilled and hard working this will help in terms of promotion.

4. Do Int soldiers get some real responsibly early on in their careers?

Yes. Int Corps JNCOs get a lot of responsibility quite quickly. (Again depends on your posting). It is a different "type" of responsibility from an Infantry JNCO though. You will not "command men."

5. What is phase 2 training like? Is there a lot of parades, inspections etc. Or is it more relaxed than phase 1?

Been a while since I have done it so not really able to comment. All stages of training are relaxed if you are able to play the game and apply yourself appropriately. If it takes you two hours to iron a shirt then life will be hell. If you are clever, fit and a fast learner then training will be enjoyable and somewhat "easy."

This is not meant to denigrate the training in any way. Some people will find Phase 1 and 2 training an incredibly steep learning curve. When I was an instructor we had recruits who genuinely struggled to lace up their boots. Others were more accustomed to living alone and found that aspect easy. Everyone is different.