Basic training at Catterick and use of laptops

[CrypticX]

Hi, I have my PRAC on the 19th of this month, I’m confident that I’ll pass as I believe I’m very fit but I know it will be a challenge, but anyway after that I’m hoping to be given a date to start basic phase 1 in September. I’m curious if I would be able to buy a laptop at any point during training? If so, when would be the most likely point I’d be allowed to use one? I’m guessing phase 1 will be out of the question but what about the rest of training? I want one to mainly play games in my spare time or watch films (about 1-2 hours max, no more). Any answers would be appreciated. Thanks a lot it advance.

 

[Old Stab]

Hi, I have my PRAC on the 19th of this month, I’m confident that I’ll pass as I believe I’m very fit but I know it will be a challenge, but anyway after that I’m hoping to be given a date to start basic phase 1 in September. I’m curious if I would be able to buy a laptop at any point during training? If so, when would be the most likely point I’d be allowed to use one? I’m guessing phase 1 will be out of the question but what about the rest of training? I want one to mainly play games in my spare time or watch films (about 1-2 hours max, no more). Any answers would be appreciated. Thanks a lot it advance.

Honestly. Forget it.
You won't have the time to use it during phase 1, and you'll be flat out in phase 2 training learning your job.

That said, I do believe that the weekends in phase 2 training are free (ish). But only after all your admin has been squared away.

 

[Kroneit44]

Hi, I have my PRAC on the 19th of this month, I’m confident that I’ll pass as I believe I’m very fit but I know it will be a challenge, but anyway after that I’m hoping to be given a date to start basic phase 1 in September. I’m curious if I would be able to buy a laptop at any point during training? If so, when would be the most likely point I’d be allowed to use one? I’m guessing phase 1 will be out of the question but what about the rest of training? I want one to mainly play games in my spare time or watch films (about 1-2 hours max, no more). Any answers would be appreciated. Thanks a lot it advance.

Buy one now, and if you're allowed it at phase 1 collect it at whatever break you have. You'll probably need it on phase 2 for self study depending on where you are going. You will have plenty of time to use it!

 

[CrypticX]

Honestly. Forget it.
You won't have the time to use it during phase 1, and you'll be flat out in phase 2 training learning your job.

That said, I do believe that the weekends in phase 2 training are free (ish). But only after all your admin has been squared away.

Yeah I get you. I’d probably only try and use it if I actually had a good 4 hours space to play, then use it for 2 hours but even if I can’t I’m not bothered, just would be nice to play now and again. Maybe after I get comfortable with putting my admin away fast.

 

[Taffwob]

What sort of gaming will you be doing?
Think about any ancillaries you may require, i.e. headset, joystick, gaming chair, and will they be compatible.

Might be best to check whether the broadband speed will be sufficient for any online gaming.

 

[Old Stab]

Word of advice.

If you do get a laptop.

DO NOT Slag off your training team on here or any other forum. No matter how much you want to. They WILL get wind of it and you WILL not know your arse from your elbow.

 

[Kroneit44]

What sort of gaming will you be doing?
Think about any ancillaries you may require, i.e. headset, joystick, gaming chair, and will they be compatible.

Might be best to check whether the broadband speed will be sufficient for any online gaming.

Unlikely to be broadband at Phase 2, more likely Wifinity or similar.

 

[CrypticX]

What sort of gaming will you be doing?
Think about any ancillaries you may require, i.e. headset, joystick, gaming chair, and will they be compatible.

Might be best to check whether the broadband speed will be sufficient for any online gaming.

I’ll only be playing Fortnite with a ps4 controller and probably a pair of mobile headphones, so nothing too extreme and yeah you’re probably right, not to sure if the broadband speed will be good enough but if not I will maybe look into getting a dongle of some sort.

Word of advice.

If you do get a laptop.

DO NOT Slag off your training team on here or any other forum. No matter how much you want to. They WILL get wind of it and you WILL not know your arse from your elbow.

Good advice but I’m not that sort of person, If I don’t like someone I can easily hold it to myself. Maybe that will change there tho, I have yet too see.

