the armed forces
#31
Re: the armed forces
I beg to disagree. Although they might not be your average university scholar, Royal Marines unlike the Army are a cut above the rest. I'm sure that they are also experiencing less casualties than the Army since their training is par excellence.
#33
Re: the armed forces
Well paras are another thing. They are known to be more of the heavy attack grunts. Once you are Royal Marines, it would be easier to get in the SAS and SPS units...
Training wise, there is not much difference really. But it is the discipline within the units is what differentiates one from the other.
Training wise, there is not much difference really. But it is the discipline within the units is what differentiates one from the other.
#34
Re: the armed forces
Thinking longer term (i.e. life after military service) and I wouldn't say Royal Marines are the best option.
#35
banned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,611
Re: the armed forces
Having worked extensively with the 'bootnecks' and their SB counterparts on operations in Iraq, Sierra Leone amongst others) and actually being brought up in a town that hosted 2 of the Royal Marines Commando units, i am pretty well versed on this.
They are fitter than other units (SF and Para's excluded) and are equally as aggressive as their army counterparts from Aldershot.
The basic rule of soldiering still applies though. Teamwork, aggression, discipline and will.
As for casualties v the army. Your argument is very flawed. It all depends on the thearter.
One would say that the RN, which is without doubt (unbaised i know) the best trained and worst equiped Navy in the world but yet in '82 before the army even had greased their guns, the RN were losing ships and men at an alarming rate.
Afghanistan, The Royal marines have lost quite a substantial amount of men.
Yes the booties have the history and training, but unfortunately they are operating in places now where there is sometimes no clearly defined enemy, where suicide bombers are the main risk along with IED's...Its new for all.
Ive also seen them in action on a saturday night in town....frightening.
#36
banned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,611
Re: the armed forces
Well paras are another thing. They are known to be more of the heavy attack grunts. Once you are Royal Marines, it would be easier to get in the SAS and SPS units...
Training wise, there is not much difference really. But it is the discipline within the units is what differentiates one from the other.
Training wise, there is not much difference really. But it is the discipline within the units is what differentiates one from the other.
The SBS is pretty much soley made up of Marines.
Although with the joint selection of the UKSF this is changing..
roger..out
#37
Re: the armed forces
That is quite a sweeping statement...yes the Royal Marine selection is tough, but a cut above the Army? Are you aware of the different units in the Army? Try telling a Pathfinder that Royal Marines are cut above them and see how they react.
Thinking longer term (i.e. life after military service) and I wouldn't say Royal Marines are the best option.
Thinking longer term (i.e. life after military service) and I wouldn't say Royal Marines are the best option.
In the long run, I would agree that being in Sandhurst is a better option. But there is no stopping you from trying out for these units as well. You can always opt for Intelligence service after the military.
#38
Re: the armed forces
He is British matey and quite patriotic and no that doesn't bother me at all!
Last edited by Grace O Malley; Jan 18th 2009 at 4:36 pm.
#39
Re: the armed forces
hmmm... like the uni idea but fireserivce, yes, police, no way in hell. have only come across a few very exceptional people who at the age of 20 had enough experience and sensitivity to handle being a beat cop. years of life experience required first to handle the sometimes overwhelmingly challenging situations a beat cop gets exposed to
The idea is to foster civic pride and duty, responsibility, discipline and to give something first to the state before expecting free education or some sort of handouts.
N.
#40
banned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,611
Re: the armed forces
Ok, I wouldn't like to start an Army vs. Marines debate now. Each unit has their own specialty and training is congruent likewise.
In the long run, I would agree that being in Sandhurst is a better option. But there is no stopping you from trying out for these units as well. You can always opt for Intelligence service after the military.
In the long run, I would agree that being in Sandhurst is a better option. But there is no stopping you from trying out for these units as well. You can always opt for Intelligence service after the military.
Anna, forget Sandhurst, full of barbour wearing toffs
Get him to BRNC Dartmouth..its not called the Senior Service for nothing.
Royal Navy..see the world, differently...
#41
Re: the armed forces
Ok, I wouldn't like to start an Army vs. Marines debate now. Each unit has their own specialty and training is congruent likewise.
