thinking about joining the army

sol1821

any advice?
im currently in the 3rd year of doing a physics degree. but i hate it, i just want to get out and do something.

i fancy being an armourer.
i love shooting, and i love taking stuff apart and putting it back together again. which i do with all my air rifles/pistols(not allowed proper guns over here unless you jump through a lot of hoops)
and being an armourer sounds like it ticks all those boxes.

to be an armourer in the British army you have to join the army, im cool with that just need to sort my fitness out, (a lot)


just wondering if any of you guys had any pearls of wisdom that you could share with me.
only thing im concerned about is having a family, which is something ive always wanted.(im 21 now)

Diamondog

sol1821:

any advice?
im currently in the 3rd year of doing a physics degree. but i hate it, i just want to get out and do something.

i fancy being an armourer.
i love shooting, and i love taking stuff apart and putting it back together again. which i do with all my air rifles/pistols(not allowed proper guns over here unless you jump through a lot of hoops)
and being an armourer sounds like it ticks all those boxes.

to be an armourer in the British army you have to join the army, im cool with that just need to sort my fitness out, (a lot)


just wondering if any of you guys had any pearls of wisdom that you could share with me.
only thing im concerned about is having a family, which is something ive always wanted.(im 21 now)

I don't have any millitary experience but I would suggest if you've gone that far in school, finish what you started, you are young and the millitary will be there when you're done. Going back to school to finish however I can attest, can be a difficult thing to do...

xmacro

+1 to finishing. A degree you "almost got" is worthless. Even if you hate it, that degree may open some doors for you to something you like

Heavy

xmacro:

+1 to finishing. A degree you "almost got" is worthless. Even if you hate it, that degree may open some doors for you to something you like

+2 Stick it out and get that degree. I don't have military experience and I don't know anything about the British armed forces, but I'm pretty sure that if you go into the US army with a degree you go in as an officer.

MBISON

DUDE FORGET IT! I have been 12 years in the system and I'm currently deployed. Just turned 30 and I won't lie to you thanks to the ARMY I have a steady job and pay. BUT I'VE HAD TO SCRIFICE A LOT OF THINGS. You do not have to join the ARMY to play with guns. You can do that @ home..... just get a license. Do you know what an armorer does in the ARMY??? You just sit by the supply office to issue weapons to the soldiers and when the mission is over you take them back for maintenance and accountability. Finish your degree and open some doors for you like the other BOTL's tell you. If you are concerned about having a family then the ARMY is not an option. Being away from the people you love is never easy and really painful..... specially during the Holidays. My marriage is shaking like a leaf and Im not the only one going through the same situation. Finish that degree and if it does not work out for you then consider joining the National Guard first. If you have a degree you can at least become an officer. DON'T TAKE THE ARMY AS YOUR FIRST OPTION......... just my piece of advice.

MBISON

oooooops.... Sorry, I didn't notice you were talking about joining the BRIT ARMY. Anyways just take my advice and apply it as needed. LOL

wwhwang

I was in the Army. You've got some big decisions ahead of you, sol. However, if you want some advice, I'd suggest doing some research about enlistment contracts before you do anything. I don't know anything about benefits that the British military offers their recruits, but when I enlisted, you could opt for student loan repayment or money for your GI Bill, which entitles you to some money for future educational programs.

However, I do have to agree with the other guys on this one. Might as well finish your degree since you're so close. An "I almost had a degree" on your resume is useless if you're looking for a job. Besides, the Army will still be there after you graduate. Also, if you have a girlfriend or wife, being in the military will strain the relationship. Being apart for the military will require that the both of you are strong and able to bear the difficulties of not being together for long periods of time...and not everyone can handle it.

Also, there's really nothing special about being an armorer. Every soldier uses weapons (some more than others, depending on their job). All the armorer does that other soldiers don't usually do is sit at the armory and do paperwork accounting for equipment and weapons.

Whatever your choice, I'd support you. My advice, however, is to finish your education and do research on jobs in the military and enlistment benefits. Also, I suggest thinking about the potential strain on your relationships. Being in the military is great if you're single. But if you're married and have kids, it can suck. Knowledge is power, Sol. Think about it and see if the Army's the life for you.

EDIT: Almost forgot. Having a college degree enables you to go for the officer program in the US Army. Don't know what the British Army offers, but it's something to look into if you decide to enlist.