 

[supermatelot]

I'd say bin any ideas of laptop/ipad during training unless specifically mentioned as being beneficial to your training.
You are not going to know your arse from your elbow throughout - and any aspirations of "maybe an hour or 2 of films" will seem ridiculous to you once you are actually in and amongst it.

Concentrate on learning and passing for now- the "chilling out" bit comes later.
Plus- it's something else extra to store in your locker and keep shiny and correctly folded!

 

[Kroneit44]

I'd say bin any ideas of laptop/ipad during training unless specifically mentioned as being beneficial to your training.
You are not going to know your arse from your elbow throughout - and any aspirations of "maybe an hour or 2 of films" will seem ridiculous to you once you are actually in and amongst it.

Concentrate on learning and passing for now- the "chilling out" bit comes later.

At phase 2? There's plenty of free time, less than I had a few years ago, but still enough to squeeze a film in every night.

 

[supermatelot]

At phase 2? There's plenty of free time, less than I had a few years ago, but still enough to squeeze a film in every night.

In that case I'll defer to people with more recent knowledge.
If there is that much "free time" in phase two then it follows that the OP will know there and then whether getting a laptop is appropriate and, have the time to source and buy one.

 

[Sttrory]

Your be fine you get to lie in till 9 and day finishes at 16:00 anyway. Don't forget to take your Xbox or PS4

 

[CrypticX]

Thanks lads, I’ll try get one while I’m there and if I can’t play it then tough shit I guess I will just leave it at home whenever I go back for a weekend

 

[AlienFTM]

I couldn't have a laptop at Catterick when I was in training. But that's because it was 1975 and laptops hadn't been invented.

 

[ExREME..TECH]

At phase 2? There's plenty of free time, less than I had a few years ago, but still enough to squeeze a film in every night.

Yep Sky between 00.00 and 00.10 every morning

 

[Joker62]

Hi, I have my PRAC on the 19th of this month, I’m confident that I’ll pass as I believe I’m very fit but I know it will be a challenge, but anyway after that I’m hoping to be given a date to start basic phase 1 in September. I’m curious if I would be able to buy a laptop at any point during training? If so, when would be the most likely point I’d be allowed to use one? I’m guessing phase 1 will be out of the question but what about the rest of training? I want one to mainly play games in my spare time or watch films (about 1-2 hours max, no more). Any answers would be appreciated. Thanks a lot it advance.

I'm not being funny, but instead of gaming during your spare time, how about getting to know your fellow recruits and indulge in a bit of socialising (not necessarily getting hammered every night, but whatever floats your boat).

 

[Saturation]

I couldn't have a laptop at Catterick when I was in training. But that's because it was 1975 and laptops hadn't been invented.

I had a pencil and paper, but that was 1966.

 

[oppoStu]

I'm not being funny, but instead of gaming during your spare time, how about getting to know your fellow recruits and indulge in a bit of socialising (not necessarily getting hammered every night, but whatever floats your boat).

That's what multiplayer on games was invented for!

 

[Lifeboat21]

I'm not being funny, but instead of gaming during your spare time, how about getting to know your fellow recruits and indulge in a bit of socialising (not necessarily getting hammered every night, but whatever floats your boat).

Get them all round a mutually chosen film?

I would suggest getting a small device, rather than a lap top, a tablet or kindle for example.

You can download Netflix etc, so good for those times when you are without internet connection.

and you can usually do emails, and read office documents if not actually edit them easily.

Tether to a mobile phone and you're away.

 

[CrypticX]

I'm not being funny, but instead of gaming during your spare time, how about getting to know your fellow recruits and indulge in a bit of socialising (not necessarily getting hammered every night, but whatever floats your boat).

I’m a very sociable person haha, just because I’ll be playing the laptop now and again doesn’t mean I will never get to know to my fellow recruits. If all the boys planned to go out one weekend I’d go out, but if everyone was staying in chilling then I’d simply have a few games online gaming. What’s the harm in that? I’ve moved around a lot in my life so I know how to socialize but thanks for your input