22 replies to this topic

[Artful Dodger]

Black.Tulip is in Afghanistan. Big respect from all of us then

2nd that. Best of luck with the tour!!

[OllieTheWelder]

Im in the army and in Afghanistan now (got here last Saturday, 6 months to go!). I can't really provide much advice on the aviation side of things, but as for the forces in many ways it is a great career. You will meet so many new friends from all walks of life, people that you might think you would not normally be friends with. You will get to do adventure training and things at heavily discounted rates.

The RAF and Navy tend to get treated somewhat better than the army and not messed around as much, but you still have to remember once you sign up, your life is no longer your own so to speak. It puts a strain on relationships, and you have to work when you are told, no questions etc. Armed forces helps to introduce discipline etc. There is also the benefit of free gym membership (o camp!) the whole time, although the RAF are not known for extreme fitness levels (sorry, sly dig haha).

With reference to your comment about liking different cultures and therefore liking Afghanistan, I wouldn't worry about that. By the time you are done we will be out of here in a combat role and well on the way to drawing down. The kind of area you are looking at would not really put you in much regular contact with the local population of Afghanistan anyway. There are many local workers on the big camps, but the majority don't speak English and you have little if any interaction with them.

The armed forces is a good career overall and I am glad I joined up when I did. Go along to the local recruiting office and see what information they can give you. Just be aware they will obviously be biased. But like said above, don't leave school just yet - finish your a levels first. You are still young and any service you do before the age of 18 doesn't even count towards your career years anyway. I would also suggest you are very unlikely to be accepted as an officer at 17 with no a-levels. Without sounding patronising, there will be many grad students going for the same places and with more life experience than you. The armed forces are not expanding in size any time soon so I would imagine they could be somewhat more selective with the more specialised roles that will have many applicants.

Personally, if my eyesight wasn't rubbish, I would have gone for heli pilot. I'd absolutely love to be an Apache pilot out here. Or Fast Air. Not a bad job if you can get it.

From what I've heard everyone's saying it's great, I've booked myself a careers interview so I look forward to that. I would also love to be a pilot but I'm aiming realistically and know I probably can't achieve what it takes to be a pilot (I do have 20-20 vision though! haha) I understand what you mean about not interacting with the locals that much and troops are due to return by the time I'd be in the forces. I realised I wouldn't get in as an officer without a-levels/degree so I'm going to continue with my a-levels. The one thing I will probably find hard will be the long term, possibly life commitments however I think I should be ok. I'll let you know how i get on at the careers office!

Ollie.

[sledgehammer]

Black.Tulip is in Afghanistan. Big respect from all of us then

2nd that. Best of luck with the tour!!

as above - be safe

[mattdc2r]

I'm on Terminal leave after over 16 years in the RAF. Things are changing dramatically for the Armed Forces and not all for the better. However, the training is pretty good, although I'm leaving with lots of Q annotations rather than any useful. Ivilian qualifications. The experience overall has been good and I would still recommend the forces. However, if you have the smarts it is definitely worth going for a commision. There are some trades that will accept you with A levels, but ideally you want a degree, especially if you want go be an Engineer. My advice, if you can stick it out, go to Uni and join the UAS, may find that with their instruction and guidance you could even end up being a pilot. Good luck, whatever your decision.

[Black.Ghost]

Don't write yourself off with regards being a pilot. Prince Harry is awesome, but even after all the money his dad spent on his education he only got a couple of A-levels. Intelligence is not a good indication of whether or not you would make a good pilot. If its something you really want, give it a go. If you don't make it, at least you know you tried. Its better than sitting there thinking I wish I was a pilot but never having the balls to try for fear of failure.

Lol Black.Tulip? I couldn't work out whether you were being sarcastic at first. But I'll take it at face value, thanks! I'm actually helping to teach the ANA some stuff. Our terp is from London and is awesome! The two guys in the ANA have a few funny stories to tell as well. The insurgency gives these people a bad name. They have a few customs and practices that are alien to the west and some which are frankly a disgrace, but overall a lot of the people really are decent.

[Cooperman]

You guys might like this:

A Taliban, desperate for water, was plodding through the Afghan desert when he saw something far off in the distance. Hoping to find water, he hurried toward the oasis only to find a British soldier selling regimental ties.

The Taliban asked, "Do you have water?" The soldier replied, "There is no water, the well is dry. Would you like to buy a tie instead? They are only £5."

The Taliban shouted, "You idiot infidel! I do not need an over-priced tie. I need water! I should kill you, but I must find water first!"

"OK," said the soldier, "It does not matter that you do not want to buy a tie and that you hate me. I will show you that I am bigger than that, and that I am a much better human being than you. If you continue over that hill to the east for about two miles, you will find our Officers Mess. It has all the ice cold water you need. Inshallah."

Cursing him, the Taliban staggered away over the hill.

Several hours later he staggered back, collapsed with dehydration and rasped..... "They won't let me in without a f***ing tie!"

[mad mk1]

HaHaHa or a polo shirt

[WillRunci]

or brown shoes, brown belt and chinos

Edited by WillRunci, 24 March 2013 - 11:06 PM.