Is it ever too late to join the military?
Discussion
I'm 30. I've been a bobby for 10 years.
I f
king hate it now. I used to love it, but now i hate it. I resent it. Everything about it irritates me and im satisfied with my job about 20% of the time at best.
I'm looking for new jobs, and have been for a couple of years now, but nothing i've seen looks interesting enough, or pays well enough. I'm currently on £32k a year. I've guestimated i could drop to about 24k a year and still live to a similar standard.
I wanted to join the RAF as a kid, but I only had my heart set on being a pilot, and my eyesight requirements weren't met.
However, i'm now reconsidering something else in the military, going in the officer route, probably Navy, maybe Army, i'm undecided. I know the grass isn't always greener but I look what i've achieved in my 10 years as a bobby.
It's been wasted. Despite my efforts and hard work, i'm still doing the same st as I was on day one. I still work with, for and against tossers. I've had no career progression, no opportunities and little reward. If anything, i've been persecuted more than i've been rewarded over the years, and this goes towards the resentment and anger I have towards the job.
I think about how far I could have been if i'd put the same effort for the last decade into the forces. The promotions and opportunities I could have achieved, I could have been way up the ranks, have my own naval command or anything.
At my age, is it too late to pack the job in and start again?
I f
king hate it now. I used to love it, but now i hate it. I resent it. Everything about it irritates me and im satisfied with my job about 20% of the time at best.I'm looking for new jobs, and have been for a couple of years now, but nothing i've seen looks interesting enough, or pays well enough. I'm currently on £32k a year. I've guestimated i could drop to about 24k a year and still live to a similar standard.
I wanted to join the RAF as a kid, but I only had my heart set on being a pilot, and my eyesight requirements weren't met.
However, i'm now reconsidering something else in the military, going in the officer route, probably Navy, maybe Army, i'm undecided. I know the grass isn't always greener but I look what i've achieved in my 10 years as a bobby.
It's been wasted. Despite my efforts and hard work, i'm still doing the same s
t as I was on day one. I still work with, for and against tossers. I've had no career progression, no opportunities and little reward. If anything, i've been persecuted more than i've been rewarded over the years, and this goes towards the resentment and anger I have towards the job.I think about how far I could have been if i'd put the same effort for the last decade into the forces. The promotions and opportunities I could have achieved, I could have been way up the ranks, have my own naval command or anything.
At my age, is it too late to pack the job in and start again?
It's not too late for some roles here is some info on the RN. I've been an officer in the Navy for 27 years and I'm still enjoying it; like everything it has changed over the years and is very different to how it was when I joined but you can still carve out a decent career and get to do and see some interesting things and places. I would caution though that any of the armed services will take you away from home for long periods - something that takes some adjustment.
If you are seriously thinking about it why not go to one of the recruiting centres and see what they suggest - another word of caution though, have something in mind or you'll find yourself signed up to whichever branch has the biggest shortage of personnel!
If you are seriously thinking about it why not go to one of the recruiting centres and see what they suggest - another word of caution though, have something in mind or you'll find yourself signed up to whichever branch has the biggest shortage of personnel!
I was a bit older than you when I had a similar epiphany - about 36 odd. I had similar thoughts - I looked at the RAF website and made some enquiries too, and was pleased to see that they still had roles that accepted people up to 37 years old.
I did seriously think about it, but the thought of having to move up to Scotland for training and deployment might be a step too far for me from the South Coast at my age. So I bowed out.
I settled on the idea of Paramedic - and started my training in 2012. Here I am now, about to graduate, and start work proper in August. Will be starting on the kind of wages you discussed as your lowest - but it quickly rises in awarded increments from year one to year eight as part of the pay scale. That's not to mention all the overtime you can eat, plus other little bonuses. And the simple fact of the matter is that - even after a few years of frontline experience - alongside all the challenges and difficulties - in my opinion it is STILL amongst the best jobs in the world, no question.
