Officer Careers Advice Thread

**tafftoff** · 15-01-2006, 21:41

Hello all,

Long time reader, first time poster etc.

I am very interested in attempting to gain a commission into the army. I have gleaned the necessary information relating to RCB, fitness standards etc., so the following questions will be rather specific.

1. Can anyone tell me anything about the Royal Regiment of Wales? I am not talking regimental history, or indeed anything that can be found on their website, but rather info. relating to their standing within the army; their exact role (aside from mechanised inf.) any words of warning/ encouragement etc?

2. How much are the ladies impressed by ossifer status?

The latter qu. is of course the most important issue

Much appreciated, diolch yn fawr y pawb.

**Burgundy** · 03-02-2006, 00:29

Hello to you all.

I was wondering if you could answer a question I have been pondering over for a while?

I am currently coming up to the end of my time at university but due to circumstances canâ€™t commit to the army for another 12-18 months. So I wanted your opinion on whether I should start my application process as soon as possible. As I can always push back any commitments I may have to RCB or similar until later. Or if I should wait until I am free from all obligations and go through the entire process in one succession in 18 months time?

Any constructive advice would be gratefully received.

**cpunk** · 03-02-2006, 08:35

Originally Posted by Burgundy

Hello to you all.

I was wondering if you could answer a question I have been pondering over for a while?

I am currently coming up to the end of my time at university but due to circumstances canâ€™t commit to the army for another 12-18 months. So I wanted your opinion on whether I should start my application process as soon as possible. As I can always push back any commitments I may have to RCB or similar until later. Or if I should wait until I am free from all obligations and go through the entire process in one succession in 18 months time?

Any constructive advice would be gratefully received.

Start the process now. 1. It takes a long time anyway, and 2. You can, as you say, be flexible about when you do things like RCB, RMAS etc.

**RustyH** · 03-02-2006, 13:45

Start it now for the above reasons as well as it will give you more time to visit regiments and corps to get a feel of what you want to do. These visits are well worth it and provide a good insight into the atmosphere and day to day life of the regiments/corps
RustyH

**NAP6W** · 03-02-2006, 13:56

Start as early as possible. Preparation is the key on these things. The more people you speak to, the more visits you do and the more info you can collate - the better. It will also allow you to work on your fitness, which is looked at more and more nowadays. A PO attended a board last week and was asked "what difference will a commission make to you" and he answered, "people will have to salute me" - he was unprepared and had not taken the time to prep properly.

**Burgundy** · 06-02-2006, 16:04

I just thought i would say a quick thank you for all of your advice on my question. I have decided to take your advice and start my application process far earlier than i originaly intended.

**NAP6W** · 06-02-2006, 16:21

Burgundy - Please don't take this the wrong way but RCB are really hot on spelling. Originally - was spelt incorrectly on your post. You have to get your spelling and grammar 100% or you will lose marks. Just trying to help, not a get at.

**Burgundy** · 07-02-2006, 17:40

Itâ€™s a fair point I must admit that spelling has never been one of my strong points. Iâ€™ll definitely step up my game before going to RCB. Thanks for the advice though. How much would it affect an applicant though? I understand that you would loose marks on the essay but on the overall two days would it have a significant affect?

**stash** · 08-02-2006, 21:40

I am due to go to Sandhurst in September but was just wondering if it is possible to study for civillian recognised
professional qualifications whilst in the army (i.e. MBA, accountancy etc.) ?

**Litotes** · 08-02-2006, 21:55

Originally Posted by stash

I am due to go to Sandhurst in September but was just wondering if it is possible to study for civillian recognised
professional qualifications whilst in the army (i.e. MBA, accountancy etc.) ?

Yes, Stash, it is positively encouraged. But if it is in a subject that is not your core business, then it will be in your own time! For example, if you want to study accountancy, look at joining the AGC and specialise; don't join the Infantry.

You will be able claim back some of the costs of further education.

However, in your early years, you might not have much time left over from being a subaltern....

Litotes

**benny** · 09-02-2006, 16:33

was suprised to hear from my local Army careers advisor that the mess is very different from reg to reg.

I am interested in the paras/RRF;

can anyone shed some light on the atmosphere likely to expect from such a mess in the paras or RRF?

**Bayonet-mouse** · 09-02-2006, 19:48

I suggest that you apply for familiarisation visits with both the Paras and the Fusiliers and then you will be in a position to make your own mind up about the differences. It is quite difficult to give advice about this, as a member of either mess will have his own opinion and is unlikely to have experienced both.

Get some visits arranged and see for yourself - you'll also get a much better feel for the wider aspects of the differences between both organisations outside the mess. Do bear in mind, though, both the Paras and the Fusiliers have more than one Battalion each, and the atmosphere in say 1 Para's officers' mess may well be different to 2 Para's.

Only you can make the decision!

**NAP6W** · 10-02-2006, 11:01

Originally Posted by Burgundy

Itâ€™s a fair point I must admit that spelling has never been one of my strong points. Iâ€™ll definitely step up my game before going to RCB. Thanks for the advice though. How much would it affect an applicant though? I understand that you would loose marks on the essay but on the overall two days would it have a significant affect?

Yes it does, it shows your grasp of language and grammar. See example below.

I understand that you would loose(lose) marks on the essay but on the overall two days would it have a significant affect(effect)

**ViroBono** · 10-02-2006, 11:04

Punctuation is also important:

I understand that you would loose(lose) marks on the essay, but on the overall two days would it have a significant affect(effect)?