Joining the regular British Army?

DILLIGAF · 05-02-2008 08:16PM #1

My father and my uncles have all done quite a lot of time in the PDF,the Navy to be precise. I've always had an affiliation with the navy and the army having grown up in Cobh. I have to get this military dream out of my mind and into my hands by joining up. Although I am in no way patriotic and don't believe that fighting for my country or another country in anyway reduces my loyalty to my family,friends or country. I am more or less set on joining the British Army, purely for the better equipment and the opportunity to tour in Afghanistan. My friends are a close knit bunch who all share a common interest in the military. We have one friend who joined the USMC 3 years ago,he's now training to be a squad leader and has already done an 8 month tour in the region. Another friend is currently in training with the Royal Marine Commandos and should be finished in may. He will most likely be sent to Afghanistan within weeks of completion. I simply don't have the fitness levels required to make it in the Royal Marines. I'd give anything to make it there but I need to be realistic with my goals. Does anyone know a friend or family member who's joined the regular British Army? How long was their training and were there any issues of bullying etc due to being Irish? Any advice in this strand would be greatly appreciated. Pathfinder, please don't bother posting.thanks

seamus-2k7 · 05-02-2008 08:21PM

From I know the English now a days have forgotten about the bombings, don't descriminate religion and friendly towards the Irish. Altough you might come across a few bad apples.

Fratton Fred · 05-02-2008 09:45PM

seamus-2k7 wrote: »

From I know the English now a days have forgotten about the bombings, don't descriminate religion and friendly towards the Irish. Altough you might come across a few bad apples.

Yes, but we do like you to bring your pots of gold with you when you come over:p

I suggest you get up to Belfast and take a look in a recruiting office, you can look them up on line.

If you have an affinity with the navy, why not join the RN? ok, you don't get to see the bad guys as much but you will get the chance to catch STDs in a large number of places and you get some pretty hefty machinery to play with.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_45_destroyer

iwishicould · 05-02-2008 11:40PM

I'm currently in the process of applying to go in as an officer. I've been up to belfast for my interview and I can honestly say they are really accomodating.
Don't worry about being irish, read Rules of Engagement by Tim Collins and just see how many high ranking Irishmen (from the south, not north) there are. CO of 1PARA during GW2 was an Irish chap.
Fitness just comes with time, I've been training since last october and I'm just about acheiving the minimum requirements for officer entry (44 pressups, 50 situps, 1.5mile in 10.30mins).
I can't quote you what training will be like for regular soldier but a stint at sandhurst is 44 weeks long. to get you have to go through the advisor interview, a few fam visits (to infantry/signals/engineers/etc to see if you like what you see) then a one day briefing and finally a 3 and half day main board selection, that determines if you get into sandhurst.
again I don't know if you want to be an officer but I'm just laying down the facts.
you seem to be in a good group of people with military exp and know their stuff so you should have their support regardless of past predjudices.
All in all just go for it, I started by requesting a dvd pack from the BA website, you'll get a pack (but no dvd boo!) from belfast as thats where the nearest recruiting office is.
get started now as it takes awhile, plus there's rumours that training time will be cut to send more troops to 'stan due to shortage of troops. again thats only rumours but you can guarantee a deployment there anyway (royal irish are going out either this year or next year).

anyway hope some of that is useful. best of luck!

DILLIGAF wrote: »

My father and my uncles have all done quite a lot of time in the PDF,the Navy to be precise. I've always had an affiliation with the navy and the army having grown up in Cobh. I have to get this military dream out of my mind and into my hands by joining up. Although I am in no way patriotic and don't believe that fighting for my country or another country in anyway reduces my loyalty to my family,friends or country. I am more or less set on joining the British Army, purely for the better equipment and the opportunity to tour in Afghanistan. My friends are a close knit bunch who all share a common interest in the military. We have one friend who joined the USMC 3 years ago,he's now training to be a squad leader and has already done an 8 month tour in the region. Another friend is currently in training with the Royal Marine Commandos and should be finished in may. He will most likely be sent to Afghanistan within weeks of completion. I simply don't have the fitness levels required to make it in the Royal Marines. I'd give anything to make it there but I need to be realistic with my goals. Does anyone know a friend or family member who's joined the regular British Army? How long was their training and were there any issues of bullying etc due to being Irish? Any advice in this strand would be greatly appreciated. Pathfinder, please don't bother posting.thanks