In the long run, I would agree that being in Sandhurst is a better option. But there is no stopping you from trying out for these units as well. You can always opt for Intelligence service after the military.
In the long run, I would agree that being in Sandhurst is a better option. But there is no stopping you from trying out for these units as well. You can always opt for Intelligence service after the military.
what commander said.
oh and the military has its own intelligence service as well and mi5/6 both prefer fresh grads these days not ex squadies, matloes, officers and fly boys
#42
Re: the armed forces
Anna,
If he is an Irish passport holder, he cannot join the British Armed Forces, but if not.........
He has British passport
Despite all the dramatic pictures you see on the news, and stories of 'Corporal Bloggs killed in Afghanistan' etc, the vast majority of forces personnel are little more than sentries these days.
Thats what he told me
Budgets have been slashed to almost non-existent levels (my brother-in-law had a winter exercise in Norway cancelled due to 'lack of funding for essential equipment'), and the image of travelling round the world putting some uppity natives who still think we rule them in their place went out of style a long time ago.
Definitely get a degree first (or get sponsored by the forces to do one) and then - at 21-ish - see if he still feels like it.
If he is an Irish passport holder, he cannot join the British Armed Forces, but if not.........
He has British passport
Despite all the dramatic pictures you see on the news, and stories of 'Corporal Bloggs killed in Afghanistan' etc, the vast majority of forces personnel are little more than sentries these days.
Thats what he told me
Budgets have been slashed to almost non-existent levels (my brother-in-law had a winter exercise in Norway cancelled due to 'lack of funding for essential equipment'), and the image of travelling round the world putting some uppity natives who still think we rule them in their place went out of style a long time ago.
Definitely get a degree first (or get sponsored by the forces to do one) and then - at 21-ish - see if he still feels like it.
He said he can do Uni through the Military
Not sure how that works tho
#43
Re: the armed forces
Thanks guys for all yr replies, I knew if I posted you would offer advice, but having read all I am a little confused, panic is setting in probably,
help!
What is Sandhurst exactly? Is it officer training? The website is confusing? Or maybe i have a mental block!
Or does he go to Uni first and then join Sandhurst? Or vice versa?
As one of you said , he can do Uni whilst being in the military? How does that work
Thanks guys, once i get that sorted out, i can have a look on the web!
anna
help!
What is Sandhurst exactly? Is it officer training? The website is confusing? Or maybe i have a mental block!
Or does he go to Uni first and then join Sandhurst? Or vice versa?
As one of you said , he can do Uni whilst being in the military? How does that work
Thanks guys, once i get that sorted out, i can have a look on the web!
anna
#44
Re: the armed forces
http://www.army.mod.uk/
and here
http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk/howdoijoi...s/default.aspx
then specifically here
http://www.army.mod.uk/8478.aspx
and here
http://www.sandhurst.mod.uk/
#45
Re: the armed forces
Thanks guys for all yr replies, I knew if I posted you would offer advice, but having read all I am a little confused, panic is setting in probably,
help!
What is Sandhurst exactly? Is it officer training? The website is confusing? Or maybe i have a mental block!
Or does he go to Uni first and then join Sandhurst? Or vice versa?
As one of you said , he can do Uni whilst being in the military? How does that work
Thanks guys, once i get that sorted out, i can have a look on the web!
anna
help!
What is Sandhurst exactly? Is it officer training? The website is confusing? Or maybe i have a mental block!
Or does he go to Uni first and then join Sandhurst? Or vice versa?
As one of you said , he can do Uni whilst being in the military? How does that work
Thanks guys, once i get that sorted out, i can have a look on the web!
anna
then get in touch with a recruiter who will explain what he needs to do
see here http://www.armyonline.mod.uk/
oh forgot. Sandhurst is the royal military academy sandhurst in surrey, basically its an officer training school where he will learn military techniques, strategic thinking, leadership training etc ie make him into a soldier. take 1 normal civvie at one end and ex weeks later punt out a junior officer ready to join his regiment
Last edited by shiva; Jan 18th 2009 at 5:14 pm.