Joining the British Army

Jellicoe

Learn this song off by heart, it'll be handy for your nights out in Aldershot, and when your board cleaning the dust out of your kit in Camp Bastion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLph6ePNkGQ

B2deF

I haven't got the results in my leaving cert to join the british army as an officer but was wondering if a business degree would make me be able to join?

DipStick McSwindler

This post has been deleted.

tac foley

TBH, a good degree in a science subject, maths, physics, chemistry, ENGINEERING, or related subject would be viewed with a lot more interest.

The BA is not altogether impressed with so-called 'soft' degrees like cake-making and media studies, but it depends on what you want to do in the BA.

tac

B2deF

tac foley wrote: »

TBH, a good degree in a science subject, maths, physics, chemistry, ENGINEERING, or related subject would be viewed with a lot more interest.

The BA is not altogether impressed with so-called 'soft' degrees like cake-making and media studies, but it depends on what you want to do in the BA.

tac

What about Business degree?

IRLConor

B2deF wrote: »

What about Business degree?

It probably depends on whether or not they consider it a "soft" degree as tac put it. Some folks in the civilian world view business degrees as useful training in management, organisational behaviour, etc whereas others see them as homes for the academically bewildered. The truth is usually somewhere in between.

I suspect that you would be taken more seriously with a I or a II.1 from a well regarded business degree course than you would if you arrived with a II.1 or II.2 from a university perceived as having lower standards.

Is there any particular reason you're interested in doing a business degree? If you're just aiming for a piece of paper, make sure you do something you're interested in or else you'll have a miserable time of it in college.

B2deF

IRLConor wrote: »

B2deF wrote: »

What about Business degree?

It probably depends on whether or not they consider it a "soft" degree as tac put it. Some folks in the civilian world view business degrees as useful training in management, organisational behaviour, etc whereas others see them as homes for the academically bewildered. The truth is usually somewhere in between.

I suspect that you would be taken more seriously with a I or a II.1 from a well regarded business degree course than you would if you arrived with a II.1 or II.2 from a university perceived as having lower standards.

Is there any particular reason you're interested in doing a business degree? If you're just aiming for a piece of paper, make sure you do something you're interested in or else you'll have a miserable time of it in college.

I'm halfway through college and yes I hate it

DipStick McSwindler

This post has been deleted.

pablomakaveli

IrishFeeney92 wrote: »

im in the exact same boat, although I dont hate it, I would just rather be in the Army now at this stage. But the benefits of a degree are really beneficial, lets say you were to leave college, apply for the army and enter training, only to find out its not for you, as a lot of people tend to find out.

You have left a degree halfway through, went for the army and then left that. You have no qualifications apart from your leaving cert, you will have wasted around 2 years, and a potential Employer will look at your history and see a Man who starts things but doesn't finish them.

Now lets on the other hand see what happens if you finish your degree, you have an honors Degree (im presuming) in Business. you can if you like, apply to be an Officer in Sandhurst. you join up and find out its not for you, you have a fall-back option, a degree which can get you in the door of a job, not necessarily a business job but it will give you a foundation.

Your far better off finishing college

Thats what gets me through the day anyways

Fully agree with this. I did four years in college and got my degree before joining the army. Ive no regrets about doing it. I learned how to work hard and gained a lot of maturity and experience that has benefitted me so far in the army.

It will also look good for when you do apply if you have gotten your degree as it will show the recruiters you can work hard to achieve something. As IrishFeeney said its also something you can fall back should things not work out in the army.

SaoriseBiker

" Half of Army recruits have the literacy or numeracy skills of children leaving primary school, a report by the Basic Skills Agency says. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6418683.stm

Geekness1234

SaoriseBiker wrote: »

" Half of Army recruits have the literacy or numeracy skills of children leaving primary school, a report by the Basic Skills Agency says. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6418683.stm

Going to give your opinion on this?

SaoriseBiker

Geekness1234 wrote: »

Going to give your opinion on this?

