I have social anxiety and want to join the army, will this DQ me?

Nano t

I have very mild social anxiety but had it a lot worse several years ago. I searched this on google but it only returned with replied about the US army(even though I included the words Irish army). I have tried tablets for it in the past for three weeks and realised I could work on it myself. Considering I went to the doctors to get these tablets it may be written down somewhere on a file with my name on it, could the army see this and dq me? I was thinking about just lying considering its all but gone now. Thanks.

It wasn't me!

Not being funny, but given the condition, why on earth would you want to join at all? I can honestly say that recruit training is one of the most socially intense experiences of my life. You'll be living right in the middle of a group of tense and nervous people all undergoing some serious socialisation processes and there are inevitably cases of friction and such, and that's an important aspect of the process too, to test how you respond to and deal with personal stresses like that because working in diverse groups in intense situations is at the core of military life. So in your position, where it's something that's had a negative effect on you before, it seems like madness to open yourself up to an experience that's so precisely conducive to causing you personal problems.

Nano t

It wasn't me! wrote: »

Not being funny, but given the condition, why on earth would you want to join at all? I can honestly say that recruit training is one of the most socially intense experiences of my life. You'll be living right in the middle of a group of tense and nervous people all undergoing some serious socialisation processes and there are inevitably cases of friction and such, and that's an important aspect of the process too, to test how you respond to and deal with personal stresses like that because working in diverse groups in intense situations is at the core of military life. So in your position, where it's something that's had a negative effect on you before, it seems like madness to open yourself up to an experience that's so precisely conducive to causing you personal problems.

Well as I have said its gone now I haven't had problems around people in months now and the army has always been a passion of mine. Should I enlist and hide my past or be forthcoming?
Thanks.

Hemerodrome

Nano t wrote: »

Well as I have said its gone now I haven't had problems around people in months now and the army has always been a passion of mine. Should I enlist and hide my past or be forthcoming?
Thanks.

I'm not a doctor and I'm not offering medical opinion or advice, but I don't k ow of anyone can say an issue such as this is ever "gone". I would guess that part of how you've dealt with it is to avoid or minimise situations likely to trigger your anxiety. As pointed out in an excellent post above, there is no way to apply that management in basic training, or most aspects of military life beyond that.

tac foley

Basically you are saying that you have a mental health problem that 'might' be treatable with self-administered medication. I can't speak for the PDF, but this would bar you instantly from the UK Armed Forces, no matter how passionate you might be about such a career move.

My instant concern is that running out of your meds whilst on an operation somewhere would cause you to have mind-altering views on your situation, and I, for one, would not like to be sharing a trench with you when that happens.

Trying to hide your condition by making a false declaration with regard to your health, mental or otherwise, or lying about it in order to try and fool the medics, will land you in a world of trouble.

You may find your inter-active social skills - or lack thereof - tested to the limit in a two-person cell.

tac

perfectisthe

My father was a quartermaster sergeant. When he was in his early forties he began to suffer from anxiety and had to retire due to it. It wasn't a particularly severe case of anxiety, but he felt that it was prohibiting him from doing his job properly.

I'm not a doctor and I'm not offering medical opinion or advice, but I don't k ow of anyone can say an issue such as this is ever "gone". I would guess that part of how you've dealt with it is to avoid or minimise situations likely to trigger your anxiety.

Spot on. I've inherited my father's anxiety problem. It doesn't ever 'go away', you just manage it the best you can.

Nano t

tac foley wrote: »

Basically you are saying that you have a mental health problem that 'might' be treatable with self-administered medication. I can't speak for the PDF, but this would bar you instantly from the UK Armed Forces, no matter how passionate you might be about such a career move.

My instant concern is that running out of your meds whilst on an operation somewhere would cause you to have mind-altering views on your situation, and I, for one, would not like to be sharing a trench with you when that happens.

Trying to hide your condition by making a false declaration with regard to your health, mental or otherwise, or lying about it in order to try and fool the medics, will land you in a world of trouble.

