Got Some News I Should Share With People Who Had Experience

[K1LLERz]

I want to be in army, but is it the right choice? Its something I'd want to do by I'm not 100% sure and I need to be clear in what I choose to do.

URL: http://www.army.mod.uk/join/How-to-join.aspx

[P33Tza]

Thoughts from a retired military peep (i.e., me):
- Go to Army's sister services on what they offer (Air Force, Navy, etc.); focusing on your desires.
- Ensure promises are in "writing" (in the contract). For example, what job you have, where you'll be posted.
- Talk to members of each of the services, asking them for their pros/cons.
- Take one of (or each of) the services' screening (e.g., aptitude) tests that quantify what your personality/strengths are. I wanted to be a bricky or heavy duty equipment operator. They didn't have any openings for me in the timeframe I needed to join. BUT...they did have an administrative-type job (admin, IT): I took that slot and had a successful career...ALL based on the results of my aptitude test.
Hope this helps mate.
PEETza

[K1LLERz]

Wow this does help. Thanks very much

[DemikDaGawd]

Definitely do like he said and get your "promises" in writing. Some recruiters will promise you the world in order to get you to sign up. But if they are not in the contract, its your word against theirs.

Food for thought.

[P33Tza]

Wow this does help. Thanks very much

No worries mate. Feel free to hmu if you have any other questions/concerns. You can post them on this forum; I can't accept/send PMs as I'm still in recruitment phase. Or we could chat on the phone; I live in UK too...been here since 1986. Posted here with US Air Force for 13 years, then retired.

I can't even think what I would've ended up as if I hadn't joined up and left my I'm-18-and-I've-got-life-by-the-balls (sic) life. Some of my friends crashed and burned after I left. One died staging an armed robbery, others by overdoses, etc. On a positive note, I got paid to see the world (US West Coast states, Guam, Korea, Japan, UK, Saudi Arabia, etc.

Best thing: I met my lovely British wife...that was reason enough to join.

Another thought is that you may want to do the part-time (Reserves?) version of service. I was full-time mil, but know others who thrive as Reservists (not sure if that's the proppa UK term).

I'll say "well done" to you now; it seems like you've got the right attitude (asking for help/advise) and willingness to sacrifice some personal freedoms (during enlistment). The sacrifices are small compared to the GAINS you'll make as a person.

Cheers.