r/britishmilitary • • Sep 03 '24

Announcement "I want to join XXX but I have XXX condition - will I be okay?" check here for eligibility info.

106 Upvotes

Hello everyone.

It's been a while since I've been here in any proper capacity, for various reasons I won't get into. But I've recently been dropping in and out of the sub to see what's going on and i've noticed a large number of posts asking something along the lines of "I have condition X can I still join?"

While we appreciate the content and the activity in the sub, responding to the same or similar questions can get a little old, so I've added some new links to our wiki which can be found on the sidebar or by following this link - https://reddit.com//r/britishmilitary/wiki/index

I have added links to the Army and the Royal Navy's Medical Requirements/Eligibility pages which lists current criteria and medical conditions which may make you ineligible for active service.

I have been unable to find a single source of information from the RAF as to their current criteria other than their fitness standards, so if anyone has a link they can share that would be helpful to add in there.

For ease of use, the links are:

Army Medical Requirements

Royal Navy Eligibility Notes

JSP950

Thanks for reading, and thanks for keeping this community ticking along.

NK


r/britishmilitary • • 4h ago

Question Is Movement Controller as boring as it looks?

8 Upvotes

Was thinking of joining the Army as a Movement Controller. I'm a logistically minded guy, I like planning and organising things. My preferred type of video games for example are those tactical strategy games where you micro-manage a lot of things etc. So I thought this role could suit me on paper.

But looking at some of the promotional video here, it looks so fucking boring my god. You just stand behind a kiosk, inspecting peoples' passports and occasionally looking under a truck? Not trying to throw any shade here because I was genuinely interested in the role... Can anyone who actually does this job chime in and let me know if it's any good?


r/britishmilitary • • 2h ago

Question If it harder to find a job while in the reserves

6 Upvotes

Hello my names Bradley I’m 19 and currently employed but in training for a construction job and I have applied to the reserves and it has come to me if I join the reserves can the employers decline me as I would have to take time off work for the reserves


r/britishmilitary • • 2h ago

Question Anyone got experience travelling a long way for a Reserve unit?

2 Upvotes

Further to my last post, I’d quite like to transfer to 299 RE, as the Airborne element appeals to me over a Cdo unit, but a one way journey to Wakefield would take about three hours one way.

Has anyone done this before? Realistically it would mean I go to camps and weekends only. Fuel cost isn’t much of a consideration for me. Not sure if this is even workable given the additional commitments needed for 299 but keen to hear views


r/britishmilitary • • 1d ago

Question Army Reserve Mariners - Worth joining?

4 Upvotes

Evening all,

Considering joining the Army Mariners Reserves

I have some experience in marine work as a deckhand, port operative and in small vessel diesel/petrol engineering.

When I last looked, we didn’t have the ever growing conversation about WW3 and conflict with Russia.

What’s everyone’s opinion on a potential conflict soon, and what would my life look like as a reserve mariner if war broke out?

Also, heard mix reviews about the reserve. Is it worth it?

I’m looking for a challenge, push myself out of my comfort zone, travel and meet new people.

Cheers


r/britishmilitary • • 20h ago

Question Power Engineer in RSIGNALS

1 Upvotes

Hello everyone, currently at AFC Harrogate and want some more information on the role of power engineer in the signals.

Firstly I’m currently aligned to becoming a CIE but want to change after seeing that getting a posting to 216 and completing p company will be unavailable as they don’t take on any CIEs so I’ve been looking at PE and wanted to ask a few questions on the role itself.

After completing phase 2 how long would I take to finish the full apprenticeship?

What are the best postings for being a PE?

What does the day to day job include?

When I get to phase 2 they ask you 3 preferences to which unit u would like to go to i will put 216 but what are other good options if that is not available.

Any advice would be much appreciated.


r/britishmilitary • • 1d ago

Question Is logistics a good role in the army?

4 Upvotes

Hello, I'm 18 and looking at joining the army, I averaged 6's on my GCSE's and got B' and C's on my A-levels, I want to do logistics but I'm not sure if it is a good career path, what would anyone who does logistics say? I also have dual nationality, will this affect my chances at joining?


r/britishmilitary • • 1d ago

Question Inter service transfer? Minimum time served? Private to Officer?

8 Upvotes

Very specific question coming up.
Currently in the army, under the 4 years minimum, I'm assuming you can't transfer before that?

Part 2: I joined as a regular, is it possible to transfer but join as an officer in the RAF? (assuming you meet all the eligibility requirements

Thanks


r/britishmilitary • • 1d ago

Question Med Discharge ACFS Chronic Pain

3 Upvotes

I have had chronic deep hip/glute pain for the past 2 years, scans show nothing, steroid injections have not helped, resistant to most pain relief, physio has made it all worse.

