Commando's or Para's

[Cabby]

Here we go then....

No. 2 son doesn't have the patience to do the A levels to go in as an Officer (Dick!).

He wants to join up and then qualify whilst he's in and then do it....

I'm a bit sceptical that it's that simple but I know that there's plenty of you that know better than me.

I want him to get as much advice as possible 'cos he's going stir crazy here now he's unemployed.

He' not idealistic about it (he's got a cynical father apparently )...So no dreaming about righteous missions etc...

SO...Para's OR Commando's...and prospects of becoming an Officer from the inside.....poss transfer to flying?

If he insists on doing it I want him to do it the right way

Thanks again Peeps.

P.S. He's got the Physical and Mental stuff goin' on.

[Wee Jack]

What colour are his eyes ?? thats what should decide it - can't have your beret clashing with your eyes.

Seriously though !! - i've never been in the forces , but i would imagine it's quite hard to progress from the ranks to officer training unless you are truly outstanding , and to progress from infantry grunt to fly-boy must be even harder.

Convince him to do the A levels- apart from giving him a potential step - up it will give him a wider choice.

[Snaphappy]

PM'd what I've said shouldn't be posted public

[phil w]

As an Oficer life is good in both I imagine. As a RE I worked with 9 Sqn Para and 59 Cdo squadrons of the RE. Despite what I think of both the Cdos were the better of the 2 Para were more death or glory attitude

[Snaphappy]

If he really cant wait to finish his studies and he is looking at the hope of flying then join direct to the Army Air Corps. You do not have to be an officer to learn to fly and can become a pilot as a NCO, If he has the education already that will help with further studies, studying in the AAC is encouraged by all ranks and he will find help at every level, AirTrooper or officer.

Which ever way he chooses it must be his choice but he should be aware that what ever he decides now will decide his future. Dont be hasty and talk to as many people as possible civvies and military.

[Cabby]

Can you join directly to the Army Air Corps ?

[phil w]

Yup

[Snaphappy]

All you have to do is pass the Aptitude test, some regiments you can get in if you can spell your name others require a bit more ie AAC, REME, Royal Engineers,

[barftone]

My nephew is in training in the para's at Catterick at the moment. My dad was in the paras 22 years and only made sergeant.

James (nephew) would not listen to us trying to get him to get a trade in the army before he joined (he was offered engineers) but I think he now realises it might have been a good idea... .

As said before, fighting your way up the ranks is bloody hard from the bottom. Better to try straight off for officer or get a good trade if you can (they don't listen ).

Air technician is the REME (fixing helicopters) and not the Army Air Corp as many think. After training you will be attached to the AAC. I lasted 2 years at 16 in Arborfield as an airtech trainee. In those days once you left college you normally made sergeant pretty quickly as that was the standard rank for an airtech.

He won't see much of the enemy in Afganistan anyway, just the bullets!!

[j]

Tell him to join the engineers and get a trade such as refridgerator engineering or vehicle maintanance something he can use when he is let loose. If he becomes a crap hat or a green machine then his only exit is to become a driver or a security guard or a member of the emergency services. once he has done his trade he can be posted with any unit.