HELP! Dont know what to do

[ChrisL]

Hey up Lads

Reght bit of a problem!

I wanted to join the Royal Marines because i wanted to be the best in the world! but my ultimate goal isnt to be a royal marine its to be part of the Special Services! therefore im in a bit of dilemma.....I still want RM but im kinda thinking about joining Paras *text deleted* there training is less (26wks) and less chance of being backtrooped! so i can get through training quicker and still have the second best training! and then still av a great chance of being in the SAS!

 

[Chris]

As far as i can recall you cant just go directly into the Special forces program you have to serve a certain number of years before you are eligible

 

[ChrisC]

If you are serious about wanting to join the special forces, surely you would want all the training you could possibly get?

 

[Point]

Thats not the best way to look at it mate. Both chris and chrisC make good points, I think you'll first have to serve for several years/attain a certain rank before you'll even be considered and secondly would you not want the best training in order for you to prepare yourself.
You either fit into SF or you dont, many who think they have what it takes often do not; i think it naive of you to believe you do have what it takes at this point dont you? I think its important you join a service, whether thats Paras or RM, because its the one for, the one which is going to challenge you the most and the one whcih you are going to enjoy being apart of. Then, if youare ready and have believe you have the potential then go for it buddy. Start to walk before you run aye?

 

[Duffy1]

Wouldn't you rather join the SBS rather than the SAS anyway?

 

[ChrisL]

Thanks for the advice lads but im under no illusions of what i have to do and what it takes to be in the SP! at the moment yeah im obviously *text deleted* concentrate on *text deleted* in to forces *text deleted*. also you have to serve 3years in corps/regiment b4 you can apply

 

[Ashley]

Hey there, well to start off I can say from family and friends they like experiance! It takes 2 years to become a fully trained soldier alone and they barely consider people with 3 years, 5 years and you're looked more favourable.

My friend went for SAS training, he used to come home on leave, have 1 drink with the lads and then fly off to an exotic country for incredible amounts of survival training at his own expense as he wanted the SAS more than anything and he didn't know how else to live his life. He broke his toe early on in training but didn't tell anyone for the whole duration! He passed everything that was thrown at him untill he had a pre-passing out medical to which the doc found he still had a broken toe and was to be failed as medically unfit! After the whole duration of training, they made him wait untill his toe repaired before doing SF training from the start!

I have the greatest amount of respect for this bloke, to be able to make it through SF training with a broken toe is one thing as they do a hell of alot of speed marches with incredible weights! but to fail and be RTU'ed before if it, despite his determination!

Anyway story's over, it's prefered if you have more experiance but if you have the mind-set to become it then go for it. Don't just got for Para's because it's 26 weeks, go with what is going to suit you in the long run, don't join the paras if you don't like the idea of jumping from a plane and you want to live for 'A Life on the Ocean Wave'.

 

[ZZ]

id say the marines, not because im bias towards them but liek you said the duration of the training is longer and the more training you get the better chance you have. Ok you just want to get into the services and get on with it, but we all do. but in the end its all about which you prefer, marines and SBS or Paras and SAS.

now im not saying if you join marines you only get to go into the SBS and same for paras, its just their the ones you are more likely to get into if you do either one, although you can still do SAS if your a marine.

just look at what you want a decide. but you stand a better chance at SBS if you were a marine, and a better chance at SAS if you were a para. Or so i would say, there are many opinions of this.

 

[miller2243]

u have 2 complete 3years in any unit before you can even atempt SF.might aswell go commando!sayin that the final stage for SAS training is the static-line parachute course,if your already a para you have already done it so dont have to do the course again,but still,go commando!

 

[Aussie89]

id say the marines, not because im bias towards them but liek you said the duration of the training is longer and the more training you get the better chance you have. Ok you just want to get into the services and get on with it, but we all do. but in the end its all about which you prefer, marines and SBS or Paras and SAS.

now im not saying if you join marines you only get to go into the SBS and same for paras, its just their the ones you are more likely to get into if you do either one, although you can still do SAS if your a marine.

just look at what you want a decide. but you stand a better chance at SBS if you were a marine, and a better chance at SAS if you were a para. Or so i would say, there are many opinions of this.

would have to totally agree

go with what you want becuase both will get you to what you want in the end u just have to decide as to weather u are going SAS or SBS

good luck with your decicion mate

 

[kiwi]

para training

i can tell you from experience that the para training may be a few weeks shorter than the commando one , but no way is it easyer and your chances of being back trooped are just the same if you go to cattarick with that attatude trust me you wont last that long

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

To be honest from the title of the thread, there's only one person that can make the decision what to do once in possession of all the facts from the respective factual media obtainable from the nearest Tri-service AFCO.

It's rather self-defeating asking a Royal Marines forum whether it's a good idea to join the Paras or Rifles or indeed trying to gaze into a crystal ball with regard the chances of success specialising many years from now.

A better question would possibly be "What advantage do the Royal Marines have to offer in comparison to other infantry units?"

The logical answer being the longest infantry training in the world for a very good reason & the ability to specialise in over 27 different trades which are transferable into the civilian workplace unlike any other infantry unit.

 

[TheBaker]

Why would you want '2nd best' training if you could have 'the best'?

If you look at it like that, I'd assume you'd be much happier after you've completed the RM training.

On a Special forces note though, when I was at the AFCO, I saw a poster advertising for the UKSF(SAS/SBS etc etc) and it said '18 to 32, 34 with 2 years experience', I'm not sure about the wording but I was surprised to see that, Im sure there was a website on the poster but I tried searching and couldn't find it.

 

[NicholasSkamballis]

When I had my selection interview the topic of SF cropped up, and he told me not to even think about it unless i've been serving for a good 5/6 years. I didn't mention it, but in my opinion its best to learn to walk before you can run. I totally agree of having the highest of aspirations but i would suggest taking things at one step at a time, and as ninja stated, look at whats suits you the most before making your decision because at the end of the day SF is open to all HM service men if i'm correct?

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

On a Special forces note though, when I was at the AFCO, I saw a poster advertising for the UKSF(SAS/SBS etc etc) and it said '18 to 32, 34 with 2 years experience', I'm not sure about the wording but I was surprised to see that, Im sure there was a website on the poster but I tried searching and couldn't find it.

UKSF do advertise internally, but it would be rather unusual for the posters to be displayed at an AFCO unless it was suggesting that you must join-up before you can specialise.

On the other hand more overt advertising can be seen regarding Army UK Special Forces (Reserve) units, rather than SBS(R) who tend not to advertise externally. The Army UKSF tend to recruit Reserve personnel already qualified in the appropriate skills/trades either from the Regular or Reserves, however civilians with the appropriate transferable skills will also be considered. (Communucations experts, for example).

 

[ChrisL]

Thanks for all da advise lads! i have my reasons for thinkin this way *text deleted*.....top quality advise tho! think im goin 4 RM anyways

 

[Mack15]

Hey chris, this is my opinion ok, I know you want to go special forces, but wouldant you want to try for the marines or paras first to see what its like instead of wanting to go special ops, because you mite not even like service life, Just my opinion mate.