I am booked on a fam visit early next week and the joining brief tells me I require "boots / substantial training shoes" - I have a pair of very sturdy phys shoes that have served me well through various forms of physical exercise / assault courses over the years, and I would be happy to wear them, the only issue is that they are most definitely and obviously not boots. To anyone else who has been on a similar visit - am I likely to be the only one who is not in boots and will therefore look a right tit? I don't own boots and cannot afford the money to shell out on a pair until my next payday

Secondly, my medical is currently being processed, and due to a medical condition I will probably be delayed for around 2/3 months before I am cleared to attend briefing. I will also be 26 in August 2013. What are my chances of making the May 2013 intake, if we were to assume once medical is cleared there were no further hold ups? (Cat 1 at briefing etc.). I've done some basic maths, and it would indicate I might be fucked. Assuming 4 Main Boards a month with 35 attendees, and a pass rate of 60% would have about 600 people passing (and presumably booking in to Sandhurst) before I can take Main Board in say October 2012 - more than filling up space.... any errors in my thinking?

Not everyone who passes goes straight away, and as far as i'm aware Sandhurst is down numbers. May intake (banker and stoner intake) never really fills up and normally has one company with only two platoons in it.

If you get the pass at main board they won't kick you out for being a few months north of the 26 mark.

As for your boots, don't worry its not going to count against you and the reason they say you need boots is to stop horribe civvie types from claiming when there trainers offer no ankle protection and they break them. Worst case you don't get to do the assault course, not a big deal and not worth paying £100 for a pair of boots for 15 mins on a visit.

Originally Posted by Kyle_ni

If you get the pass at main board they won't kick you out for being a few months north of the 26 mark.

I was told it was a requirement to pass main board before 1/5/2012 to be allowed to attend Sandhurst at the age of 26+

Possible to give source for quoted comment please?

as stated "if you get the pass at main board" meaning that they are aware of the age and still pass him.

I'm not involved in the selection process so can't give you the JSP answer on this but would be surprised if someone got that far and then got told after passing he couldn't go.

Ah, thanks Kyle.
Not making a twat out of myself early on is a key priority on this visit (not that I would expect myself to!). This fam visit isn't for Int Corps, but they would be the other in a two horse race for my first choice if I did pass Main Board, and Int Corps Confirmed Cadets are allowed in at Sandhurst up to <29, so that's another possible avenue if I did do well at Briefing / MB but found myself short on time. That said I would bet becoming a confirmed cadet with Int Corps would be harder than swimming the channel in fancy dress, so perhaps not

Regarding Maoams' comment, there is a clause concerning age waivers in the new <26 rules, but while I imagine they are handed out VERY rarely that could be it?

Just a few more quick questions if you guys are still about - I imagine this is something I will get slated for on here for not knowing, but what is a C95? Apparently we are issued with these (them?) when we arrive.

And secondly at what level will the staff taking the day and the soldiers we interact with expect us to be at?
Cat 1 Briefing standard, Main Board Pass standard? Because the harsh reality is I don't think I am quite there yet!

My fitness is also not where I would like it to be yet either (I could pass the basic fitness tests, the 10.2 bleep etc, but with a bit of difficulty) - essentially I don't know where these visits stand as far as whether I will be being (in)formally assessed should I get to Sandhurst and express interest or otherwise, whether it is laid back to an extent and is largely information based mostly for my benefit, or the more likely option of somewhere in between.

Edit post - also what is "Ex full spectrum"?

I've recently attended a FAM visit for R Signals. Most people were loaned a pair of boots for use. My pair looked and felt as though they had been in the system since the 60's, but they sufficed (arguably the reality of the army!).

Ex Full Spectrum is a brief around the FOB (forward operating base) built at Blandford for training purposes showing what they get up to.

CS95 is the combat uniform currently being phased out to make way for MTP (which google could have answered)

Edit: am only on my phone. I might answer your other questions when I get home. PM me if your on the Signals visit and I can try to answer your questions or concerns.

Originally Posted by moduk

I've recently attended a FAM visit for R Signals. Most people were loaned a pair of boots for use. My pair looked and felt as though they had been in the system since the 60's, but they sufficed (arguably the reality of the army!).

Ex Full Spectrum is a brief around the FOB (forward operating base) built at Blandford for training purposes showing what they get up to.

CS95 is the combat uniform currently being phased out to make way for MTP (which google could have answered)

Edit: am only on my phone. I might answer your other questions when I get home. PM me if your on the Signals visit and I can try to answer your questions or concerns.

Yes it is a Signals visit. Thanks for the clarification regarding CS95 - the joining instructions calls them C95s (which was less helpful in google!)
When was your visit? If you do get a chance tonight to answer my other questions (either in here on by PM) it would be great, thanks!

As far as your entry to sandhurst goes, your pushing it for time imo. As above, I believe you have to be at RMAS before your 26th birthday? If you havn't done so already i would have a chat with your ACA and discuss the finer details, as they will have your back story and may know about the medical problems so should be best suited to advise.

To answer your question of 'what level will the staff taking the day and the soldiers we interact with expect us to be at'. They will really have little expectations, however they will expect you to have a fair fitness level. As per the programme that you would have been sent, you'll see that there is a PT session at about 0630 the second day. This is partly to assess how motivated and determined you are to get on after a good night in the mess (we had drinking games with space hoppers etc until 2am), plus a bit of phys in the morning is always a good thing. There is also a few runs of the assault course which can hurt if you had a heavy night (like i did!). Just suck it up and push through.

There is an element of assessment that the staff will carry out, and this is to assess suitability for Sponsorship from the Royal Signals. Sponsorship is non-binding, and is not the same as confirmed cadet status. However, it is a good indicator that you've given a good account of yourself and that your going in the right direction. It's also a boost for the confidence when/if you get your letter through the door. I didn't know that the visit was assessed for sponsorship until the final brief 5 minutes before I left, so was pleased when the letter came in a few days later. As i understand it, the visits are not reported to the AOSB/RMAS staff, but happy to be corrected.

My advice is to just relax and enjoy your time, and realise that you are there to learn about the Royal Signals. The first day is mostly briefings so pay attention to the staff and if you've got a question, put your paw in the air and just ask. I was the annoying bloke who kept asking the questions, but there were others (as a few of them told me after) who wanted to ask but didn't have the bottle or thought it was a stupid question. The staff want you to ask questions. It shows your paying attention and are interested in what they are talking about.

You won't be given CS95's anyway. You'll be issued coveralls and a coloured/numbered bib much like AOSB.


Hope this helps, and remember to relax and be yourself