You may find your inter-active social skills - or lack thereof - tested to the limit in a two-person cell.

tac

I don't medicate or self medicate(alcohol or other drugs) I've been comfortable around people for ages now, I feel I was possibly misdiagnosed because I'm a smart guy but I despised school, all boring subjects, the school saw my frequent absence concerning and reported me and I saw a psychologist and was told it was social anxiety and not my ate of subjects and I believed it too for a long time, while I am a timid person it doesn't take me more than 30 minutes to acquaint myself with people and feel comfortable with them , I also have no problems walking up to people for help. Should I tell them this whenever their next recruitment competition is? I have uncles that served in the army and their tales of camaraderie sound very appealing to me, my dream is to join the army and be a productive citizen, all I want is the chance to prove myself. I have researched the army thoroughly and think my decision is sound. What are my chances of joining if this is on my record?(assuming it is wrote somewhere). Thanks for all the help guys

tac foley

Sir, I refer you back to post #1 - 'I have tried tablets for it in the past for three weeks...'

The fact that you are quite happy to attempt to hide your mental health problem or to conceal it from the military medics says it all to me.

SAD is a seriously limiting no-no for somebody who will have daily access to firearms, or is in charge of them. Developing this mental condition whilst serving is one reason for being handed the SNLR form and a train ticket home.

Sorry and all that.

tac

AllthingsCP

Nano t wrote: »

I have very mild social anxiety but had it a lot worse several years ago. I searched this on google but it only returned with replied about the US army(even though I included the words Irish army). I have tried tablets for it in the past for three weeks and realised I could work on it myself. Considering I went to the doctors to get these tablets it may be written down somewhere on a file with my name on it, could the army see this and dq me? I was thinking about just lying considering its all but gone now. Thanks.

Small Barracks block - 30-40 very different personality, Training team that will be up in your face from the moment you wake to the moment you sleep.

Social Anxiety will just bloom in this environment and could be a risk to you by getting a whole lot worst. My Advice wait or consider different career or try the reserves for a year or two.

Not sure if you would be accepted if discovered but do not lie!!!

Nano t

tac foley wrote: »

Sir, I refer you back to post #1 - 'I have tried tablets for it in the past for three weeks...'

The fact that you are quite happy to attempt to hide your mental health problem or to conceal it from the military medics says it all to me.

SAD is a seriously limiting no-no for somebody who will have daily access to firearms, or is in charge of them. Developing this mental condition whilst serving is one reason for being handed the SNLR form and a train ticket home.

Sorry and all that.

tac

I apologise it appears I haven't been clear, my doctor prescribed me escitalopram, stopped them after three days because I thought I was fine and that they were wrong, still hated school was all but forced to try them again , and again. All of this bundled together was about three weeks. I didn't self medicate. I haven't touched any drink(alcohol) in months, never smoked and never done any drugs. I think my mental side is fine for the military, I'll heed your advice and be truthful, I apologise again if I disrespected the army by asking if I should lie. I'll tell them at the medical,assuming I'm lucky enough to get through to that, everything about me. Thanks guys . Also if I recall someone said they wouldn't want me to serve beside them, that hurt man, I've saved my families life twice from robbers armed with hammers one time and knives the other, I'd happily do this for a brother in arms.

galwaycyclist

Nano t wrote: »

I apologise it appears I haven't been clear, my doctor prescribed me escitalopram, stopped them after three days because I thought I was fine and that they were wrong, still hated school was all but forced to try them again , and again. All of this bundled together was about three weeks. I didn't self medicate. I haven't touched any drink(alcohol) in months, never smoked and never done any drugs. I think my mental side is fine for the military, I'll heed your advice and be truthful, I apologise again if I disrespected the army by asking if I should lie. I'll tell them at the medical,assuming I'm lucky enough to get through to that, everything about me. Thanks guys . Also if I recall someone said they wouldn't want me to serve beside them, that hurt man, I've saved my families life twice from robbers armed with hammers one time and knives the other, I'd happily do this for a brother in arms.

Some of the answers you have received are over the top, and unworthy, in my view. Some people seem to have their knickers quite twisted.

Anyways whether the old codgers here like it or not we live in a society that allows doctors to "medicalise" all kinds of things that are possibly quite normal. Look at the number of US kids that get put on ritalin - is this supposed to mark them for life?

As an example, if a kid is getting beaten up every day and having their lunch money taken does that mean they have "social anxiety" if they don't want to go to school?

