YO Batching and civvy career

[Touchstone]

Touchstone, It depends very much on the injury. If it takes a long time to fix then the individual will be back batched. If they are seriously injured in the 10th wk of training, they'll probably go back to the 4th. They need to get to know their batchmates properly and bond with them. Whilst they are back batched, they will do some phys with Hunter Coy but will not be formally a part of them.
If you excuse the bluntness, why are you focussing on the back batching part? Are you planning on getting injured? It doesn't happen often, three in my batch and one subsequently passed out the year after.
I do not know the numbers passing the AIB and POC this year, it's not very often made public. If you are good enough and you want it enough, you'll get into training, it's that simple.

I also find txt speak damn annoying.

When you say injured in the 10th week and moved back to 4th, you mean the 4th week of the next years batch? I was merely curious. But looking at batches of recruits the drop outs and backtrooping can be very high with many sustaining injuries. This is more of a concern with YO training as the opportunity only comes once a year and it would be gutting to get injured and have to wait so long. And I want it more than anything in the world.

Here's a question I'm not sure if you can answer. Would you say that career progression for Royal Marines Officers is good after they leave? Are they sought after in different job roles? I was told that many Officers in the Army would leave into their late 20's never progressing beyond the rank of Captain.

Thank you for your time.

 

[RM Recruiting Officer]

Yes, week four of the following batch.
Back batching is rare though, we can normally sort someone's injury out during training. They will not go to Hunter full time and will do different phys when the YOs do phys. Don't concern yourself about the injury risk.
I think that the level of professional development and responsibility you get in the Corps is brilliant and second to none. I hope this sets me up well should I go outside but it's not something I am currently thinking about.
I love the job I am in. If you are interested in joining, give it a go, you've nothing to loose and will only regret it if you don't.

 

[Touchstone]

Thank you for the reply. What particularly interests me is ability to do specialisations over different periods in time, gaining experience and additional training, such as Arctic or desert warfare training.

Joining as a RM Officer is all I want for life, but because of a few medical red bars the chance is doubtful. Hoping that I can join the OTC and get myself on the commando course to prove my worth and and show my ability to undertake arduous training, also looking at doing various sporting events that will raise money for the RM charities and others.

I have one question though - What qualifications and benefits can be gained from being an officer in the RM? I know in the Army there are several from Sandhurst such as a City and Guilds of London Institute Licentiateship in Leadership and Associate Membership of the Chartered Management Institute, as well as BTEC National Diploma in Management and credits towards a post graduate degree in Management (at Bournemouth University). These may have changed though since I last looked....

Thanks for your help.

 

[RM Recruiting Officer]

What are these medical red bars? Private message me if you want. You get a medical before the POC.
There is loads of potential to train in many different environments but remember you are training to go to war and that's not to be taken lightly.
You won't get on the Commando Course with the OTC, its a tough ten wk course for regulars only.
As far as I know, you'll get the same civy quals as you do at Sandhurst.

 

[Touchstone]

Well I was born with club foot, which was corrected at birth through operations, and it does not have an affect on me now. I did speak to the AFCO and they did say that it was a permanent bar, I was not however medically examined. It is classed as a musculoskeletal disorder.

But as for the commando course, I have heard of a few people in the OTC who managed to get themselves on it. Another guy on here did the Reserve All Arms Commando Course in the TA from the OTC so that could be a possibility.

I was told the medical process for the Army (Officer) was different, and that it requires your Doctor to fill in a medical questionnaire....

 

[lewdog29]

Sir, on the topic of obtaining new qualifications, I see it says on the RM official site that all marines are eligible for 175 pounds a year towards any qualification. It also states that up to 6000 pounds may be allocated for educational and vocational courses.

My question is,when does a marine become eligible for this (& what is the return of service required when taking the option) as it is a magnificent opportunity to obtain a degree.

Thanks for your help on this site, it is much appreciated.

 

[Touchstone]

Do you mind posting that somewhere else please as it is not relevant to the topic at hand and can be annoying when someone hijacks your thread.

