Joining the Army

[Doobrey]

Turambar wrote:
Im hoping to join up as an engineer of some sort (although the actual job will be limited by my colour blindness)

Bomb disposal?? :nervous:

But why limit yourself to the army jobs?
There are plenty of ground support jobs in the RAF too.
Whatever choice you make, good luck for the future.

[KennyR]

mdma wrote:
Use your head, Teach.

I'm currently completing my PGCE at the moment, and I can honestly tell you that teaching is the most rewarding job I have ever done, except parenting that is!

That's the second most unlikely job I'd do. There's no way I'd put up with the abuse from the average classroom. Actually the military might be better, because they at least have a modicum of respect for you. There aren't enough teachers because they're leaving after the first couple of years of systematic verbal, emotional, and even physical abuse, and with the system protecting the abusers rather than the victims.

[Speelgoedmannetje]

But why limit yourself to the army jobs?
There are plenty of ground support jobs in the RAF too.

RAF? Rote Armee Fraktion?

(ignore me)

KennyR wrote:

mdma wrote:
Use your head, Teach.

I'm currently completing my PGCE at the moment, and I can honestly tell you that teaching is the most rewarding job I have ever done, except parenting that is!

That's the second most unlikely job I'd do. There's no way I'd put up with the abuse from the average classroom. Actually the military might be better, because they at least have a modicum of respect for you. There aren't enough teachers because they're leaving after the first couple of years of systematic verbal, emotional, and even physical abuse, and with the system protecting the abusers rather than the victims.

With my bad temper, there is no way i'd teach kids.  At the moment my students are early twenties to late thirties, and it's gonna stay that way once i qualify for real.

I will have to teach 16-19 year olds shortly, but not for long.  The best thing about teaching programming, is that the problem kids don't take the courses! :-)

You'll think i'm really mad, when i tell you that i'm interested in teaching in prisons!

-edit-

Where I say "problem kids", you can take it that I mean "Chav's". :-)

[iamaboringperson]

DON'T DO IIITTT! They'll make you do funny things, and they will yell at you, and they might call you nasty names, and..
Oh, what the heck, if it's your choice, go for it.

civilian life just isn't doing it for me.

But why??

[whabang]

Turambar wrote:
Im considering it - again.

Any insight into life in the army from people who have actually served will be much appreciated, regardless of country. I'd rather not have politics brought into it by people who have never served. Im hoping to join up as an engineer of some sort (although the actual job will be limited by my colour blindness), civilian life just isn't doing it for me. I'd like a job where i can make a difference. Is the army likely to be a good choice?

I spent a lot of time avoiding being drafted (my knees would never have made it through), and you want to volunteer?!?!?! :-D
Seriously, though, If you feel like it then do it. You'll have plenty of time for regret later. On the other hand, you live in a country where the army actually risks getting involved in fighting. If you're not prepared to kill or get killed, then you should probably stay away.

[Cyberus]

Turambar wrote:
Im considering it - again.

I've considered it on and off for a number of years. The thing is, if I leave it a a few more years, I'll be too old to join anyway...
Have you considered the TA?

Any insight into life in the army from people who have actually served will be much appreciated, regardless of country.

I think the_leander served...but dunno where he's got to recently. I used to work with a couple of people who served. I remember one of them saying "Ah, twas great being in the army, you got to travel, everything paid for, loads of shaggin'. I wouldne be a soldier now though, in the current climate". I've got a friend who's not actually in the Army, but works for them - he's going to Iraq at the beginning of December.

I'd rather not have politics brought into it by people who have never served.

Do you think its that easy to keep KennyR out of the discussion?! :lol:

Im hoping to join up as an engineer of some sort (although the actual job will be limited by my colour blindness), civilian life just isn't doing it for me. I'd like a job where i can make a difference. Is the army likely to be a good choice?

As good as any, but as others said, there's the option of thr Navy and RAF. One of my friends is in the TA Signals; He's a programmer by trade, but I think he gets to use his skills in this role.

I think bjjones listed the advantages - they pay for pretty much *everything*, you can do lots of training, travel, etc.
The thing is, if you have decentish A levels you'd probably go in as an officer. I'm not sure I'd want to go in as rank and file, myself, but perhaps that's just me...


Oh, and as an aside - I too find that teaching is by far the most rewarding job I've ever done. All those Japanese, Hungarian, French, Italian, Spanish. Polish and Baltic ladies that I teach don't hurt either ;-)

[Turambar]

I expressed interest a few years ago but couldnt join up as a soldier due to not being off daily medication for the required two years, i told them my exam results and they keep sending me officer recuitment packs Dunno about being an officer though, i'd rather do some work....  :-P