Originally Posted by Yorkshire Lad

As a soldier you still get the full deal, just with less pay.......however the only thing I anticipated hating about dropping my application from officer to soldier is knowing that it will mean a few of the more luxurious treats in life are unlikely i.e. nicer car, house etc. Not much of a price to pay for the rewarding lifestyle you get in the army though.

If in your mind all that separates the role of Officer and Soldier is the pay packet I think you have missed the point. The difference between Officer and Soldier is certainly not just the pay. 'Serve to lead' and all that jazz is quite important! I agree with you when you say that becoming a Soldier requires hard work and the right attitude as well, but you musn't go in thinking that an Officer is simply a better paid Private Soldier. The job role and requirement is very different, and it is down to what you want from a career and your own character/personality as to which will suit you best. I do suggest that you do a little research into it though, as you seem to be a little unclear at the moment.


PS. I may be wrong, as I all I have to go on is a couple of posts.

Originally Posted by Switchback

If in your mind all that separates the role of Officer and Soldier is the pay packet I think you have missed the point. The difference between Officer and Soldier is certainly not just the pay. 'Serve to lead' and all that jazz is quite important! I agree with you when you say that becoming a Soldier requires hard work and the right attitude as well, but you musn't go in thinking that an Officer is simply a better paid Private Soldier. The job role and requirement is very different, and it is down to what you want from a career and your own character/personality as to which will suit you best. I do suggest that you do a little research into it though, as you seem to be a little unclear at the moment.


PS. I may be wrong, as I all I have to go on is a couple of posts.

Sorry if my post was ambiguous, I know that there are definitive differences between the two roles. The main point I was trying to say is that entering as a soldier doesn't make you miss-out on much at all compared to an officer. You still get the chance to lead men exactly how an officer does, it is just that you will lead at a slightly lower level and fewer men.

I personally believe that there is very little that an officer does that a career soldier will not get to experience at some level

Originally Posted by James1

Hi,
Just got bad news that I didn't pass AOSB, am still awaiting feedback. Panicking a bit, and eager to press on with my career, which was preferably going to be military, can anyone advise as to whether someone in my position would be suited to life as a soldier. I've a 2:1 in Business Studies, am now 24, and crave some sort of challenge and responsibility. Are the Int Corps and RMP a viable option for joining up in the ranks? Can anyone's experience advise as to what life might be like?

Many thanks.

Bad Luck, join up if you wish to or simply listen to what you are advised and posssibly try again. If you are suitable the system will do all it can to both retain and bring you on - so don't give up at the first failure.

Joining as a soldier is obviously an option for you to consider but do think it through first and realise that you will be unlikely to get any real leadership responsibility for at least 2 years after you have finished your training, and that will obviously be after you are accepted for training, make your selections etc.

Your best option is, as advised above, to firstly see what has been said about you, discuss your options with your recruiter and then make up your mind.

Thanks for your help. I think I'll discuss options first before making up my mind. It's a pity there's such a disparity between the two entry methods within the army. I'm not sure what went really wrong other than the Planex, which I knew I wouldn't like. Certain aspects of joining as a soldier are very appealing, however I wouldn't want to feel held back from making independent choices, I'd want some sort of ability of effect my own decisions and hold some responsibility for those (within reason). It's a shame, because I was drawn to the military from years back, and using my degree in the city at this stage is something that just does not yet appeal.

Originally Posted by Yorkshire Lad

I personally believe that there is very little that an officer does that a career soldier will not get to experience at some level

Hmmmmm. In some senses you are right, however:

My main point which I would make in response is that for someone considering a start in the military, they are unlikely at this stage to be totally certain "yes I want to make a 22 year career out of this". In light of that, they ought to compare a short service commission to the three years you'd spend as a private soldier. I guarantee it will be very different! Sandhurst, YO's course and Troop or Platoon command will offer totally different experiences and rewards to Basic, Phase 2 and then life as a Private/Trooper/Sapper/Gunner/Signaller/Fusilier/Kingsman/Guardsman/Rifleman etc etc etc. Both will be extremely hard work, and hopefully very rewarding, but you will be doing massively different jobs.


I would say that joining as a soldier if you don't pass AOSB is commendable, but it needs to be an informed decision as the individual might regret it otherwise.

Loads of failed officers in the Int Corps, sure they'll be happy to have you...