Education vs Army...advice please

stargaze

Hey everyone,

Really sorry if this is the wrong place just looking for advice and its my first time on here!

Since i've been a wee one I've always wanted to join the army. This has not changed or wavered in the last decade or so and it's still a career goal of mine. However, Im currently an under grad student who is thinking about continuing on in a masters in criminology and terrorism over in UCL.

I guess what I'm wondering is if I hold out and finish my studies I could be realistically 24/25 by the time I even apply for the first time to the cadets/military. Will this be seen as a positive or negative? Will my education stand for what I'm lacking in age? Am I mad not to just join in the next round and learn through the forces while the places are still available etc? I'm terrified that by continuing on just to finish what I want to learn education wise I could miss out on the actual end goal, which for me is joining the forces.

I know it sounds really silly but I'd just love abit of perspective on it from someone who is either in the forces already or anyone with a bit more knowledge on this issue than me and the process.

Thanks again!

Atlantic Dawn

There's currently no recruitment in the Defence Forces due to cut backs, I'd recommend making alternative plans with your education until things change.

Stuartp

I say To finish Your studies Because Army Allows To join At different times And Can be Quite Flexible But Education College.etc Cant So Go for Education Mate My Opinion

PS: am In cadets Have to be determined And Not be A Prat To Succeed There

Manic Moran

No harm in being educated when you apply. Keep with the education for now.

NTM

RMD

My plan right now is Undergrad - Army - Masters. I think going back into postgrad education oddly enough will be an easier way or readjusting to civilian life than going straight into a job + responsibilities. Who knows though, everything could change.

hk

No reason not to join esp if you have your under grad. My advice is to apply as an option and there is nothing stopping you doing a masters in the future part time.

lapsed

You haven't a hope in hell of being accepted as a cadet these days without a level 8 degree. They're not going to pay for four years in NUIG when they can recruit a grad. So stick to the course.

SIRREX

Now is the time to apply for a Cadetship, it was opened to applications yesterday. If you are due to finish your course this summer the timing should be ideal for you, however your plans to do a masters would probably have to go on hold unless you were to do it part-time.

The army is not going to train you for 15 months, pass you out as a 2Lt, promote you to Lt, only to let you swan off for another year to college. Thats the whole reason for the swing towards recruiting mostly graduates, they want you on the ground, working, ASAP after commisioning.

Yitzhak Rabin

Hi Stargaze,

If your ultimate goal is to join the DF, then apply now. If you don't get in, then no harm done, and you'll have been through the selection process and have a much better understanding of how it works.

Cadetship competition have opened and are inducting in October. Apply online here.

Like I said, if the DF is what you want then apply. At least have the option of joining this year available to you.

mhorda

finish out your undergrad dude...have a laugh and get it all out of your system..then you can knuckle down for the DF as a career