I'm off to the Army!

[Tungtvann]

Yep,

I haven't posted for a long time, so not many people would really know who I am, but hey.

I passed my recruit selection the other week and I am going to join the RAC (Royal Armoured Corps) in one of the heavy armour regiments (Challenger 2 MBT crewman)

So yeah, I've been accepted for the British Army and I will be leaving in October. I have to do 14 weeks of Phase 1 training (basic training, all soldiers do), down in Winchester not far from the South coast of England. And after I complete that and 'Pass Out' (when you actually are passed as a trained soldier). And then I will do about 14 weeks again of Phase 2 in Bovington even further down the South coast which will train me how to drive tanks!

I am going to quit my job in 3 weeks or so and then take some time off before leaving to spend time with family and friends (I live in London away from them and don't see them much) before my life becomes kinda 'busy' for some time. I don't want to leave work on Friday and then start Army training on the Monday!

I don't know how you all feel about the military and that, but I am looking foward to it! I might get a chance to report back here in a few months with some stories to tell and maybe some pictures of tanks and crap!

Anyway, I'm not off for a while yet, but I have to get prepared with my fitness and stuff so I can get a head start in training and not be unfit as I am pretty lazy at the moment.

That's about it, I don't really know what I expect you to say, wish me good luck, tell me I am mad, whatever.

[ruaidhri]

Good luck. All countries need people like you that are willing to stand up and defend their way of life. I served my country (US) in the Coast Guard in the early 1960's. It was a great experience.

Do join a health club and do make yourself fit before entering boot camp. You don't want to be the guy that has to do remedial training. It lengthens your time in Boot Camp and those unlucky enough to be in that group generally go through hell.

There are days when you’re going to question your decision to join but don’t let that drag you down. After you’ve been trained you will be happy.

[Trump]

It sounds like you've made up your mind. I hope your decision makes you happy!

[erbiumfiber]

I agree with ruaidhri, be sure you get in shape. I was in Air Force ROTC in college in the US and broke my foot 3 months before summer "field training." My running time was not up to speed and I caught hell for that although I made time after a few days. Try to train by getting up early and running as well, that will help you transition to jumping out of bed at 5 in the morning.

Keep your head down if you get sent to Iraq or Afghanistan!

[Mechs]

Keep your head down if you get sent to Iraq or Afghanistan!

He doesn't have to worry about that. I don't think Britain has any heavy armor over in either country.

MBT Crewman huh? So are you going to be driving, loader, or gunner? Oh, and bring back some stories. When I ship for U.S. Army OSUT, I want to see if British Army basic training is really better than U.S. Army basic training like I've been hearing over the years.

Yeah man, good luck down there.

[Pierrot le Fou]

Best of luck. Get in shape, check your attitude at the door, and do your best to learn what you're going to need to. I hope it's a great experience for you, and that you come away with it with good training, a chunk of change in your wallet, and stories to tell your grandkids.

Stay safe.

[CrazyAce86]

First of all, my husband would call you an idiot. (He's serving in the US Army and wants to create a site called Don't Go Army.) After that, though, he'd tell you to go for it.

Personally, whatever makes you happy. You want to go army? Go ahead. I hope you have a great time and enjoy yourself. Seeing as you don't have to worry too much about war, I'd say you will.

Have fun, blow shit up, and make some good memories. Best of luck to ya, amigo.

[Trump]

What kind of response is that? "My husband would call you an idiot." No explanation, nothing. Then you say exactly the opposite in the next sentence? Whatever

BTW, if you get to use any of the tank simulators, let me know what you think. The company I work for helps build some of them =)

[Orclover]

Do join a health club and do make yourself fit before entering boot camp. You don't want to be the guy that has to do remedial training. It lengthens your time in Boot Camp and those unlucky enough to be in that group generally go through hell.

Solid advice. I ended up in PCP (Pork Chop Platoon) myself, it was perhaps one of the worst experiences of my life (rest of boot was great). Went from 245 to 198 in under a month, Jenny Craige aint got nothing on D.I's.

[RotoruaBoy]

If you do join the military, you probably will regret it for the 2 years. But if you didn't, you would end up regreting it for life.

[Jetsetlemming]

Good luck, and enjoy the experience. Pay attention to your higher ups and surroundings. :D

[sushi]

Best of luck with the army :)
I wouldn't last 2 minutes in the army i have no stamina or determination.

[chad mullet]

I wouldn't last 2 minutes in the army i have no stamina or determination.

