Prepared to take incoming on this but I personally found that in general it was not age or level of education that determined the performance of young officers, rather personal life. This is a gross generalisation and based only on my experience but singlies at Tp/Pltn level seemd to have more time and place greater focus on their Tp/Pltn and on Mess life than those with long term girlfriends/boyfriends.

On this basis I would expect a single 29 year old non grad to peform better during those early tours than a 22 year old graduate with a long term girlfriend.

As the old saying goes "Subalterns shan't, Captains may, Majors must."

"Disclaimer - Arrived at S'hurst aged 22 as grad. Single until senior Capt, met girlfriend, married and got out hence I cannot claim this is as an objective opinion"

I think the older officer would have more life experience than somebody who has joined at 18 or so (not always the case, I had an older Tp Commander who because she joined later on thought she knew absolutly fcuking everything and refused to to listen to her SNCOs; Pantsoff knew her and can concur).

Read the Junior Officers Book Club for an idea as to the level of carp a troop/platoon commander has to deal with, especially if they have a few problem cases. At least an older Troopy may have an idea about the problems their blokes/girls are going through.

From an 18 yr old wannabe perspective- it's about putting things into the best possible order. I'm on a gap year now (enforced, I might add) and will be doing a 4 year Aero Eng degree. That's a long time- by the first possible intake after graduation, I'll be 23.

But thinking about uni- it's something that I most definitely want to do at some point. I'm massively interested in my chosen subject, and you can get opportunities you won't find elsewhere- both academic and social (no you dirty minded people, not that).

Uni is optimized for people my age; that's simply the way it is. It's an environment to learn how to live an adult life, to find out what you really want to do, to get bloody good at your degree subject. Without a doubt I'll be better at just about everything come graduation.

So why should I rush off to sandhurst? It'll be easier after uni, I'll be more successful after uni.


OK, so that was slightly off topic, but the point is- older means better. In fitness terms, it might be a problem- but fitness isn't going to degrade until the 30's- by which point will you generally not be more into desk jobs?

tl;dr- TheMinister bangs on about everything for ages, before reaching exactly the same conclusion as everyone else.

I'm due to graduate next summer and am due to start RMAS having just about turned the grand old age of 21.



Some people have suggested go straight in as soon as you can, some have suggested that it is better to wait, go travelling etc etc get some more life experience first.




Personally I have enjoyed my degree and the student life, but come next summer would like to then start thinking about doing something a bit more exciting than sitting in the library reading bloody books all day.

Originally Posted by Ritchie-Hook

Prepared to take incoming on this but I personally found that in general it was not age or level of education that determined the performance of young officers, rather personal life. This is a gross generalisation and based only on my experience but singlies at Tp/Pltn level seemd to have more time and place greater focus on their Tp/Pltn and on Mess life than those with long term girlfriends/boyfriends.

Unless said new subaltern has been married for a few years, and hence doesn't give a crap about spending time with his wife anymore!

I have my new date for ASOB, which will make me, should I prove successful the second time around, 27 and quite a few months at commencement of the commissioning course.
Let's hope the fact that I have been gaining experience in the TA as a private and doing other things since my last attempt in November '08 helps.

Either that or I am completely unsuitable come the time and will prove unsuccessful again.

Ian, I am roughly the same age as yourself. Best of luck,and keep us posted!

There is so much to think about here.

Personally I wish I had started a little earlier than I did, but speaking to O/cdts everyday I would be hard pushed to put them into 10 groups of similar people. Everyone has done something different and most seem to have developed some sort of personality (bar a few who are still evolving).

Life experience as a YO is invaluable and is the most required trait. So many times have I heard a O/cdt / Yo say something like "When I get MY platoon, ill sit them all down and tell them just how its going to be done"
This coming from someone that's been to Uni has done 2 years trekking up K2 and living in a monastery, and in my opinion has learnt nothing about life or how to talk to people. We all know that no 2nd Lt coming into his/her first posting would be entertained making such a comment.

Having a degree of actual life experience, mixed groups of friends and social life etc is far more important then having done a pilgrimage on your gap year. The average 18 year old squaddie doesn't give a toss if you have done any of this, they would rather know you can knock back 10 pints and remain standing. (or at least them thinking you can!) The degree obtained from university is something that sets the officers apart from most soldiers, although more and more soldiers are joining with degree's now. (Also in the next few years YO's will be able to study a degree in one of three subjects, leading up to a masters after I believe 5 years)

If a YO is 26+ and has life experience that is relevant to his position, then he is going to do well. He could be 26+ and struggle to tie his boot laces, or on the flip side be just 20 years old and have his head screwed tightly on.

But again this comes down to an individual and what they have learnt in life far before the age when they decided to join the army.

I don’t think anyone can say being 26+ shows a lack of commitment, I would argue that although it may make a long career difficult to achieve it shows a more likely commitment of long service. As opposed to Rupert Merryweather-pinkleton who joins straight after uni into the Household Cavalry and leaves after 4 years with a line on his CV saying he was an Army officer (leaving out the part he pissed every single person he met off).

I agree with the last statement there Walt.

When I was looking to join at 18 I was dead set on doing my 4 years and then out. At 22 I was thinking of the quick 4-5yrs and into the world. Now, at 24 (26 by time of expected commission), I'll be looking to be a career officer.

Don't know why, I might hate it, but I very much doubt that. I'm going for the "I lost my 30's in Afghanistan" medal, as opposed to the "I lost my 20's in Belfast"!

Originally Posted by Exwing

I agree with the last statement there Walt.

When I was looking to join at 18 I was dead set on doing my 4 years and then out. At 22 I was thinking of the quick 4-5yrs and into the world. Now, at 24 (26 by time of expected commission), I'll be looking to be a career officer.

Don't know why, I might hate it, but I very much doubt that. I'm going for the "I lost my 30's in Afghanistan" medal, as opposed to the "I lost my 20's in Belfast"!

Like it - "I lost my 30's in Afganistan"
Glad you agree, im just waiting for the incoming on this one!