ARmy Rumour SErvice

**WinterWolf** · 29-05-2012, 17:52

So this is a slight twist on a frequently asked topic. I was lucky enough to be awarded an Army sixth form scholarship in October 2011 with the initial proviso to continue through sixth form and then university. I am now having definite second thoughts about university and see it as more of an unnecessary detour from heading to Sandhurst.

I have a few questions really:

1. What are the advantages of a degree in the army?
2. I am well and truly aware of RMAS's reluctance to expect 18 year olds and that they would want a gap year, do they offer any ideas for what you can do in the gap year (money is tight so can't disappear travelling like I'd want to!)?
3. Would joining the TA be a good idea in a gap year before Sandhurst?
4. Is it just REME that require a degree to get into (I would be looking at doing an engineering degree if I did go to university)?
5. To finish, quite a particular one, are the army funny about sixth form scholars not going to university, I know it can be done but the assumption for it being awarded is that you will continue to university?

All and any replies will be greatly appreciated!

**CURFCno5** · 29-05-2012, 17:55

Gap Yah - YouTube

**WinterWolf** · 29-05-2012, 18:19

Thought I'd get that sort of response, that sort of attitude gap yah attitude is one of my reasons for disliking the idea of university!

**aberspr** · 29-05-2012, 18:27

Go to uni, it's fun and you'll have a degree to fall back on after the army/if you decide you don't like the army/if you get injured and medically discharged.

**CURFCno5** · 30-05-2012, 01:49

And you think you won't encounter that at RMAS? Go to Uni, enjoy it, get a degree and then go to RMAS. However, you might find you're directed to UOTC and if that was a requirement of your scholarship then you might want to rethink things - why play soldier when you could actually train to be one?

My mate had a scholarship from the Army in his final year at Uni and wasn't required to do UOTC. However, you WILL bump into some of the posh boy types at Uni/RMAS and if you really can't stand them, then join as a Tom!

What you thinking of studying and where?

**WinterWolf** · 30-05-2012, 09:00

Valid point, I guess I will have to live with them!

I'm thinking of dong mechanical or aeronautical engineering at Sheffield / Nottingham or Loughborough not really narrowed it down yet.

**pimpernel** · 30-05-2012, 09:41

1.It appears that 80% of all officers are graduates, so that would suggest there is a wee bit of a bias.
2.I would go for the degree route and make the most of the Army scholarship to do all the things you want.
3.HM Forces is very unpredictable at the moment with the draw down from BAOR, trim back from Afghan and a rather cronic shortage of dosh. So put your own plans in place as I don't think you can trust what is going on around you.
4.My son did all he was told by the ACO the gap year, degree, join the OTC and after RCB was told to come back in 2 years he has since joined up as a Trooper and is having an absolute ball.

**CURFCno5** · 30-05-2012, 10:30

All excellent Uni choices and very good degree. Just a thought, you may find that with a high calibre degree from a good uni, that the job offers in civvy street would be very attractive compared to the salary of a junior officer. However, those type of degrees would be highly valued in the REME or AAC.

Might I also suggest a look at Coventry University? Ex-poly, but flying through the league tables and some excellent Mech/Aero engineering courses. You could also join Birmingham UOTC from Cov, know plenty who have. (Biased, but it's where I went).

I'm gonna be a tom with a degree and don't think it will hurt at all. The current education system means that a lot of lads have A-Levels and lots have degrees now. With those born in 1995 now having to stay in Education or Training until 18 it could be the norm to see Soldiers with equal quals to officers, especially in regiments such as the AAC, REME, RE, Sigs, to name just a few.

**pimpernel** · 30-05-2012, 10:53

Originally Posted by CURFCno5

All excellent Uni choices and very good degree. Just a thought, you may find that with a high calibre degree from a good uni, that the job offers in civvy street would be very attractive compared to the salary of a junior officer. However, those type of degrees would be highly valued in the REME or AAC.

Might I also suggest a look at Coventry University? Ex-poly, but flying through the league tables and some excellent Mech/Aero engineering courses. You could also join Birmingham UOTC from Cov, know plenty who have. (Biased, but it's where I went).

I'm gonna be a tom with a degree and don't think it will hurt at all. The current education system means that a lot of lads have A-Levels and lots have degrees now. With those born in 1995 now having to stay in Education or Training until 18 it could be the norm to see Soldiers with equal quals to officers, especially in regiments such as the AAC, REME, RE, Sigs, to name just a few.

Of the 15 that passed out with my son from Basingbourne last year 4 had degrees. Police recruits, if the plans go through will soon have to have 2 A levels to meet the minimum entry criteria.

**count_duckula** · 30-05-2012, 11:06

If they let you have a Gap Year, take one! You don't have to be a fool, one guy I know did a ski season in Austria and took German lessons at the same time to give him some quals/experience. There are a million things worth doing that aren't just getting high on a beach in Thailand with a bunch of rah cunts. If I had done one, Id've done a ski season and then worked through the summer to get my skydiving quals. Would've been a good giggle.

It's always worth getting a degree too, engineering will be four years of hard work but one day you will leave the Army and do something else. A recent leaver I know is struggling to find a decent job due to the reluctance of Civvy Street employers to recognise or credit service in the Forces of any kind. Finally, I'd choose Shef. Really friendly and cheap living. Notts is fun, I've spent a bit of time there but it can be rough and isn't as cheap as up North. Good luck!