Different topic for a different forum.

The Irish school system itself is "one size fits nobody" and getting worse - if there are people who find themselves a "bad fit" to school is that some kind of "medical disability" - not in my view. Does it follow they are a bad fit for the Army? There would be a view in some quarters that being a "bad fit" to school might make you a "good fit" for the army.

As a minor you were put on medication for a medical diagnosis that clearly you did not fully accept. You are not the first.

If you lie on your army medical to get in you won't be the first either although there may be negative consequences if found out. You need to weigh that up. It may be that you would be safe to declare something like that without automatically ruling yourself out.

What you could do is try to find a doctor you trust (can be difficult) and ask them what their reaction would be to hearing about that prescription in the context at the time.

Nano t

galwaycyclist wrote: »

Some of the answers you have received are over the top, and unworthy, in my view. Some people seem to have their knickers quite twisted.

Anyways whether the old codgers here like it or not we live in a society that allows doctors to "medicalise" all kinds of things that are possibly quite normal. Look at the number of US kids that get put on ritalin - is this supposed to mark them for life?

As an example, if a kid is getting beaten up every day and having their lunch money taken does that mean they have "social anxiety" if they don't want to go to school?

Different topic for a different forum.

The Irish school system itself is "one size fits nobody" and getting worse - if there are people who find themselves a "bad fit" to school is that some kind of "medical disability" - not in my view. Does it follow they are a bad fit for the Army? There would be a view in some quarters that being a "bad fit" to school might make you a "good fit" for the army.

As a minor you were put on medication for a medical diagnosis that clearly you did not fully accept. You are not the first.

If you lie on your army medical to get in you won't be the first either although there may be negative consequences if found out. You need to weigh that up. It may be that you would be safe to declare something like that without automatically ruling yourself out.

What you could do is try to find a doctor you trust (can be difficult) and ask them what their reaction would be to hearing about that prescription in the context at the time.

So what do you think my options are? Also what are the chances they'd reject me because of this? I am completely sound in the head, never been depressed or suicidal or harmed myself, I'd hate to think that what happened to me when I was under 18 should stand to me today, but then again its their rules. Hopefully they'll give me a chance to explain my position and let me prove my sanity.

It wasn't me!

In all honesty, recruitment for the Defence Forces has never been more competitive. They have the luxury of turning away ten excellent candidates with no compromising conditions for every one they accept, so I suspect it would probably disqualify you, if not officially, at least by pushing you far enough down the queue that your application wouldn't get through. As to whether your condition was misdiagnosed, nobody here can realistically comment accurately and that's between you, the doctors who diagnosed you or those who might not now diagnose you and the army's medical check. What you choose to disclose or not is up to you, but it does have the potential to have serious ramifications if it's found out that you lied on the application. However, more significantly, if you're wrong about having been misdiagnosed (and while doctors do obviously make mistakes from time to time, I rarely think Joe Soap's self diagnosis is worth a ****), then the potential ramifications for your mental health and your comrades could be far more serious.

Nano t

It wasn't me! wrote: »

In all honesty, recruitment for the Defence Forces has never been more competitive. They have the luxury of turning away ten excellent candidates with no compromising conditions for every one they accept, so I suspect it would probably disqualify you, if not officially, at least by pushing you far enough down the queue that your application wouldn't get through. As to whether your condition was misdiagnosed, nobody here can realistically comment accurately and that's between you, the doctors who diagnosed you or those who might not now diagnose you and the army's medical check. What you choose to disclose or not is up to you, but it does have the potential to have serious ramifications if it's found out that you lied on the application. However, more significantly, if you're wrong about having been misdiagnosed (and while doctors do obviously make mistakes from time to time, I rarely think Joe Soap's self diagnosis is worth a ****), then the potential ramifications for your mental health and your comrades could be far more serious.

I know you don't know me so this means **** all, but I'd sooner let them know that I'm not in the right state of mind than get my comrades hurt. I don't agree that I have something wrong with me but I'm told I am, I'll apply tell them all I know and let them choose.

galwaycyclist

Nano t wrote: »

So what do you think my options are? Also what are the chances they'd reject me because of this? I am completely sound in the head, never been depressed or suicidal or harmed myself, I'd hate to think that what happened to me when I was under 18 should stand to me today, but then again its their rules. Hopefully they'll give me a chance to explain my position and let me prove my sanity.