Certainly don't need a degree to join the BA, if anything according to the link been uneducated seems to help.

Geekness1234

SaoriseBiker wrote: »

Certainly don't need a degree to join the BA, if anything according to the link been uneducated seems to help.

I really hate using this, but
:rolleyes: is the best response for your post.

P.S. your article you linked contradicts your post.

IRLConor

SaoriseBiker wrote: »

Certainly don't need a degree to join the BA, if anything according to the link been uneducated seems to help.

The linked article refers to enlisted personnel. B2deF was asking about joining as an officer. There's a very big difference in expectations and requirements for those joining as an officer.

As for the literacy of other ranks in the British Army, the article did suggest that they thought it wasn't good enough and that they were going to try to remedy it. I don't know what else you could expect from any organisation in the same position.

DipStick McSwindler

This post has been deleted.

pablomakaveli

SaoriseBiker wrote: »

" Half of Army recruits have the literacy or numeracy skills of children leaving primary school, a report by the Basic Skills Agency says. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6418683.stm

Another one of the "Hurr durr everyone in the British army is uneducated."

I can tell you now most personnel in the british army would have more qualifications than you. The truth hurts doesnt it.

Jellicoe

The brits take all walks of life, and they have job for them all.

DipStick McSwindler

This post has been deleted.

Jellicoe

Don't know what Oireachtas report (aka the corrupt muppet show) has got to do with joing the BA.

SaoriseBiker

pablomakaveli wrote: »

Another one of the "Hurr durr everyone in the British army is uneducated."

I can tell you now most personnel in the british army would have more qualifications than you. The truth hurts doesnt it.

Thanks for the laugh Walt

( Since your so interested, I have a diploma in electronics from the DIT or what they called the RTC in my day )

DipStick McSwindler

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discus

SaoriseBiker wrote: »

Thanks for the laugh Walt

( Since your so interested, I have a diploma in electronics from the DIT or what they called the RTC in my day )

Pablo is a soldier... How is he a walt?

Thanks for your input on this thread, a middle aged 'biker' with a chip on his shoulder was just what we needed to keep it alive!

Lemming

IrishFeeney92 wrote: »

A diplomas a level 6 isnt it?

AFAIK, yes it is.

pablomakaveli

SaoriseBiker wrote: »

Thanks for the laugh Walt

( Since your so interested, I have a diploma in electronics from the DIT or what they called the RTC in my day )

I have an Honours Degree in Electronic Engineering from CIT and im a Gunner in the RA. Im not a walt and im more qualified in your field than you are.

Local-womanizer

pablomakaveli wrote: »

I have an Honours Degree in Electronic Engineering from CIT and im a Gunner in the RA.Im not a walt and im more qualified in your field than you are.

Jayus, the dissidents are getting very serious! :P

RMD

If you're going to crack witty remarks about soldiers' education irrelevant of whatever force they're serving in; I'd suggest doing it from a higher pedestal than that of a level 6 qualification.

ro95

I cant get through to the careers office in Befast. does anyone know the number?

Rowldog

Just to be clear, for those currently in college or in secondary school, thinking of joining the BA, a degree is not entirely necessary to join as an Officer.

you don’t necessarily have to have a degree – your personal qualities are as important as your qualifications

If your intend to join as a PQO (Professional Qualified Officer) you will need a qualification.

The PQO Course is open to doctors, dentists, nurses, lawyers, pharmacists, physiotherapists, veterinary surgeons and chaplains with the relevant degrees and experience.

