What would you say my chances are of joining the military with below being said?

Question

hi I'm a 28 year old male with a wife and 3 children, i have an average paid call centre job and have had in numerous company's over the last 8 yrs or so, up until my first child at the age of 20 i done nothing with my life, i had potential but just messed around with the wrong crowd did drugs and got into trouble (not on drugs now nor never served a jail sentence)

after my child i was still quite immature but responsible to the best of my abilities, within the last 3 years i have been through alot of life changing experiences and financial hardships but came out at the other end feeling a great sense of self belief and achievement. Now even though i have a decent job a bought house and a great family i constantly feel i am not achieving nor making a difference as much as i feel my potential can offer. My job i feel is dead end and office based is just not my kind of thing. so here is my plan -

For the next year I'm going to work out to raf level fitness plan as per there website.

Change my diet and have a 0 alchol intake.

already stopped smoking.

had my vision corrected by laser treatment.

i have a high and fast level of understanding and i am a very peoples person who can be very articulate as well as precise and determined with tasks set.

i have the equivalent of 3 a levels also from a college course in technology. (recently gained)

with the above information and what i am going to do and already achieved along with my skill set, at the age of 28 is it to late to undertake a job that's means something to the world and myself with a good salary to send home to my family within the raf or navy?

i have always had a passion for aircraft and would love to work in this field.

sorry for the rant its just I'm looking at the raf website and entry is 17.5-29 and I'm thinking d**n i thought i was young at 28 but is it to late to change my life and do this when im 29 next year i need to get fit first.

it would be perfect, away from home sending money home and doing something that means something i will be fit and love my job, better than this unhealthy office based stress and low pay i have at the moment. also i feel my kids wont go the way i did if they have something like that to look upto.

for those who read this thanks for your time.

Answer 1

the starting wages will probably be a shock. Why would you want to send them money you can live with them in a married quarter. When i joined there were a few people of your age who were just under the age limit, on basic expect a shock there will be lots of teenagers running about the place, probably straight from being at home with mum and dad, some people find it easy in there late 20's some a shock as they are struggle to come to terms with yes sir no sir.

Although i work with a few who joined up late and they are still in 20 + years. With reference to your family only you can really answer that.

Answer 2

the country is in war.

you have a wife and 3 children.

is being away from them worth it?

being alive is important too.

Answer 3

Your wife and children should be proud of you, there is nothing wrong with what you are attempting to do. What you need to remember is that its never too late! You maybe a little old to join the RAF (taking into account the length if time you have to get fit) but there is nothing wrong in going to an open day and showing how passionate you are about this, you never know you might just be the person they are looking for. If that fails you could also try the TA, they recruit up to the age of 40 ish. Ok you may not be working with Aircraft but you will still be involved with the Military nethertheless.

We need more people like you!

Answer 4

plz plz plz dont join the military.

dont get me wrong, im 100% behind our troops but three children?

thats a lot to leave behind if somethi9ng were to happen to you.

Answer 5

First, check out the pay - I don't believe it is going to meet your expectations. If it does, then go for it but don't expect a posting close to home - even if you are in RAF Linolnshire, you could still get posted to Kinloss.

Answer 6

1. you don't need to be fit they will soon take care of that

2. from what I have read in the media the are glad of anybody since there are more men leaving than joining.

3. if you can put up with "yes sir, no sir , three bags full sir, you are the perfect recruit. You will be ok in civy street providing you don't sign on as a traffic warden

ex RAF

Answer 7

The way H.M. forces are being treated and let down now, I wouldn't recommend joining until this disgraceful government better their conditions

Answer 8

i think youve just written a personal statement on reasons why you want to join the military

good luck

Answer 9

You will be limited in choice due to your age. Get in touch with your local RAF recruitment centre and have a chat with one of the staff. Do not tell them about your previous drug use or anything negative. You are probably looking at ground jobs such as working on survival gear or possibly weapon systems, but most trainees are taken on in their teens.  

Answer 10

you are just a dreamer the way you talk i don't think you will ever get any were with your life you are supposed to put your family first not poor me

Answer 11

I joined the marines after flunking out of university.  Best thing I ever did.  RAF is safe enough considering you have children.  Get the most sought after job specialty you qualify for and you can parlay it into a good civilian job.  I did that almost twenty years ago.  I eventually finished university and am in a masters program as we speak.  Plus I'm proud as h**l of my accomplishments.  Just don't tell them anything negative that's not on a record.ie.  Don't tell them you smoked weed 50 times.  Good luck.

Answer 12

what does your wife think?  being in the military is a tough decision and shouldn't be taken lightly.  you have to look into what you will be sacrificing for your family.  think if that is worth it.  you will be spending a lot of time away from your wife and kids for training and possibility of being in a war.  can your family accept this?  you also may or may not be able to do what you want to do in the raf or navy.  can you handle signing the paperwork only to find that you can't be aircrew but stuck doing something else?  you should have a talk with the recruiters to see what they are looking for and what positions you might qualify or can get.  good luck with your highly personal decision to join or not join the military.

Answer 13

You go for it and quick, you will find that you must have 6 months clearance before the cut off age because of training.

Let them decide what to do with you, they are better at spotting your potential than you and can assess your mental and physical aptitude clearly.

You sound like a well grounded young man with a decent education and common sense, that's basically all you need apart from the fitness so do as much as you can to drive yourself hard and go for it.

Good luck to you.