RE or the RLC which one will be better for a trade?

[PrivatejokerFMJ]

Hey all sorry for my last post! I'm trying to keep this somewhat relevant to my questions. I have made this as to the point as possible.

I've got a question for current and ex RE or RLC soldiers.


What trades would you recommend? I mean for when you leave the army? I think the most you can do Is 24 years service!


I'm thinking of doing RLC first time round or for my first half and then RE for the rest If possible. This way you can get specialist driving licences for nothing and then go Into a trade HGV and Electricans are good trades you'll not struggle to much when you leave the army to find a job!
If I got or get Into the RE I'd choose electricians and or plumbing.

Having loads of vehicle licences makes car Insurance cheaper and driving jobs easier to get, when you leave. And If you go Into the RE later you can earn qualifications and get another trade double whammy!

I heard you can re-enlist If you wanted to. I wanted to go as a Para first time round and I was super fit failed on something and want to try again.
I was told or advised go the rifles then the paras for instance so If you wanted to you can transfer or re-enlist!

But I'm thinking sensible! I no longer want a main Infrantry role! what trade should I do?


What trade/trades would make someone highly enjoyable when they come out?

Is doing 12 year In the RLC? And then 12 years In the RLE as a electrician a wise move?


I've checked alot I think most regiments It's 32/35yo Is the oldest they'll accept for most regiments I think so. You'd have to rejoin before this age.

But never the less any ex drivers or ex sappers answer my questions?

 

[chimera]

Bottom Line Up Front is do NOT think you can re-trade mid career, especially from RLC into RE. After 12 years you will be around Sgt, and so you wil not be able to go and re-train as an entry grade electrician just for the fun of it. So make your initial entry choice on what you will see yourself doing for all of your Army career.

For the RE your trade options are very much dependent on your academics and test scores at entry, "clever trades" such as Electrician are towards the top of the list.

 

[RIGRAT]

If you want to be a Sapper, then make it your first and foremost selection from day 1.

Nail your colours to the mast and go full throttle at it.

Make sure your academic stuff is all up to speed as well. Chimera is correct, the Sparky trade is a competitive one and they can afford to cherry pick.

Don't worry about driving quals, they are pretty insignificant unless you want to leave the army and be a HGV driver or something. You will get your driving licence somewhere along the line.

Infantry stuff? If you get posted to a field squadron you will do enough of it to realise it gets very boring very quick. Especially with no real fighting tours on the horizon for the foreseeable.

If you are fit enough, and use basic training as a gauge, then you can volunteer for service with the Airborne or commando units in the Corps.

A hint though, keep it to yourself and see how you fare with the fitness in training.

Good luck and enjoy

 

[stacker1]

Hey all sorry for my last post! I'm trying to keep this somewhat relevant to my questions. I have made this as to the point as possible.

I've got a question for current and ex RE or RLC soldiers.


What trades would you recommend? I mean for when you leave the army? I think the most you can do Is 24 years service!


I'm thinking of doing RLC first time round or for my first half and then RE for the rest If possible. This way you can get specialist driving licences for nothing and then go Into a trade HGV and Electricans are good trades you'll not struggle to much when you leave the army to find a job!
If I got or get Into the RE I'd choose electricians and or plumbing.

Having loads of vehicle licences makes car Insurance cheaper and driving jobs easier to get, when you leave. And If you go Into the RE later you can earn qualifications and get another trade double whammy!

I heard you can re-enlist If you wanted to. I wanted to go as a Para first time round and I was super fit failed on something and want to try again.
I was told or advised go the rifles then the paras for instance so If you wanted to you can transfer or re-enlist!

But I'm thinking sensible! I no longer want a main Infrantry role! what trade should I do?


What trade/trades would make someone highly enjoyable when they come out?

Is doing 12 year In the RLC? And then 12 years In the RLE as a electrician a wise move?


I've checked alot I think most regiments It's 32/35yo Is the oldest they'll accept for most regiments I think so. You'd have to rejoin before this age.

But never the less any ex drivers or ex sappers answer my questions?

The RLC has 16 trades, which one do you want? Trades like Ammo Tech can get you promoted to Sgt by your 5 year point. Trades like driver means you are likely to still be a Cpl at your 12 year point. Trades like system Analysts (Which you can only transfer to) will set you up for a very well paid job on civvie street. Trades like photographer (Also what you can only transfer to) means you get to ponce about on parades and events while coining it in at Mess functions. Trades like tank transporter are dead men shoes for promotion.

Not all logistics get licenses (I don't think chefs do) Most get B, C and C plus E. All the Gucci courses like container handling are as rare as rocking horse shit and unless you join as a port op, you will be a the back of the queue.

On civvie street, HGV licences are no longer as rare as they were.

Transfers are a pain in the arse, I don't know what the RE policy is, but unless they are desperate for manpower, you will be fighting an uphill battle, particularly if you have rank.

If you want qualifications look at what the financial support the Army offers to gain qualifications, you can be any trade and get a completely different qualification at (mostly) the Army's expense.

 

[PrivatejokerFMJ]

If you want to be a Sapper, then make it your first and foremost selection from day 1.

Nail your colours to the mast and go full throttle at it.

Make sure your academic stuff is all up to speed as well. Chimera is correct, the Sparky trade is a competitive one and they can afford to cherry pick.

Don't worry about driving quals, they are pretty insignificant unless you want to leave the army and be a HGV driver or something. You will get your driving licence somewhere along the line.

Infantry stuff? If you get posted to a field squadron you will do enough of it to realise it gets very boring very quick. Especially with no real fighting tours on the horizon for the foreseeable.

If you are fit enough, and use basic training as a gauge, then you can volunteer for service with the Airborne or commando units in the Corps.

A hint though, keep it to yourself and see how you fare with the fitness in training.

Good luck and enjoy

I have 4 C grades at GCSE and done 3 year at College. When I did the Army Mock BARB test I scored highly this was like 3 years ago! I don't know If they stil do the BARB Test?

 

[Truxx]

Either. Just choose the one you fancy and go for it.

What will stand you in good stead for the future is all the broader leadership and management stuff.

Just get out there, work your arrse off and have fun.

 

[morsk]

. All the Gucci courses like container handling are as rare as rocking horse shit and unless you join as a port op, you will be a the back of the queue.

We throw RETCH courses around like confetti

 

[P.O.N.T.I]

Be a Sapper, be a man.

 

[stacker1]

We throw RETCH courses around like confetti

Who?

 

[oscar1whisky]

If you were recommended for Rifles or Paras it's possibly because you lack the academic background necessary for either RE or RLC.
Even ignoring that part, driving LGVs in civvy Street is nothing like driving in the army, you can expect to be away up to 13 hours every day, or away from home for weeks, neither is good for either social life nor relationships.
Ditto electricians: they can earn great salaries, after about 20 years experience doing all the shitty jobs along the way.

The benefits of an army career ( full, not a couple of years) are the transferable skills you pick up along the way, for which you pay the price physically or mentally.

Either way, as in any job or profession, don't expect a great outcome without a great input. Good luck.

 

[morsk]

Who?

A mainstream RLC unit. I know it to be true as the course applications pass across my desk. I can name at least 10 current and competent operators in the Regt.

 

[chimera]

I have 4 C grades at GCSE and done 3 year at College. When I did the Army Mock BARB test I scored highly this was like 3 years ago! I don't know If they stil do the BARB Test?

You will be scoring high enough to go for an RE trade. Don't waste you talents - aim as high as you can and go RE.