I just applied for the Army

[Sphinx111]

Would anyone be interested in a blow-by-blow account of the selection and joining process so far endured, and what remains as it happens?

Can't charge me of Heresy if you can't find me anyway!

Edited: I'm applying primarily for a Soldier position (not Officer) so the info will be no use to direct officer entrants.

[pEp]

What have you applied for? A friend has just started phase 2 training, so I could potentially get him to impart some wisdom. He's REME though, so it won't be the same if you're going in as infantry obviously!

[leothan]

Thought you wanted to be an RAF pilot

oh well if you're going into signals, don't, I'm going to be an officer in the signals so

[Sphinx111]

Have been advised to consider other options simply due to the recruiting situation.
My first choice at the moment is Ammunition Technician, with some interest in Int Corps Operator, however promotion in that role I believe is slow, so flying would be a fair way off by that route.

Infantry is always an option, the Mercian Regt. have a few places spare, though I would most likely go for a commissioned role if I went for the infantry. Anyway, phase 1 and primary selection at Lichfield will be the same in all trades, so the experience and feedback may be useful for some on here.

@Leothan: Glad to know I'm not the only one considering the army, as for the signals...well, we can all use a radio

[leothan]

@Leothan: Glad to know I'm not the only one considering the army, as for the signals...well, we can all use a radio

Well It's not only radios, It's all kinds of Comms Eng

And, Sphinx, I'm a person not a place, So DON'T refer to me with an @

[Sphinx111]

@Leothan: Glad to know I'm not the only one considering the army, as for the signals...well, we can all use a radio

Well It's not only radios, It's all kinds of Comms Eng

And, Sphinx, I'm a person not a place, So DON'T refer to me with an @

Yeah Yeah I know what Signals are about, have been doing my research over christmas.

As for "@"...If I start writing 2Leothan I suspect I will end up addressing you as 2Lt before long...good practice I guess but technically incorrect

[leothan]

@Leothan

And, Sphinx, I'm a person not a place, So DON'T refer to me with an @

As for "@"...If I start writing 2Leothan I suspect I will end up addressing you as 2Lt before long...good practice I guess but technically incorrect

Using 2name is still stupid and lazy, how about not using any prefix and and putting a comma, It's actually very common practice.

[AlterEgo]

Oh the hilarious irony of a lecture from Leothan on grammar and syntax.

[leothan]

Oh the hilarious irony of a lecture from Leothan on grammar and syntax.

Obviously, I've got the best English speak than any people on here

[AlterEgo]

I do hope that was intentional!

[leothan]

What's intentional

[Sphinx111]

Leothan, PM sent about this topic.

[Sphinx111]

UPDATE

Stage 1: BARB Test + AFCO Forms

AFCO Forms are almost exactly the same as RAF version, the yellow sheets with lots of boxes that must all be filled in with BLOCK CAPITALS, OR YOU WILL BE SHOT.

The BARB Test is simple. They test several simple reasoning faculties using simple exercises on Touch screen computers usually based at your local AFCO or ACIO (Army Careers Information Office). You will be prepared for this by the ACA (Army Careers Advisor) with a booklet, and will be able to practice online at the Army Jobs website. Very very basic maths is handy for one of the tests, and a decent grasp of the English language will be very helpful as well.

The BARB test also has an attached element to test written communication and numeracy skills, which is again done on a computer at your AFCO, it takes 20-30 minutes usually, but you often have more time (your ACA can tell you the top limit).


Stage 2: Medical Forms

Exactly what it sounds like, you take the medical forms from the ACA, fill in brief details of your medical history (yes/no options), sign it, and get it to your Doctor/GP with a letter attached which he can use to claim payment from the Army in exchange for filling the letter in. This is done from medical records and no physical is required. Make sure you stress to your GP/GPs oh so reliable receptionist that no boxes can be missed out/left empty or the form will be rejected and returned for completion.

Once your medical form has been approved you'll move on to phase 3

Almost all AFCOs arrange some form of pre-selection testing.
Some will stick to an interview, many will have specific pre-selection courses prepared for potential recruits to attend.

My local AFCO have an ART (Army Recruiting Team) based nearby, and the ART puts on a pre-selection day consisting of physical testing (including a 1.5 mile run...with a X.X mile run as a warmup, 150m Jerry can carry, pullups/heaves), icebreaker and confidence building sessions, and command/leaderless exercises (shark infested custard again).
They then report back to the ACA who decides whether to recommend you forward for ADSC.
These pre-selection events are extremely important, attend as many as you need to/as many as you can.
You can undergo pre-selection testing as often/as much as you want and no permanent record will be kept, the pre-selection process is to ensure you are prepared for your One-shot, one-attempt effort at ADSC.

Questions welcomed...I'm now awaiting a date for ADSC at Lichfield, likely to be within the next two weeks, and also a brief interview with the AFCO Army Officer, will hopefully update when these are completed.

After these two events, I will be awaiting one more selection process (specific to the Ammo Tech trade) and from that point I'll be waiting for Phase 1 and my offer (if successful)

[Stand Out]

So Sphinxy, are you dead set on the Army now? I recall you were unsure over Army and RAF, but may be wrong...

[Sphinx111]

At this stage it has boiled down to whichever is the best prospect of the best career. Which boils down even further to whichever offers me the job I want first.

Pilot in the RAF is better paid, and will be a flying role. However OASC has a very very low pass rate and this is set to get even worse with the scaling back of funding. Whilst I like to think I'm in the top 1%, I wouldn't turn down a good job with the Army if I was still at risk of being among the other 99% of failed OASC candidates.

Conversely, if I pass OASC before I am offered the Job with the army, I wouldn't turn down Pilot, full stop.


Both careers are equally viable, the difference in pay doesn't bother me too much as its the people, the experience and the opportunities I'm after, and I can see myself doing fairly well in both. (But I'll need to get used to drinking Brandy if I join as an officer...the Officer's Mess at Brize is full of armchairs )