Morpheus

SaoriseBiker wrote: »

" Half of Army recruits have the literacy or numeracy skills of children leaving primary school, a report by the Basic Skills Agency says. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6418683.stm

[MOD]WARNING to you all. Dont get this thread dragged off topic. Im not familiar with you SaoirseBiker but if anyone wishes to properly discuss their opinion on the poor level of education of soldiers, either enlisted or officer personnel, in any army then please feel free to start a new thread. Otherwise I will infer that the poster is here to troll by posting up that british soldiers are criminals or illiterate and poorly educated followed by a 6 year old news clip and appropriate action will be taken. Consider this your one free exposure.[/MOD]

CJA James

I have heard many say that its very dangerous place for young Irish men, is this true that they put you to war straight away. I know some young people keen to join. What do you mean pick a job, is it not just being a soldier and to fight, have guys a real choice. Sorry if this sound like a silly question but I really don't know, when you say pick a job, is that like a cook, clerical worker, do you have those choices rather than on the front line.

Hareton

CJA James wrote: »

I have heard many say that its very dangerous place for young Irish men, is this true that they put you to war straight away. I know some young people keen to join. What do you mean pick a job, is it not just being a soldier and to fight, have guys a real choice. Sorry if this sound like a silly question but I really don't know, when you say pick a job, is that like a cook, clerical worker, do you have those choices rather than on the front line.

It is and isn't as easy as picking a job. You do get to choose but you have to meet the requirements and it depends on weather or not there are spots available. Everyone still has to do recruit training first and qualify.

Correct me if I'm wrong

tac foley

Hareton wrote: »

It is and isn't as easy as picking a job. You do get to choose but you have to meet the requirements and it depends on weather or not there are spots available. Everyone still has to do recruit training first and qualify.

Correct me if I'm wrong

Regardless what trade you follow in the British Army, you are always a soldier first, THEN a tradesman.

However, the likelihood of a cook being expected to man a mortar or plan a fire mission is ludicrous in the extreme.

Horses for courses, gentlemen.

Infanteers fight.

Gunners gun.

Cooks cook.

Tankies tank.

Support specialists support.

Engineers engineer and combat engineers have fun blowing things up, or building them, depending on the task.

Intelligencers do INTEL.

Signallers signal.

But ALL have to d othe very same basic training, capisce?

James, you really need to talk to somebody who is actually IN the British Army to get any idea of what goes on - the BA website is a good place to start.

Only then can you make up your own mind whether being a soldier is for you.

tac

tac foley

CJA James wrote: »

I have heard many say that its very dangerous place for young Irish men, is this true that they put you to war straight away. I know some young people keen to join. What do you mean pick a job, is it not just being a soldier and to fight, have guys a real choice. Sorry if this sound like a silly question but I really don't know, when you say pick a job, is that like a cook, clerical worker, do you have those choices rather than on the front line.

Being ANY kind of a soldier is dangerous, Irish or whatever, regardless of WHAT nationality you are. Ammunition, as they say, is not only colour blind, but not picky either with regard to where you come from.

I AM concerned that you are being told by somebody that anybody who is Irish who joins the British Army is instantly singled out for special treatment and given the most dangerous tasks. Infantry do things in teams, called sections, platoons, companies and battalions. Soldiers do things together and the team is ALL.

The suggestion that you'll be picked on because you are Irish, Sir, is total garbage. I can tell you that I stood out in my recruit squad with MY looks [redhead, milk-white skin, built like a navvie], and my name - FOLEY. The only other Foley I ever met in my entire 33 years soldiering was a general from the English Foleys. I can also inform you that although it certainly got interesting a few times, I never actually got killed even once. Please note that the largest infantry regiment in the British Army is The Royal Irish, with a very high percentage of Irishmen from south of the border. Oh, and don't forget the Irish Guards, part of the Household Division, whose badge is the shamrock, and whose motto is 'Who shall separate us?' and whose Colonel in Chief is the Queen.

People SHOOT guns at you because of the funny clothes that you wear when you are a soldier.

Going to war is what soldiers do. Unless, of course, the war comes to YOU.

Perhaps you need to talk to a soldier before you do anything else.

tac

Maoltuile

tac foley wrote: »

and whose Colonel in Chief is the Queen.

I wouldn't take that as being a positive... (and next up is Charles, presumably).

goldie fish

Is it the Queen now? It used to be Queen Mum, But I thought young William was made CinC on the occasion of his wedding.