In 2024, within 8 months I went from being at my peak fitness, happy and healthy, to chronic pain that leaves me often sitting on the bed where I am most comfortable, and barely leaving the house. I have been told there's are no other pain relief options.

I was med discharged two weeks ago, after serving for 17 1/2 years.

I have spoken with White Ensign, and she is trying to help me but chronic pain is not considered on the tariffs


r/britishmilitary • • 2d ago

Kit Question Knee pads or something similar

8 Upvotes

After taking knees for 10 years my knees are without a doubt completely fucked I take a knee and I know about it later, I’ve tried knee pads but they are just awful and pull up my trousers and also look a bit chippy but let’s not mention that, anyone got any compression knee pad type thingy recommendations that have worked for you or anything in that market


r/britishmilitary • • 2d ago

Question Any advice/insights on being an army pharmacist

1 Upvotes

Currently undergoing my foundation trainee pharmacist year and considering joining as a pharmacist.

Truthfully, there isn't a strong conviction as to why im considering but it does seem fulfilling. Mainly posting this as online resources I can find are more to do with the process of joining rather than the actual role.

I'd like to know more about the process of joining, what the scope of practice would be like, locations i may serve at if pharmacists are generally sent to certain bases/units, job satisfaction, etc.

I will be an independent prescriber upon registration so would like to know as to how that may affect scope also and if I will be trained up in that intially.


r/britishmilitary • • 3d ago

Kit Question NSN for Lowas replacement

1 Upvotes

Purchased myself some Lowa Zephyr GTX a little while back, quite like them but now they need replacing.

A little birdy informed me you can get these via stores, and I'm going to try my luck and get some.

Firstly can they be acquired by stores? And if so what's the NSN please? For UK size 8.5.

Saves me spending 150 quid on work kit.


r/britishmilitary • • 4d ago

Question Supply chain operator role

5 Upvotes

Quick question for anyone working as a Supply Chain Operator or in the RLC in general.

I'm 27M with GCSEs in Maths, Science, and English, 90 UCAS points, a BA in International Relations and Politics, and an MSc in Public Policy with a focus on data science. I spent a year working as an Assistant Research Interviewer doing data collection, cleaning, and interviewing, but I've really struggled to land graduate roles. I flopped several Civil Service interviews because I lacked enough hands-on data science and research experience, and AI has been gobbling up entry-level data science positions anyway.

Anyway, I've always been interested in the military, but I was discouraged from joining after college and went to uni instead. Now, I'm getting ready for the Army Assessment Centre soon. In the meantime, I'm working in a food warehouse operating forklifts (reach, counterbalance, PPT, VNA, HLOP) and handling loading, unloading, put-aways, and bulk picking. It's pretty soul-crushing working 4-on, 4-off in a freezing environment, but recruiters have nudged me toward the Supply Chain Operator role in the RLC.

So, my questions are:

- What is day-to-day life like as a Supply Chain Operator, or in the RLC in general?

- What others should I consider? I've been denied certain roles for being a dual-national. Been debating with myself on whether or not renouncing my second citizenship would help.


r/britishmilitary • • 6d ago

Question Thinking leaving during phase 2

31 Upvotes

So long story short I hate it here. I’ve been forced to do a trade I don’t want and there hasn’t been a single person that seemed that they actually care about solving the issue. I get picked on all the time. I’m not having a good time at all. I never wanted to join the army. I wanted to join the RAF but couldn’t as I was homeless and the army were the ones that said yes instead. Do I leave now in phase 2 and apply to join the RAF or do I just put my head down and get on with doing a job that I never wanted to do.

Thanks all


r/britishmilitary • • 6d ago

Question Army rejected me for NF1 — could I join the RAF?

6 Upvotes

I’m 23 and was rejected from joining the Army because I have NF1. I’m now considering the RAF Electrician role.
Does an Army medical rejection automatically affect an RAF application, or would the RAF assess me separately? Has anyone dealt with this before?
I want to know whether it’s worth pursuing before committing to this career path.


r/britishmilitary • • 7d ago

Question Should I join as an Enlisted/Rating after graduating

8 Upvotes

For context, I'm 25 years old and graduating university in 2027 with a BSc in Accounting & Finance. I don't have A-Levels or a maths GCSE so I’m unqualified for officer roles so I'm looking at enlisted roles. I've also already done a year in the URNU.

