Hi all,

Used this forum as an advice hub for the last 2/3 months and felt it high-time I give something back.

Below is a round-up of my time at ADSC, it is personal to me and your experience will differ slightly:

Lichfield 26^th February.
I got my train tickets well before the date, AFCO staff will try to get you there ASAP via train, if you live a fair distance away you will arrive later in the morning and not have to sit around for bloody ages. ***WEAR YOUR SMARTS ON ARRIVAL***

The Cpls who guide (dropkick) you through the next few days will not mess around, if you are asked to do something – do it quickly whilst listening to further instructions and stand with hands behind your back, chin up whenever you are listening.

I arrived around 11.15 and was whisked straight into small box where some headphones incessantly beeped at me, I blew into a tube and read the letters on a chart like a good soldier. We then sat down for approximately 2 hours and waited for the Doctors to see us, very simple medical 10% of the lads got deferrals however most were allowed to continue with selection and were required to obtain medical clearance post selection.

Icebreaker – at this point I realised that 50% of these lads were set to get C Grades. How fecking hard is it to practice this? I went over it on the train and in the 2 weeks notice I had before attending ADSC, it’s the first chance for you to stand alone and answers like “um…er…I like just um getting f**king pissed really hur hur hur derpderp” and “I like girls” will make you look like a total nob-end – more importantly it will force the Cpls to watch you intently throughout selection, awaiting a moment for you to redeem yourself (if you can).
Food was good throughout and I’m pretty fussy. We had a lesson after lunch which was a powerpoint presentation, very slow, very easy to make full notes I can still remember all the answers but I won’t disclose them publically because I’m a jerk. There were plenty of presentations on terms of service etc etc and before you knew it – it was time for more food ***BE WARNED*** - 2 people threw up, since there is a 45minute PT session directly after, don’t go mad.

I have the bladder for 7 yr old gear (in a jar at home ) there was plenty of opportunity to nip to the toilet so don’t be afraid to drink up.

After the PT session we had a few more presentations and briefs about army life and terms of service, then bedtime – take this time whilst the lights are still on to read through your notes – re write them…then re-write them again…easy money.

Most lads in my room were awake before our 6.5hours of sleep time were up (including myself). Take this time to read through your notes and neatly fold your sheets. Don’t worry about technique because the next 20minutes was a basic lesson on that, followed by a room inspection (easy).
Ensure you do sleep, try not to worry about the following day.

Shortly after the room inspection you will be whisked off for food and then sit around for a little while before the run ***DO NOT EAT TOO MUCH*** - slow release cereal foods are best, or fruit. I opted for a single sausage (booyah) and some beans, perfect. The run followed after, the track is dotted with staff (some officers) nobody will shout at you like a little child but they will encourage you and you should do your best. I ended up with 10.45 (PB) – not the best time in the world, but it did the job.

I recover very quickly as I’m a sprinter (recovery is important, don’t cry, don’t pull unhappy faces, chin up, face serious, concen-f**king-trate), you will be marched/jogged back up to reception, stay in ranks and don’t pussy out and start walking else you will get a clip round the ear from your mates (ask the little fat boy in front of me, number bloody 23!).

After the run you will have a good stretching session followed by getting kitted up for team tasks, essentially boiler suits and tight helmets. The team tasks are very fun, it was cold when we did it and I was lucky enough to get bunched with a group of guys who were easily motivated by me taking swift and decisive command (not important that you do this, just make damn sure someone does!). Communication is key, set out ground rules and try to assess peoples strengths, we had a scaffolder on our team so he was key to both advice on holding the planks and strong. If you pass someone an item, make sure they shout “got it” etc.

Shower up, eat up, spruce up, interview time. Don’t drink too much at lunch because you can’t pee whilst in the waiting room since the officers will call you through somewhat at random, my interview was simple – I made sure we talked about my reservations about my chosen corps, it gave me the chance to take control of the conversation and steer it toward areas where my knowledge was strong.

Ultimately I passed with a High A Grade (Barb score was 88 and full marks on all other written tests). I’d be happy enough to answer any questions via PM or in the thread.

Do this if nothing else:
Stand up straight.
Never put hands in pockets.
Never chew gum.
Never Smoke.
Never talkback.
Never Grumble.
Never fold your arms.
Do as you’re bloody told – this was key, so many ‘bad boys’ with tatts thought they were badasses because…well I’m not sure why, at the end of it all…oh look a Grade C – nice one.

