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Armed Forces Frequently Asked Questions

Step 4: Meet the recruiter

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions from our Joining the Military discussion board. Though our forums are monitored and answered by people have have served and have had experience of these issues. This keeps up a high quality, but you should always check questions yourself with a recruiter to be sure.

1. Lying at the Recruiting Office
2. Is asthma a disqualifying condition?
3. Which service to join?
4. Selling drugs?
5. Good ratings for future SIS/Police career?
6. Are allergic reactions grounds for disqualification?
7. Joining with tattoos?
8. Are anti-depressants disqualifying?
9. Will (underage drinking) affect my enlistment?
10. How can I make the military my career?
11. The brutal truth before enlisting
12. What makes an Officer?

Lying at the Recruiting Office

Question:

I had a misdemeanor, petty theft, and a friend told me to lie and not disclose it. I was scared, though my offense wasn’t even disqualifying. My fine was NOT paid for when I signed, and I had no Idea that it was illegal to be processed with this. Wwhat will happen if I lie?

Responses:

You have two choices. Don’t join or tell the truth. Better to have peace of mind than be looking over your shoulder all the time because when you’re found out you’ll be dishonourably discharged. Not good. This sort of thing can follow you round like a millstone even in civvy life after you’ve served. You’ll get asked in an interview, “Why did you leave the Royal Navy…?”

Is asthma a disqualifying condition?

Question:

What is the policy on asthma in the Royal Navy exactly? Do they check your civilian medical records? I have had asthma past the age of twelve but don’t use an inhaler anymore and am perfectly capable of doing all the physical training required.

Response:

Diagnosed with Athsma beyond age 12 is disqualifying, regardless of whether or not you use an inhaler. And yes they can check your medical records if something makes them suspicious, like an athsma attack at boot camp. This would lead to a discharge for fraudulent enlistment.

Which service to join?

Question:

I really want to join the military but I cant find what branch I want to join. I have researched endlessly but i still don’t know. Here are the basics of what i want to do. I love to be out doors and active, I love to camp outdoors, I love a big challenge, and much more. I was thinking of the special forces but I don’t know what branch or anything like that please help.

Response 1:

here are the options as I see them:

Royal Navy: SBS (Special Forces) is the only thing in the Navy I see suitable for you (you matelots would know better)

Royal Marines: You just described the marines, but beware that most of these guys are fanatics (in a good way) and insanely squared away physically, its a very big challenge. As above.

Army: You just described any combat arms specialty in the army, some are more technical than others, research those (armour, infantry, artillery, military police, special forces) and find what’s best for you

Royal Air Force: Special Ops guys are very very squared away, more technical but physical as well. Security Forces are the Military Police of the RAF, but with less of a combat role (although this is slowly changing I believe).

Its a tough choice, I know, but its one that you have to research and decide for yourself. If you ask specific questions as opposed to this broad one, you’ll have more of a chance of getting an answer.

Response 2:

Cant speak for the other services but you can get all of that in the Royal Marines. In the Marines you are going to be trained in full-on combat, a lot of the other branches I think do not offer this (don’t quote me). You have to go to basic combat school for more than 30 weeks. Either way in the Marines you will be carrying your weapon and be out in the field a majority of the time and the training is good. The decision is really what you want as well.

Selling Drugs?

Question:

Could I join with a record? Many years ago to be exact 12 I was with the wrong crowd and got caught up in the bad company of drug selling, but since than i have been out of trouble and cleaned up my life. I took the test passed physical, but they ask about my history. I was denied entry due to my drug charge – intent to distribute .Could my MP write a letter so I could join the military? I was told by an army SGT that it is possible please help me in this matter thank you.

Response:

No service will take you with a possession with intent to distribute. Doesn’t matter what your age was or how long ago. Good to hear that you have turned your life around but this is one mistake that the military will not overlook.

Good ratings for future SIS/Police career?

Question:

I was thinking about joining SIS after the Navy, if I don’t want to stay in the Navy, what are good ratings to increase my ability to get a job with either MI6, MI5 or GCHQ?

Response:

If you are considering a career with those services, you normally need a degree….and a spotless background.

Are allergic reactions grounds for disqualification?

Question:

A couple of times I’ve had allergic reactions to certain types of laundry soap. Haven’t had any in the last 3-4 years. Is that a potential setback?

Response:

To a big extent, it depends on what causes the allergic reaction (i.e., the allergen)

An ANAPHYLACTIC reaction is a discharge.

A reaction that is limited to itching or hives, but no respiratory or cardiac involvement is not so serious.

However, if you get hives every time you have something common, like – for example – milk or bread or aspirin, they will look twice, at least. Medication allergies are especially tricky.

Given that your reaction, as described, is relatively mild, it may (stress) not be that much of a problem. Get documentation from your GP and take it to your recruiting office.

Joining with Tattoos?

Question:

I am considering joining the army, however I do not know and have not been able to find in literature if visible tattoos would disqualify a person. Are there any dress codes that restrict this and if so is it different in all branches? Thank you in advance.

Response 1:

It does vary.

Each service has slightly different rules when it come to visible tattoos. and some of that depends on the job you have in the military. as a general rule as long as the tattoos aren’t found to be offensive then it generally isn’t a problem. But you may want to call and talk to a recruiter about it.

Response 2:

In accordance with Army regulations – wear and appearance of the Uniform, etc – it specifies about tattoo’s on the body. You can get a waiver or you may not need one provided that the tattoo is not offensive in any way. Tattoos on the neck above your collar when you wear a regulation shirt, if it can be seen is disqualifying. Tattoos anywhere that are racist, sexist, or offensive in any way are disqualifying. However if it is removed then you won’t have a problem.

