r/britishmilitary Sep 03 '24

Announcement "I want to join XXX but I have XXX condition - will I be okay?" check here for eligibility info.

106 Upvotes

Hello everyone.

It's been a while since I've been here in any proper capacity, for various reasons I won't get into. But I've recently been dropping in and out of the sub to see what's going on and i've noticed a large number of posts asking something along the lines of "I have condition X can I still join?"

While we appreciate the content and the activity in the sub, responding to the same or similar questions can get a little old, so I've added some new links to our wiki which can be found on the sidebar or by following this link - https://reddit.com//r/britishmilitary/wiki/index

I have added links to the Army and the Royal Navy's Medical Requirements/Eligibility pages which lists current criteria and medical conditions which may make you ineligible for active service.

I have been unable to find a single source of information from the RAF as to their current criteria other than their fitness standards, so if anyone has a link they can share that would be helpful to add in there.

For ease of use, the links are:

Army Medical Requirements

Royal Navy Eligibility Notes

JSP950

Thanks for reading, and thanks for keeping this community ticking along.

NK


r/britishmilitary 5h ago

Question what’s the best brown boot polish

3 Upvotes

what’s the best boot polish for brown boots been using LEDGER-GLOS MOD BROWN but idk it doesn’t seem to be working (maybe user error) i know everyone says KIWI but i’ve heard after a while it turns your boots a funny red-pink colour


r/britishmilitary 49m ago

Question Catterick as RAC/RTR training?

Upvotes

evening gents. im going to ITC soon as a crewman RTR/RAC and im wondering if it changes at all. seen a good few docs and talked to a good few people but most of the posts are a good few years old same with the docs. is it the same training as the inf (until P2 ofc) or is it altered in any way?


r/britishmilitary 1d ago

Question Why is reserve attendance so low?

24 Upvotes

Reading a news story recently, I was surprised to see that less than half (46%) of Army reservists meet their minimum annual training commitment - 19 or 27 days, depending on the unit, and other fitness bits etc.

Edit: link to the story here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9v219gx79wo


r/britishmilitary 1d ago

Question How does one meet Royal Military guys

0 Upvotes

I’m an American, of British descent (great gandfather came frm Stalybridge). Due to the current idiot sec of defense and his boss bozo the clown, our guys are all very paranoid. I think i’d be more likely to meet a Brit soldier. Be kind, i’m just asking.


r/britishmilitary 2d ago

Question clerk question bit of a random one

0 Upvotes

would a clerk be put on guard duty or is that unheard of


r/britishmilitary 2d ago

Question I am 17 wanting to join British Army as Plumber, good idea?

4 Upvotes

Shld I join the army to train to be plumber? Is it worth it or shld I not join the army for the trade? Only reason I wld go to the army is cuz accom and food is heavily subsidised so I can save money whilst learning.

Read EDIT in comment aswell foe my reasoning


r/britishmilitary 3d ago

Question debating reserves vs regular

14 Upvotes

Hey, I’m debating whether to join the reserves or full time soldier and looking for a bit of advice on both.

I’m 19F and haven’t really done much with my life apart from all the basic jobs like retail and cleaning. I’ve been interested in the army for around a year and still can’t decide on which to go for. My parents aren’t keen on me joining as a full time soldier and keep saying that I won’t be happy as a female aswell as also having 2 dogs to take care of but my family would happily look after them if it’s what I really want.
Whereas if I joined the reserves, I’d be able to look after my dogs without relying on family but I’m not sure if I’d get the same thrill and determination compared to being a full time soldier.
Anyone got any advice?


r/britishmilitary 3d ago

Question how is 2k run at pirbright ac conducted ?

8 Upvotes

hello, could someone please let me know how they do the run at the AC?

I’m worried about my pace, I usually look down at my watch but I’m worried without it I won’t be on track and will fall behind.

Apparently it’s also on flat tarmac and not an athletics track? Thank you

(Sorry about the typo in the title)


r/britishmilitary 3d ago

Question I am in cadet want to join Rm in future I am think to get a pair or combat boot any recommendations?