No easy answers I am afraid. Both your choices are gambles. As I said if I knew another doctor I might set out the facts and ask them their reaction. That would only be an indicator but might help to frame any discussion if it was to come up in the medical exam.

If there is a problem (and there may not be) then as already indicated the main challenge is not your history but the level of competition at the moment.

I would not talk, or think, in terms of "proving" sanity - in some situations if you are not experiencing stress or anxiety it can mean there is definitely something wrong with you.

Context is what matters and you might not always see the full context yourself until years afterwards.

My two cents worth.

galwaycyclist

As an aside, now that I have read back to the original post I can see how it got the reaction it did.from some folks. There is a very useful lesson there.

I also have to apologize to the codgers and retract my own indignation.

Nano t

galwaycyclist wrote: »

No easy answers I am afraid. Both your choices are gambles. As I said if I knew another doctor I might set out the facts and ask them their reaction. That would only be an indicator but might help to frame any discussion if it was to come up in the medical exam.

If there is a problem (and there may not be) then as already indicated the main challenge is not your history but the level of competition at the moment.

I would not talk, or think, in terms of "proving" sanity - in some situations if you are not experiencing stress or anxiety it can mean there is definitely something wrong with you.

Context is what matters and you might not always see the full context yourself until years afterwards.

My two cents worth.

If I caught your drift you're referring to psychopathy(reduced emotions), I have definitely felt anxiety before to a crazy extent so definitely not a psychopath, my house has been broken into twice before and since my father walked out its left up to me to defend my family, which I gladly do, I was scared and anxious but I had no choice but to act, kill or be killed kind of thing, although both times all I had to do was drop one of them grab their weapons and the rest scarpered. I just loath this, I hope my record doesn't **** me over, never done any drugs or smoked only drank minimally, never been depressed or suicidal or self harmed, yet here I am potentially ****ed over by something I don't have but told I do, even though it doesn't affect my life at all, somehow I have a disorder anyway. Thanks for your view .

galwaycyclist

Nano t wrote: »

If I caught your drift you're referring to psychopathy(reduced emotions), I have definitely felt anxiety before to a crazy extent so definitely not a psychopath, my house has been broken into twice before and since my father walked out its left up to me to defend my family, which I gladly do, I was scared and anxious but I had no choice but to act, kill or be killed kind of thing, although both times all I had to do was drop one of them grab their weapons and the rest scarpered. I just loath this, I hope my record doesn't **** me over, never done any drugs or smoked only drank minimally, never been depressed or suicidal or self harmed, yet here I am potentially ****ed over by something I don't have but told I do, even though it doesn't affect my life at all, somehow I have a disorder anyway. Thanks for your view .

Those sound to me like legitimate and entirely predictable situations for creating worry, stress or fear in otherwise stable normal people. Maybe stop using words that are emotionally loaded for you like "anxiety" and start using terms like "shy", "concerned" etc. Stop using other peoples labels and use your own? Go back to your original post and consider how you could present the same information but in a way that brought out the other issues that were not obvious on first reading.

We don't need to discuss your family history here - its not appropriate in my view. But as an observation, if the breakdown in your parents relationship was going on at or around the same time as your difficulties with school then I don't think any reasonable person would be surprised or hold it against you. If your difficulties with school coincided with a series of violent attacks on the family home then I don't think any reasonable person would be surprised or hold it against you.

Nano t

galwaycyclist wrote: »

Those sound to me like legitimate and entirely predictable situations for creating worry, stress or fear in otherwise stable normal people. Maybe stop using words that are emotionally loaded for you like "anxiety" and start using terms like "shy", "concerned" etc. Stop using other peoples labels and use your own? Go back to your original post and consider how you could present the same information but in a way that brought out the other issues that were not obvious on first reading.

We don't need to discuss your family history here - its not appropriate in my view. But as an observation, if the breakdown in your parents relationship was going on at or around the same time as your difficulties with school then I don't think any reasonable person would be surprised or hold it against you. If your difficulties with school coincided with a series of violent attacks on the family home then I don't think any reasonable person would be surprised or hold it against you.

