fucked main board at 18, not sure what to do next.

[Lions595?]

Hi all I am 18 years old, and attended main board earlier this week and came away with literally no positive feedback (which is fair enough tbh).

Disappointed as I got cat 1 at briefing, and attended main board exactly 1 month later, perhaps got ahead of myself a little bit but was hoping to get out of home asap.

Feedback wise, they judged my intellectual potential to be below the required standard, practically and analytically. Physically I was judged to be just below the standard (think this is because I did not clear the wall during the obstacle course, as I performed okay physically in all other areas).

"aspects of my personality also require further development", went on to say interestingly that I need to develop more empathy, behavioural awareness and too develop strategies to think "clearly under pressure". Also that I need to develop more maturity and self discipline.

Finished by saying that I performed inconsistently throughout the board, and that it is very unlikely that I will develop sufficiently to increase my chances of success on a second attempt.

I have always wanted a military career, which is why once I knew I had failed I got in contact with the soldier recruiter at AOSB, who said I could be booked straight on to basic training to join the infantry, or also attend int corps selection in march.

Alternatively I also have good enough A levels to go to University.

I am not too sure what to do, part of me wants to join the reserves, get a degree and have a crack at it again in 4 or so years. I am not sure if I have what it takes to develop so significantly, I was the skinny kid who got bullied for most of my childhood, and I know I have come long way from that at least.

I mean if I am so off the standard for main board who is to say I will make the cut at specialist selection for the int corps, probably not in all honesty.

Just looking for advice really, on how best to pursue a military career.

 

[Daxx]

Join as a soldier, keep your ears open, mouth shut, work hard, do your job, get promoted, have a great life.

 

[pc supa]

Determination is a great motivation, never give up, come back stronger.

 

[Skunkmiester]

I would not let this knock you back. Take some time to consider the feedback. How can you improve in any areas's that you would agree with.
It may be diffcult to accept some of the critisism, but you can use critisism in a positive way. They may have seen some aspects of your personality that you do not realise. Hopefully if you get another chance you can use this experience to improve how you act and are seen to act.


I failed my first PRC (Potential Recruits Course) for the Royal Marines. I was told that I was too immature in attitude.
I went back 3 months later and passed with very good feedback. Did I suddenly mature? Or did I have different assesors?
Either way it did not matter as I went on to start training a couple of months later and completed training.

 

[Helm]

at 18 you've plenty of time, take a bit to think it over, more qualifications will never hurt you later in life.

 

[Provost]

Always keep in mind that a military career of any kind may not actually be for you and that perhaps your talents lie elsewhere.

I do wonder whether today's much diminished military force has much to offer any as a potential career. Perhaps if you live in a hill village in Nepal.

 

[javaguzzisti]

Hi all I am 18 years old, and attended main board earlier this week and came away with literally no positive feedback (which is fair enough tbh).

If by Main Board you mean what used to be RCB then do as suggested above.
Join as a soldier.
It is what I did and I came very quickly to reallise I was better off in the ranks as I had a much greater time.
As BAOR appears to be re opening up now is a great time to join.

 

[The_Duke]

You have nothing to lose by going for Int Corps selection, if that is the way you want to go. Going by your main board report it may be a bit of a long shot but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Also, you are at the starting point for officer selection rather than the end point in terms of age. If you have the A levels and a subject that you want to study then time in University gives scope for you to mature, expand your horizons, improve your fitness etc and at the end of it you will be better equipped to attend main board. If it still doesn't go in your favour you should at least have a degree in hand for whatever employment route you might then take.

 

[pc supa]

If by Main Board you mean what used to be RCB then do as suggested above.
Join as a soldier.
It is what I did and I came very quickly to reallise I was better off in the ranks as I had a much greater time.
As BAOR appears to be re opening up now is a great time to join.

It's only opening as a sort of FOB for armour etc, not the full on garrison as previous years, be like gold dust the future German postings.

 

[Danny_Dravot]

Join as a soldier, keep your ears open, mouth shut, work hard, do your job, get promoted, have a great life.

Worst advice ever.
The army really is geared up for graduate entry. I recommend you get a place at uni doing something you enjoy and remotely useful to the army. Something that will develop your intellectual and analytical skills. Use the remaining time of your gap year to do something interesting to demonstrate you have breadth, compassionate, empathy etc.

Go to Uni. Join the OTC. Reapply for main board in 2/3rd year.

 

[AlienFTM]

Join as a soldier, keep your ears open, mouth shut, work hard, do your job, get promoted, have a great life.

Worked for me. Edit. 47 years ago.

 

[napier]

Go to uni, get a (useful) degree, join the OTC/reserves and have a go when you've grown into yourself. I passed RCB at 18 (very well), went to RMAS at 19 as a non grad in the grad course (pre common commissioning course experiment using those with reg/TA service, etc. back when they had separate grad/non-grad courses - I had 3 years in the TA and had passed my PO course). I didn't do well at RMAS, largely due to my relative immaturity, and this sense of failure carried over into my platoon command time. If I had my time over again I'd definitely go to uni.

 

[olafthered]

Uni, get a degree, join uotc while there and gain experience, and have a qualification to fall back on.

 

[Daxx]

Worst advice ever.
The army really is geared up for graduate entry. I recommend you get a place at uni doing something you enjoy and remotely useful to the army. Something that will develop your intellectual and analytical skills. Use the remaining time of your gap year to do something interesting to demonstrate you have breadth, compassionate, empathy etc.

Go to Uni. Join the OTC. Reapply for main board in 2/3rd year.

Actually, if joining as a DE Officer that is incorrect.

 

[Pagan-Image]

My Nephew was given a quiet word by the Recruiting officer that those with Degrees are much more likely to succeed in being selected for Officer.

I would suggest Uni and UOTC and see how you feel in 2-3 years then re-apply.

At 18 you feel like a grown up, trust me you still have a long way to go and in 2-3 years you will be a different person.

Dont let it get you down, chin up and soldier on.

 

[Glasgow_Jock]

Bloody hell, 18?! Life's just beginning mate, take the criticism on the chin and get yourself off to uni for a few years to mature a bit and broaden your horizons.

Meeting and interacting with as many people as possible from various backgrounds is an education in itself.

 

[Whey_Aye_Banzai]

Join as a soldier, keep your ears open, mouth shut, work hard, do your job, get promoted, have a great life.

That's one of them 'simple not easy things'.

Especially keeping your mouth shut and by extension, out of trouble.

 

[bullet_catcher]

You could try the French Foreign Legion, seriously.

 

[Brotherton Lad]

Were you offered a place on the LDC?

 

[Brotherton Lad]

If not then I’d agree with the uni and UOTC route. These days 80% are graduates, average age 24 with a spread between 18 and early 30s.