Army Cadet

jeff lebowski

Hi,

I'm just new to this board but have a question some people might be able to help with.

I'm applying to the Army cadets this year (sent the form today) and I was just wondering if anyone on here has experience of the interviews, tests etc. that you have to do or if anyone has actually done the cadet training.

Any info at all is much appreciated.

cheers

ferdi

no more weed for you mr lebowski

L5

did you get the information book on it. I think they select a certain amount of people based on the applications then I think the next step is a physical fitness test.

jeff lebowski

Yeah, I read up on the process involved but I was just wondering if anyone has been through it and knows what to expect in the interview (or in the training if I got through)

WhiteWashMan

ferdi wrote:

no more weed for you mr lebowski

not helpful.
cut it out.

FGR

Physical fitness test is quite extreme. Don't work on what they want (solely, anyway) as the warmups they do beforehand are quite exhausting even before the press ups/1.5 mile run.

I missed the 1.5 mile run by ten seconds.

Gah.

jeff lebowski

Hard luck on the run. Does everyone attending do the run together or is there like a 20 second gap between each person starting or something?

I do an all-round workout at the moment, concentrate mainly on cardio stuff so hopefully I'd get through the fitness test.

What format are the sit ups (I've been shown loads of different types at the gym) and do they hold your feet for them?

FGR

They hold your feet. Knees must be at 90 degrees and hands behind ears, not head. Women have the option of crossing their arms over their chest. A sit up isn't counted if you raise your rear from the mat or rest your head on the mat. It must be continuous.

Quite rigid..but necessary I suppose.

My advice would be to work on your anaerobic aspect as well. Sprinting does wonders for muscle development.

jeff lebowski

If they hold your feet then it's far easier that way. I reckon I'll be fine for the sit-ups and press-ups. Need to work on the running more though.

Did you do any kind of training program before the fitness test?

FGR

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Might be a little too novice for you but it's quite good in building stamina.

Aside from that I included the bench press and several dozen situps each evening to keep myself prepared.

jeff lebowski

When you do the run in the test, is everyone running together or do you go individually with a few seconds in between?

Also, what do they do to warm you up....you said below it was quite tiring.

FGR

I had taken the test in Santry Stadium; so it does depend on who's conducting the test. In my case everyone had about a minute gap between them to allow for individual timing to make more sense.

The warmups, well. If you've ever played GAA it's essentially the same as the warmups given by the coach ie. Stretching, Practice laps and two or three quick sprints. This is repeated two to three times in the course of five minutes.

I nearly locked up with the Sprinting. I'm sure that's what got me. Oh Well

jeff lebowski

Thanks

I never played GAA believe it or not.....not too skilled with my feet I'm afraid!

I'll be sure to go easy with the sprinting then. It must have been a sickener to miss out by 10 seconds. Are you going to try again?

Are the press-ups just standard with your hands below your shoulders or are they different (ie: 'diamond' press ups where your hands are pointed in)

FGR

Standard; though they must be quick and rigid. If you want to take a breather you must keep your legs straight otherwise you're docked.

I was sore after failing it; but that's life. A career as an officer mustn't be for me.

jeff lebowski

thanks for the info

Is there a time limit for the sit-ups and press-ups and do they stop you after 20 of each or do you just do as many as you can?

Would you apply again for the cadets? 10 seconds isn't a lot to fail by so you could give it another shot

FGR

I could give it a try in the new year; I have a good five years worth of applications left in me. That said it depends on my own personal circumstances (Could be emmigrating in the future).

You have to do the situps in under a certain time limit. Your booklet should inform you of the proper time. I'm not completely sure what it was for me but it's more than enough.

jeff lebowski

It doesn't say anything about time limit in the booklet

Local Muscular Endurance
This will be assessed using push-ups and sit-ups.
Males Push-ups: (Minimum requirement) 20
Sit-ups: (Minimum requirement) 20
If a candidate fails to meet any of the above minimum requirements, he/she will not be permitted to
proceed to the next stage of the competition.