Well I apologise for offending you talking about my past, it was not my intention. I hope this doesn't further offend you but my father left when I was 2. Words like anxiety don't make me emotional but thanks for your concern. What do you think I should do? Should I apply anyway or not bother considering my record? As far as I know they'd have wrote down that I have social anxiety on my records and I don't want to lie and join, not a good way to do things and I was stupid to even consider it.

Horse84

It wasn't me! wrote: »

In all honesty, recruitment for the Defence Forces has never been more competitive. They have the luxury of turning away ten excellent candidates with no compromising conditions for every one they accept, so I suspect it would probably disqualify you, if not officially, at least by pushing you far enough down the queue that your application wouldn't get through. As to whether your condition was misdiagnosed, nobody here can realistically comment accurately and that's between you, the doctors who diagnosed you or those who might not now diagnose you and the army's medical check. What you choose to disclose or not is up to you, but it does have the potential to have serious ramifications if it's found out that you lied on the application. However, more significantly, if you're wrong about having been misdiagnosed (and while doctors do obviously make mistakes from time to time, I rarely think Joe Soap's self diagnosis is worth a ****), then the potential ramifications for your mental health and your comrades could be far more serious.

If the calibre of candidates that appeared recently in the rte show recruits is anything to go by I would seriously like to see the 10 'inferior' people the DF turned away in favour of the bunch that made it to recruit training lol.
All joking aside if the OP wants to try their hand at something and if they have a passion for it then they should give it a shot. It does sound like some very mild form of anxiety and which one of us doesn't suffer from that at some stage. As has been said some of the responses here have been over the top to say the least.

Nano t

Horse84 wrote: »

If the calibre of candidates that appeared recently in the rte show recruits is anything to go by I would seriously like to see the 10 'inferior' people the DF turned away in favour of the bunch that made it to recruit training lol.
All joking aside if the OP wants to try their hand at something and if they have a passion for it then they should give it a shot. It does sound like some very mild form of anxiety and which one of us doesn't suffer from that at some stage. As has been said some of the responses here have been over the top to say the least.

I watched that, I really enjoyed it, some of them were fools though, one lad dropped out at the very end of basic training. As soon as they start recruiting again I'll apply. Thanks .

looksee

In the meantime could you volunteer for whatever the current version of the FCA is? It might give you an idea of what it is about, and would demonstrate interest. This might be a daft suggestion and there may be a good reason why no-one else has suggested it!

Nano t

looksee wrote: »

In the meantime could you volunteer for whatever the current version of the FCA is? It might give you an idea of what it is about, and would demonstrate interest. This might be a daft suggestion and there may be a good reason why no-one else has suggested it!

Sorry to say but I've no idea what the FCA is/was, could you enlighten me please? Perhaps you mean the reserves, I wouldntnjoin the reserves and then leave to train with the PDF, that would show bad character and no commitance in my opinion, our reserves are important to me, good men and women, me using them as a stepping stone would be akin to spitting in their face, in my opinion anyway.

AllthingsCP

Nano t wrote: »

Sorry to say but I've no idea what the FCA is/was, could you enlighten me please? Perhaps you mean the reserves, I wouldntnjoin the reserves and then leave to train with the PDF, that would show bad character and no commitance in my opinion, our reserves are important to me, good men and women, me using them as a stepping stone would be akin to spitting in their face, in my opinion anyway.

The Defence Forces recruitment process is a long one, Joining the Reserves is an insight into the Army that mite do wonders for you or any recruit for that matter. And applying now to the reserves ''Their Recruiting right now'' you could be looking at one year services to the RDF before the first PDF recruit platoon starts training.

galwaycyclist

Nano t wrote: »

Well I apologise for offending you talking about my past, it was not my intention. I hope this doesn't further offend you but my father left when I was 2. Words like anxiety don't make me emotional but thanks for your concern. What do you think I should do? Should I apply anyway or not bother considering my record? As far as I know they'd have wrote down that I have social anxiety on my records and I don't want to lie and join, not a good way to do things and I was stupid to even consider it.