Russ55

I suggest finding an outlet for the adventure you might be craving that doesn't require radical changes in your life.

sol1821

cheers for the replys guys.
ive been having a look and it seems a bit more involved than just checking guns in/out, wether its to be bileved or not is a different thing, they are saying you get to do all the maintanace on all the guns starting off with small arms and working up, requres metle working abilitys, which will be taught.

sol1821

heres some info
http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk/jobs/pages/JobDetail.aspx?armyjobid=EME100B/109B&category=2

Garhead

A very noble thought there sol! I have to agree with the other guys, might want to finish up your degree first. I had a chance to start teaching before getting my Masters degree. I would eventually have to get it. My mother told me how difficult it was to work, raise a family AND go back to school to finish up was. So I took her advice and went an extra 2 1/2 years to to complete my schooling. Man, was she ever right! Couldn't imagine trying to do all that working 40-60 hour weeks and trying to spend time with the family. Best of luck in any decision you decide on though.

bearb

Agree with all of the above posts, but will add a few tidbits from my experience also. As a secondary school teacher, I build a lot of relationships with my students. Some stay in touch, and keep me in their loop, occasinoally seeking advice/guidance. Once you have earned your undergraduate degree, it can never be taken from you, even if you don't end up 'using it' directly. The reality is, the degree is more of a marker to show perseverence, commitment, etc. Until it is complete though, it will draw questions if used on your resume, or if left off, questions about this time period in your life. Lastly, unfortunately, the statistics do not support the concept of 'finishing later' as it is just is so challenging for many of the reasons listed b4. Now my story. Did my undergrad right after high school. Worked 8 years in environmental consulting. Then I went back to school to do an MBA...got 1/2 way through then got into Teachers college...so had to 'temporarily' put MBA on hold (as getting into teachers college was/is so much harder to get into than MBA) ...that was 12 years ago..been teaching ever since..love it...but the incomplete MBA really can't be used, nor even really talked about as even though I am proud of it, it is still 'incomplete' and unfortunately is a 'ghost' in my closet, hanging over my head.

Amos Umwhat

wwhwang:

I was in the Army. You've got some big decisions ahead of you, sol. However, if you want some advice, I'd suggest doing some research about enlistment contracts before you do anything. I don't know anything about benefits that the British military offers their recruits, but when I enlisted, you could opt for student loan repayment or money for your GI Bill, which entitles you to some money for future educational programs.

However, I do have to agree with the other guys on this one. Might as well finish your degree since you're so close. An "I almost had a degree" on your resume is useless if you're looking for a job. Besides, the Army will still be there after you graduate. Also, if you have a girlfriend or wife, being in the military will strain the relationship. Being apart for the military will require that the both of you are strong and able to bear the difficulties of not being together for long periods of time...and not everyone can handle it.

Also, there's really nothing special about being an armorer. Every soldier uses weapons (some more than others, depending on their job). All the armorer does that other soldiers don't usually do is sit at the armory and do paperwork accounting for equipment and weapons.

Whatever your choice, I'd support you. My advice, however, is to finish your education and do research on jobs in the military and enlistment benefits. Also, I suggest thinking about the potential strain on your relationships. Being in the military is great if you're single. But if you're married and have kids, it can suck. Knowledge is power, Sol. Think about it and see if the Army's the life for you.

EDIT: Almost forgot. Having a college degree enables you to go for the officer program in the US Army. Don't know what the British Army offers, but it's something to look into if you decide to enlist.

Spot on, finish what you started, there will always be an Army.

JCizzle

My 2 cents worth:
If having a family is something you want, don't do it. I've always said that the military is not condusive to raising a family. The divorce rate is high, you deploy a lot, etc.

I did 4 years, it wasn't for me. However, it did pay for all my school up to a graduate degree, and will probably pay for at least a part of a PhD. It also went on my resume and led to to a very good job, so it's all give and take. That being said, I'm 30 and have no wife or kids, that is something I've either put on hold or given up all together in order to have the lifestyle I want. It's all about balance and what you want to do.

If I could do it all over again would I still sign up? Not the way I did, I would have gone in as an officer. Just to give you an idea, an 0-3 with about 5-6 years experience makes as much if not more than an E-9 with 25-30 years of experience. Enlisted you make nothing, you work long hours, and are just a body.

