ARmy Rumour SErvice

**Occams Chainsaw** · 05-01-2013, 13:10

Hey guys,

I am looking to join the British Army next year and wanted to ask about a couple of things.
I am currently studying A Levels and want to join up as a regular soldier initially, following the OPMI(L) route. The LLC can be converted into a BA. I would love to supplement this with a masters degree when possible. Does the Army offer any opportunities to 'take time off' to pursue education? The degree would be relevant to the role in the Int Corps (International Relations). After the Masters I would love to go for Direct Commission as an officer. Is there an efficient way to do this? I guess serving my 4 years and then going for the masters and re-enlisting as an officer would be one option. I was wondering if there was a way to do it in a slightly shorter time span though.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Sean.

**brave-coward** · 05-01-2013, 13:19

If I understand you correctly, you intend to do a first degree, then join the army for four years, leave to do a masters and then go to Sandhurst. If this is correct you may need to consider whether you will still be young enough to go to Sandhurst following your masters degree. I forget what the maximum age is, but I suspect you may be close to it by the time you have done all that.

A better option might be to do the masters degree straight after your first three years of university and then join the army after that, either through Sandhurst direct (if you pass AOSB, etc.) or as a soldier with a view to commissioning through either the DE or LE routes further down the line.

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**Occams Chainsaw** · 05-01-2013, 13:22

Originally Posted by brave-coward

If I understand you correctly, you intend to do a first degree, then join the army for four years, leave to do a masters and then go to Sandhurst. If this is correct you may need to consider whether you will still be young enough to go to Sandhurst following your masters degree. I forget what the maximum age is, but I suspect you may be close to it by the time you have done all that.

A better option might be to do the masters degree straight after your first three years of university and then join the army after that, either through Sandhurst direct (if you pass AOSB, etc.) or as a soldier with a view to commissioning through either the DE or LE routes further down the line.

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No. You misunderstood. At 18 I will be joining the Army. While in Phase 2 training I will achieve a BA degree (24 months). If I have to do 4 years service, add another 2 to the Phase 2 training. After THAT I would like to pursue a Masters degree (1 year). Then I would like to commission.
Provided I do 4 years service meaning I leave the army to do the masters, that leaves me at 23 when applying for Sandhurst.. Not too old at all.

I am wondering if you are able to leave for a year to pursue education rather than having to do all 4 years. That was the main question. I would be coming back after the Masters and applying for DEC

**fuzzhead** · 05-01-2013, 13:28

why do you need the masters ?

**Occams Chainsaw** · 05-01-2013, 13:31

Originally Posted by fuzzhead

why do you need the masters ?

A Masters is pretty much needed for some higher Officer Ranks. Also, the subject is a big interest of mine and would certainly help in the Intelligence field.

**Ethel_the_Aardvark** · 05-01-2013, 13:31

Why not try for a commission (obviously by no means guaranteed) and subsequently do a Masters whilst serving as an officer? There are still plenty of options both full and part time.

**Ethel_the_Aardvark** · 05-01-2013, 13:34

Originally Posted by Occams Chainsaw

Pretty much needed for some higher Officer Ranks. Also, it's a big interest of mine and would certainly help in the Intelligence field.

I'm afraid that statement is utter pish. A Masters degree is not a requirement for senior ranks, however, they will all have been to Staff College and thereby will almost all have gained a Masters (or 2) as a fringe benefit.

**Occams Chainsaw** · 05-01-2013, 13:35

Originally Posted by Ethel_the_Aardvark

Why not try for a commission (obviously by no means guaranteed) and subsequently do a Masters whilst serving as an officer? There are still plenty of options both full and part time.

To be honest, I would rather be a little bit older and maturer before commissioning. I will be 18 and have no life experience. Commissioning later on seems like the best route for me. You said there are opportunities to do a Masters whilst serving as an officer. What about as a soldier?

**Occams Chainsaw** · 05-01-2013, 13:37

Originally Posted by Ethel_the_Aardvark

I'm afraid that statement is utter pish. A Masters degree is not a requirement for senior ranks, however, they will all have been to Staff College and thereby will almost all have gained a Masters (or 2) as a fringe benefit.

That's what my recruiting officer told me. Maybe he didn't mean it as it came out. I used his exact words. Perhaps he meant most of them have Masters level qualifications.

Thanks for clearing that up. All the same, I would love to pursue the masters.

**Mediaeval** · 05-01-2013, 13:37

Originally Posted by Occams Chainsaw

No. You misunderstood. At 18 I will be joining the Army. While in Phase 2 training I will achieve a BA degree (24 months). If I have to do 4 years service, add another 2 to the Phase 2 training. After THAT I would like to pursue a Masters degree (1 year). Then I would like to commission.
Provided I do 4 years service, that leaves me at 23. Not too old at all.

I am wondering if you are able to leave for a year to pursue education rather than having to do all 4 years. That was the main question. I would be coming back after the Masters, so not like I'm abandoning the country!

Short answer is no. You will be welcome to do a distance learning package whilst serving, but you will not be able to take a year out for a MA of your choice, unless you leave and reapply. Your two years post training will be demanding (you will be expected to cement your skills with practical experience) and may include a deployment, so distance learning is something you will need to consider carefully. But, if you are prepared to burn the midnight oil and minimise your time on the razz, no reason why not.

To be commissioned from OPMI(L) you will need to be selected, as you probably know. Having completed an MA in service would be no bad thing in this respect, but does not constitute a guarantee. If commissioning is your ultimate aim, the route advised by BC is probably the way to go.....