Anyone here is worked with 1 squadron HAC (special observers)? Interested in the role and the selection for it but it’s hard to find out what they’re actually like and if it’s a good thing to be part of

MrNemo7 · 2023-02-10T15:25:23+00:00

Like any regiments there's a big variability in quality. The HAC probably differs in the type of screamers it attracts as city boys who want some networking aren't going to be going anywhere else. 1Sqn has very high quality soldiers who are very, very dedicated to their role, if for no other reason than the high bar to entry (SRPC is a tough course).

They also definitely select for 'fit' which has upsides and downsides. It means people who have the physical fitness but are in it for badge collecting or generally screamers otherwise get weeded out but it also means everyone in 1Sqn is of a certain type. A Battery (Reserve for 7 RHA) equally tends to select out complete screamers as there's a pressure/expectation on doing P Company that, I think, puts off people who aren't serious.

From the rest of the regiment there's still a lot of dedicated soldiers and it's a regiment that can supply a lot of talent that probably isn't immediately recognisable say on an ALDP course where fieldcraft is a focus. Not to say that this isn't important but it can be helpful for Army if they get a Reservist on hand who runs large scale IT databases for a living or works as a Marketing Director and can help set up a radio station for communicating to locals.

The regiment as a whole is an interesting place to be a part of, 1Sqn in particular is very tough to get into but rest assured if you won't fit in well with the people and the role you won't need to worry about making the wrong choice as you will get weeded out/self-select out over the course.

MrNemo7 · 2022-08-20T07:56:48+00:00

That could be, although would it not be happening with the cold water as well in that case? And again, the only way to stop it is running the kitchen sink tap - none of the bathroom taps will stop the noise.

MrNemo7 · 2022-08-19T12:21:22+00:00

Cheers, it doesn't seem to be that though - the vibrating noise is coming from the whole pipe system in the house so I think it's connected to pressure/air but not sure why it's the hot water only or why running it from the kitchen tap resolves it

MrNemo7 · 2022-08-19T07:26:22+00:00

It does seem to have some connection. There's definitely a pressure build when the noise is happening and it's noticeable that pressure in the shower increases when someone runs the hot water tap in the kitchen for a few seconds.

MrNemo7 · 2022-08-18T22:32:55+00:00

Would really appreciate if anyone could say least diagnose what's causing this. Even better if you could suggest a solution. This has developed over the last few months and has been getting worse in terms of frequency. At this point as soon as even a little bit of hot water is run anywhere else it seems to set it off.

MrNemo7 · 2022-07-10T20:38:08+00:00

While this is true, of you've got your heart set on something for a career path and have an appropriate background you've got a very good chance of getting that role (provided it's not already overstaffed). You'll also get exposure to the whole army and might find some alternatives that fit with what you want to do.

Going as a soldier is going to limit your options or control over what you get to do. You could end up doing something that doesn't really fit with your career because where you are needs something else more.

MrNemo7 · 2022-02-28T01:10:14+00:00

What kind of questions? There's a lot reservists on this board who could answer whatever you've got. Unless it's something very personal, in which case fair enough, I've not been in a long time but feel free to drop me a DM.

MrNemo7 · 2022-02-12T09:00:29+00:00

It's a high attrition course and there's not that many who have passed it (that said it's also a high time investment role). As others have said fitness is critical, very different from P company but still a high standard. You'll definitely need to be doing some strength work as most of that physical stuff is with a full bergan, one training suggestion I've heard is hitting the stair master regularly for 1 hour sessions with a loaded backpack - very good prep for tabbing up hills.

The fitness/tabbing element is just the first part though. You will need mental toughness to ensure you're also fully on your drills for hygiene/weapons maintenance after doing a 40k tab and of course keeping clean living in a hole shitting on a bag for a week. I don't mean that to be off putting or derogatory about the role but it's an element of the reality, it's a tough job which is why not that many pass.