No when I use words like not-appropriate I meant it as it would not be respectful of your right-to-privacy rather than that it would be something that would be offensive to me.

I think you should apply. I think if the topic should come up you should approach the discussion in a different way to how you presented it in your first post.

Nano t wrote: »

Sorry to say but I've no idea what the FCA is/was, could you enlighten me please? Perhaps you mean the reserves, I wouldntnjoin the reserves and then leave to train with the PDF, that would show bad character and no commitance in my opinion, our reserves are important to me, good men and women, me using them as a stepping stone would be akin to spitting in their face, in my opinion anyway.

The reserves are used to being used as "stepping stones" - some people see that as their main role - some people disagree and see them as having a more important value. You can only please some of the people some of the time.

If you don't get in to the army it will be the army's loss and the reserves gain.

Nano t

galwaycyclist wrote: »

No when I use words like not-appropriate I meant it as it would not be respectful of your right-to-privacy rather than that it would be something that would be offensive to me.

I think you should apply. I think if the topic should come up you should approach the discussion in a different way to how you presented it in your first post.



The reserves are used to being used as "stepping stones" - some people see that as their main role - some people disagree and see them as having a more important value. You can only please some of the people some of the time.

If you don't get in to the army it will be the army's loss and the reserves gain.

Oh OK I thought it may have offended you for some reason, I have no qualms about speaking of my past, AFAIK no one here knows me so it doesn't matter. If I don't get into the army then I'll keep re applying unless I get banned because of my past, and if I never get in then I'd join the reserves. Have you any idea how I should phrase my past of being diagnosed with social anxiety? I want to tell the truth but I also want to convey to then that it hasn't ever affected my life and that I think I'd fit in with the army. Thanks

Nano t

Guys I apologise I think I forgot to mention that I'll be 18 in a month, maybe that could help my case, maybe they won't document it anywhere because I'm a minor.

looksee

If I understand what you are saying, you had contact with medication for anxiety for a total of some three weeks. This is private between you and your doctor and, especially as you are underage, not relevant to anything. I have no doubt that if you did apply to join the army you would be given psychological assessment, and decisions would be based on that, not on anything you might say yourself.

I think you are worrying unnecessarily, they will decide whether you are suitable for the army, your opinion on your mental health will not be all that relevant. However you will have to go in with reasons for why you want to join, in the same way you need to give thought to any job you go for. Being able to show practical examples of your suitability is going to improve your chances. Have you done any sports training that might indicate your fitness, and your self-discipline? Have you been part of any social groups or sports teams that might indicate that you are a team player?

If you do not think you have social anxiety, stop stressing about it. Forget it. Get on with your life. Get involved in some positive stuff that will show you as being a confident, capable person with drive and determination. Good luck!

Nano t

looksee wrote: »

If I understand what you are saying, you had contact with medication for anxiety for a total of some three weeks. This is private between you and your doctor and, especially as you are underage, not relevant to anything. I have no doubt that if you did apply to join the army you would be given psychological assessment, and decisions would be based on that, not on anything you might say yourself.

I think you are worrying unnecessarily, they will decide whether you are suitable for the army, your opinion on your mental health will not be all that relevant. However you will have to go in with reasons for why you want to join, in the same way you need to give thought to any job you go for. Being able to show practical examples of your suitability is going to improve your chances. Have you done any sports training that might indicate your fitness, and your self-discipline? Have you been part of any social groups or sports teams that might indicate that you are a team player?

If you do not think you have social anxiety, stop stressing about it. Forget it. Get on with your life. Get involved in some positive stuff that will show you as being a confident, capable person with drive and determination. Good luck!