DILLIGAF · 06-02-2008 12:32AM

Hey there, thanks a lot for the reply! I actually requested a pack ages ago before leaving for dublin and I only found it the other day. Needless to say the family weren't entirely sassed by the british army stamp on the front

but yeah,no dvd

It's great to have support within my friends because the guy in the marines has been getting a bit of stick for joining up. All I say to someone that asks why I would fight for the queen,is to remind them that working in a supermarket and spending fri-sun getting sloshed isn't exactly serving their country either. So my patriotism(or lack there of) is not an issue and I would hope it wouldn't be an issue within my unit either.I've not looked into the possibility of becoming an officer to be honest. What kind of qualifications did you have prior to applying and how has your interview/application gone so far? If you want to continue this in pm's then no problem. Any information you can give me is greatly appreciated!thanks again!

Blazher · 06-02-2008 12:55AM

Whats this i hear about them paying 20.000 to people for joining and passing out??

DILLIGAF · 06-02-2008 02:58AM

passing out? as in leaving?

headzilla · 06-02-2008 03:11AM

Passing out means finishing your recruit or cadet training, when you receive your rank

DILLIGAF · 06-02-2008 05:14AM

I see, so they'll pay you a lump sum just for completion of what your there to do anyway? It sounds like an awful lot to me.

Jrad · 06-02-2008 06:16AM

Joining the regular British Army? Better start eating your fruit and fibre!

iwishicould · 06-02-2008 10:47AM

No problem.
I'm VERY surprised that there was a BA stamp on your envelope. i have received several letters and whatnot from the BA and all of it is unmarked. there is still a small element of risk so they do take precautions. I was told by the colonel interviewing me that under no circumstances would they send me marked envelopes, if they did I was to get on the the blower to him immediately and see why was it sent.
best thing to avoid the "why the BA?" questions is to not tell anyone. I've only told my family. no friends or work colleagues know. frankly it's nobodies business but my own. they can find out when I'm on the plane to the uk.
qualifications wise im 25, have a degree, great job, my own apt, car. so anyone looking in would think im insane dropping all that and taking a hefty paycut. but it's something I just gotta do.
a degree isnt necessary altho if you want to get into a trade (engineers, IT) it does help. but for infantry, cav, artillary you can go in with just a leaving cert. to be honest it's not the qualifications they're looking for, it's the determination, the fact that you're prepared to leave ireland to fight for them. never doubt yourself and be 100% committed.
i've got a fam visit this month to the infantry for a couple days. basically interviews, lectures, obstacle course and whatnot to see if we like infantry, then end of march is my first stage of selection.
again if you're going to apply do it asap, if i get through all this stuff i wont be starting sandhurst till jan or may of next year. long enough queue to get in.
g'luck!

DILLIGAF wrote: »

Hey there, thanks a lot for the reply! I actually requested a pack ages ago before leaving for dublin and I only found it the other day. Needless to say the family weren't entirely sassed by the british army stamp on the front
but yeah,no dvd It's great to have support within my friends because the guy in the marines has been getting a bit of stick for joining up. All I say to someone that asks why I would fight for the queen,is to remind them that working in a supermarket and spending fri-sun getting sloshed isn't exactly serving their country either. So my patriotism(or lack there of) is not an issue and I would hope it wouldn't be an issue within my unit either.I've not looked into the possibility of becoming an officer to be honest. What kind of qualifications did you have prior to applying and how has your interview/application gone so far? If you want to continue this in pm's then no problem. Any information you can give me is greatly appreciated!thanks again!

Mrmotivator007 · 06-02-2008 11:13AM

is all that just to become regular infantry or as an officer?i was thinking about inquiring.
which one though the Irish guards or royal irish,?which one would you recomend

iwishicould · 06-02-2008 11:42AM

all that is to for an officer. remember you're joining to lead so they have to separate the shepherd from the flock.
irish guards is more english based, like they all have irish descendants etc. royal irish would be where most southern irish go.
remember irish guards are a guards regiment. they spend 6 months (could be more) guarding the queen. that means standing with those big furry hats in red uniform outside buckingham palace.
royal irish on the other hand are part of 16 air assault brigade along with parachute regiment. there is also plans for a future royal irish para trained company. hopefully it'll go ahead when I'm in and would be on permanent standby in 16AA with the paras.
myself im headed for royal irish. you'll get all the info on them when you go for your interview.
best of luck!

