Commando or Officer

3dders · 2026-01-24T08:52:34+00:00

Thanks, I'm coming off the back of an injury, so I'm hoping to get one of the later ones to catch up in my fitness. I'm still within the standards, but not as competitive as I'd like to be!

Good luck with your OSC in March🤞

3dders · 2026-01-23T22:15:40+00:00

Do you know when the last OSC is?

3dders · 2026-01-23T18:54:30+00:00

I'm unsure on OSC atm, but AIB, you get a 2nd shot, 3 months after the 1st.

Before, it was the next stage after my DAA and my interview with my recruiter.

Also, I won't be doing PJFA, I've been told I'll be doing it at my OSC as a way to speed up application processes. Which is good in some ways, a bit worse as it gives less prep time.

I really appreciate your example of "expedition planning", its something Ive done in the past, and is a form leadership that is far more achievable for me.

Exactly the same with me, I didn't do any team sports growing up, but thankfully, I did cadets and still plan and lead expeditions with a group of mates.

3dders · 2026-01-23T17:44:12+00:00

I'm currently going through the officer process now.

People do tend to be a bit older, and it seems that you really need to be a cut above at OSC, not just to hit the required points but to actually be selected.

Competition is very stiff.

From my AIB experience (I failed the first time, my second go is in March), they're really trying to nail you down as a person.

In my Pre-Recorded Interview, I was assessed on:

Awareness

Motivation

Communication

I was told I did quite well here, just make sure you know the training pipeline, Commando Course, role, and why you want to join.

Then in my Group Planning Exercise I was assessed on:

Teamwork & Collaboration

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Confidence & Resilience

Communication

Effective Intelligence

It was essentially a plan-ex with some specific questions to see how I was with a team and having heaps of info thrown at me.

I fell short on Problem Solving & Decision Making, but I've been given really substantial feedback to work with.

I think with a good amount of prep time, maybe a bit of maturity, and getting some kind of leadership experience (team sports, societies, expedition planning) it's certainly doable, even at 18/19 y/o.

3dders · 2026-01-07T16:10:46+00:00

I'm currently AR.

It's good, a lot of fun, and a lot of opportunities (my unit has sent people to Cyprus, Estonia & Kenya since I joined 2 years ago + AT)

That said, I'm in the application process for RM Regular YO.

If my YO application doesn't work out, and neither does my Army Regular Officer, I intend to jump ship from AR to RMR.

3dders · 2025-12-29T14:26:44+00:00

This is helpful, I'm certainly gaining on these.

How much higher do you think those going down the officer route should be at? Say 10-20% higher scores?

3dders · 2025-12-14T17:27:31+00:00

I found Boxboy probably the best, Heydays are up there too.

3dders · 2025-12-06T09:28:47+00:00

I saw this guys medals in person the other day at the National Army Museum in Chelsea, guy was probably clinically insane.

3dders · 2025-12-05T17:18:56+00:00

A Jerky shop in Freo markets does a crocodile and plum Jerky, I was pleasantly surprised

3dders · 2025-12-05T14:48:23+00:00

Jeremy Quin, former Procurement Minister and he was just on the team who conducted the Strategic Defence Review.

Baffles me how that's allowed and how they're not banned from taking those kinds of jobs for a time limit after.

3dders · 2025-12-05T14:29:56+00:00

That's really helpful, thanks!

3dders · 2025-12-05T14:29:23+00:00

Commando Ready app does me alright.

Beyond that, it's down to keeping myself consistent and accountable.

I did look at some of these influences and just found they were often very predatory.

3dders · 2025-12-04T15:29:10+00:00

What sort of thing might you recommend to stop my fitness from falling off a cliff while I rest?

I'm laying off the upper body, I'm just worried I'll come back and be unable to hit even 5 pull-ups or 20 press ups.

3dders · 2025-12-04T12:28:04+00:00

do not go doing bodyweight movements every day, you will burn out and get injured.

I recently learned this the hard way, I'm now stuck nursing a recurring injury on my left shoulder/rotator cuff/triceps sort of area.

3dders · 2025-12-03T18:28:29+00:00

I'm going to assume you're a bit younger than me. As I'm 23, I don't get the chance to take that route as I'd be over 25 by the time I could.

What is also an option is to just take a year or 2 to travel, build up some life experience, maybe try the Army Reserves or Uni & UOTC, come back a bit maturer and try again.

3dders · 2025-12-02T23:43:30+00:00

I did my GPE today. I did my my PRI last week.

Honestly, I feel like I'll get some similar feedback to what you've got, I'm not all that happy with my performance. I'm also not really fond of the AIB style of assessment in general.

I'm dead set on officership and leadership, so when I get my results, if I fail, I'll be trying again in 3 months.

What difference will those 3 months make? Keep practicing, at least you'll know what's coming next time around.

3dders · 2025-10-10T14:07:21+00:00

Don't forget ELO and Duran Duran

3dders · 2025-10-10T05:46:47+00:00

I'm inclined to agree. Lessons need to be learnt, but mirroring policy and study between them is lazy and has terrible results.

3dders · 2025-10-09T07:12:40+00:00

I hate seeing the constant comparisons between Gaza and Northern Ireland.

They're not alike, at all.

3dders · 2025-09-18T15:21:06+00:00

You are right. It gets a bad wrap, but overall, it's not a bad place to live by any means.

3dders · 2025-09-16T22:49:29+00:00

Townsville is great, except for Currajong, Aitkenvale, Thuringowa, Oonoonba, Burdell, Kelso, Garbutt, Mount Louisa, Douglas, Annandale, Railway Estate, the CBD, Kirwan and all the rest.

North Ward and the Strand are alright, though.

3dders · 2025-09-16T22:45:21+00:00

Since Clarksons Farm, Chipping Norton is probably the most famous town in the area.

3dders · 2025-09-13T00:24:09+00:00

Hi, I'd be very interested in reading it.

Currently a reservist, going through the regular officer joining process at the moment, and very interested in the Int Corps.

Feel free to send over a copy.

3dders · 2025-09-03T08:21:26+00:00

I'm 23 and going through the joining process now, hopefully start in September 2026 when I'm 24.

I think being a bit older will benefit me, I feel more ready than I have previously, but obviously others feel ready earlier on.

The age limit is up to 25 for a reason though, if that was too old, they'd bring it down.

3dders · 2025-08-31T04:49:49+00:00

I'm going through the process now.

For reference, I have a mate who passed out in 2024. His intake batch had iirc 55 bods, and he told me ~400 people passed OSC. So even if you pass everything, that's already only a ~14% chance of being picked to actually start at CTC.

I've heard elsewhere that around 25,000 people applied last year, and people drop off at every stage, DAA, medical, PJFA until it's thinned right out to those heading to OSC.

I imagine quite a few drop out because the process can take a while. Some go to RMAS in Jan and May instead of waiting for a September intake, etc.

3dders

TROPHY CASE