I can do that anyway....was just curious if they had a time or not.

FGR

With all of the changes to the training/aquiring of Cadets I wouldn't be surprised if they did quash the limit altogether. If you can do twenty crisp press ups / sit ups you'll be fine.

e38418

doubt it.its gettin harder every year due to the high standards of the applicants. would advise ya to be able to fly through the minimum requirements to be in with a chance

jeff lebowski

I want to be flying through them seeing as they are only a bare minimum. If you were struggling in the fitness test you'd be in big trouble with the actual training if you got in.....you'd be in pieces!

Have you ever applied?

e38418

nope.waitin till i get my degree in two years time then tryin for it, used to have my heart set on it but now as long as i get into the army ill be happy!
if ya really want it ur best to meet people who have passed the trainin or know something about it.ud be suprised who ur friends/relatives know if ya ask

jeff lebowski

You're wise to wait until you have your degree. I already have a degree so that'll get me an extra 10% in the interview.

I know a few people I can ask....or could introduce me to people to ask. Won't see them for a few weeks yet though so just thought I'd post here.

e38418

good luck anyhoo

Raskolnikov

For the sit-ups, you'll have a fist underneath you and you'll have to touch it with your chest for each repetition.

Another thing, if you're barely passing the minimum criteria then you could be in trouble later on. When you go into train you'll have to take the tests again except with less time to run and more reps to do within the time limits.

FGR

Hate to be picky but you meant press ups there, right?

Agent7249

lol he musta otherwise you'd have to have one hell of a twistable spine for sit ups. As far as I know the requirements for the fitness test for the cadets is the exact same as what it is to get into the army.
minimum of 20 push ups per min,
minimum of 20 sit ups per min,
and 1.5 miles in 11 mins 30 seconds.
I myself was considering going through college to get a degree to apply for the cadets, I messed up the first year and repeated, but after finding out that you can still apply for the cadets while in the PDF, I've applied for the army and just waiting on my interview/medical/physical.

You can apply as a pte/NCO but im not sure on whether you have to do some sort of time like a year - 2. I got my information off Irish army website

Rew

jeff lebowski wrote:

You're wise to wait until you have your degree. I already have a degree so that'll get me an extra 10% in the interview.

I know a few people I can ask....or could introduce me to people to ask. Won't see them for a few weeks yet though so just thought I'd post here.

Are you in the FCA/RDF? http://www.irishmilitaryonline.com/board may have info that will help.

jeff lebowski

Yes, I'm a Corporal. I used that site already to get some info, the main thing I'm looking for though is any advice or info from someone who has applied before, who has done the training or who is actually an Army officer.

There aren't too many PDF people on that other site and info on the cadets posted there is pretty much what can be found on the DF site.

Rew

jeff lebowski wrote:

Yes, I'm a Corporal. I used that site already to get some info, the main thing I'm looking for though is any advice or info from someone who has applied before, who has done the training or who is actually an Army officer.

There aren't too many PDF people on that other site and info on the cadets posted there is pretty much what can be found on the DF site.

Not too many that admit to being PDF and those that have compleated the Cadet process are wise enough not to come back

Id suggest talking with sombody in person as has been said before. Mock interviews from a Captin+ as well I would suggest. Read all the papers know about world and home events. Know about existing PDF comitments home and adboad. Your opionions will be asked on various subjects.

Are you going in number 1's? If you are be more care about respecting rank. Iv heard about FCA people losing marks for walking in and sitting down without being asked/told.

I know sombody who was turned down twice because they didnt live up to their CV. Their CV was amazing and the interview panel had unrealisticly high expectations based on that. Probably not very helpfull but worth being aware of.

jeff lebowski

I dunno if I should go in number 1's or not.....I got measured for them when I was 17 and my build has changed a bit! I wouldn't be stupid enough to just cruise in and take a seat if I was in uniform though. I'm still planning on addressing the board as sir and ma'am as they will see from my application that I'm in the reserve whether I'm in uniform or just wearing a suit.