Mrmotivator007 wrote: »

is all that just to become regular infantry or as an officer?i was thinking about inquiring.
which one though the Irish guards or royal irish,?which one would you recomend

elvis jaffacake · 06-02-2008 03:23PM

Bit of advice, most, vast majority of guy's you'll get on with fine, the British military has lot's of foriegners, Fijians, Aussies, Canadians, Saffies ect, and Paddies, you will sometimes meet the odd twat who thinks he is being clever, and will try it on with you, ignore them, the Irish DF have and are increasingly training/working alongside the Brits so old stereotypes and percieved notions are going away, when you get in, if you still have ideas about the RM's, get onto the AACC, you pass and get the oppertunity to be in 3 Commando brigade, maybe if you really want to, join the 29 commando reg RA, then go for 148 Meiktila FOB (they call in NGS, air strikes, ect, trained in all sorts of nice things;) ), plenty of courses open to you mate, good luck

elvis jaffacake · 06-02-2008 03:24PM

Oh and if you get homesick, remember this, you can get home from anywhere in the UK in 2 hours by flight, faster then it takes from Dublin to Limerick:)

willyjoe · 06-02-2008 11:09PM

Im considering joining the rm but if I do none of my family or friends will be told im going.All their going to be told is that im going for further study/work over there.Id prefer to tell them but I know they wouldnt understand and id take a lot of crap over it.

Cato · 06-02-2008 11:18PM

willyjoe wrote: »

Im considering joining the rm but if I do none of my family or friends will be told im going.All their going to be told is that im going for further study/work over there.Id prefer to tell them but I know they wouldnt understand and id take a lot of crap over it.

How old are you do you mind me asking?

Catcher86 · 06-02-2008 11:32PM

DILLIGAF wrote: »

... We have one friend who joined the USMC 3 years ago,he's now training to be a squad leader and has already done an 8 month tour in the region.

Just out of curiosity, how did he go about getting into the USMC?

willyjoe · 06-02-2008 11:36PM

Cato wrote: »

How old are you do you mind me asking?

im 20

Cato · 07-02-2008 01:23AM

in that case theres no need to worry about your parents, unless they are IRA of course! yer old enough to make decisions by yourself, they will just have to accept that, it is your life after all...

willyjoe · 07-02-2008 01:37AM

Cato wrote: »

in that case theres no need to worry about your parents, unless they are IRA of course! yer old enough to make decisions by yourself, they will just have to accept that, it is your life after all...

its not that their really anti british but more anti-military and its not just my parents but my friends and relatives.Im not planning on staying over there for ever so its easier for me if they dont know about it so when I do come back I dont have to take an endless amount of crap

Cato · 07-02-2008 02:06AM

well personally i would find it easier to just tell them and go for it, rather than having to lie for 5 years or so...

iwishicould · 07-02-2008 10:14AM

willyjoe wrote: »

its not that their really anti british but more anti-military and its not just my parents but my friends and relatives.Im not planning on staying over there for ever so its easier for me if they dont know about it so when I do come back I dont have to take an endless amount of crap

don't worry every parent & friend is anti-military when someone they know is joining. don't be pressured to tell anyone. it's no one elses business but your own.
joining the RM is a good idea now if you want a deployment. full three para battalions have been thrown into 16 air assault in 'stan, once their tour is over this year 3 commando brigade will take over.
here's a snippet from the guardian

All three regular battalions of the Parachute Regiment will provide the backbone of 16 Air Assault Brigade when it takes over from the existing UK infantry brigade based in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, in April, defence officials said. It is believed to be the first time so many paras have been sent on a joint combat mission since the second world war, though the total number of UK troops there will remain at about 7,700.

They will be supplied with extra armoured vehicles and new Merlin helicopters. However, pressure on the army has meant the brigade has had to scavenge troops from other regiments to fill manpower gaps. The Ministry of Defence is also expected to announce that Britain's 3 Commando Brigade will take over from 16 Air Assault Brigade in six months' time.