On a note of self harm (should this apply to anyone). I have a heavily scarred arm and chest from self harm from when I was 14 (24 now) the event had me visit psychologists and psychiatrists + spend 2 weeks in a youth care home however because the event was triggered by an event (relationship breakdown) it was dismissed, so long as the self harm does not re-occur after the incident you are fine. I even wrote a covering note explaining to medical staff how the events helped me to grow and mature, the ADSC doctor read this and seemed to agree.

Good tips - you sound exactly as I did on returning from ADSC Lichfield. And I was number 23 (but I'm not a little fat kid!!).

Oh and PROTIP FOR ICEBREAKERS - If you pronounce Corps as CORPSE then you are a friggin numpty, it's pronounced CORE. I could not believe how many lads made this simple error.

Originally Posted by Seawad

Hi all,
On a note of self harm (should this apply to anyone). I have a heavily scarred arm and chest from self harm from when I was 14 (24 now) the event had me visit psychologists and psychiatrists + spend 2 weeks in a youth care home however because the event was triggered by an event (relationship breakdown) it was dismissed, so long as the self harm does not re-occur after the incident you are fine. I even wrote a covering note explaining to medical staff how the events helped me to grow and mature, the ADSC doctor read this and seemed to agree.

With all respect, what you have said is only a partial truth. If you have had a bout of depression lasting 3months+ and either have reoccurances of the depression or have any history of anyone in your immediate family having depression it is an instant fail.

A friend had a 14week bout of depression following his mum's attempted suicide and was ruled as being completely unacceptable due to having both his own and a family history of depression, even though it was 8 years ago and both are fine now. This was less than 15minutes after receiving his Category 1 at briefing. (Yes I am talking about officer, however the same medical requirements stand whether it is soldier or officer entry). I felt sorry for him, however I believe the decision was correct as his depression was caused by his mothers' actions which showed that he was susceptible when under great stress - something he is more than guaranteed to encounter in the military.

Good to hear that you overcame your problems though and got on with your life.

Originally Posted by Yorkshire Lad

With all respect, what you have said is only a partial truth. If you have had a bout of depression lasting 3months+ and either have reoccurances of the depression or have any history of anyone in your immediate family having depression it is an instant fail.

A friend had a 14week bout of depression following his mum's attempted suicide and was ruled as being completely unacceptable due to having both his own and a family history of depression, even though it was 8 years ago and both are fine now. This was less than 15minutes after receiving his Category 1 at briefing. (Yes I am talking about officer, however the same medical requirements stand whether it is soldier or officer entry). I felt sorry for him, however I believe the decision was correct as his depression was caused by his mothers' actions which showed that he was susceptible when under great stress - something he is more than guaranteed to encounter in the military.

Good to hear that you overcame your problems though and got on with your life.

Appreciate your viewpoint, and perhaps I should have explained a little bit more thoroughly:

I did not suffer from 'Depression' in the medical sense, I was upset and did silly stuff however there was never a flat out diagnosis of Depression (often signals the need for medication or scheduled and regular therapy/counseling). So I guess the main point here is to identify (with professional assistance) the difference between 'being depressed' and 'suffering from Depression'.

The Doc told me that each person is judged individually so a person who approached the exact same issue as mine with deceit or anxiety could have been permanently deferred.

I'd agree with you on that decision, a 14week bout of depression and the attempted suicide of a blood relation is enough to put me off serving alongside that chap and I guess that's all the army needs to give you the boot :(

Originally Posted by geoffafa

Good tips - you sound exactly as I did on returning from ADSC Lichfield. And I was number 23 (but I'm not a little fat kid!!).

...bet you are. Chubby.

Ha, we actually have 4/5 guys play the whole CORPSE game, I stole a sideways glance at the Cpl rolling his eyes and gripping his only pen like a stake...I knew he wanted to stab them, because so did I.

Just got told I'm not going to be able to do my 3rd interview till April, if I pass this any idea when I could be at selection? This has really pissed on my cornflakes tbh

Well this little (6'3) fat kid did his run in 9:07 I lost count of how many people said Corpse, but I swear it must have been over a dozen.

Originally Posted by geoffafa

Well this little (6'3) fat kid did his run in 9:07 I lost count of how many people said Corpse, but I swear it must have been over a dozen.

Naice!

Pistaker, that's a shame, bloody long time to wait for your 3rd interview. You'll be even more pissed off when you get in and it takes less than a minute....seriously.

I haven't kept track of your posts but after my 3rd interview, selection followed in 5 weeks. I did specifically ask for a later date to allow me time for recovery (injury) and training so you may find it is quite swift, don't wish your life away though mate, spend the time you do get working hard on circuit training and running etc.

I am thankful in a way because it gives me time to get my fitness in check, but the wait is a kick in the teeth. I just want to be in basic by this year but doubt I'll be so lucky