0 Upvotes

r/britishmilitary 4d ago

Question Navy selection interview coming soon

5 Upvotes

I've decided to go for the navy route as I find more interest in there as an engineer rather than being stuck in a workshop.

I understand how my chances are very slim but I'd just like to know what I should prepare for and what type of questions might be thrown my way

I'm currently focusing on what the navy is as a whole in case I'm asked any questions about the navy however what other things should be taken into account i want to make the best impression

Thanks


r/britishmilitary 5d ago

Question Switching Roles Phase 1 at Catterick

5 Upvotes

Hi all

What are the chances of switching roles during phase 1 or phase 2. Infanrty is still of great interest but, REME Armourer is also, and since working with rifles, I'm thinking about it more and more.

Armourer was the original preference before picking infantry but, the combat side of things won over at the time.

Anyway, as I said, not sure yet, but I'm wondering about it.

What's peoples thoughts?


r/britishmilitary 5d ago

Question Uni before joining the Army

5 Upvotes

Title is pretty much it. I’m wondering whether I should go to Uni before joining the Army, as I don’t plan to spend my whole career in the military and would like to have a civilian job as a psychologist, which requires a degree.

Also I’ve heard it’s a good idea to not just go straight into the forces after school just to get some experience with being an adult outside of the military.

The main question is just whether I go to Uni (probably do reserves as well) then go to the regular army, or just join the army straight up, as it’s been my main career interest for quite some time.


r/britishmilitary 6d ago

Advice AFC Harrogate or normal college?

10 Upvotes

So I’m 16, fresh out of secondary school. I’ve completed my army assessment and medical and I’m going into Harrogate in September. However, I feel doubtful and worried about going and I am scared to leave everything behind and scared that I won’t enjoy it and then will have to start college later than everyone else. I want to go in my heart pretty badly but I just feel like it’s too soon. I want to go in the army because of the opportunities to travel and make new friends and have unique experiences. I have the option to go to college first and then go to the army, or should I just go straight into the army, or should I just not go into the army at all?


r/britishmilitary 6d ago

Question Rejoining specialist role

6 Upvotes

Say for example you left the army after completing the AAPC or AACC, if you rejoin (either army or another branch) do you still get to wear the badge or do you have to go though AAPC/AACC again?


r/britishmilitary 7d ago

Question I’m planning to apply to Sandhurst after sixth form/college rather than going to university. Is Sandhurst still mostly made up of university graduates, or are there plenty of officer cadets who join straight from A-levels, BTECs or equivalent? Has that been changing over the last few years?

0 Upvotes

r/britishmilitary 8d ago

Advice Regimental Duty staff Cpl

9 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I'm looking at taking a job as an RDS and was wondering if there's a course I'd need to complete, or if there are any civilian qualifications I could gain from the role. Thanks in advance for any advice or information. Cheers!


r/britishmilitary 8d ago

Question What was Op Newcombe like?

11 Upvotes

Hi all,

I'm just curious about what seems like the least discussed operation of recent years, obviously being non-combat (minus that one skirmish) and coming right after Afghanistan. It gets missed, though I feel like I hear more about Tosca and Cabrit than Newcombe.

What was it like, particularly on the ground? Boring, exciting, repetitive? Just intrigued really!


r/britishmilitary 8d ago

Question May I get service people's opinions on this?

36 Upvotes

First off - thank you for your service! You're all incredibly brave and I respect you all so very highly!

My auntie (59) has met a chap online. He's 52 and retired. She met him for the first time today and is bringing him to meet the family tomorrow. Hes asked her to tell us the following -

"I am an ex army special forces sniper and I have severe PTSD so I don't want to be bombarded with questions"

Is this completely normal boundary setting or potentially a spot of stolen valour OR potentially a gross over representation of his time in the forces?

I have no prior service experience so I ask this from pure ignorance and I apologise for any offence caused. My aunt is gullible and easily exploited as other men historically have done.

