Useful

**Invictus_88** · 11-09-2008, 17:03

(I caught myself on the edge of posting this in the Sport and Fitness forum, but this looks better suited (though less visible), so if I don't get much advice here then I'll pop back and lob this into the sports section.)

Sports for a Young Officer.

I'm 21, at university, and looking for a commission in a Formation Reconnaissance regiment. Playing rugby gets POs all manner of praise at AOSB, but I was a bit of a loner when I was a child so never got a hand of the coordination needed to do well in rugby, cricket or football.

As much as the papers might tell us that the army is hungry for officers and men, I know from experience that the competition for Sandhurst is still very serious indeed, and can only guess at the levels of competition for sought-after places with FR, Guards, Para etc.

So it bothers me that I don't have "team sports: rugger" next to my name to win instant goodwill from the selection system. I'm a small chap, not of rugby build, but DofE, Ten Tors, personally organised expeditions, kayaking and the like have given me good endurance and a resilient sort of nature. I'm good at fencing, and could probably win College Colours in it by graduation, and I still run to keep fit, but I think I'll need more if I'm to really stand out in this way.

What do people here think of boxing as a sport for a Potential Officer who's no good at rugby?

**Litotes** · 11-09-2008, 17:17

Originally Posted by Invictus_88

(I caught myself on the edge of posting this in the Sport and Fitness forum, but this looks better suited (though less visible), so if I don't get much advice here then I'll pop back and lob this into the sports section.)

Sports for a Young Officer.

I'm 21, at university, and looking for a commission in a Formation Reconnaissance regiment. Playing rugby gets POs all manner of praise at AOSB, but I was a bit of a loner when I was a child so never got a hand of the coordination needed to do well in rugby, cricket or football.

As much as the papers might tell us that the army is hungry for officers and men, I know from experience that the competition for Sandhurst is still very serious indeed, and can only guess at the levels of competition for sought-after places with FR, Guards, Para etc.

So it bothers me that I don't have "team sports: rugger" next to my name to win instant goodwill from the selection system. I'm a small chap, not of rugby build, but DofE, Ten Tors, personally organised expeditions, kayaking and the like have given me good endurance and a resilient sort of nature. I'm good at fencing, and could probably win College Colours in it by graduation, and I still run to keep fit, but I think I'll need more if I'm to really stand out in this way.

What do people here think of boxing as a sport for a Potential Officer who's no good at rugby?

Rugby isn't the only sport; your background sounds perfectly good to me.

And if anyone demurs, run him through with your epee!

Litotes

**Invictus_88** · 11-09-2008, 18:37

Epée is actually my main weapon, top marks for intuition!

:D

**django_strikes** · 12-09-2008, 07:19

Dude, the stereotype of Officers needing to be public school head boy rugby captains is dead - even in FR Regiments (although they still have more of a stigma attached to who joins).

You sound like a good bloke (although I wouldn't advertise the loner, no co-ordination aspect too much), who has interests outside the norm (fencing, DofE, outdoor pursuits).

You don't mention your educational qualifications, whether you have family connections with the forces (helpful for obtaining places in sought after Regts - a sponser from within) or when you intend to go.

My advice would be to play on your strengths, speak to the ACIO about doing AOSB and see what happens. you used to be sponsored to the front door of Sandhurst by a Regiment, if that is still the case, then the ACIO should put you in touch with the FR Regts recruiting Officer.

Incidentally, which Regt are you looking at, or has it just gotta be Scimitar for you?

**Invictus_88** · 12-09-2008, 15:03

I've been in the recruitment system for a while now, because it was back during my GCSEs when I decided the army was for me, so as a natural result of that I've been on fam' visits to RAC, Gunners, Signals and RLC, and visited the KRH as part of my school work experience. Also joined the ACF, but left after Lance Corporal because I found Scouting to have better opportunities for leading projects and enjoying outdoor activities. I'm not new to the recruitment process, but I just wondered about my sports, because it seems as if it could look like a weak area to AOSB and sponsoring regiments, and I wondered if boxing would be a good way to bolster that.

I got A* to Bs in twelve GCSEs, three A levels (unremarkable) and am now at university and doing very well here. Not only academically speaking, but with regards being very involved in the Union, local government and charitable orbanisations; a pretty broad range of involvements, on top of my being a key part of the fencing team. I'll hopefully be able to find time for a course in Welsh, too.

I'm looking at the QDG, who are by all accounts a fantastic regiment. Whilst it is true that I'm looking for FR (accepting that people are known to change their minds at Sandhurst), joining the 1st the Queen's Dragoon Guards is very much my main aim here, and achieving that would be the ideal outcome. In spite of this, I'm currently tryig to keep my attention on hitting AOSB and Sandhurst with as much prepared momentum as I can, because realistically that seems to be the best attitude at this point.

**Litotes** · 12-09-2008, 16:24

Originally Posted by Invictus_88

Epée is actually my main weapon, top marks for intuition!

:D

1. The Epée is the only fencing weapon I can name!
2. I didn't know where to put the accent! Merci! but without the accent - how do you insert that here?

Litotes

**Litotes** · 12-09-2008, 16:27

Originally Posted by Invictus_88

I've been in the recruitment system for a while now, because it was back during my GCSEs when I decided the army was for me, so as a natural result of that I've been on fam' visits to RAC, Gunners, Signals and RLC, and visited the KRH as part of my school work experience. Also joined the ACF, but left after Lance Corporal because I found Scouting to have better opportunities for leading projects and enjoying outdoor activities. I'm not new to the recruitment process, but I just wondered about my sports, because it seems as if it could look like a weak area to AOSB and sponsoring regiments, and I wondered if boxing would be a good way to bolster that.

I got A* to Bs in twelve GCSEs, three A levels (unremarkable) and am now at university and doing very well here. Not only academically speaking, but with regards being very involved in the Union, local government and charitable orbanisations; a pretty broad range of involvements, on top of my being a key part of the fencing team. I'll hopefully be able to find time for a course in Welsh, too.

I'm looking at the QDG, who are by all accounts a fantastic regiment. Whilst it is true that I'm looking for FR (accepting that people are known to change their minds at Sandhurst), joining the 1st the Queen's Dragoon Guards is very much my main aim here, and achieving that would be the ideal outcome. In spite of this, I'm currently tryig to keep my attention on hitting AOSB and Sandhurst with as much prepared momentum as I can, because realistically that seems to be the best attitude at this point.

I thought you were doing very well until you mentioned the QDG! :D

Litotes

**The_Goon** · 13-09-2008, 06:27

Boxing is very popular at Sandhurst, and if you're that worried about the look of your sporting prowess, go fo it - very good for your phys, and will certainly look good at AOSB. Just don't get yourself knocked out or injured, mate.

**jock_amongst_southerners** · 02-10-2008, 09:20

Morning all,

As an intro I left the Army just over 2 years ago and am thinking about getting back in. I've been working as a defence consultant whilst I've been away from the fold and have kept up to date through being in the TA. At the moment I'm just doing the initial balancing of thoughts (pros and cons etc). I don't think that I want to go back to the regiment that I was in before (family/geographical reasons (single dad)) but having been based on armour before am leaning towards RAC.

My current Adj is looking into things for me at the moment, but I was just looking for a bit of advice/words of wisdom from anyone that may have gone through this process before.

Does anyone know whether I could use my civvy experiences in the defence procurement area as a contractor to my benefit and how my seniority may have been affected? Also what would the carrer implications be for joining a regiment "late" as a captain within the regimental structure?

Many thanks in advance for any advice.