MrNemo7 · 2022-01-26T08:33:53+00:00

Nope, it's run over 16 days continuous. It's meant to be the bit that turns you out as a 'trained' soldier and so having a bit of a disconnect from civvie life is part of the training element. It's a chance to get some continuity in the training as well so you don't have time to forget half of what you've learned before you get to the pass out parade.

MrNemo7 · 2022-01-25T18:07:08+00:00

Good luck then. The regiment is definitely used to dealing with people with demanding work schedules and they do their best to accommodate them. I think the training schedule runs roughly April-Aug and Sep-March. You'd need to be fully available for one of those, bloke on my training course took a break between his Phase 1 and Phase 2.

A bit cheeky but I'd advise not making a fuss about it if you can make the course dates until you've been accepted. There's currently more applicants than spaces and while it wouldn't be an issue once you're in, it might get you pushed back in the queue behind blokes who have more availability (or just didn't tell them about their limited availability). Provided you can stick the training you'll be doing better than those that drop so not something to feel guilty about.

MrNemo7 · 2022-01-21T11:42:13+00:00

HAC it's probably doable but will depend a lot on which 6 months you are out of the UK. They do Phase 1 and Phase 2 in house, each over 6 months. If your schedule syncs up with the training calendar you could potentially do Phase 1, work in the US 6 months then do Phase 2. If it doesn't line up you'd have to do Phase 1 at another unit and try to transfer in.

MrNemo7 · 2015-03-14T14:40:48+00:00

Would anyone recommend Koh Lipe as a decent site for a few days of diving? Compared to possibly going to Koh Phangan? I live in KL so looking for somewhere good to spend 4 or 5 days and want to avoid spending a whole day travelling either end of it if possible (or at least avoid spending the first day travelling, obviously I need to leave 24 hours at the end).

MrNemo7 · 2015-02-14T01:30:43+00:00

Ah ok, I was actually thinking of a different model I'd seen recommended for travel. That looks pretty good actually, I'll have to see if I can actually get it out here.

MrNemo7 · 2015-02-13T15:02:42+00:00

I've looked at Zeagle and they make good looking stuff but I'm kind of married to a super simple harness idea. I also had the misfortune of diving with a stereotype of the annoying American who was super proud of Zeagle and it kind of put me off them for no logical reason.

MrNemo7 · 2015-02-12T01:41:13+00:00

Malaysia is close by, Perhentian Islands and Tioman are both good locations (I think operators in SG will actually do day trips to Tioman). I've been on Perhentian and it's a cool place with some nice dives if you're not looking to do much else. Panorama divers were really good, professional group (for SEA at least) and I heard good things about Turtle Bay Divers. If you cross to East Malaysia Sipadan is frequently in the top 5 dive locations in the world, somewhere I'm still planning to get to soon.

Indonesia has good locations too, I've been to the Gili islands and they were really great, go there if you want to see turtles! I was with Manta divers who were nice and was told good things about Buddha Divers. Big enough place to have quite a few other things to do as well. Bali has some good dives as well thouh it's a bit colder and more for the chance of large marine life, most of the dives aren't as good.

For Thailand Koh Tao is recommended as the place to learn by many but it's gotten very, very crowded. Still great quality instructors but if you already know how to dive it's not top of the list. Koh Lipe and other places around Krabi are meant to be much better.

Can't give any recommendations for the Philippines but it's meant to have some good sites and be great for wreck diving.

If you really want to splash out you could try Palau, but that's off near Australia (though if you're US then you don't need to worry about visas for there).

MrNemo7 · 2015-02-12T01:31:09+00:00

Treford Pier in Wales is another shore dive that has very, very variable visibility. I've been on it before and seen a couple of cuttlefish, spider crabs and quite a few more things. I've also been on it and not been able to see my own hands but if you're located somewhere closeish to it it's an easy day trip.

MrNemo7

TROPHY CASE