Becoming an officer in the PDF

sean0502

right, must of what i am about to say in this is most likely wrong, but ill give it a go anyway, any help will be much appreciated

im 16 and for a while now ive been considering joining the army, however, despite being a full irish citizen, ive been brought up in england and so have devoloped an english accent and english qualifications

i haven't completed my GCSE's yet, however, i am predicted almost all A/A* grades, and am on course to get these. i plan on then going onto 6th form and gaining my 4 A Levels (Leaving Cert) in English Lit, History, Maths and Music, before moving onto uni in Ireland, studying Music or English Lit or a course related to that

however, with these qualifications i dont simply want to join the ranks, but instead get a commission and, if possible, serve overseas. i realise that i am still years away from achieving this, but, at the moment at least, this seems like a possible route for me.

i was just wondering how i might go about this? is it possible to perhaps sign up without going to university first? would my accent be a factor, perhaps not in being accepted but once i begin training etc.
atm im physically fit enough to pass the fitness test, and to pass the medical, and im keen on sports of various kind so i dont see that as being a problem.


i appreciate that there is a lot of questions that i am asking, however, ive done my best to research what i can, however, many websites contradict the other in terms off information.

hope someone can help clarify a few things, and thanks in advance

diverdriver

Your accent shouldn't be a factor except that you have to P taken out of you by other cadets. You are Irish after all and British accents are common enough here among people brought up in Britain. So it's the least of your worries.

Your educational qualifications seem OK but you really need to look into the fact of whether or not they are suitable to meet the matriculation requirements. The notable one being the need for a foreign language. Which you appear not to be studying. You will probably get an exemption for Irish but you still need another language. The matriculation requirements are stumbling block many have fallen at. They also still apply if you are a graduate. So that needs to looked into.

Incidentally, music and English literature don't leap out as obvious courses a potential officer might take.

Cadetships are strenously contested and you really will have to compete with seriously good candidates to get one. Make sure you give yourself every chance by providing the interview boards with what they look for in a potential officer.

BigDuffman

A degree will certainly help! Regarding the whole accent issue...you can certainly expect the urine to be extracted. Take it with a pinch of salt and bare the chin.

Exactly the same reception you'd recieve with an Irish accent in the BA. Good natured banter!

In fairness you could have an Offaly accent....

sean0502

To be honest, i would expect nothing less concerning my accent:p

Sorry i meant to mention that, at GCSE ive taken french, and at the moment im on course to get a B, is that far enough to take a foriegn langauge or do i need it at A level?
I also know what you mean about the two degrees not really seeming like courses for a potential officers, but i cant really think of any courses that is if you know what i mean?

Thanks for your helps so far lads

sunnyjim

Do you drink Gin?

Dacian

sunnyjim wrote: »

Do you drink Gin?

Bit of a throwback to the Raj there but hits the nail.....


In regards to the degree subjects; I recognise the point being made by DiverDriver but what subjects are directly relevant to being an officer. Engineering? Physics? Geography? History? (Personally Music doesn't seem applicable to a modern military officier)

Surely the importance of the degree is as a measure of the candidates ability to study and learn the subject matter. You cannot do a degree in Discipline, Leadership, Courage under Fire, etc. Many famous Generals came from less then obvious beginnings...............

LD 50

A degree in political Sci or something like that would probably be another good choice.

p1akuw47h5r3it

Dacian wrote: »

Bit of a throwback to the Raj there but hits the nail.....


In regards to the degree subjects; I recognise the point being made by DiverDriver but what subjects are directly relevant to being an officer. Engineering? Physics? Geography? History? (Personally Music doesn't seem applicable to a modern military officier)

Surely the importance of the degree is as a measure of the candidates ability to study and learn the subject matter. You cannot do a degree in Discipline, Leadership, Courage under Fire, etc. Many famous Generals came from less then obvious beginnings...............

I do Business Studies wit Russian in trinners

Jus wondering would the management side of a civvy degree in anyway transfer to the managent "module" u do when learning to be an officer.

And is having a secound language give you an advantage in the PDF at all??

Like (I think) in the Ba you get more money.