Basically I’d like to just gain life experiences and maybe useful qualifications whilst I’m still young. Given that I graduate in 2027, when should I actually start the application process if I'd like to join up right after graduation? Any advice on trades or roles to look at would also be appreciated.


r/britishmilitary • • 7d ago

Question Communications infrastructure engineer

5 Upvotes

I’m looking at joining the sigs as a communication infrastructure engineer. I’m 23 and have spent the past 5 years working in outside broadcast as a sound engineer, working with a lot of radio kit, I’m competent in splicing cable (never done any OTDR but jobs coming up I could have some experience in this) and cat5 terminating. It seems this role is suited well to my experience. Realistically how quickly could I climb ranks? I would be pushing myself to try top the class in order to help with this, along with hoping to get a good chance of being stationed in North Yorkshire as it’s where family/friends are. I’m not bothered about being away for long periods as I’m already doing that. Would love to hear from someone in the sigs and what they think. Hobby’s also consist of hiking/camping, climbing, running, gym, target shooting. Which is why I’m considering joining the army. TIA


r/britishmilitary • • 7d ago

Question Transferring from UOTC to local army reserve unit

3 Upvotes

Does anyone know if I’ll need to do the assessment center as I haven’t done a fitness test at UOTC or will my local reserve unit just put me through a fitness test? I’ve passed my medical and been attested at UOTC now so just kinda wondering what the process is


r/britishmilitary • • 8d ago

Question Any advice on roles and what they experience

7 Upvotes

I’m 24 not as young as I maybe should be if I wanted to join but honestly iv had enough of minimum wage no disposable income and a horrible life so I’m joining.
Do you have any advice I want to join for the disposable income the travel the experiences and the fun and challenges but I’m stuck in 2 minds I really would like to join something to just be a bad ass but I also realise it might be hard to get a job in civvy street when I leave can you give me advice on what you did or what you know would I be able to get a decent job if I joined marines or paras after I leave?
What did you do how often do you travel what did your day to day look like?
Is there any high adrenaline roles that also offer good civvy street jobs.
In all honestly I know there will be downsides to all of the roles but I just want to be able to have disposable income to save have some experiences I would have never had otherwise do some high adrenaline stuff and maybe a qualification for when I come out?
Any advice really appreciated.


r/britishmilitary • • 8d ago

Question Any decent alternatives to the issued softie jacket?

17 Upvotes

Title. The issued one is decent but it takes up fuck loads of space in a side pouch, even when compressed, and isn’t in MTP (I know there’s an MTP one been issued now but again it’s massive.

Anyone recommend a warm jacket/mid layer that isn’t massive and is in MTP?


r/britishmilitary • • 8d ago

Question Royal Welsh Mess Dress - Long Shot

4 Upvotes

As the title suggests, this is a long shot! I (my partner) am looking for a set of Royal Welsh Mess Dress. Minimum chest 48inch. We have a tailor that can adjust it, but we cant find a set second hand anywhere!

I'm hoping there might be someone here with a set tucked away?

Or, if you have any suggestions for where to look, that would be appreciated too!

Thanks!


r/britishmilitary • • 8d ago

Question Culture in 299 RE / 131 Cdo Sqn

3 Upvotes

As per the title, recently I’ve been more interested in joining a punchier Reserve unit than my current one. Is anybody in either of the above units or do you have experience of them? Interested in hearing what the culture is like and what you get up to on weekends/drill nights. I assume a lot of Phys!


r/britishmilitary • • 9d ago

Question Can I sit GCSE in the British Army

8 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m looking to transfer to the RAF in the next year or two and unfortunately didn’t do great in school and failed my Maths GCSE.

I have a Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths but i’ve been told this isn’t eligible.

Do the education people that work in camps do GCSEs? Or is it only Functional Skills and specific stuff for people getting out?

Don’t fancy paying a tonne to do it via civvies and honestly i’d need the tutoring too.

Cheers


r/britishmilitary • • 8d ago

Question How do callsigns work at the Pl/Coy level?

0 Upvotes

Me and a friend (both civilian) are in disagreement over how C/S allocation works at the smaller end of nets:

They say that on the Pl net, Pl Signaller would be P10, CO would be P10A and Sgt would be P10B.

I say the signaller would be 0, as they are the manager of the net, with CO and Sgt taking 0A, 0B. I say this because from the crib cards I’ve seen, Contact reports are “Hello 0, this is”, so it makes no sense for 0 to not be a C/S within the Platoon net.

Are either of us right?


r/britishmilitary • • 11d ago

Discussion Poll half of uk adults would not go to war

17 Upvotes

I am not shocked by this isn't it the case that people would fight or conscript if we were actually at war? For example I would believe 1930s Britain would bear the same result.

I think until your country is under actual threat of invasion then the numbers of adults wanting to fight would go up.

Don't know what others think of this? I don't believe in the hypothetical situation where Russia invades from the north sea people would not choose to fight them