Hello....
Been lurking here and reading up for a while now. Found a fair amount of interesting comments that apply to my situation, but wondered if I could be so bold as to start a new debate on the issue, a bit more specific to me and other 'oldies' at Sandhurst. Correct me if I'm wrong but I have not seen a specific thread about it anywhere, but I apologise if it's old news!
Why have I left it so late, you ask? Well, dad was in 3 Para, parents divorced when I was 2, dad's side of family very military orientated, mum's side the opposite, raised by mum's side, hence pushed away from it. However, it is definitely in my blood and I have been interested in it seriously for many years now.
Long story but, started degree, didn't finish, and my response to that is "I showed more conviction LEAVING than most students do in STAYING and getting their pony 3 year 3-hour-per-week degrees.....sir...."
I've been working various 'normal' jobs for 6 years now, and I am convinced that becoming an army officer offers me 99% of what I'm looking for in a career and a life...but....
I'm 26, and a non-grad....after speaking to an Army Officer careers advisor (middle aged snooty nosed **** female) I was politely informed that I didn't stand a chance of getting taken by any of my preferences, either Intelligence due to lack of degree, or any teeth arms due to my age. Which left me with Logistics. Which isn't my bag. After this I was put off, spoke to the Marines, went for Officer trial thouroughly unprepared, fucked it but got bitten by the military bug properly, the experience just confirmed I wanted to do it.
Obviously I'm aware it's all down to the individual, and I've read comments here about 'oldies' and non-grad getting on and loving it, but I'd like some honest and realistic experiences.
Do I risk a whole year at Sandhurst just to end up in a desk job? Or do I just go for it and prove myself? Can I really overcome the obstacles?
For the record I'm not bothered by lower pay as a non-grad and less promotion opportunites, as someone else said also, just means you spend more time as a troop commander, the best bit!
Any thoughts much appreciated! Apologies for the long winded post, but wanted to make myself as clear as possible!
Cheers!
Pete
Been lurking here and reading up for a while now. Found a fair amount of interesting comments that apply to my situation, but wondered if I could be so bold as to start a new debate on the issue, a bit more specific to me and other 'oldies' at Sandhurst. Correct me if I'm wrong but I have not seen a specific thread about it anywhere, but I apologise if it's old news!
Why have I left it so late, you ask? Well, dad was in 3 Para, parents divorced when I was 2, dad's side of family very military orientated, mum's side the opposite, raised by mum's side, hence pushed away from it. However, it is definitely in my blood and I have been interested in it seriously for many years now.
Long story but, started degree, didn't finish, and my response to that is "I showed more conviction LEAVING than most students do in STAYING and getting their pony 3 year 3-hour-per-week degrees.....sir...."
I've been working various 'normal' jobs for 6 years now, and I am convinced that becoming an army officer offers me 99% of what I'm looking for in a career and a life...but....
I'm 26, and a non-grad....after speaking to an Army Officer careers advisor (middle aged snooty nosed **** female) I was politely informed that I didn't stand a chance of getting taken by any of my preferences, either Intelligence due to lack of degree, or any teeth arms due to my age. Which left me with Logistics. Which isn't my bag. After this I was put off, spoke to the Marines, went for Officer trial thouroughly unprepared, fucked it but got bitten by the military bug properly, the experience just confirmed I wanted to do it.
Obviously I'm aware it's all down to the individual, and I've read comments here about 'oldies' and non-grad getting on and loving it, but I'd like some honest and realistic experiences.
Do I risk a whole year at Sandhurst just to end up in a desk job? Or do I just go for it and prove myself? Can I really overcome the obstacles?
For the record I'm not bothered by lower pay as a non-grad and less promotion opportunites, as someone else said also, just means you spend more time as a troop commander, the best bit!
Any thoughts much appreciated! Apologies for the long winded post, but wanted to make myself as clear as possible!
Cheers!
Pete