Should I join The British Army? 23 year old female?

Question

I am 23, Female and live at home with my mother. I have GCSE's and an NVQ in Beauty Therapy (random I know). For the past 3 years I have worked in general admin/reception roles, I find it very boring and now I want to train for a career and I want a challenge. I enjoy fitness but I am no athlete, I love the outdoors and I really want to travel. I am interested in becoming a dental nurse or veterinary technician (although I have never worked with animals) I plan to visit my local Army Careers Office in two weeks (when they are open on a saturday)
I am really looking for tips, advice, encoragement perhaps? I am hoping to make an informed desicion.
Are there any questions I should ask the Careers Adviser?
I would like to know when do you find out where you will be based? I shall ask the adviser this but if you have any information on this I would love to hear.

Thank you
xx

Thanks for the answers, should anyone else like to answer I'd be interested in knowing if you are of a military background or where your knowledge comes from. :-)

Answer 1

At the end of the day you will have to make the final decision whether or not you join.

First and foremost get all the facts with regards the training you will be required to do from the point of day one, you will more than likely have to do some form of basic military training either before or during your training for your chosen career as a dental nurse or vetenarian.

I would also imagine you will get more of a chance to travel as the former rather than the latter as there is not a great need for veterinarians to be deployed with the British military on its roles today, but as a dental nurse you have the possibility to serve overseas or with UN Peacekeeping Missions

Your age should not be a problem but you might find you are the oldest in your section, with regards fitness the military will bring you up to speed but in the meantime you could start to get in some leg-work to increase your stamina, even in the military profession you choose, not many people realize you will be spending a lot of time on your feet.

Also an understanding that you will be under orders from other people and at times it will seem you have very little time for yourself, but, one thing above all, try stay in close contact with your Mum should you decide to join, a little letter preferred to a phone call as it will be something for your Mother to treasure while you are away from home, and will give her a little reassurance no matter if you are in the UK, Europe or wherever, (I wrote once a week to my Mother while she was alive).

You might encounter some hostility for choosing a job with the military in regards with the current political climate, but don't let that hold you back, it's better to follow your dream and see where it takes you, than never try to do something you want to do. As for myself I have never regretted joining the Army.

What ever you decide to do I wish you good luck.

Answer 2

No. If you want to travel and try and be a dental nurse then try joining the red cross. As you like the outdoors and that seems to be how you would be oriented I believe you will be put in the field and you will have to bring yourself to kill people at some point.

Even well meaning soldiers who are there to protect people will have to make difficult decisions.

But its your decision, look at the British Army or RAF website and search for recruitment offices.

I wish you the best of luck in your decision.

Answer 3

No