Considering Army Career

[AirsoftgoesAli]

I'm only 15 but in the future I was considering following a career in the army I would join as a soldier but I have a bit of vision impairment in my right eye so wouldn't be able to look down the scope on the right side very well so then I thought I have very good grades in all the sciences and maths maybe a career as an engineer may be more suited so I wanted to know if you have any experience in the army how you found the training and general army life? Aswell as what kind of roles would be suited to me keep in mind that I'm in very good physical shape I play high level sports and frequent the gym so that shouldn't be a problem but I would also like to put my knowledge to use aswell

Thank you for any replys

 

[jcheeseright]

get some A levels, join as an officer.

 

[ImTriggerHappy]

get some A levels, join as an officer.

See agreeing with you already.I have never served but know a lot who have and those that were officers are definitely doing better for themselves in civi street than those that weren't.

Get a trade out of it.

 

[PT247]

I think no matter what you go in as you'll need to have some competence in shooting a rifle even as an officer. Even in the Royal Navy you need to be able to pass a shoot in basic training and will get kicked out if you can't. Can glasses help your eyesight issue?

 

[AirsoftgoesAli]

I can shoot very well using my left eye as I used to do a lot of air gun shooting and such but just can't see accurately down the scope with the right eye cause of a lazy eye

 

[PT247]

ahh, this could be an issue as it is not possible to shoot the SA80 lefthanded

 

[jcheeseright]

it is if you don't like your face!

 

[skarra333]

I'm only 15 but in the future I was considering following a career in the army I would join as a soldier but I have a bit of vision impairment in my right eye so wouldn't be able to look down the scope on the right side very well so then I thought I have very good grades in all the sciences and maths maybe a career as an engineer may be more suited so I wanted to know if you have any experience in the army how you found the training and general army life? Aswell as what kind of roles would be suited to me keep in mind that I'm in very good physical shape I play high level sports and frequent the gym so that shouldn't be a problem but I would also like to put my knowledge to use aswell

Thank you for any replys

This is not my site at all so I don't know how current or correct it is at all, but it has a section on eye sight, and links to some online test that might give you an idea as to whether or not you'll be limited in your options:

http://www.recruitpacks.com/5-factors-that-could-affect-your-military-application/

Might be worth an early chat to both a recruitment office and Specsavers?

Just incase your eyesight does prevent you from being able to join, there are a whole heap of other options open man, don't despair. For example the Merchant Navy would still let you travel, get yelled at, develop skills and a trade for later life, and possibly fire automatic weapons.

 

[geoffreym]

ahh, this could be an issue as it is not possible to shoot the SA80 lefthanded

Not totally accurate, it was possible to be issued a "left-handed" SA80, but I never knew the requirements, saw a couple in the stores in shorncliffe and one issued to a gurkha,

 

[jcheeseright]

Chances of being issued one during training though... Nil.

 

[Jambo88]

Wait until your older. Don't join as a 16-17yo and then think sod this after a few years because you've had a rough few months. Working shitty jobs whilst you study will delevop you massively because you have to learn how to deal with mundane menial tasks and you will appreciate the good times more aswell. Ive not served Im classed as unfit for service( I did pass selection) but I've had friends that went in and left then found they missed it and spent over a year trying to rejoin. Getting paid to be bored is better than being bored on the dole.

 

[deebo]

I second the wait to give it a few years. I know a few that joined quite young and definately found it easier as they got older.

Not served so cant give much advice on the eye things, good luck on it though!

 

[GeneralKimbo]

So the SA80 messes up your face if shot left handed? Does the army make leftys put up with this or do they sort something out for them?

 

[PT247]

Left handed folk learn to shoot right handed. It isn't difficult unless you have a disability that would make it so.

 

[jcheeseright]

Everyone gets taught to shoot right handed, the controls for the gun are not in any way ambidextrous. While it's physically possible to shoot it left handed (using a very specific technique) it's not really possible to fully manipulate an SA80 left handed, magazine changes, moving the selector, even the safety catch is on the wrong side for a lefty.

 

[Talltom]

Dont know squat about army but i can tell you that the raf is a damn good job if you want good qualifications and living but dont join young

 

[two_zero]

So the SA80 messes up your face if shot left handed? Does the army make leftys put up with this or do they sort something out for them?

Shooting lefty on a righty SA80 isn't something that anyone reasonable could put up with. As you see in the picture the ejection port is right near the shooters face. The ejection port ejects burning hot brass and dust - and I imagine the blot handle slamming back towards the shooters face would be an issue as well.

 

[Jedi_Master]

So the SA80 messes up your face if shot left handed? Does the army make leftys put up with this or do they sort something out for them?

They used to train them to shoot right handed.

 

[Roundel91]

Cant speak for the army as im RAF. But i would recommend joining the military.

The sensible thing to do is join a trade within the forces that will give you skills and qualifications to get a decent job on the outside.

There are so many decent trades out there with transferable skills thay are sought after in civ div.

Theres is more to the military than just soldiering.

As for shooting. You cannot shoot the L85 left handed as the cocking handle will smash your face in. Im also blind as bat in my right eye. Hasnt stopped me passing my annual common core skills training. (Im not infantry and rarely handle weapons any more than once a year anyway)

 

[ImTriggerHappy]

And the necro of the year award goes to...........