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Those of you currently in the army, what do you not like about it?

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  • Those of you currently in the army, what do you not like about it?

    So, yeah I'm interested in hearing about the bad parts of the job because all I ever hear from official sources is how great it all is.

  • #2
    without doubt the worst thing is having to pretend to pay attention to tedious little people who obsess about how you dress or how far down your sideburns reach. unfortunately. you don't get to start ignoring these odd creatures until you get to Captain, or go SF.

    the obvious downside is that its a bit like being in prison, just with the added chance that you might get shot.

    actually the worst thing is that as people senior to you have far more power/influence over your life than would the case in civilian employment, if you get an utter throbber for a boss then life can get pretty grim until they, or you, move on.

    i'd still do it again though - the throbber/good bloke ratio has been massively in favour of good blokes.

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    • #3
      The big negative for officers is the chance of getting moved across the country without any consideration given to personal circumstances. You simply don't know where you will be working in 1 year, 1 month or sometimes even 1 weeks time. There is no management or planning of people's careers. It's fine to live in barracks for a few years when you're young but it doesn't work with wife, family etc... as the DF does not provide married accommodation. It doesn't pay well enough to commute 3-4 hours a day when you have a mortgage, bills etc..

      The lack of consideration for people's personal circumstances is what is driving a lot of officers out at the moment. It is something that is not properly acknowledged, and if it is not being dealt with at all. Instead of considering how moving a person may impact on their life, the old fashioned 'sure I had to do it, f**k ye' attitude is still rife.

      Of course if you're well in with some senior officers or know some inside information on a vacancy coming up you'll be alright...

      There are of course many positives such as not being made redundant, guaranteed pay at the end of the month, some free dental / healthcare, opportunities to travel overseas etc.... I feel less and less people see it now as a job for life as they used to.

      That's my two cents on this anyway.
      Last edited by cooley; 12 January 2016, 18:20.

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      • #4
        Originally posted by cooley View Post
        The big negative for officers is the chance of getting moved across the country without any consideration given to personal circumstances. You simply don't know where you will be working in 1 year, 1 month or sometimes even 1 weeks time. There is no management or planning of people's careers. It's fine to live in barracks for a few years when you're young but it doesn't work with wife, family etc... as the DF does not provide married accommodation. It doesn't pay well enough to commute 3-4 hours a day when you have a mortgage, bills etc..

        The lack of consideration for people's personal circumstances is what is driving a lot of officers out at the moment. It is something that is not properly acknowledged, and if it is not being dealt with at all. Instead of considering how moving a person may impact on their life, the old fashioned 'sure I had to do it, f**k ye' attitude is still rife.

        Of course if you're well in with some senior officers or know some inside information on a vacancy coming up you'll be alright...

        There are of course many positives such as not being made redundant, guaranteed pay at the end of the month, some free dental / healthcare, opportunities to travel overseas etc.... I feel less and less people see it now as a job for life as they used to.

        That's my two cents on this anyway.
        That sound pretty rough. I'm really surprised that happens to officers. Is it the same for recruits?

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        • #5
          Negatives

          Being away from the family a lot.

          Not ever being able to make concrete plans.

          Watching some of the odious creatures you work with brown nose their way around the bosses.

          Listening to whinging twats who've never had to work in the real world complain about how crap it is.

          Positives

          Watching the bosses twig on to the odious creatures who try to brown nose their way around them.

          The banter.

          Paid to keep fit and travel.

          Free pension.

          Job satisfaction (most of the time).

          The privilege of helping others.

          Knowing that you're never really stuck with a bad colleague...either you or they will always move on.
          'History is a vast early warning system'. Norman Cousins

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          • #6
            Originally posted by KR60 View Post
            That sound pretty rough. I'm really surprised that happens to officers. Is it the same for recruits?
            Yes and no. Yes you may have to do a stint away from home at the start of your career or if your ambitious, accept a posting elsewhere for the sake of promotion, but generally speaking enlisted soliders are not really moved around as much during their service. Yes they will be called to take part in courses, training exercises and potentially deploy at very short notie, but that is part and parcel of military life.

            The down side to this is if you don't get on with a particular NCO, chances are, they aint going anywhere. The officer that makes your life difficult will eventually be forced to bugger off somewhere else at short notice, but as for NCO's, it ain't happening.

