ARmy Rumour SErvice

Bloody hell. That took ages for you mate! 20 months? So you were even younger than me when you applied.

Originally Posted by Bingobongo

Bloody hell. That took ages for you mate! 20 months? So you were even younger than me when you applied.

It's looking like it'll be 22months for me minimum - It really isn't a fast process, but the wait would definitely be worth it.

Originally Posted by Yorkshire Lad

It's looking like it'll be 22months for me minimum - It really isn't a fast process, but the wait would definitely be worth it.

The actual process of going to Westbury and 'getting in' only takes a few months but it is the initial wait and then the subsequent wait to get a place on the next commissioning course which is a pain in the arrse. 10 month wait from MB pass to weeks 1-5 at RMAS. It is a serious wait but as YL has said, most definitely worth it. If this is what you want to do as a career then a few months won't make a difference. Plus it gives you a chance to sort out some fam trips as well as a nice long holiday if you fancy it.

You're not wrong Sweeters. My only concern is that if I'm 23 and a half now won't that put me pretty close to being too old to get a commission into a decent regiment once I get through RMAS (providing I do obviously)? Like you I'm after infantry as well but I'd heard much less positive things than you about commissioning into cbt arms once you get past 25. Who told you otherwise? Still it's encouraging to see somebody who'll be commissioning around the same age as me.

And yeah I'm aware of the fam visits that I need to get done but I won't be able to really get the ball rolling on that until I've got a category score after AOSB. Shitter.

The infantry tends to not be interested in anyone over the age of 27. I presume you saw the Sandhurst programme on BBC 4. Thompson was 25 when he started and he commissioned into the Parachute Rgiment so it can be done. I have sponsorship from Royal Reg of Scotland and have been to see the Fusilers and Rifles as well. Not once was my age mentioned. Provided you are ambitious, determined, fit enough to lead from the front then you will be fine I am sure. Look at it like this......if your phys is a bit off then you have plenty of time to work at it!
The avergae age of cadets at RMAS tends to be a bit older these days as well (23 apparently). Just make sure that you show them that you are determined and want this more than anything in the world. Your age will be a topic of conversation in your interviews at Westbury and so make sure the reasons your are joining are the right ones.
Out of interest, who are you looking at infantry wise?

PS make sure you go on otehr fam visits because you might find that infantry is not for you/you do not get offered a place. You need to have back ups (just in cases). I am off to see Artillery and Royal Armoured Corps to keep as many options open to me as possible.

cheers,
Sweeters

I did indeed see that documentary series. Cheers for bringing it up though because I'd forgotten about his age. I remember the Captain from the Welsh Guards remarking on how old he was and that it actually worked in his favour as he obviously really wanted to be there. Not going to get into the obligatory "But how big a sack of shite was Harbord" conversation but yeah....I definitely know which cadet I had more respect for.

How were the Rifles? I've got a fam visit booked for the Paras which is my first choice but Rifles and Gurkhas are also on the list (assuming the Gurkas haven't been disbanded by the time I get in). I'm training with a guy whose on this year's intake at Lympstone for marine YO and a couple of other lads who are soldiers in the paras which has been a big help on the fitness front and I pushed myself for a good while but I'm now working at their pace so it's been invaluable really. Not saying I'd waltz through P company if I started it tomorrow by any stretch of the imagination but it's an area I'm fairly comfortable in. Living in the Cheviots has helped as well.

And what tends to go on at the fam visits? Are they a laugh? All I've read about what goes on when you visit regiments so far is the account I read of a POIC for the Paras at Catterick in which they basically had to carry out all the worst parts of P Company (albeit in a shortened version) across 3 days. Can't imagine they're all as brutal as that but then again I've got no basis for comparison.

Cheers

I had my initial interview with the Colonel mid February I believe it was.

Sent my CV to AOSB and handed in my medical forms to the docs (which I have no doubt will slow the process down) and been confirmed for an RMP fam visit early August.
The Colonel said I can expect the fam visit before briefing so it seems I have plenty of time to prepare to the best of my ability-something I'm viewing as a bonus. The wait will definitely be worth it I'm sure, don't get disheartened.

Yeah I'm starting to view the waiting period as good amount of time to bone up on stuff. Only thing that worries me is my age. 23 and a half now and with the current waiting period there's always the worry that I'm going to be an old git by the time I get in and be hard pressed to get a commission into the reg I'm hoping for.

How old were you when you started your application?