I already know a fair bit about current DF commitments (Kosovo, Liberia.....) plus recent ones (East Timor, Eritrea, Lebanon....) so I should be covered there.

kasintahan

1.5 mile in 11min30?

That's 2.4k - frankly that's something anybody under 50 should be able to do.

I run over twice that (5.2km) in 20min three times a week AND I'M NOT FIT.
(averages 13.5 kmph or just over).

jeff lebowski

That's the bare minimum standard required for you to be able to withstand the "rigours of military training". If you can't do that starting out then it unlikely your going to be able to get to a standard to do a 10k run with full combat gear and a rifle or something like that.

FGR

I certainly admire the DF for bringing a person's fitness to exceptionally high levels.

Shame, like the Gardai people aren't encouraged to maintain it.

jeff lebowski

Shame, like the Gardai people aren't encouraged to maintain it.

As far as I know, for the last few years all soldiers have to complete an annual fitness test

Rew

Yeah you get graded on your fitness. Below a certain level effects your promotion prospects and the duties you can preform. Gardai are mostly fat, including alot of the women, sad but true.

Id go with the No. 1s AFAIK its the SOP and you may draw more atention by not wearing em.

Raskolnikov

ForegoneReality wrote:

Hate to be picky but you meant press ups there, right?

Yes of course, doh :mad:

Agent7249

kasintahan wrote:

1.5 mile in 11min30?

That's 2.4k - frankly that's something anybody under 50 should be able to do.

I run over twice that (5.2km) in 20min three times a week AND I'M NOT FIT.
(averages 13.5 kmph or just over).

queue BS, if you're not fit you wouldnt possibly be able to run at 4.33 metres a second hell I'd be suprised if a person who wasnt fit would be able to go at 1.5 metres per second for a prolonged distance


Anyway that aside, foregone is right, they do tend to bring a persons fitness level very high its just up to the person to be able to pass the initial fitness test

L5

so, i got a phone call today to do an interview for the army cadets in 2 weeks. Anyone else?

pwd

Here is a resource on training for the aerobic test:

http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/testprep.htm

It seems quite good.

British Army have higher standards.
50 pushups in 2 minutes.
50 situps in 2 minutes
4(?) chinups with arms fully extended.
100m swimming test.
run 2.4km in 10m30s immediately after 800m warmup.
Those strength tests are still a piece of piss, bit the run is challenging (to me anyway).

British army pays better than Irish or American army also. You get trained for year. The training seems excellent, and you get two adventure holidays during it. You can ask not to be sent to Northern Ireland if you are Irish also.

jeff lebowski

Haven't heard anything yet but called them to confirm they got my application and they said they did and that interviews take place in April.

Thanks for the link pwd

jeff lebowski

Where are you doing your interview L5?

jeff lebowski

Got a letter yesterday, have my interview in about 3 weeks

FGR

I'll wish you luck with the interview, Jeff. You probably know this yourself but here's a panel of three interviewers; the captain will more than likely take minutes whilst the Commandant and Colonel will question you.

...If anything; it was the most difficult interview of my life.

That said, I wasn't prepared for something like that. I'm sure you'll be able to excel. It's such a small chance; but it must be fantastic if you succeed.

jeff lebowski

I've been through a good few interviews in the last few years so hopefully that will help me relax....never been through anything like an Army interview before though, don't know what to expect really!

What did you find most difficult about your interview?

FGR

The most difficult aspect of the interview was the fact that they wanted -exactly- what was relevant to a career in the defence forces. If they asked for an example of your ability to lead..They wouldn't want a story out of you. They'd want exactly what made you the leader and how everyone else reacted to that.

Sounds easy, and it did to me, but at the interview it was horrid.

As I said I hadn't experience in these types of interviews..so it depends on your ability to communicate (to 'get to the point') and make the panel nod in recognition of your ability.

Again, best of luck Jeff.