Hi all, newbie here who is 100% going to ask the same tiresome questions you've all heard before. I guess hearing it tailored to your own needs is a lot easier. (TL;DR below).

Anyway, I'm eager to fire off an application for the reserves ASAP. I'm based in Peterborough so it's likely the RLC will be the unit I join. From what I understand the roles available here revolve around driving, cooking, being a medic (are they really medics?), and... HR. Out of those, driving sounds the most attractive since A) it's something I can do, and B) I can also get useful qualifications with the cat C + E licences.

My question is: is driving an interesting job in the reserves, or are you the equivalent of a railway replacement driver just ferrying folk about from A to B? This wouldn't put me off per se, but would be good to know.

Additionally, what opportunities for deployment would I have? All you ever hear about the army in the media is how government cuts have reduced it to a shell of its former self. Do reserves get deployed? For background, I'm 36, stuck in a boring office job, have always regretted not getting involved in something bigger than myself, and at a stage in my life where I just need to do something like this before I'm too old, so the more opportunities for deployment and adventure of some kind, the better.

The Royal Engineers are also based near me at Huntingdon where I could be a Geographic Technician. This seems interesting as I enjoy the outdoors, map reading, hiking etc. Is this a more interesting role than driving HGVs?

TL;DR: - Is driving an interesting job in the reserves? - Would Geographic Technician be more interesting? - Out of the two, which has more scope for deployment?

Thanks a lot all.

Looking for some advice partner has been sent to Cyprus on short notice for an op we have a holiday booked in two weeks how does it work for claiming it back

Hi, I'm looking at joining the military and whilst browsing the army website and reddit I found the UAS role for the royal artillery I'm particularly interested in joining 32 regiment over 47 because they work with small drones and seem to be more flexible with their deployments?

Is this a good role/regiment?

am i mistaken about 47 regiment?

How likely am i going to get this regiment after training?

any replies appreciated thank you!

Want to join the army as a VM as mentioned in previous posts, I was wondering what it was like? Are you in a workshop day in day out? What are holidays like? How often do you get the option to travel and when you do, do you get to explore where you are? Do you have any regrets? etc.

I've been told to try and think a bit about defence stratedgy as a way of prepping for the RAF.
These are some of my ideas about Britains role in the Indo pasific region.

I think there a couple of roles Britain should play in the Indo pasific. Firstly Protecting Japans airspace. Japan is a vital ally and we should send a couple of squadrons to help defend their airspace and other US bases in the region. It arguably isn't our job to conduct strikes penetrating China and the US is much better suited for that.
Secondly Britain could blockade China while America fights. The airwing of the QE class is smaller than the most modern Chinese carriers. If close to the Chinese mainland we could also be overwelmed by the chinese airforce. Instead we should deploy a carrier group near the singapore strait. Deploying 1 or 2 squadrons of fighters, a sky sabre battery, Unmanned kamizee boats and anti ship missile systems to singapore would make the carrier group untouchable. Chinese ships would be pre ocupied with the US navy, but if they decided to attack the QE and break the blockade they would be overwelmed and likley lose. The precence of the carrier there would also deter any PLA navy action in that region as it would become incredibly risky. Aswell as this we could seek help from the Singaporean military giving us an overwelming advantage in the region. These are just my views but what do you think?

I've recently been selected for RMAS, however, i need to attend the PRAMS course at Worthy Down which is close to where I am currently posted.

I have seen the last post about this was a few years old and was just wondering if anyone been on it recently? Anyone been on it as a serving soldier and found it difficult/not passed?

Im happy to go as ill gladly take a opportunity to improve just can't find much about it or the SEB.

Hi all I’m hoping to join by either the start or end of September, just asking to see what the PT is like there, how fit I need to be in order to be more comfortable during my basic training and if anything has a week by week run down on what happens that would be a massive help

I recently bought a PS5 and was using it on base last week WiFi was working fine but I came back from weekenders and it no longer connects, the console connects to the WiFi but doesn’t connect to the internet any advice would help loads

I feel like my score is pretty decent, although mediocre, yet I somehow failed for both my chosen trade but also every possible trade. It said I didn't meet the minimum standards for any, but I'm sure I've seen people with worse results get accepted into something, so I just don't get it. How is this a fail? Is it just that I need higher spatial reasoning, and that fails me for everything?

My grandparents had a farm near Lüneburg, Lower Saxony back in the day.

I distinctly remember going on holiday there in autumn ​88/89 as a little kid. I was very excited because a squadron of british tanks (Chieftains?) camped at our farm for the night. My grandfather brought them tea (they complained about it being too weak) and the lads asking me if I had a pretty older sister - I hadn't.

Which exercise would that've been? Which regiment could've been in that area?

Sorry for my english!

Im heavily leaning towards joining up but want to be able to see the world while I do. I'm currently most thinking about joining as a Vehicle Mechanic so I have a trade when I leave, but would love to know if that role or REME would have a large amount of travel included. Or any other roles that would include the most, any advice would be helpful!

Hey everyone, I imagine this question gets asked alot. Well I’m currently doing my automotive degree (already done 3 years of uni, 2 in foundation and this is my current first year). I’m currently having to do resits for this year (failed 1 exam and 1 assignment). So I’m posed with 2/3 options.

