[gym_addict]

I have been considering going into the Army now for a few years and as Im out of work again it has sprung up.
I had my, you could say, interview yesterday and I have to fill out this huge form then Im set up for my BARB test (British Army Recruit Battery).
I was going to join the paras but I’ve learnt that you need to be pretty much fitter than an athlete and so my next choice is infantry. Although as Im a carpenter by trade I think it would be a good idea to join as an engineer. Still early stages yet so much to decide.
What I really want to know is if any of yous lot have been in the army or are in the army and what army life is like.
Thanks for your time

[Freak]

Army life is very strict as you can imagine. I am not sure how the British Army differs from ours in America but my friend went off to basic, then advanced training this summer. Here is some stuff he has run into:

Wake up at 4-5am and be up until 10-10:30pm
Taking orders: this is obvious but some people can't do it.
No access to news or internet for a few months. Few calls to home, all you can do is write letters (which they screen).
Your diet is going to suck and they will train the hell out of you. Most people say they gain muscle in the military but from what I can gather it seems they just lose fat and see muscle so they ASSUME they gained a lot of muscle.
Get into cardio shape BEFORE going. This is much different than bb... I would run a minimum of 5 miles per day (train up to that if you need to) but my friend says that is normally what they run. + push ups, pull ups, and sit-ups.

Do something you can use if you decide you do not want a military career. (If you are having them pay for your college) don't go to be a paramedic... they make like $12/hr USD and that is with experience.

If you are thinking about engineering I would say HELL YEAH go for it. That is one thing I advise any recent high school grads is getting a degree in something that matters. (sciences, math, engineering) are all great backgrounds for ANY career, grad, or professional school.

READ THE FINE PRINT! It is fine print for a reason. You don't want to sign something only to find out you are getting screwed down the road.

Do you have a gf, wife, or kid? This will be VERY tough on you, of course them to but they have better ways to cope in the civilian world than you will being in training.

Get as many perspectives as you can BEFORE you sign. Hopefully people from here tell you of there experiences. Also, ask your recruiter to talk to some guys that are in it and ask them questions like: what would they do different, what do they wish they would have known, what do they like best/worst, ways to cope, training, etc... interrogate them basically.

Hope this helps!

[gym_addict]

cheers freak great help u always there with good answers. Ta bud

[Kaboom]

Army is a great thing to do.I dont know about the British army but here you could retire at 42 if you joined now.I loed every minute of it.After the first couple weeks of basic you can call home very after noon on the payphones.(as long as you dont get in any trouble).
In my platoon mail call was fun.You got the mail thrown at you lol and if your family wrote little love notes on outside of envelope you had to do 25 push ups per word.
You have a decent variety of food but not the healthiest.Somes ok.But you really wont need to watch your diet.If you are a huge 250 lb solid muscle guy yeah you might lose a little muscle cause your type of food and schedule will be screwed up.They do have a gym you can work out in in the afternoons after your duties.
All this is of course about our american army.
It wasnt as bad as everyone said it was.
Wish I would have stayed in.
Oh yeah if you get into fights first offense they dock $600 second 1200 and third 1800 and you get a great punishment like buffing the whole mess hall yourself lol

[kenney]

i know someone that couldnt cope with the discipline...i think he was higher up than the army though. simpe things like getting up early, making your bed and making sure your toothbrush is on the correct side of the bed! lol it really got to him

[skeptic]

A friend of mine is in the Australian army, and it really doesnt sound that bad. I mean, it is hard as hell, but still it would be an awesome thing to experience. There is no room to grow muscle, the military wants people who have endurance... hence all the pushups and running haha, but you do get heaps stronger.

He joined as a Combat Engineer also, just know this... the combat engineers pack is about 30kgs heavier than the regular infantry recruits. But you do get to learn a fuckload of cool shit...

[gym_addict]

yeh thats what im considering. Joining the engineers so i will have something that counts when i come out. I am well interested in all the stuff you can learn. life skills you will have WOOP. I like being pushed hard aswel and being pushed out of my comfort zone and have challenges to go through. Shit like this gets my heart pumping love the thought of it

[skeptic]

hehe yeah, its good to get like real life certificates and whatnot.

I hope it all goes well for ya mate! whatever you decide

[lil_big_junior]

the british army are ALOT MORE DIFFERENT than the ones in the US guys...

i'm not going to get into how, or why, i know so much about the army, but here's their slogan, BRITISH ARMY - BE THE BEST...it's more like BRITISH ARMY BE DEPRESSED...if you join the army you'll be making a big mistake, try thr RAF reg, so much more laid back, & a better way of living...in the army you'll be treated like shit, unless you go for commision, & even then as a commisioned officer in the army as infantry you're still treated like shit, look into it more mate

[skeptic]

australian army = awesome.... Australia S.A.S = the best...

Disagree if you wish, but the truth hurts LOL

[lil_big_junior]

^^^& who trains the SAS over there...the brits, that's the truth

[skeptic]

lol doesnt really mean much if the british SAS isnt much of a par...