<snip> All refferal links snipped - Hagar <snip>

best of luck!

Quis Separabit · 11-02-2008 05:09PM

elvis jaffacake wrote: »

Bit of advice, most, vast majority of guy's you'll get on with fine, the British military has lot's of foriegners, Fijians, Aussies, Canadians, Saffies ect, and Paddies, you will sometimes meet the odd twat who thinks he is being clever, and will try it on with you, ignore them, the Irish DF have and are increasingly training/working alongside the Brits so old stereotypes and percieved notions are going away, when you get in, if you still have ideas about the RM's, get onto the AACC, you pass and get the oppertunity to be in 3 Commando brigade, maybe if you really want to, join the 29 commando reg RA, then go for 148 Meiktila FOB (they call in NGS, air strikes, ect, trained in all sorts of nice things;) ), plenty of courses open to you mate, good luck

You still have to pass the all arms commando course.

<snip> All refferal links snipped - Hagar <snip>

Quis Separabit · 11-02-2008 05:16PM

iwishicould wrote: »

all that is to for an officer. remember you're joining to lead so they have to separate the shepherd from the flock.
irish guards is more english based, like they all have irish descendants etc. royal irish would be where most southern irish go.
remember irish guards are a guards regiment. they spend 6 months (could be more) guarding the queen. that means standing with those big furry hats in red uniform outside buckingham palace.
royal irish on the other hand are part of 16 air assault brigade along with parachute regiment. there is also plans for a future royal irish para trained company. hopefully it'll go ahead when I'm in and would be on permanent standby in 16AA with the paras.
myself im headed for royal irish. you'll get all the info on them when you go for your interview.
best of luck!

This is not true.

The Irish Guards supply one company (around 120 men) every two and a half years, for palace ceremonial duties which are rotated along with the other 4 guards regiments, they are a mechanised infantry regiment.
<snip> All refferal links snipped - Hagar <snip>

Many southern Irish serve in the Irish Guards.

elvis jaffacake · 11-02-2008 05:22PM

Quis Separabit wrote: »

You still have to pass the all arms commando course.

<snip> All refferal links snipped - Hagar <snip>

Yeah I know, thats why I said

when you get in, if you still have ideas about the RM's, get onto the AACC

Quis Separabit · 11-02-2008 05:29PM

elvis jaffacake wrote: »

Yeah I know, thats why I said

But the guy said he was not fit enough to hack commando selection.

elvis jaffacake · 11-02-2008 05:35PM

Quis Separabit wrote: »

But the guy said he was not fit enough to hack commando selection.

Yeah, if it's a physical fitness issue, he'll get past that and more in the BA then he can apply, if it's a medical issue then he may want to ook at a different career....Booties are renowned for the fitness side of things but even a pongo can do it:D

Blazher · 11-02-2008 09:16PM

Quick question,

lets say you are in the PDF, and you leave to join the Royal Irish,
Do you know if the BA contact the PDF and if so will the PDF release any of your info to them?

Mrmotivator007 · 11-02-2008 09:19PM

contacted them,and their sending me out a information booklet.thought you were wrong on the guards not being a infantry regiment,would the mojority of southern irishmen be in the guards?as i dont think id want to stand out and wouldnt want to bring anymore attention to myself.also it wuld be nice if i dicided to join that id be around peolple similar to myself

THANKS!

Flying · 11-02-2008 09:52PM

Mrmotivator007 wrote: »

contacted them,and their sending me out a information booklet.thought you were wrong on the guards not being a infantry regiment,would the mojority of southern irishmen be in the guards?as i dont think id want to stand out and wouldnt want to bring anymore attention to myself.also it wuld be nice if i dicided to join that id be around peolple similar to myself

THANKS!

Your better off staying out of Irish Regiments just my two cents the Royal Irish and the Micks are not exactly great regiments for career progression.

You should look for a Skill and go for something like the RE or the signals as the have Para,Commando and SAS detachments but you still have better prospects for promotion and tech pay.

I was all for being Mr.Stormtrooper when I joined up against the better advice of the recruitment sgt in palace bks, it is now as I am mature look back and saw that getting a skill would have been better..

Also look at intelligence but you will have to score high in your BARB to be even considered but it has fast track promotion as does signals and engineers !

Joining the regular British Army?

Comments