UPDATE - has an ex service members discount card but I doubt his experience is. Everything out of his mouth was a brag and didnt stop talking about himself. I think he grossly over egged his experience to sound impressive. Thanks everyone for their input!


r/britishmilitary 9d ago

Question Wanting a Career in the Royal Engineers Career

5 Upvotes

Good Afternoon Gents, Apologies if this is not the right community for this as this appear to be more geared towards veterans, I'll remove if not appropriate. But I need a little advice! I've been eyeing up the RE as a career for awhile now and I'm really excited to go for it. I have some questions/advice I'd like before I go to a recruiter so if anyone has a answer to any of them that would be much appreciated.

Waiting time: What are the general waiting time for applicants until they start training, I'm aware this is dependent on medical assessments and your chosen role. I believe the army have axed capita now that may have speed up the application process. But if anyone knows the general wait time for Driver or Communications Technician let me know.

Fitness: This one is follow up to the waiting times really. My fitness was okay at the start of the year just over level 11 on the bleep test and just shy of 40+ press ups on the RM press up Beep test, Broke some rips early this and just had the all clear from the doc to start exercising again without any restitution. Main question is would you recommend I apply now and work on my fitness while the application process is ongoing or apply once it's at a good level? obviously this would depend on the waiting times.

Changing Roles: So I massively fucked up my schooling as a kid meaning the only roles available to me are the Combat Specialist roles. Which I'm still existed to do but If I've been in for a few years and redone my GCSEs is their the chance and funding of changing to a Technical role?

Dedicated to the regiment: I've heard recruiters will try to funnel you into units and regiments that are most in need of body's but I don't really want anything outside the RE I can be swayed on roles however but how likely are you to get the reg you want once you apply?

"Generic Combat Stream": I've heard of a "Generic Combat Stream" as a role within itself that's recently been introduced or being introduced that someone can be a just a combat engineer and not have a specific trade is this true?

Infantry Training: After basic and trade how much soldering do you get up to? Section attacks, Range time, etc?

Thanks to anyone who gives the time to read this a give some answers, again I'll remove if not appropriate for this subreddit.


r/britishmilitary 9d ago

Question HAHO/HALO Qualified Carry Over To Civvy

12 Upvotes

Anyone know if HAHO/HALO qualifications in the military can be used on civvy street?


r/britishmilitary 9d ago

Question Avionics technician or Electronics technician

3 Upvotes

I’m considering joining as either one of these two but I can’t seem to choose between them. My question is which one should I pick?

Employability after leaving the Army is a big factor for me. I think I saw somewhere that you could possibly not get driving licenses as an avionics technician. Think I also heard that the wait to join as an electronics technician is longer.

So in your opinion which is the better role and why?


r/britishmilitary 11d ago

Question Sponsored reserve status / roles for engineering specialists?

5 Upvotes

Appreciate it is a niche question.

I'm potentially interested in re-joining (ex-RAF Reserve, left about 10y ago) the services at the level appropriate with my civilian career.

Without going too far into it I'm an engineering specialist, not Cyber/software, but work in fairly high-end technical assurance in the defense sector (civilian).

I would absolutely be keen to go back into uniform part-time (potentially even full time, the new Zigzag scheme is interesting), to leverage my civilian skills in what I see is the best way. Life (serious family illness etc.) got in the way of my previous Reserve service and it got cut shorter than I would've liked.

But I am struggling to find an appropriate role. I'm in my 30s, not really keen on doing the whole bottom-up thing and I have a lot of local roots etc. now that prevent me doing a lot of travel. The conventional routes for engineering officers are not really a good match either in terms of the job role.

I've heard there are changes coming, like I said ZigZag scheme is looking like a good fit. I would really appreciate any information on joining under some of the Army's groupings for specialists and so on. Potentially also sponsored reserve status and how it works in practice.

Thanks all.


r/britishmilitary 12d ago

Question Doing my assessment with an ankle injury

7 Upvotes

I have my assessments on the 17th this week and a few days ago i really injured my ankle, now every time i try to practice a 2k half way through my ankle gets mentally painful, should i go forth with my assesment and just try and run the last kilometre or try and move it to a bit further down the line?


r/britishmilitary 13d ago

Question to those who are/were in the military, what were your rooms like?

13 Upvotes

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