Well tbh I don't have many examples to give you of sports teams, in too far away from any and there's no public transport that goes to them unfortunately so I just play with my cousins, I won't lie I'm no where near fit enough for basic training, yet I'm working on it, running every second day for 3 miles in about 18 minutes( not amazing I know but what can I say I'm out if shape). Also push ups and sit ups everyday.any suggestions on how to train would help thanks .I'm very mentally tough in my opinion though, no self esteem issues I know my self worth and I've had to deal with a lot living in a one parent household so I'm no stranger to living without many luxuries, although I count my lucky stars for this phone WiFi house and the food I eat every day, I'm very privileged. I have a gut feeling that I'll love the army lifestyle, I watched the rte series called recruits and I envied them tbh, I've also watched a lot of american army and marine training documentaries. I've another question for anyone, I speak Gaeilge fluently are there any times/sections of the army that conduct themselves through Irish? Any idea when the army will be recruiting this year? If they recruit will I train this year if I get in or will it be next year? Thanks guys .

galwaycyclist

Nano t wrote: »

Oh OK I thought it may have offended you for some reason, I have no qualms about speaking of my past, AFAIK no one here knows me so it doesn't matter. If I don't get into the army then I'll keep re applying unless I get banned because of my past, and if I never get in then I'd join the reserves. Have you any idea how I should phrase my past of being diagnosed with social anxiety? I want to tell the truth but I also want to convey to then that it hasn't ever affected my life and that I think I'd fit in with the army. Thanks

I have been offering you various potential alternative approaches to your story already

Even if you are not asking for that directly, I am afraid I cannot "tell" you "what" to say. You may feel anonymous on here but I am definitely not and that wouldn't be my way of doing things anyway.

You will need to go away and think about it yourself. Your original post gave the wrong impression of how you see yourself. Start from there as an example of what not to say.

The first infantry battalion in Galway is theoretically an Irish speaking unit.

looksee

Nano t wrote: »

Well tbh I don't have many examples to give you of sports teams, in too far away from any and there's no public transport that goes to them unfortunately so I just play with my cousins, I won't lie I'm no where near fit enough for basic training, yet I'm working on it, running every second day for 3 miles in about 18 minutes( not amazing I know but what can I say I'm out if shape). Also push ups and sit ups everyday.any suggestions on how to train would help thanks .I'm very mentally tough in my opinion though, no self esteem issues I know my self worth and I've had to deal with a lot living in a one parent household so I'm no stranger to living without many luxuries, although I count my lucky stars for this phone WiFi house and the food I eat every day, I'm very privileged. I have a gut feeling that I'll love the army lifestyle, I watched the rte series called recruits and I envied them tbh, I've also watched a lot of american army and marine training documentaries. I've another question for anyone, I speak Gaeilge fluently are there any times/sections of the army that conduct themselves through Irish? Any idea when the army will be recruiting this year? If they recruit will I train this year if I get in or will it be next year? Thanks guys .

Nano, some of the things you need to look at are in this post. I was not asking you to tell me about your fitness regime, I was suggesting that you should think about this angle. If you don't need to make excuses or explanations to anyone, don't do it.

If you go into an army interview and excuse your inactivity and lack of team sports (say) by commenting on lack of buses and other difficulties, you will not impress anyone. Get a local 5 a side together, even if they are mostly your cousins, then you can talk about it as something you have achieved.

Whatever you do, don't go into an interview saying 'I have always been interested in the Army' and talking about television shows. You need to be able to show what you have done to show your interest (like joining the reserves) or setting yourself exercise challenges/ hiking/ camping and such like.

Nano t

looksee wrote: »

Nano, some of the things you need to look at are in this post. I was not asking you to tell me about your fitness regime, I was suggesting that you should think about this angle. If you don't need to make excuses or explanations to anyone, don't do it.

If you go into an army interview and excuse your inactivity and lack of team sports (say) by commenting on lack of buses and other difficulties, you will not impress anyone. Get a local 5 a side together, even if they are mostly your cousins, then you can talk about it as something you have achieved.

Whatever you do, don't go into an interview saying 'I have always been interested in the Army' and talking about television shows. You need to be able to show what you have done to show your interest (like joining the reserves) or setting yourself exercise challenges/ hiking/ camping and such like.

Oh I understand that, I've been all over Dingle/Kerry area hiking my past two summers, really enjoyed that, we camped there too. Camped on Banna beach as well. To be honest now how else am I going to get a feel for the army, besides the reserves and family members that have been in the army, other than watching TV shows? There's absolutely no other ways that I know of. My cousins nor I are that interested in football enough to make a team, its merely a hobby. If my current activities for the army aren't good enough for them well I'm **** out of luck unfortunately. I'd have to change and then reapply. If I came across as rude in this I apologise, that wasn't my intention at all.