Which route to take ?

[Booker]

Right then I'll try and keep this relativly short. I'm planning on joining the Royal Marines but am unsure of which route to take, be it the officer or rating one. Now I have 240 UCAS points as well as the relevant GCSE's and have also passed the phychometric test so both routes are still open to me, but there are a few things that are concerning me. And I have a few questions I need to ask.

The first one is the length of time that I would have to wait to join as an officer, that is IF they feel I have the required abilities to become one of course, as I have been told that training would not commence until September 09. I was also wondering what happened if you got injuried, as I'm presuming there is only one intake a year, then an injury would mean end of training for you, and a career as an officer ?

Secondly I'm worried about the class issue, with officer's percived as being typically higher class compared to ratings that are made up of prodominantly working class people. I am from a working class family with a typical estate attitude, and with my school being bang next to two private schools it has slightly clouded my judgement of the upper class, especially of private school boys. Is this the case in general within the RM nowadays or are things more on an evan keel compared with when my father and other ex-servicemen and women that I have been talking too.

I did however have a chat with a mate from football who server within the signals and has alot of experience within the armed forces and by the sounds of it would be very well respected and he advised me to go for it if I can get it. I would really want to go in as an officer but these two above are sort of putting doubt in my mind.

On a side note, seeing as I would have alot of time to firstly gain and maintain my fitness would it be possible for my to train with a RMR unit, but not join them if you get what I'm saying. Take part in the physical side an all but not join them.

Thanks - Booker

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

Hi,

First question in response- are the 240 UCAS points derived from exclusively A2 levels? If so, fine, if not you need to get them verified via your ACLO.

You are correct, there is currently only one Officer intake per year, and it's in September. If you get injured but are able to recover and catch-up with your troop, then you will do just that. Serious injury may mean you may be medically discharged and have to re-join the troop(s) behind, when & if fit to do so.

There is no class distinction in the Royal Marines. You make the grade, pass the training, that's it unless you wish to carry a chip on your shoulder about social standing. You will no doubt be illuminated regardless what class you consider yourself to be amongst if you start labeling people upper class and working class. Wise-up & desist believing people who don't know what they are talking about.

Assuming you pass all elements of selection, your local RMR units may allow you to attend their physical training nights, however you cannot expect to attend as a right.

Best of luck to you, no doubt RM RO will clarify any elements that need correcting.

 

[RM Recruiting Officer]

Ninja Stoker is spot on as usual. I would like to add that there are no class issues in the Corps. We are not the Guards or an Army Cavalry regiment. If you make the grade, you'll be accepted. Enough said.

 

[Booker]

After a chat with both a WO and Lieutenant at the AFCO I'm still getting mixed reports. It seems that the WO is pushing towards me going the Officer route, whereas the Lieutenant is suggesting going through the other rank route, mainly due to the amount of pressure and responsibility that I would have to take on at a young age (18). Also the fact that I haven't had much leadership or roles of responsibility outside of a sporting enviroment have not helped my case.

Seems like im going to join as rating and hopefully look to work my way up, although im still waiting for the results of my blood condition. Just out of interest do you know the procedure that a medical condition would be considered by ? My AFCO contacted the medical department at Lympstone, who after hearing my query said they cannot give a definate answer without more information, so I take all my documents down to the AFCO today, the medical officer there has a look at them, yet he feels he cannot give an answer. Do you know what is the next step ?

Thanks for the replies.

Booker

 

[RM Recruiting Officer]

If you think you have the abilities to be an Officer then go with that route. Do you have excellent leadership potential? Are you a confident person who is happy telling people what to do or do you prefer to be told what to do and get on with it? They are two very seperate routes.

With regards the medical side of things, you will just have to wait on that one. No one will be able to tell you with any certainty other than the Docs themselves.

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

Medical Referrals

In order to be passed fit on the day, you must have completed your eyetest also.

If there is a medical condition requiring further investigation before you can be categorically classed unfit or passed fit, the Medical Officer (MO) will write, with your permission, to your GP requesting further detail. They typically take up to 4 weeks to respond.

(With asthma they often send a questionnaire for you GP to complete & return).

You can speed things along by ringing your GP's Practice Manager and asking them to look out for the letter & reply as soon as possible.

If the MO can make a definitive decision from the information provided by your GP, then you will be passed fit/or otherwise.

If further detail is required & is available locally, the MO will again request it from a hospital or wherever the information is held (up to another 4 weeks).

Alternatively if the information is such that the outcome is inconclusive, then the information is forwarded to the Senior Medical Officer (Service Entry), soon to be relocated at the Institute of Naval Medicine (INM) in Alverstoke, near Portsmouth in the newly named Aviation Medical Division. If the SMO can may a definitive decision, referring to the respective specialists in the relevant medical area, then that is passed back to the MO. Typically the turn-around time is within 4 weeks.

If the SMO cannot make a definitive decision, then an appointment is made with a specialist in the relevant medical area of expertise. This can be at the INM Alverstoke, Guys London or Birmingham. The RN/RM pays for your rail ticket (and accommodation, if necessary) for you to attend this appointment. Specialist medical appointments usually take over 4 weeks to arrange.

Hope that helps those in similar situations.

 

[Booker]

Just an update, got my letter regarding my medical and I have been rejected . Am in bits, really don't know now what to do with myself, hope no-one else has to go through this as it ain't nice.

Anyways thanks for the help lads, been much appreciated.

Booker

 

[HHHNNN]

aww man thats terrible hard luck i feel for you booker

 

[Nacnud]

Oh dear, i'm terribly sorry for you booker, life can be hard I guess. I have just failed a music exam, but that's nothing compared to you, you can't do anything about it. Sorry man.