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            • #7
              Originally posted by cooley View Post
              The big negative for officers is the chance of getting moved across the country without any consideration given to personal circumstances. You simply don't know where you will be working in 1 year, 1 month or sometimes even 1 weeks time. There is no management or planning of people's careers. It's fine to live in barracks for a few years when you're young but it doesn't work with wife, family etc... as the DF does not provide married accommodation. It doesn't pay well enough to commute 3-4 hours a day when you have a mortgage, bills etc...
              I've often wondered about this - how a commissioned officer could hope to put down roots (i.e. buy a house, etc) if a large geographical move occurs with each move up the ladder
              "Well, stone me! We've had cocaine, bribery and Arsenal scoring two goals at home. But just when you thought there were truly no surprises left in football, Vinnie Jones turns out to be an international player!" (Jimmy Greaves)!"

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              • #8
                With the open promotion competitions, is it now the case that you apply for promotion generally (as opposed to a particular vacancy)?

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Truck Driver View Post
                  I've often wondered about this - how a commissioned officer could hope to put down roots (i.e. buy a house, etc) if a large geographical move occurs with each move up the ladder
                  over the water its a matter of making a judgement with your other half about whether you relocate every few years, effectively destroy her (his?) career, change schools (or go private and have them board), or commute.

                  both are pretty crap options - what makes up for it is the pension.

                  we decided to put down roots and bought a house where we wanted to live, the kids go to local schools, Mrs keeps her hand in her career though part time, and i commute or work away. in my last job it was a 4 hour drive, i stayed in the mess during the week and went home on friday lunchtimes and returned on Monday mornings, in this current job its a two hour commute and i stay over two or three nights a week. when the next job kicks in it will be 4 hours + and i'll stay over all week. the up-side is that at the age of 41 my mortgage is paid off, i can retire pretty much when i like with a nice lump sum and a final salary, index linked pension.

                  i won't pretend however that living with this arrangement has been easy, the effect on our relationship has sometimes been significant, and i've missed a great deal of my kids lives. i also have a nagging fear that after all this sacrifice and 'jam tommorow', i might drop dead of a heart attack a week after retiring at 45/50 and we'd never get to enjoy what we've both worked so hard for...

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                  • #10
                    the Army is a great life - you do what soldiers do, it's not all roses but it's a feckin great job and joining is the best decision i ever made in my life, but i wanted to travel so plenty of Operational Tours and spending only 6 years in England out of a 24 year career suited me down to the ground.

                    it is better to try a career in the Army for a few years and perhaps regret it, than to spend the rest of your life regretting never trying it.
                    RGJ

                    ...Once a Rifleman - Always a Rifleman... Celer et Audax

                    The Rifles

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by RoyalGreenJacket View Post

                      it is better to try a career in the Army for a few years and perhaps regret it, than to spend the rest of your life regretting never trying it.
                      I'd agree with that sentiment. I've rarely heard an ex soldier saying they regret joining. But at the same time I've never heard them regret getting out.
                      To close with and kill the enemy in all weather conditions, night and day and over any terrain

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by HavocIRL View Post
                        I'd agree with that sentiment. I've rarely heard an ex soldier saying they regret joining. But at the same time I've never heard them regret getting out.
                        Is it the same for the Reserve? I went for the RDF last year and the two soldiers escorting my group to the gym were doing their best to put us off joining.

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by KR60 View Post
                          Is it the same for the Reserve? I went for the RDF last year and the two soldiers escorting my group to the gym were doing their best to put us off joining.
                          Depends what Ditch your in when your in the glen..
                          Squad look this way, i will give a full and complete demonstration on how to post.
                          Type 1-2-3-4 fact check and POST

                          Cryos

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by KR60 View Post
                            Is it the same for the Reserve? I went for the RDF last year and the two soldiers escorting my group to the gym were doing their best to put us off joining.
                            Its not for everyone. But if you don't go for it you'll always wonder what if.

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by northie View Post
                              Its not for everyone. But if you don't go for it you'll always wonder what if.
                              Great point. I just thought it was odd that members were actively trying to discourage potential recruits from joining

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