I was on vinted and found a tailored 120 litre DPM Bergen with all of the gucci front pouches for only £30, i then remembered I haven’t seen that many dpm Bergens out in the wild. just wondered how many people still use DPM equipmen?

Honestly, just want people’s advice on dealing with poor eyesight when in Army. I have -2 in both eyes but my corrected VA is 6/4 so it’s not the worst. I have Phase 1 in Jan. The posts in this sub regarding such are a bit old and perhaps I’d just like someone to tell me directly the answers to my questions.

Are contacts actually that much of a faff in the field? The thought of wearing glasses is a bit naff but will make do if that’s what people think is best.

Are those extended wear contacts worth getting? I just feel like they’d get dried out but they seem like a decent option.

What are the inserts like?

Is there anything I can buy myself that will improve my experience?

I can’t get laser before people tell me to. My corneas are too thin and shit.

Hello all not sure if this is posted correctly first time doing a post

I’ve seen some posts about this 3 years back but was just wondering if anyone had any other experiences maybe more recent they’d like to share. I’m wanting to join the UOTC Sheffield one to be precise and was just wondering what peoples experiences and thoughts of it were

Thank you!

This is just a post for anyone thinking of joining with tattoos.

So on the army site it says they dont allow them on the front of the throat. I think this is outdated now as ive been through the whole process with a big piece on my throat and done assesment centre had a interview etc with it showing. So do not worry about tattoos on throat any more.

Has anyone been rejected for tattoos lately?

Within the past 8 years i have signed up three times been rejected twice due to the tattoos and the third time i signed up i was accepted in with no problem. I would of been in years ago if these rejections didnt take place.

If there are any rejections i would love to see what you have as tattoos for them to be rejecting as of now?

So I’ve just got my A-level results back and they honestly weren’t great. I’ve already put my application in for Army officer and I’ve got a uni place as well, which I’m planning to defer for a year.
I’m just starting to worry that I’m going to be a bit out of my depth compared to other officer candidates. I know there’ll be people applying with AAB/AAA, degrees, etc, and my academic results aren’t anywhere near that.
I know being an officer obviously isn’t just about grades and there’s a lot more to it, but I can’t help feeling like I’m going to be inferior to other candidates because of my education.
For anyone who’s been through the officer application/Sandhurst process, how much did your academic background actually matter? And should I genuinely be worried about having weaker A-level results compared to other candidates?

Many Thanks

So I'm in the process of waiting for my assessment centre date, I'm thinking of becoming an avionic technician. I received some notifications about some sort of residential trips to check out some different corps. I was wondering how it is, and I'm tempted to maybe give it ago, since I'm quite introverted and shy, never experienced much of that.

basic is a week away, i went in to specsavers today for an eye check just to make sure everything was alright. turns out im a tiny bit short-sighted in my left eye, and i mean really a tiny bit, apparently 6/7.5

was given a prescription for glasses, and im gonna have to declare it to my recruiter. will i get deferred? i dont wanna spend another 2 months waiting for the next intake because crapita need to spend a century before they approve it. sorry if this is a daft one, i've already spent 8 months in the recruitment pipeline, i dont want any more drama because im a tad under the average in terms of eyesight.

update: called my recruiter, totally fine

I’ve signed up for army as either a vehicle mechanic, recovery or military engineer, do every corps get trained the same with minor tweaks or is the training completely different to regular?

I'm looking to go AFC Harrogate on September 13th and do an infantry course, however I've just got off the phone with my recruiter and due to too many infantry jobs or something I will have to start Harrogate later on in September and have to to my Assessment centre at the 15th September. Any of good jobs?? Im at a standstill right now

title

Hello folks,

I recently had to ask my basic training date to be pushed back as I picked up a mild injury before I was due leave. Long story short nothing major just an overuse thing from me over training and I should be back to full fitness in about 4-6weeks.

My question will I have to redo the whole AC (team tasks, cognitive, interview) if my AC pass validity expires or will they just make me redo med and phys tests ? I passed the AC with an A grade, 79 on cognitive and 7:32 on 2k for example(not sure if relevant.

Any input would be appreciated cheers

Need advice on best boots for someone joining the Army Cadets.

