Useful

**DPM** · 25-08-2007, 16:58

Originally Posted by Vegas

Evening

First post but I've been lurking here for a few weeks. Must say I love the sense of humour, and I'm fully aware that I may get torn to shreds for what I'm about to ask... but here goes.

I've one more year to finish at university and am about to start the ball rolling for my Sandhurst application. I'll be 26 when I finish but am pretty fit and I think I've a reasonable chance of getting in. Only one thing worries me - I'm a bit of a short-ass. Slight understatement, I'm only 5'3"! I'm wondering how much this might affect my chances? It doesn't bother me or affect my confidence, but being realistic I'm aware that it might work against my favour, despite no official height limitations.

What do you guys think, how big (sorry) an issue is being a short male officer?

Thanks,
Vega

Just so long as you're not gwar, you'll not a have a problem.

dpm

**1140_Sqn** · 25-08-2007, 17:12

I have a very long history of Officers in my family, if i join i would be a 6th generation Officer.

i have been on numerous POC courses, and have had good reports of leadership. so i know i could do the job, but my worry was that the army wouldnt bother with me because of my GCSE results.

Jamie

**barbs** · 26-08-2007, 16:17

Originally Posted by DPM

Originally Posted by Vegas

Evening

First post but I've been lurking here for a few weeks. Must say I love the sense of humour, and I'm fully aware that I may get torn to shreds for what I'm about to ask... but here goes.

I've one more year to finish at university and am about to start the ball rolling for my Sandhurst application. I'll be 26 when I finish but am pretty fit and I think I've a reasonable chance of getting in. Only one thing worries me - I'm a bit of a short-ass. Slight understatement, I'm only 5'3"! I'm wondering how much this might affect my chances? It doesn't bother me or affect my confidence, but being realistic I'm aware that it might work against my favour, despite no official height limitations.

What do you guys think, how big (sorry) an issue is being a short male officer?

Thanks,
Vega

Just so long as you're not gwar, you'll not a have a problem.

dpm

I've just about had enough of you big nose!

**RustyH** · 26-08-2007, 21:21

Originally Posted by 1140_Sqn

I have a very long history of Officers in my family, if i join i would be a 6th generation Officer.

i have been on numerous POC courses, and have had good reports of leadership. so i know i could do the job, but my worry was that the army wouldnt bother with me because of my GCSE results.

Jamie

1) History of officers in your family should make no difference what so ever.
2) GCSE you need 5 A*-C grades including Maths and English and either a Science or a Language.

If you have these grades and then the requisite number of UCAS points the army will consider you, and if you prove good enough at AOSB will accept you.

**Mr_C_Hinecap** · 27-08-2007, 07:18

1140 - please don't join because you'd be carrying on the tradition - join because you want to - if you do want to. Also - get to a Careers Office and get the proper answers for your questions. Then you can plan properly. You need to start managing the process soonest for best results.

**1140_Sqn** · 27-08-2007, 13:05

No way am I joining becuase of tradition!! This is all I want to do!

I have been in contact with my Officer career's adviser for quite some time. I have been on a number of POC with the Paras and Royal Anglians.

but seriously, from childhood I have always wanted to be in the Army. (mainly thanks to growing up on bases for half my life!)

Jamie

**John_Jorrocks** · 30-08-2007, 13:06

Originally Posted by WannabeWorker

Hi,

I am wanting to change from navy to army, and am looking at the infantry or artillery. There are many reasons why i want to change and i'm not going to go into them all now unless really necessary. Anyway what i want to know is how receptive the Army is to people coming in to their community from other forces and how easy/hard it is? obviously this isn't your usual what do i do before Sandhurst question as i am currently employed by the Navy.
Any help or sensible suggestions would be great?

Cheers!

Army doesn't mind much where you come from provided people can do the job and are motivated. Its a bit of a quantum leap from the Navy to becoming a puddle jumper isn't it? Are you sure?

If you went through Dartmouth, do you really want to go through Sandhurst and PCBC et al as well?

I don't mean to discourage you but there are plenty of interesting jobs in the Navy that won't involve you starting from scratch again (aren't there)?

**John_Jorrocks** · 30-08-2007, 13:08

Originally Posted by Vegas

Evening

First post but I've been lurking here for a few weeks. Must say I love the sense of humour, and I'm fully aware that I may get torn to shreds for what I'm about to ask... but here goes.

I've one more year to finish at university and am about to start the ball rolling for my Sandhurst application. I'll be 26 when I finish but am pretty fit and I think I've a reasonable chance of getting in. Only one thing worries me - I'm a bit of a short-ass. Slight understatement, I'm only 5'3"! I'm wondering how much this might affect my chances? It doesn't bother me or affect my confidence, but being realistic I'm aware that it might work against my favour, despite no official height limitations.

What do you guys think, how big (sorry) an issue is being a short male officer?

Thanks,
Vega

A career in the Gurkhas awaits...

**The_Goon** · 30-08-2007, 13:21

At my RGR visit a couple of weeks ago, their was a bloke who was either 6'4" or 6'5", he was huge! That's an aside, anyway.

I don't think that AOSB will prefer you to have a degree - they prefer candidates to demonstrate mental aptitude, basic physical abilities, and the ability to think logically and quickly.

No requirement for a degree to achieve all the above.

I guess I'll just become one of those non-graduate Officers with a chip about graduate Officers, but this attitude of "they prefer a degree" doesn't help. Because it simply isn't true.

**John_Jorrocks** · 03-09-2007, 08:50

Originally Posted by The_Goon

At my RGR visit a couple of weeks ago, their was a bloke who was either 6'4" or 6'5", he was huge! That's an aside, anyway.

I don't think that AOSB will prefer you to have a degree - they prefer candidates to demonstrate mental aptitude, basic physical abilities, and the ability to think logically and quickly.

No requirement for a degree to achieve all the above.

I guess I'll just become one of those non-graduate Officers with a chip about graduate Officers, but this attitude of "they prefer a degree" doesn't help. Because it simply isn't true.

The best thing about joining as a non-grad is that being a troop leader is (IMO) the best job you can do as an officer and the non-grads get longer doing it.

As soon as you inherit an office (probably until you get to command a squadron or, if you're lucky AND good, the Regiment), it goes downhill.