We have quite a few ex-Police and military who have retrained, and I might suggest that you / they are perfect candidates. We get the more fun elements of frontline service, obviously the blue light response bit in Ambos and Cars, the stimulation of the challenge whilst doing so - and the spectrum of the general public. However what we also seem to enjoy in contrast to you guys (and I mean this with the greatest respect) is that everyone loves us and we pretty much get nothing but love and nice words!
Very few (well, in my area at least) episodes of violence, hostility and aggression, no requirement to challenge or confront anyone, and quite light paperwork overall!
Might be worth considering?
Best of luck though, whatever.
I did seriously think about it, but the thought of having to move up to Scotland for training and deployment might be a step too far for me from the South Coast at my age. So I bowed out.
I settled on the idea of Paramedic - and started my training in 2012. Here I am now, about to graduate, and start work proper in August. Will be starting on the kind of wages you discussed as your lowest - but it quickly rises in awarded increments from year one to year eight as part of the pay scale. That's not to mention all the overtime you can eat, plus other little bonuses. And the simple fact of the matter is that - even after a few years of frontline experience - alongside all the challenges and difficulties - in my opinion it is STILL amongst the best jobs in the world, no question.
We have quite a few ex-Police and military who have retrained, and I might suggest that you / they are perfect candidates. We get the more fun elements of frontline service, obviously the blue light response bit in Ambos and Cars, the stimulation of the challenge whilst doing so - and the spectrum of the general public. However what we also seem to enjoy in contrast to you guys (and I mean this with the greatest respect) is that everyone loves us and we pretty much get nothing but love and nice words!
Very few (well, in my area at least) episodes of violence, hostility and aggression, no requirement to challenge or confront anyone, and quite light paperwork overall!Might be worth considering?
Best of luck though, whatever.
I enjoyed my time in the RAF but your statement of
I think about how far I could have been if i'd put the same effort for the last decade into the forces. The promotions and opportunities I could have achieved, I could have been way up the ranks, have my own naval command or anything.
Did make me chuckle, it's often about secondary duties etc and being good at your job actually counts for very little with regards promotion etc. there is a long wait often a couple of years to get in for some trades so bear that in mind too.
I think about how far I could have been if i'd put the same effort for the last decade into the forces. The promotions and opportunities I could have achieved, I could have been way up the ranks, have my own naval command or anything.
Did make me chuckle, it's often about secondary duties etc and being good at your job actually counts for very little with regards promotion etc. there is a long wait often a couple of years to get in for some trades so bear that in mind too.
chrisxr2 said:
I enjoyed my time in the RAF but your statement of
I think about how far I could have been if i'd put the same effort for the last decade into the forces. The promotions and opportunities I could have achieved, I could have been way up the ranks, have my own naval command or anything.
Did make me chuckle, it's often about secondary duties etc and being good at your job actually counts for very little with regards promotion etc. there is a long wait often a couple of years to get in for some trades so bear that in mind too.
I was promoted with no secondary duties based solely on my job role. Maybe it's trade specific? Either way, I would argue it's not a great time to be in or join the military. We are feeling it just like the public services suffering from recruiting issues, cut backs, low morale a drastically changed pension and a change to our salary structure next year. If I was in your position I would take up a regular job and consider becoming a reservist.I think about how far I could have been if i'd put the same effort for the last decade into the forces. The promotions and opportunities I could have achieved, I could have been way up the ranks, have my own naval command or anything.
Did make me chuckle, it's often about secondary duties etc and being good at your job actually counts for very little with regards promotion etc. there is a long wait often a couple of years to get in for some trades so bear that in mind too.
Train driver? A friend or a friend who was working as an armed response officer had enough and is very happy now opn passenger trains. The money is good and they are interested in people who have worked in stressful situations previously.
Another friend trained as a copper in the UK then emigrated to Australia and is very happy.
