officer or enlisted

[james.sheff]

hi all,
first of all a bit about myself...i am 22 currently working on a temporary contract for a mortgage company, doing your average mundane office work. i inquired previously about joing the marines but was told that with my colour blindness i would not be able to, so i searched for other possible infantry careers within the armed forces.the only option i came across was the RAF Regt, and so duly applied as an officer, fulfilling the neccessary a level points requirements...this however did not work out and so i had to reassess my options.i then found out from the association of optomotry, that the marines did not rule out cp4 candidates as a rule, and it was just for a very few specialised roles that required a better colour perception...now here is my predicament.
i initially applied for enlisted entry into the marines, however on tuesday i took the psychometric tests and the careers advisor suggested i apply for officer, as i have the neccessary a levels for entry and impressed on the aptitude tests.
i understand from reading these forums that YO training intakes are annually in september, and i assume that i would be too late for the intake in september this year.
i also have a few reservations about my chances of passing the relevent courses.
i realise that POC is a physically and mentally demanding course, however i feel confident in my ability to pass this without any forseeable problems as i recently passed the equivilent RAF Regt PROAC course, admittedly not as tough but similar requirements.
my worries are concerned with the AIB. having previously applied for RAF Regt Officer and made it through to the OASC at Cranwell i subsequently failed the interview stage of the selection centre.
I was told that my life lacked direction after leaving school as i went to university to study physics and then dropped out after a year, as i found the course extremely difficult, and during my time there, realised that i was not suited to the course or the subject. having dropped out i then took on an assisstants managers position at a well known pizza delivery chain.this was fine until i was transferred and the daily commute was taking an average of 2 hours and on some occasions costing £25, hence why i find myself in office work.
they also said that if i was that interested in the RAF, i would have attended the cadets when i was younger...although i can see where they are coming from, it was not until i was around 18 that a career in the forces really started to appeal to me, and it was not as though i did not do any physical activity at school, as i played for the 1st XI team in cricket and rugby and the 2nd XI football team.
This is where i would appreciate advice from those in the know...having failed OASC at Cranwell for the above reasons, are similar reasons not likely to arise in the AIB selection phase? i am currently planning on taking my DofE Bronze award as i feel this shows the credentials they will be looking for.however i dont see how i can alter the fact that i have not been in the cadets as i am now too old, and i although i understand where they were coming from with regards my life lacking direction, its hard to find a way to show them that i am a motivated and determined individual.any commments welcome and sorry for the essay!

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

Hi James, welcome to the forum, an excellent dissertation!

You are correct with regard CP4 for RM Officer, but some RM Officer specialisations do have more stringent eyesight & CP standards. RM Pilots must be VA1 & CP1, RM Bridge watchkeepers (Landing Craft) need to be VA2 and CP1.

Cutting to the quick, whilst the Cadets are a good grounding for gaining leadership experience, there are other areas where you can achieve likewise & if you feel it will aid your application in gaining experience there's nothing to stop you volunteering as an adult supervisor in a cadet organisation. Many cadet units undertake DoE courses which may help you achieve your own aims also.

Obviously you cannot turn the clock back, but the fact you were not selected at OASC does not automatically mean you will do likewise at AIB as long as you prepare adequately. There are many similarties between RAF & RN selection, so the lessons leaned via the RAF may well help give you the direction which was viewed as previously lacking.

The very best advice is to enter into the RM selection process and see how the initial SIFT interview with an RN Area Careers Liaison Oficer (ACLO) pans out. You're not under any obligation to join and your previous experience may well give you the upper edge over your fellow applicants.

It's not easy, but as stated as long as you prepare well for the 2009 entry and can achieve the physical as well as cerebral aspects of RM Officer selection, then there's no reason not to give it your very best shot!

Good luck to you.

 

[james.sheff]

thanks for the reply,

i have decided to go for enlisted entry.
i have spoke to the AFCO and they have informed me that i am too late for this years YO intake.
although i am aiming for officer in the long run, i think that recruit training will be good for me and give me good military experience and although i will have to complete the 14months officer training on top of the 32 weeks basic trianing, i feel come YO training, having completed recruit training will give me an advantage.

am getting in touch with the AFCO today about arranging my interview

many thanks and good luck with your own appllications