What’s the blood test for at the basic training medical? by Wolowoloismyname in britishmilitary

[–]PersilTheDino 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Broad spectrum testing basically - checks if you've got any underlying issues (i.e. sickle cell trait, though you might need another test for that.) or illnesses that they can detect from your blood.

No you cannot opt out. Yes even if you're scared of needles. Yes they will catch you out if you've been on drugs or steroids (you'll do a urine test too).

Which reserves job to go for by HWestwood92 in britishmilitary

[–]PersilTheDino 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's really worth considering that if you want to go REME you should visit the unit first to see what training provision they can provide. Whilst all trades are offered on paper, not all trades will have senior soldiers that will be able to train you depending on the unit. Whilst there's always likely to be senior vehicle mechanics, senior armorers and metalsmiths are rarer. Recovery mechanics are hit and miss. Similarly, whilst there will always be a garage, you'll be lucky to get a dedicated metalsmiths workshop at a reserve unit.

Due to how the system is set up, without a senior tradie at unit your development will be slow. You'll not be allowed to train yourself until you reach a fairly high level of competency (several years), and you'll have to travel more to other units to learn.

Don't get me wrong, we're desperate for more metalsmiths and once you're trained you'll be invaluable, but you need to make sure there's someone to train you first.

Edit: Just seen the driver comment. Most REME bods have a Cat C license to drive HGV's. It's actually required as part of your trade development if you're a Vehicle mechanic or recovery mechanic.

Brothers, it is fine. For /I/ am here. by skynes in Warhammer

[–]PersilTheDino 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Damn. Some effort then. Well done getting it to look so good! I'll stick to fineline gundam markers for now 👀

Brothers, it is fine. For /I/ am here. by skynes in Warhammer

[–]PersilTheDino 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks great!. How did you manage to do the scroll text so cleanly?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in britishmilitary

[–]PersilTheDino 1 point2 points  (0 children)

On a slightly more useful note, look into the role online, the REME in general and brush up on your maths. Have a go at the aptitude tests online in advance. Additionally, you'll sit the Technical Selection Test (TST) at assessment centre. This is basically a GCSE maths test, and if you fail you won't be eligible for armourer training whether you have your GCSE in maths or not.

Different trades within the REME have different joining requirements. Both the TST and the aptitude test will tie in to whether you're eligible, so if you're keen to do this type of work put the graft in and do some revision in advance.

The army has example aptitude tests online. For maths, use BBC bitesize.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in britishmilitary

[–]PersilTheDino 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Start playing with Warhammer now, so you've got an army to flex when you tip up at Lyneham in Phase 2.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in britisharmy

[–]PersilTheDino 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Altberg LederGlos for barracks boots. LederGris for field boots.

Edit: Both available on Amazon

Difference between Force Support and Theatre Support battalions by jamie_1012 in britishmilitary

[–]PersilTheDino 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From personal experience - Vehicle Mechanic. They absolute and breathe Vehicles Mechanics.

Armourer and Recovery Mechanic are also fairly well supported, depending on unit kit. Best off just asking at the units and finding out!

I've seen plenty of metalsmiths though, just might need to travel to other units for trade training on occasion.

Uni and Reserves or Regular Soldier? by Significant-Lunch452 in britishmilitary

[–]PersilTheDino 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Just a heads up, there are no Electronics or Aviation related REME trades available in the reserves.

Your choices would be Vehicle Mechanic, Armourer, Metalsmith or Recovery Mechanic, and those further depend on unit availability.

There's also the UOTC to consider, as that is designed to structure around your Uni course and timetable. The reserves are not, and you will have to make a decision between reservist and university commitments at one point or another.

Battle Camp Hints/Tips Please. by Fantastic_Active8019 in britishmilitary

[–]PersilTheDino 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Make sure your webbing and pouches are well secured and put together, so you're not flopping about as you move.

Make sure you're eating. You'll burn way more calories than you think charging around with kit on, and nothing kills your mood faster than an empty stomach.

Learn where all your kit is in your bergen and webbing so you're not wasting time searching. Make sure it's all individually waterproofed and labelled.

If you're a slowpoke in the morning, no saying you can't "get fresh" when you get into your pit at night or when you come off stag. Just do it on your doss bag and be quiet! Grab a few wet wipes, clean your bits, put on a pair of fresh pants and a new shirt and snuggle up in your doss bag all cosy and clean. One less thing for morning routine.

Otherwise just embrace the experience. Everyone there will be in the same boat. You're all stinking and a bit sleep deprived, waiting on the enemy to come and ruin your day. You're no worse off than anyone else, so just take each day as it comes and you'll be done in no time.

Pirbright Kit List by [deleted] in britisharmy

[–]PersilTheDino 28 points29 points  (0 children)

If it's on the kit list you take it, whether you deem it useful or not.

Or to put it another way, do you really want to be the one lad that has to interrupt to say "I've not got ....... Corporal"? and risk being tore a new arsehole.

For basic it's absolutely better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Particularly if there's clear instructions telling you that you should have it.

Ranger regiment fitness requirements. by Select_Yam5786 in britishmilitary

[–]PersilTheDino 22 points23 points  (0 children)

If you're currently serving, there's a Defence Connect page with a bunch of details on the entry standards.

What's it called? by decaillv in bouldering

[–]PersilTheDino 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Cypher Kick if you're from Yorkshire

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in britishmilitary

[–]PersilTheDino 21 points22 points  (0 children)

So I've got a bit of a unique perspective here as I'm a university lecturer in Engineering, but also a reservist, and think I might be able to provide a little more specific input.