One bit of advise would be to really have a look at yourself - is it definitely your job making you feel like this? I changed my whole life when I was miserable about 7 years ago, including leaving my job, but in the end I realised it was the relationship I was in - lovely girl but not right for me. The company I'd worked for those 10 years was in a bit of a mess, but thinking back it wasn't the number one thing making me fed up - the next job I had paid a lot less, was much easier, but less challenging and less satisfying and ultimately I was more fed up!
I'm happy now though.
Another friend trained as a copper in the UK then emigrated to Australia and is very happy.
One bit of advise would be to really have a look at yourself - is it definitely your job making you feel like this? I changed my whole life when I was miserable about 7 years ago, including leaving my job, but in the end I realised it was the relationship I was in - lovely girl but not right for me. The company I'd worked for those 10 years was in a bit of a mess, but thinking back it wasn't the number one thing making me fed up - the next job I had paid a lot less, was much easier, but less challenging and less satisfying and ultimately I was more fed up!
I'm happy now though.
Grumfutock said:
I would also give consideration to the pension you will be leaving behind.
Everyone bangs on about it, but it's not as great as everyone thinks. Yeah, i'm sure come retirement i'll be getting a decent sum, but i'm sure this would be the same for any pension you pay £375 a month for. Don't forget the £80,000 the government effectively robbed off me in terms of the lump sum when they changed my pension without my consent.
alfabadass said:
Any issues you've experienced in the Police will be similar in the army IMO.
Grass isn't always greener. Have you ever applied for another role within the Police?
Several times. Nobody ever gets them unless you're best mates with the boss and play golf with him at the weekends.Grass isn't always greener. Have you ever applied for another role within the Police?
MattHall91 said:
OP, what don't you like about the Police?
I'm hoping to start in October after being in sales for 3 years since university and not enjoying it. Very interested to find out from experienced people.
Read this? Joining the Police and I met a guy called Paul today at work. I'm hoping to start in October after being in sales for 3 years since university and not enjoying it. Very interested to find out from experienced people.
soad said:
MattHall91 said:
OP, what don't you like about the Police?
I'm hoping to start in October after being in sales for 3 years since university and not enjoying it. Very interested to find out from experienced people.
Read this? Joining the Police and I met a guy called Paul today at work. I'm hoping to start in October after being in sales for 3 years since university and not enjoying it. Very interested to find out from experienced people.
Not the first time I've heard a sea of people saying don't join now. Didn't show me anything new.
I can't see the police offering me less than any previous job has in terms of job satisfaction, reward, variety and challenges.
For anyone who has never worked for a private company, some things make public service jobs seem like a dream.
MattHall91 said:
OP, what don't you like about the Police?
I'm hoping to start in October after being in sales for 3 years since university and not enjoying it. Very interested to find out from experienced people.
Pension contributionsI'm hoping to start in October after being in sales for 3 years since university and not enjoying it. Very interested to find out from experienced people.
Quality of equipment provided
Number of officers and officer safety, to dangerous levels.
Lack of support from the government.
Lack of support from chief officers.
Budget cuts.
A federation with no power forced to dance to the home secretary's tune.
A court and judicial system that is fundamentally flawed.
Lack of promotion opportunities.
Lack of career progression.
Over zealous disciplinary procedures.
That's just off the top of my head.
OP, I genuinely don’t mean to be rude here, but I’ve worked with plenty of people over the years who haven’t really gone far in their career. They often blame the system, blame the culture and so on. However as a bystander I see that its them. Plenty of people progress but they spend their day winging and leaving the office at 4:55. That’s why they get nowhere.
Just worth an honest and frank look at yourself to see if it’s the force, or you. Sorry if this causes offence.
Just worth an honest and frank look at yourself to see if it’s the force, or you. Sorry if this causes offence.
un1corn said:
alfabadass said:
Any issues you've experienced in the Police will be similar in the army IMO.
Grass isn't always greener. Have you ever applied for another role within the Police?
Several times. Nobody ever gets them unless you're best mates with the boss and play golf with him at the weekends.Grass isn't always greener. Have you ever applied for another role within the Police?
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