ive been thinking about joing the army. just took a look on the website and decided that if i do it, im going to train as a healthcare assistant, then work my way up to being a registered nurse.

http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk/Jobs/JobDetail.htm?armyjobid=QA460%2f468&category=5

only thing thats putting me off so far is being away from my friends and family for 14 weeks for training, that and having to ideally get somewhat fitter before joining. Ive only just finished filling out the application form but i havent submitted it yet as im still not sure yet. what do you guys think i should do?

go for it!

If youre a medic then you dont have to be super fit anyway so you should be OK - they will make sure youre fit by the end of your phase 1 training anyway.

Just one suggestion though - consider the RAF too - they tend to do shorter tours 4months as opposed to 6 months and in general I think they tend to look after people a bit better than the other services.

do you actually want to join?

The armed forces and teaching are two professions that seem to absorb people who dont have a clue what else to do.  If you want to join them then go for it.  If youre joining them cause theyre an easy option then dont.

To be honest I really wouldnt consider the armed forces as a viable career option at the moment. Not to put too fine a point on it on a public forum but in a lot of ways they are really in dire straits. If youre definitely keen then go for it, as I imagine our opinions wont either validate it for you or stop you from applying. Just think about it long and hard.

As SteveF says if its a vocation thats always interested you then you should definately get your application sorted, however if this is a decision being made based on a lack of options then it probably isnt worth it and you wont last in the long run if you even pass basic training.

For the forces you might want to visit these forums and have a good look around to find out how people feel about their jobs at the moment:

http://www.pprune.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=57
http://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn2/Forums.html
http://www.rumration.co.uk/cpgn2/Forums/viewtopic/t=6851/postdays=0/postorder=asc/start=0.html

Youll get a lot of good recruitment advice but mind the basics like spelling and grammar (and dont post without using the search function first) or youre liable to get jumped on from a great height.

Stay in blighty where you can keep an eye on Dave

There is no real advantage joining the army to do nursing. The most obvious disadvantage being that rather than a set time limit they can try to send you abroad and work you as long as they can.

Dave just wants to have someone he knows available to wipe his bum in case he gets wounded when he goes back to Iraq  :mrgreen:

if your only concern is being away from your mates for 14 weeks then you obviously arent serious about the job.

If it is a career that you actually WANT.  Then go out there, put everything else to one side for 14 weeks an put yourself as number 1.

Christ red is in bloody france, im sure its going to be hard on him being away from the UK let alone home for such a long time.  But he can still communicate and come back when/if he needs to.  In the end hes out there doing something he loves and trying to do everything to make himself employable in the job that he wants to do.  

3 1/2 months is nothing.  Youd be back after graduation in no time.

Quote from: redif your only concern is being away from your mates for 14 weeks then you obviously arent serious about the job.

its not a concern, i just mean its going to be hard to do it. and not just my mates, i did say my family aswell. im not saying i couldnt do it, because i could, its just not easy being away from those closest to you.

you know, the more i keep finding out on the website, the more i want to do this.

and to answer earlier questions, yes it is something ive been thinking about doing for a long time.

If oyu fancy it then best of luck mate hope you love it! It owuld be my idea of hell personally but its a very individual choice.

fitness will be an issue. then youll be like wahhhh an ill be like,  yeah whatever.

noonononoononononoonooo


fork. your family is in scotland right? your dads in cov. a phone call doesnt cost much tbh...

Quote from: redfitness will be an issue. then youll be like wahhhh an ill be like,  yeah whatever.

noonononoononononoonooo


fork. your family is in scotland right? your dads in cov. a phone call doesnt cost much tbh...

as usual rob, thanks for being supportive to me. not.

i am. but you have to be realistic. plus if your any sort of man you would try and prove me wrong by doing it.

well, ive just had a chat with dave about me doing this and hes 100% behind me so ive submitted my application form. i should be hearing from them in 5 working days. im excited. and also slightly nervous.

Good luck!

If you dont like it, you dont have to stay, so its worth a shot.