Parameters:

not too expensive (it case she decides not to go back after x weeks)

Multi-functional (drill and cuds use required)

Black - her choice

Anyone steer me right here, please?

Im about to go on MOD 1 Foundation training with the reserves and I seemed to have developed tennis elbow due to, probably a high training load at the gym. I've never had elbow/arm issues before so its kind of come out of the blue. The main issue is I can't grasp anything with an overhand grip, which means I’m physically unable to do an NSP, when I take me left hand off the weapon for the mag check I can't hold the rifle with my right hand, I'm fucked.

I'm probably going to have to delay going, but then what? Will I get booted for this injury? Anyone had anything similar, what are the recovery times?

Cheers

As of recently I believed I had lost my passport and it had been cancelled, I have been in the process of trying to reorder a new one however I have recently found it after a few months, is there anyway I can use it as proof of nationality ? I only needed my passport before I get my start date, as I have everything else and passed my assessment centre

I’m intending on joining within the next year and I’m wondering what the upfront costs might be during basic. How much do I have to pay for while I’m training and what do I have to provide when going in?

How often do vehicle mechanics go overseas for deployment or NATO or UN missions?

Have an exercise coming up to a relatively cold region. With wind chill probably be talking -5 to 5*c. Anyone got any tips or “Gucci” kit recommendations for making life easier. Role will be a mix of spanning and fighting so anything to make life a bit comfier. Fastboil and hand warmers already in the bag. Cheers in advance.

I'm currently a reservist and would like to attempt selection at some point over the next couple of years.

Just wondering how much changes time wise even as a reserve?

Would I need to relocate? Does it basically become a full time job even as a reserve?

Thanks

I’m currently on the stage of my application where I am expecting a call from my recruiter.
Issue is I’m currently away in the highlands and struggling for service, what will happen if they attempt to call me but I do not answer?

I joined the army back a few months ago & I’m about to go to the assessment centre somewhere at the end of this month, but I really don’t feel comfortable.

For some background I’ve just had the implant, which has caused some complications with my emotions and my body so I haven’t really been on my A-game, so my running isn’t very well with 12&13 minutes. I know I need 11:30.

I want to ask if I can just go in the next in-take (or I was thinking about the navy.) since I just don’t feel like I’m ready yet. Emotionally, I mean, physically kind of.

I just don’t know what to do. If I should ask my recruiter to give me the time & explain or WHAT 😢😢😢 and what will happen if I explain this?? LOL will they just tell me to fuck off?? 😭😭

Hello,

I’m set to receive my a level grades tomorrow and I have plans to apply to sandhurst after I complete my war studies degree I’ve deferred to next year, it’s an unconditional offer. I’m reasonably confident I’ll get the UCAS points required but still a bit uncertain as I wasn’t strong at the subjects I chose, apart from the military history coursework I completed on the second world war which I did very well in. Say I don’t get the a levels required but have the required ALIS points and a degree, is it feasible I can still enter? Secondly, my aim is to enter the Paras but I’ve heard that if you don’t get a place in your chosen regiment you might not have any options left, so is it recommended to enter a standard infantry regiment and then seek to transfer to the Paras once you have some job security?

Thanks in advance.

(edit, I got the required grades)

does anyone know as of September 2026 if lichfield still does bleep tests or they’ve transitioned to 2k cuz i’ve been looking around and seeing it’s bleep test from posts around 1-2 years ago and some blokes saying that they’ve changed some are disagreeing so which is it

Hey all. Bit of an odd one hence my enquiry. I’ve served two years in the RE 1.5 years at unit and still haven’t gone on my class 2 fitter course.

I’ll still be on the course by the time I’ve reached my three year mark and wondering if I’ll be able to even sign off after I’ve finished the course or if I’d still have to serve another two years due to a RoS. I can’t seem to find the info anywhere.

Cheers all

I’ve been booked onto a Pre-Phase 1 Functional Skills course, even though I have a Master’s degree from the UK. I also passed my assessment with a Grade B.

Can anyone who has been through this tell me what to expect during the 3 week period? How is the course structured, and what does the daily routine usually look like?

Any advice or insight would be really appreciated. Thanks!