CJA James

Thanks a lot for clearing up questions as I know some people say things with no experience of them and its clear you do. Thanks again

blueyblue

may i throw in a question ? I am 27 i live in Dublin but i am English (i know i know sorry blame my parents ) I an considering applying for the British army i have a wife and 2 children i have already read the website and what it says about having your family with you and such but i like to hear it from the horses mouth, as anyone been through this situation or know anybody who has ?

thanks for any help

tac foley

blueyblue wrote: »

may i throw in a question ? I am 27 i live in Dublin but i am English (i know i know sorry blame my parents ) I an considering applying for the British army i have a wife and 2 children i have already read the website and what it says about having your family with you and such but i like to hear it from the horses mouth, as anyone been through this situation or know anybody who has ?

thanks for any help

Sir - you really need to get the real skinny directly from the staff in the NI recruiting office. Depending on what kind of a career you intend to follow in the British Army, you WILL be away from your family on deployment and training for deployment [infantry], or simply sent where there may be a shortage of married quarters available. Having a ready-made family at your age, and embarking on a life-changing career like the Armed Forces of ANY country needs to be given some VERY serious thought. Not to put too fine a point on it, but daddy doesn't always come home from work. Do your wife and children understand this?

I was in a part of the British Army where we were moved around as individuals, and not in groups, and I reckon that even taking that into account, I spent a good quarter of my time away from my family on detachment/deployment, much of it at VERY short notice. One of my postings, for two years, involved me moving to a location where there were positively NO married/accompanied accommodations at all.

Think hard about this one, I beg you.

tac

EDIT - not to put too fine a point on it, but you will STILL be competing for entry, and the British Army likes its infantry/artillery/engineers - in fact, anbody who is likely to be in the firing line - as young as possible. You realise, I hope, that if you are 27 now, you'll be well on the way to 29 before you got to your unit even IF you got taken in this very day. There will be sergeants younger than you are now.

DylanOByrne

Smiley Dave wrote: »

Thanks for the help!

I rang them earlier today around 4pm but didn't get any answer so I've sent an email off. I'll probably try ring again tomorrow though as well.

I've had a look at the different jobs and the combat roles seem to be interesting me more.

Hi Dave, what number did you use to ring them. Ive been trying the one on their website but its not working

knucklehead6

DylanOByrne wrote: »

Hi Dave, what number did you use to ring them. Ive been trying the one on their website but its not working

His last post was 5 years ago Dylan. i wouldn't be holding my breath for an answer.

Just out of interest i tried the Belfast number and got an engaged tone. Then i tried the Coleraine office and it rang

DylanOByrne

knucklehead6 wrote: »

His last post was 5 years ago Dylan. i wouldn't be holding my breath for an answer.

Just out of interest i tried the Belfast number and got an engaged tone. Then i tried the Coleraine office and it rang

The same happened me with Belfast number. I must try Coleraine. Really what I want to know is someone like myself who is from the south able to apply for a commissioned role in regiments other than the royal Irish or Irish guards.

tac foley

DylanOByrne wrote: »

The same happened me with Belfast number. I must try Coleraine. Really what I want to know is someone like myself who is from the south able to apply for a commissioned role in regiments other than the royal Irish or Irish guards.

With an Army as diverse as the BA, it's a good idea to have a firm grasp on what you WANT to do. The so-called Teeth Arms include infantry like the Royal Irish, The Parachute Regiment and all the other line infantry regiments, of which there are many, the Royal Artillery and the Corps of Royal Engineers - all of which have a direct role in combat.

I've known Irish officers from the Republic all of them.

There are also many other places to find a niche, again, depending on what you see yourself actually doing. To find THAT out, you are going to have to make contact with the BA careers information office in NI - the subject is simply too big to offer you any real information as it is.

What are YOUR interests? What did you study or are you studying at college/university? What have YOU to offer the BA?

Becoming an officer in the BA is a two-way thing.

tac