British Army

[Theoretical]

Hi, my names Rob, i'm 16 and i am thinking of joining the British Army. At the moment, i'm not enjoying college and want to do something with my life instead of the same thing every day. However i have a few questions if anyone could answer, i would really appreciate.

Do you have to be able to swim? At the moment i can't, and i would feel pretty embarrassed to start learning now.

Would it be worth joining at 16?

Thanks
Rob

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, sorry if it isn't.

[Mike_2817]

Do not worry about being able to swim

http://www.army.mod.uk/join/20177.aspx

You can join at 16 and the extended training is worthwhile

http://www.army.mod.uk/training_educ...ning/7127.aspx

[Sunray9]

Rob, why not try the Royal Marines !!

[Paul Spellman]

I think if your not enjoying college doing the same thing every day the army will certainly not suit you,although there can be exceptional unexpected events a lot of the time is routine and training and you really need the ability to take orders and give them if given the oppurtinty arises,that being said it is a place where you will find the best of friends and comrades. You certainly have to be fit probably more so now as the army is getting smaller and they can be more choosey who they select. Swimming - there was an army swim test of 4 x50m lengths followed by 2 mins treading water when i entered basic training though im not sure if this is still implemented. Dont join on a whim you really need to want to do it.

[Charlie585]

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[REMEVMBEA1]

Military life has been described as "long periods of boredom broken by short periods of fear" so being bored is probably not the best reason for enlisting. If you were my son I'd be inclined to say study harder to relieve the boredom and gain whatever qualifications you can so that if you decide later that you would like to enlist you'll have a much wider choice of which trade you can take up. As for learning to swim , don't feel embarrassed that you can't feel good that you are prepared to admit to it and want to learn.