Best of luck to you.

Jetmech_63

I am currently and have been active duty us navy for the past 14 years. My dad was in 20. It possible to raise a family, but it requires a level of dedication and sacrifice a non military couple will never know. Fwiw, I've seen more people who get married then come in end up in divorce than those who get married while they're in. Not to say it doesn't happen a lot though. My base has the highest percentage of divorces in the whole navy due in part to how much were gone. I love the navy but it is a rough life. Finish your degree. And if you still feel the same way, sign up for 3 or 4 years. One enlistment or 20 years, I tip my hat to anyone who does thiertime honorably. And you can pick up life skills that you are hard pressed to learn anywhere else. Something to think about. Most employers I know of look favorably on a military background with w degree.

SmokySuit

Dude FINISH that physics degree!!! My wife has a Physics degree and she has a better paying job that me!

Goldy

I was in a very similar boat to you a few years ago. I was 2.5 years into my physics degree and I really didn't like it anymore. Physics simply wasn't the best fit for me because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life in a cubicle working with people far smarter than I am. So, I took some other classes and found that I really enjoy geology. Long story short, I was able to take my physics work ethic and turn it into a geology and a geography degree and still finish in 4 years.

Since then I have keep up with my physics friends and guess what, they are ALL unemployed right now. I have had a great job for the past 4 years and get to do all sorts of crazy things that I never would have done with physics, like use a helicopter as my daily commuter, get paid to hike in woods all over North America, go to required firearm practice, and live in hunting and fishing lodges on the company dime.

Anyway, what I am trying to say is that you should find something that makes you happy. I would strongly strongly strongly recommend you finish some sort of degree but specifically something in the sciences. I found Physics to be a great learning experience that molds you more than you might think it does.

Goldy

Have you thought about doing a study abroad program? It would allow you to not only have a change of scenery but you could come over state side and get to play with guns while you finish your physics degree.

sol1821

SmokySuit:

Dude FINISH that physics degree!!! My wife has a Physics degree and she has a better paying job that me!

but who's happier?

sol1821

Goldy:

I was in a very similar boat to you a few years ago. I was 2.5 years into my physics degree and I really didn't like it anymore. Physics simply wasn't the best fit for me because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life in a cubicle working with people far smarter than I am. So, I took some other classes and found that I really enjoy geology. Long story short, I was able to take my physics work ethic and turn it into a geology and a geography degree and still finish in 4 years.

Since then I have keep up with my physics friends and guess what, they are ALL unemployed right now. I have had a great job for the past 4 years and get to do all sorts of crazy things that I never would have done with physics, like use a helicopter as my daily commuter, get paid to hike in woods all over North America, go to required firearm practice, and live in hunting and fishing lodges on the company dime.

Anyway, what I am trying to say is that you should find something that makes you happy. I would strongly strongly strongly recommend you finish some sort of degree but specifically something in the sciences. I found Physics to be a great learning experience that molds you more than you might think it does.

cheers for the advice, the first sentence of your last paragraph i think is the most important though.

sol1821

MBISON:

DUDE FORGET IT! I have been 12 years in the system and I'm currently deployed. Just turned 30 and I won't lie to you thanks to the ARMY I have a steady job and pay. BUT I'VE HAD TO SCRIFICE A LOT OF THINGS. You do not have to join the ARMY to play with guns. You can do that @ home..... just get a license. Do you know what an armorer does in the ARMY??? You just sit by the supply office to issue weapons to the soldiers and when the mission is over you take them back for maintenance and accountability. Finish your degree and open some doors for you like the other BOTL's tell you. If you are concerned about having a family then the ARMY is not an option. Being away from the people you love is never easy and really painful..... specially during the Holidays. My marriage is shaking like a leaf and Im not the only one going through the same situation. Finish that degree and if it does not work out for you then consider joining the National Guard first. If you have a degree you can at least become an officer. DON'T TAKE THE ARMY AS YOUR FIRST OPTION......... just my piece of advice.

been doing so more digging, and there is apparently 2 types of armourer, one is as you described, part of the group but has the extra job of checking in checking out. and the other type has more of a gunsmiths role, fixing/maintaining/upgrading guns, starting with small arms working up.