Opinions of the forces/those in it etc

[Minstrels]

Just wondering what peoples views are of the army etc. Broad question so I'll narrow it down.

Opinions on those serving?

Opinions of those joining?

Opinions of it as a whole (army, navy etc) and the job they do.



I've met a person which made me think about the general perception of it all. Saying the lads and girls serving are monsters, join up to kill innocents, only join because they have no qualifications and they're all monsters, when they're not touring they're getting drunk and starting fights. Shocked me to think people still think like that.

I'm personally in the intake next year for basic depending on a minor problem with my knee which should be sorted out paper wise in the next few weeks so I'll be able to go off and do the basic followed by a 24 month signals course. I've got A's, B's and C's in GCSE form and did college for a year before realising being stuck in an office wouldn't work for me. I needed my GCSE's for the job I wanted, anything lower would mean I'd have to do something else.

People have said to me it's a one way ticket to suicide, when I come out I wont be able to get a job (if I stay alive). It's surprising how many people talk rubbish (i.e. tick to suicide, no job prospects etc).


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cba re-reading over the thread so hope it makes sense.

[alexxxxx]

Just wondering what peoples views are of the army etc. Broad question so I'll narrow it down.

Opinions on those serving?

It's not something i'd want to do. I don't feel like they automatically warrant my respect as is deemed by a lot of people should be the case. Those who have gone past the call of duty, of course.

Opinions of those joining?

In my experience, the only people who have joined the army and navy have been people who have no other option and are not very well qualified and/or have misbehaved a lot at school. I know no one apart from 2 girls signed up wishing to be nurses cause they cannot afford uni. You must remember that i come from a fairly affluent area and have been to two 'outstanding' schools/colleges from ofsted where the emphasis has always been on education. It's not seen as a normal thing to do where i live.

Opinions of it as a whole (army, navy etc) and the job they do.

You have to be pretty dedicated or have no other viable option in life to put yourself in that sort of position with the pay that's given to you and the hours you put in.

I've met a person which made me think about the general perception of it all. Saying the lads and girls serving are monsters, join up to kill innocents, only join because they have no qualifications and they're all monsters, when they're not touring they're getting drunk and starting fights. Shocked me to think people still think like that.

I'm personally in the intake next year for basic depending on a minor problem with my knee which should be sorted out paper wise in the next few weeks so I'll be able to go off and do the basic followed by a 24 month signals course. I've got A's, B's and C's in GCSE form and did college for a year before realising being stuck in an office wouldn't work for me. I needed my GCSE's for the job I wanted, anything lower would mean I'd have to do something else.

People have said to me it's a one way ticket to suicide, when I come out I wont be able to get a job (if I stay alive). It's surprising how many people talk rubbish (i.e. tick to suicide, no job prospects etc).


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cba re-reading over the thread so hope it makes sense.

Well often ex-army people find it hard to re-integrate into civilian life and/or have mental health issues from service. But the whole experience is often seen as a good thing by employers.

[louder]

although the way i think of it & imagine it to be is bad.
and the reasons for why it's there is bad.

but apparently, it's more about going out & getting rat assed than serving your country.
& seeing as you'd get paid for that. seems like a winner to me.
if you're up for being in the army or whatever that is.

[Nixt]

Just wondering what peoples views are of the army etc. Broad question so I'll narrow it down.

Opinions on those serving?

Any individual who passes out of basic training I have the utmost respect for. Ignoring the nature of their job I know from experience that it is a tough time and it takes a lot to get through it. Most but certainly not all people who get through I respect in a different way, too. The army changes you, make no mistake, and for a lot of people it changes them for the better - turns them into disciplined individuals who would do anything for their country and the people within it. Some would say they've been brainwashed, all I know is that I have admiration for those who are willing to die for Joe Bloggs!

Opinions of those joining?

I know the general opinion is that those that are intending to join lack the relevant skills to succeed in civvy street. Bull. I joined alongside some of the most intelligent people I know - someone who had a first in anthropology from Cambridge, someone who had a biochemistry degree, etc. I won't deny that some people that join up do so maybe because their lack of prospects in civvy street - but that's not the absolute case. Furthermore, the way I look at it is at least these people who are struggling with employment in civvy street actively make the decision to do something with their life and join the army. They should not be criticised for getting off their arses and getting a job.

Opinions of it as a whole (army, navy etc) and the job they do.

They are an integral part of this country's defence and without them, we would be in deep ****! Simple as, really.

I'm personally in the intake next year for basic depending on a minor problem with my knee which should be sorted out paper wise in the next few weeks so I'll be able to go off and do the basic followed by a 24 month signals course. I've got A's, B's and C's in GCSE form and did college for a year before realising being stuck in an office wouldn't work for me. I needed my GCSE's for the job I wanted, anything lower would mean I'd have to do something else.

People have said to me it's a one way ticket to suicide, when I come out I wont be able to get a job (if I stay alive). It's surprising how many people talk rubbish (i.e. tick to suicide, no job prospects etc).

Best of luck, don't join the signals.

[Minstrels]

Any individual who passes out of basic training I have the utmost respect for. Ignoring the nature of their job I know from experience that it is a tough time and it takes a lot to get through it. Most but certainly not all people who get through I respect in a different way, too. The army changes you, make no mistake, and for a lot of people it changes them for the better - turns them into disciplined individuals who would do anything for their country and the people within it. Some would say they've been brainwashed, all I know is that I have admiration for those who are willing to die for Joe Bloggs!


I know the general opinion is that those that are intending to join lack the relevant skills to succeed in civvy street. Bull. I joined alongside some of the most intelligent people I know - someone who had a first in anthropology from Cambridge, someone who had a biochemistry degree, etc. I won't deny that some people that join up do so maybe because their lack of prospects in civvy street - but that's not the absolute case. Furthermore, the way I look at it is at least these people who are struggling with employment in civvy street actively make the decision to do something with their life and join the army. They should not be criticised for getting off their arses and getting a job.

They are an integral part of this country's defence and without them, we would be in deep ****! Simple as, really.



Best of luck, don't join the signals.

Aha, reasons being?