Me neither - and I wouldn't fancy being shot at by some homicidal Jihadist.
On the other hand you may get a chance to kill some of them first.

[Scott Vincent]

:clap: Good luck! Like others have said, getting in shape is a must if you're going to the Army. I know a few who served in the U.S. Army, and while they said it was though, the experience was worth it. The Army is not for everyone, but if you want to join, then go for it.

Stay safe, stay strong, and don't forget to learn a thing or two.

[jihei18]

Good luck, you insane, insane person! You seem excited about this, so I'm sure you'll do well. Enjoy your free time!

[Peej]

The Army isnt all bad, I cant really say about the British Army though. Look on the bright side though, if you do deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan you will be allowed to drink a little whereas the US military cannot :( All in all though being in the military has snet me to places I would have never been to if I never joined and I have seen and done things that some people only dream of doing.

[whispering]

I'm in the army at the moment, as you dont have much of a choice around here :( Now training to be a pioneer. But will know for sure after the basic training what i will be. Basic training lasts about 2 months here. I've been there for about 4 weeks now, and i cant think of a worse place to be in :P I'm physically in a shitty shape, was in an office job before and didnt do any sports, so it makes it really hard to keep up with all. Anyway best of luck :)

[Peej]

I'm in the army at the moment, as you dont have much of a choice around here :( Now training to be a pioneer. But will know for sure after the basic training what i will be. Basic training lasts about 2 months here. I've been there for about 4 weeks now, and i cant think of a worse place to be in :P I'm physically in a shitty shape, was in an office job before and didnt do any sports, so it makes it really hard to keep up with all. Anyway best of luck :)


You're going through Basic Training now and you have access to the internet?!? Wow, talk about a difference in training methods :eyepop:

[whispering]

You're going through Basic Training now and you have access to the internet?!? Wow, talk about a difference in training methods :eyepop:
Nah, i'm home at the moment :P For me it was: first weekend in army, after that weekends are usually off, have to go back tomorrow. Though there is a place there (cafeteria for soldiers/conscripts) where you can use internet in your freetime. Also i can take a laptop there, which i could use in freetime (which we dont have much in basic training, usually 30-60 minutes/day). Another diffrence is (afaik) that we got our guns sooner, and go to shooting practices after about a week. Where as ive heard in US you go to shooting practices after 4 weeks?

[Mechs]

The Army isnt all bad, I cant really say about the British Army though. Look on the bright side though, if you do deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan you will be allowed to drink a little whereas the US military cannot :( All in all though being in the military has snet me to places I would have never been to if I never joined and I have seen and done things that some people only dream of doing.

Peej, if you don't mind me asking, what is your MOS?

[Peej]

I'm a 98C and I wish I could tell you what it is like but I have not worked in my MOS for about 3 years. Before deployment everyone is trained in Infantry tactics and for the most part we are all infantry out here in Iraq. :(

[Bliss]

Good luck. (By the way, I actually do remember you)

[Peej]

Who me? .

[ST185]

Nah, i'm home at the moment :P For me it was: first weekend in army, after that weekends are usually off, have to go back tomorrow. Though there is a place there (cafeteria for soldiers/conscripts) where you can use internet in your freetime. Also i can take a laptop there, which i could use in freetime (which we dont have much in basic training, usually 30-60 minutes/day). Another diffrence is (afaik) that we got our guns sooner, and go to shooting practices after about a week. Where as ive heard in US you go to shooting practices after 4 weeks?

In the US Marines, we are issued our rifles during the second week of boot camp. However, all we do with them is drill until week 5. During week 5, we learn about marksmanship and practice how to hold it and aim it. Week 6 we get live rounds and shoot on a range. Week 7 there are a few days where we shoot again while wearning gas masks or at night using illumination flares. We don't shoot them again duirng the remaining 5 weeks of boot camp although we still drill with them.

I was in the first "class" to use the above schedule. Before I went to boot camp, recruits were not learning marksmanship skills until week 7, shooting during week 8, and field firing (with gas masks and night time) during week 9. Boot camp was still 13 weeks though.

In Marine Combat Training, where non-infantry marines learn basic infantry skills, there are a few days where we shoot live rounds. Once is when learning to advance on a target. The other day is when learning to use weapons other than the M-16A2. Those other weapons are the M-240G, 7.62mm medium machine gun, M2 .50 caliber medium machine gun, and AT-4 anti-tank weapon (but it really just shoots a 9mm round for the training weapon).