Thanks.

 

[lewdog29]

"I have one question though - What qualifications and benefits can be gained from being an officer in the RM?"

Easy there bud I dont think Im hijacking the thread, my question is about getting funded by the MoD to obtain a degree for civvy street.Which is related to what you asked RMRO earlier.

 

[Touchstone]

"I have one question though - What qualifications and benefits can be gained from being an officer in the RM?"

Easy there bud I dont think Im hijacking the thread, my question is about getting funded by the MoD to obtain a degree for civvy street.Which is related to what you asked RMRO earlier.

Well all right...

 

[RM Recruiting Officer]

Touchstone,
If they've told you that it's the policy then that's it I'm afraid. Commando training is very tough on the body and they do make broad brush decisions about whether or not they think you'll be able to get through it. You should consider the Army as you may be suitable for other service that is not within the infantry. I am not sure what their policy is on pre-existing medical issues.
Never heard of anyone getting on the All Arms Commando Course through the OTC, maybe in the past but it's very unlikely now as they're trying to get 1 Rifles through the All Arms and they're a priority over the OTC.

Lewdog,
The education benefits are pretty good in the Corps. However, you have to be extremely dedicated to take advantage of them. In my current job, I am extremely busy and on top of that I have to do some Officer development courses requiring some home study. You are highly unlikely to have the time to fit a degree in, I definitely don't and I don't know any other officers that could fit it in either.
The qualifications and benefits are quite good but you must be realistic about the jobs you will do as an Officer, I simply don't think anyone has the time. It's like adventurous training, you'll only get the time to do it after an Operational deployment or if someone puts it into the training programme. Generally speaking, the Corps is too busy to let people do AT. We do it when we can and it's great, but like educational qualifications, should play a very little part in your reasons for joining.

 

[Touchstone]

That is a possible course of action, joining the OTC and the TA from there and doing the Reserve All Arms Commando Course. To quote another member who did this -

I would recommend OTC whilst at uni. I would concentrate on getting in to OTC and then think about doing Commando course once in. Though this depends what you want at uni, OTC is very social and enjoyable and can be challenging for those that want it -Cambrian Patrol etc or go on Op's with TA .
I transfered from OTC to the TA Royal Engineers (as a Sapper) and did All Arms with them though never went on tour as I was in my final year.
Your options would be 131 Commando (Plymouth/London/Bath & Birmingham) or perhaps Rifles are doing Reserve forces Commando course now

So it would be good if I could get onto this somehow, completing it would definitely show that I could undertake the rigours of commando training and I could make an appeal against any medical decisions.

Unfortunately the Army's medical standards apply to all branches, whether combat or rear echelon support units, although I was considering joining the REME corps as an Officer with a technical degree in Computer Science. Hopefully the OTC is a starting point into the TA. It may be that I may never get the chance to join the RM but my heart will always be there, and I'm going to give it a damn good try.

Now to add to the other questions about education. I have heard about a few Army Officers doing various courses at the OU, such as the MBA, though this may be after they have left. I'm not sure if this is right but usually during their careers Officers will undertake additional courses and post-graduate courses as Staff College after promotion to Major, am I right? And these course will usually supplement their roles, i.e a post grad course in Geography and Foreign politics etc. or amphibious tactics.

Thank you for taking time out to help, time must fly when your so busy.

 

[RM Recruiting Officer]

I'm not sure what educational qualifications you get as you climb the ranks, I'll have a look into it because I know my current OC (Major) is doing a degree with the Open University. I know it is possible but imagine that it is in your spare time.

 

[Touchstone]

Thanks.

I know there are numerous courses at Shrivenham Staff College for higher up ranks like I mentioned.

By the way, say If I did manage to get a green lid, who would I have to appeal to if I was medically prevented? The examining doctor or people over at Lympstone?

 

[RM Recruiting Officer]

If you did manage to get a Green lid you'd have to go through the Docs at Lympstone I think, a long way off though.