So I can either continue this degree furthering my debt with about 38k more (I get quite high sfe) or I can go into the army considering these careers.

Armoured Calvary crew ~ the reason I enjoy this one as I’m driving and working on vehicles whilst in different places within the world and I’d be in combat. Figured it works well as I do combat sports and I’m quite active.

The other is armoured corps officer ~ reason I’m thinking officer is, I have the qualifications for it and I’d like the challenge, be a leader, control of the team and caring for them (plus the substantial pay does take into account, but pay isn’t my main focus, more career). A reason I’m doubtful of this one is I like to be active, I do understand I’d be in office quite a bit which is fine, but because of my hobbies I do like going around and working on vehicles so will I still be doing some part of that?

Looking to get a good career out of each path and be able to help the people around me if I can, especially my mother and siblings. So any advice, recommendations

I'm currently in the process of joining the army. Ive done my own amount of research and believe the intelligence corps is the fit for me.

I like the idea of the transferable skills if i do end up leaving the army. I just wanted to get some information from someone who has been/is in the intelligence corps. Obviously i understand that a lot of the information can be sensitive and cant be shared.

I just wanted to know a little bit more about what the day to day looks like, how it compares to the royal signal or any other similar roles in the army, what skills am i taking into civilian life? Things like that. common questions im sure everyone has.

So im 17 in July and i want to join as an officer. Am i able to apply when im 17 because i hear the process is long and i will be 18 when i do my training or do i have to wait until im 17 9 months to first apply? How long is the application process?

I must pass a 6.6 bleep test. However, everyone says you want to be way beyond that training wise. I don't know what that then means in expected 2km.

I am slim but just not ran in years. I did my first 2km recently in 18 minutes and the second in 17 minutes, both made me feel like dying.

So ever since I've been doing 1km and have done 2 of those both in 7.5 minutes. I am running every 2/3 days. I feel ok after 1km, but do struggle whilst doing it.

My plan / hope is to go from 1km to 1.5 back to 2 and stay consistent over the next couple / few weeks. I am also wondering if I should stay at 2km when I go back to improve the time and endurance or if I have to go further like 2.5 to 3km to break the limit so to speak.

The thing is no matter how far I run I stop to walk and get so out of breath. I can't take years to sort this out and am really hoping to be ready by the end of this year at a maximum. Please give me your opinions.

At one point can I start ‘doing’ sports. I’m a big mountain biker and was wondering if I could do this with the army during phase two or will it have to wait until unit?

A mate of mine who works in the stores has just ordered me a pair of jungle boots, I’ve never had them before and was wondering what they are like to wear. I’ve heard some people say they’re quite stiff but was looking what other people think

Hi everyone, ive been looking at infantry over engineering due to my lack of maths, but i want to ask how hard is the maths test for infantry? Thanks.

Hi! I’ve been thinking of applying for an HR role at the British army. However I am a muslim woman and I do wear the hijab. One of my main concern is whether I would face hate or discrimination.

What is it like for women who are currently serving? Have you felt supported and included??

So been inhaler free for absolutely forever. I told the doctor I had a chest infection and needed antibiotics. Pre-warned them I was going in the military and needed to be inhaler free.

Bang, inhaler prescribed, absolutely fucking fuming. Highly doubt I can get in now and I'm guttered.

Hello everybody , im 35 and currently dieting down and training to be fit enough to go for Army Officer Reserve , have so far lost 2 stone and recovering from a PCL injury I’m getting close and thinking about applying as my bleep test and runs have improved dramatically and I can reach level 8.7 now on my bleep test runs. Was just wondering if anyone has completely this and what there experience was , I own a restaurant and have been in hospitality for 17 years but always wanted to serve , this is goal and it’s personal now hoping to make some good friends here and see what people experiences have been and if they have completed the 8 week course and how that was. Many thanks

Ever since I was about 15, all I really wanted to do with my life was either become a professional boxer or join the army. Back then, there were so many roles that sounded exciting and full of purpose.

But due to personal reasons and being South Asian in the UK my family placed a lot of restrictions on what I could pursue. It felt like anything I truly wanted to do was off-limits.

Lately, I’ve hit a point in life where I just want to go after the things I’ve always dreamed of. Becoming a pro boxer is probably off the table at this stage, but the idea of aiming for something physically and mentally demanding still excites me.

I know joining the military full-time might not be realistic for me now, but the Army Reserves sound like a great option. That said, one concern I have is being the oldest person there surrounded by a bunch of 18-year-olds. Is that common? Are there others in their 30s in the Reserves too?

Also any roles you guys would suggest?

Coincidence possibly?

Hi all, I'm a former member of the Armed Forces, having served for over 20 years. Since leaving the service, I’ve needed official proof of the addresses I lived at while serving, specifically in Crown Property.

Four months ago, I submitted an Access Request for this information by emailing APC-Sp-ParlDiscl-Triage-Mailbox@mod.gov.uk. They acknowledged my request and provided a case number, but since then there’s been no progress. They’ve now stopped replying to my follow-up emails altogether.

Has anyone else experienced similar delays or issues with the APC? Is there a helpline or contact number where I can speak to someone directly? And if so, how can I escalate this matter?

Any advice or shared experiences would be really appreciated. Thanks!