Are anti-depressants disqualifying?

Question:

What are the consequences for bringing prescribed anti-depression medication?

Response 1:

Anti depressants are disqualifying for 1 year after you stop taking them. You MUST stop with your doctors advice, DO NOT stop on your own. These medications often have to be reduced slowly to lower side effects and reduce risk of relapse. Once you are off and depression free for 1 year get copies of your treatment paperwork, including therapy notes and take them with you to your recruiter. They will submit the documents to the recruiting office for review. The recruiter will either reject you, allow you to wait and review you in 6 to 12 months, or give you an extra medical with a psychologist before enlisting you.

Response 2:

You’ll need to bring my medical records from the doctor who prescribed the anti-depressants. You’ll go to the recruiting office, take the BARB but your processing will be terminated at a certain point due to being honest about depression. Your records will be sent to the medical officerfor review. This supposedly takes between six weeks and three months — mine took a full three months.

If the waiver is granted, you’ll be cleared to return to the recruiting office. On your return trip, they’ll do a height/weight check then send you offsite to a psych consult. The doctor will then send his recommendation to the office where you will be reviewed further. This took nearly five weeks for me.

If you are deemed fit for service, you will return to the office for job selection. Contrary to what I was initially told, depression rules out many jobs in the RAF.

Will (underage drinking) affect my enlistment?

Question:

Will this affect my enlistment? I am currently finishing my first year at Uni and looking to enlist in the Royal Air Force. When I was 16 I got done for underage drinking. Its been more than a year and a half since then… . How does this affect my enlistment and job options?

Response:

Not a big deal !

As long as it was your first offence, talk to your recruiter about it, it could come up and haunt you if you don’t.

How can I make the military my career?

Question:

I’m debating between the RAF & Royal Navy. Here recently I’ve been leaning towards the RAF. The problem is, I want to make a 20 year career out of the military. I would like to get the best job available and get promoted on a regular basis. I would rather not be cut and sent home, so my question is; how safe would it be to join the RAF for the long run compared to the Navy?

Response 1:

1. If you do well on the selection test more jobs will be available to you. If you get something that you end up not liking, transferring may be available to you.

2. Promotions are not easy. They aren’t handed out on a regular basis because they’re primarily up to you to do what’s required of you to gain the rank, along with studying for your tests, being involved in military activities, and maybe some fitness. While there are percentages and ceilings on the amount every time- you’re responsible for your promotions in the long run.

Response 2:

If you are coming into the Royal Air Force and you want to earn things through good old fashion hard work, you will be just fine.

If you come into the Royal Air Force and are lazy or don’t give a damn and think the world will just come to you on a silver platter, those are the folks that are going to be weeded out !

The brutal truth before enlisting (top)

Good statement for those considering joining any branch of the military.

We enlist for what we can give, not what we can receive. That’s why we call it “Service”, we serve others BEFORE we even think of serving ourselves.

Your family, friends and your children will miss you as terribly as you miss them and they’ll never want you to leave their side again. It is the sad true nature of the military family. This is something you’re going to have to face or you’re doomed before you begin.

You say you want to enlist to provide a better life for your children? Wrong, dead wrong if you’re enlisting for the benefits. There are a lot of easier ways to make a living than being in the military because it’s not just a job, it becomes your whole life.

You have to be prepared to drop everything you’re doing and leave everything you love in the name of duty. The hours can be long, the pay can be crap and the working conditions can be totally brutal and if you stay around long enough, friends die and you will see combat. It is the true nature of military life.

You enlist to serve your country because you believe in who you are and what you’re doing as a British service member. In fact, you believe so much that you willingly put your life on the line in accomplishment of your unit’s mission and most importantly, to protect the lives of your friends, your fellow servicemembers.

If you’re enlisting for any other reason, you’re fooling yourself and you’ll make a lousy servicemember because you’re breaking the most basic fundamental trust you make when you give your oath of ailligence. That basic trust is serving others before you even begin to think of yourself. That’s why we call it “Service” because we serve others, it’s as simple as that.

If you can put others before yourself and even your own family, welcome aboard. If you can’t then don’t put yourself or the people around you in that situation because you won’t be any good to your friends or your unit.

Be sure you explore all options before you sign the contract and give your oath in order to ensure you achieve the kind of life you truly want. Best of luck.

Anonymous Member

What makes an Officer?

Question:

Being an outsider looking in I do not understand how a “Uni graduate” can have such a vital roll in such a short time. Why does the military put the power in a 25 year old graduate’s hands and allows their authority to over-ride a 23 year veteran Staff Sgt.?

It does not make sense to me. Is it thought Officers are a better breed, a tougher competitor or a person that has more brain power over a non uni educated person?

Are Officer’s thought to be wealthier, better organised and better thinkers?

Response:

Any 2nd lieutenant who tries to lord his rank over a Corporal or Sergeant with 10-15 years of service is destined for a short military career.

The Commissioned Officer has the Authority, the Non-commissioned Officer has the experience. If they do not work as a team, the unit will suffer. A major part of that NCO’s job is to help train that young officer and keep him from making stupid mistakes that can end his career and/or get someone seriously hurt or killed.

Another way to look at it is… The Officer’s job is to set the standards. The NCO’s job is to enforce those standards. It helps to not have the same person doing both parts because you can lose your sense of objectivity trying to enforce your own policies.

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