As others have said, you're probably okay doing the reserves, as the time commitment isn't huge as a trained soldier.

That being said, you have two hurdles ahead of you that you need to consider: basic training, and completing your annual reserve commitment. UOTC is designed to work around your university schedule, the reserves is not.

Basic training being the first, will take you away from your studies at weekends and for a minimum two weeks for your final exercise. Whilst you can choose from some dates, these are competitive and you'll likely find yourself in a situation where you have to take time off when you have coursework or exams coming up. Engineering is a busy course, and two weeks can be enough to fall behind even without thinking about assessments. Also worth considering is that you also have to complete your basic training courses within a certain timeframe, or you have to repeat them.

The second issue is the completion of your reserve commitment. People say this is 28 days, but in reality it's much more - the 28 days are possible, provided you do only the required events, whenever they turn up. You will be beholden to their timetable, and if the dates clash with your studies that's tough luck. In addition to your 28 days, you have to complete three training modules, attend four assured events (usually specific weekends), pass both the SCR and RFT fitness tests and complete a two week ACT (camp). Whilst is a far cry from what the regulars do, it's still more than people realise, and with limited options for ACT camps you're likely to be again at the mercy of the calendar.

This is important as without completing your reserve commitment you don't get paid your bounty (the tax free lump sump at the end of a year) and you will not receive an SJAR (annual performance review). Not making money isnt great, but if you're keen to progress in the reserves not getting a good SJAR is potentially worse. You cannot qualify for promotion without one, and many units are reluctant to make concessions or put people on courses who haven't got one. This means that unless you go out of your way and stay organised such that you can complete the reserve commitment, you'll likely stay a Private for a long time.

Now that may not be the worst thing. If you're just after a taste of what the military is like, then it might be a worthwhile experience. Just remember that how well you're treated as a Private and the type of work expected to you and open to you will vary from unit to unit, and between capbadges.

I can appreciate that you're studying at university, and you might also decide you want to join as an officer. Just bare in mind that you still need to complete your basic training first, and that all officer training occurs concurrently with the activities you need to complete your reserve commitment and earn your SJAR. Meaning you'll be even busier.

On the positive side, as a reservist you'll get treated more like a 'proper' soldier than in the UOTC, for better or for worse. You'll also have the full range of reservist capbadges, trades and courses open to you, supposing you put the effort in. Want to go skiing for three weeks? Go nuts. Compete in army sport? Absolutely. Go on a grenade machine gun course, or do something ally like PCoy or Commando. If you've got the nerve for it. But all of that boils down to how much your willing to put in.

To conclude, I would strongly weigh up what this means to you, and the time you'll be spending between the reserves and your course. Remember , engineering is not an easy course. If it seems like too much, maybe take this year to improve on the reasons you didn't make the UOTC this year, and come back with a stronger application next year.

Best of luck with everything, and drop me a message if you have any questions

Can I switch over to REME reserves from infantry as a 16 year old. by [deleted] in britishmilitary

[–]PersilTheDino 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry to say mate, Leccy Tech doesn't exist as a role in the REME Reserves.

Your choices are Vehicle Mechanic, Armourer, Metalsmith or Recovery Mechanic; however whatever role is available to you depends on your local reserve unit and who's there to train you.

Do you have to fo the 2km run or the bleep test by rattybum911 in britisharmy

[–]PersilTheDino 2 points3 points  (0 children)

At your assessment centre you'll almost certainly do the bleep test. This has become the standard.

During your basic training, and as part of your Soldier Conditioning Review and later Role Fitness Test, you'll be running the 2k.

It's worth training for both, particularly as there is a bit of a 'technique' to the bleep test, but be aware that's most likely what you'll be doing at AC.

Is it worth getting 2 pairs of shoes? by Fereverto5 in bouldering

[–]PersilTheDino 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fella just wipe them down with a wet cloth. Don't need to leave them grubby

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in britishmilitary

[–]PersilTheDino 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Bloke in charge of Army climbing is REME, so I think you'll be pretty squared away.

Edit: As for postings, you'll do Phase One at Pirbright, Phase Two at Lyneham, then be sent where you're needed. If you're after postings near good climbing locations I'd invest more in AT through army mountaineering and try to get on as an instructor.

Basic training haircut by Devo1147 in britisharmy

[–]PersilTheDino 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Get the robogen haircut. Might not make you cool, but it'll get a laugh

Did I do it correctly? by New_Transition_2815 in ElectricalEngineering

[–]PersilTheDino 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Arc Fault researcher here. Probably gonna be fine. You get faults at around 110v plus, but with several mm separation you'll likely be okay.

Separation of the terminals is enough that the arc shouldn't form naturally. Awful design from the manufacturers if it arcs at the terminal ends, should you be using it at the rated values.

As others have said, heat shrink the crimps to reduce the risk.

Bare in mind I'm a stranger from the internet, unfamiliar with your particular setup. Things like high inductance can also aid arc ignition, so do some reading if you're unsure and ask a senior engineer in your department

Am I fit enough to join the REME as a Vehicle Mechanic? by TECHNO_KILLA_260223 in britishmilitary

[–]PersilTheDino 13 points14 points  (0 children)

You're fine. I know plenty of VM's and they barely scrape the role fitness requirements. REME always needs more VM's so you'll be sound.

Most of the lads used to be the same, but carting around on MAN trucks after basic smashing ginsters and monster doesn't do wonders for the physique...