UKC

As some of you may or may not know im applying to be an officer in the Royal Marines. Well ive got my POC and AIB interviews coming soon after christmas (If you can help youll know what i mean by POC and AIB.) I know there are a few of you out there that were in the marines or were officers in the navy (Dennis??). Anyway, has anyone got any inside knowledge into what they are going to expect and ask me at these interviews.

I already know the basic structure of the interviews but guidance from people who have already done them can't be a bad thing.

Cheers
John

In reply to JR: Good luck and keep injury free [oh and if you do make it listen to your nco's apparently that way you won't make a fool of yourself so frequently (so my Marine mate tells me)]

In reply to JR:

When I tried to join the RAF they asked me if I'd be prepared to fire a nuclear weapon. So what's your answer?

(I didn't get in)(so I started pulling fences down round nuclear bases in protest....)

In reply to JR: A friend of mine was told to direct a team across the assault course carrying a telegraph pole and came unstuck when he tod them to take it down an underground pipe with a 90 degree bend in it!!!
JIMBO

In reply to Dave Collier:
yup, when I tried to join the RAF (such a long time ago) they asked me if I'd be able to kill someone. Threw me a bit - all I wanted to do was fly fast jets. I did the pulling fences down bit too.

In reply to JR:

as in all interviews:
Have your ideas of how you want to describe yourself worked out in advance - try them out on other people too.

Be honest, as they will be experts at seeing through you, and expect probing questions in response to things you say.

Think before you speak! They will be looking for people somewhat more resourceful and determined than those who can make the grade in the Army.

In reply to Dave Collier:

Im not going to answer that question on a forum 'cos whatever i say would come under fire...pardon the pun. So ill leave that to the interview, but cheers everyone.

In reply to JR:

If you are really interested in making a committment to probably the finest force in the world, drop me an e-mail. My youngest son just went through an interview for the Marines (two months ago)he would give you some up-to-date information...

Dennis M.

In reply to Dennis:

Are you sure you really want to get a job that involves travel to Afghanistan at the moment?

In reply to Dave Collier:

I spent twelve months in Aden (ambushed twice) at a time when two SAS guys were beheaded. Afghanistan - if only...

Dennis M.

In reply to Dennis:

Warmonger.

In reply to Dave Collier:

Well in light of when i will actually have finished my training ie after my degree and after a years phase 1 training. It will be in at least 5 years. Hopefully the "war" will have finished by then. Should it not have finished and if it is what i am ordered to do then that is what i will do.

In reply to Dennis:

When were you in the marines---from and to.

seeing as you fought in Aden, you were fully trained by 1965??? Or am i wrong??

In reply to JR:

Joined in 1959 and bought my 'discharge-by-purchace' in 1966 (after two years in Borneo) due to the machinations; the incompetence of - Royal Marine officers...

Dennis M.

In reply to Dennis:

Well i assure you i will do my best not to be incompetent.

In reply to Sloper:

"oh and if you do make it listen to your nco's apparently that way you won't make a fool of yourself"

Good advice. A RM WO(II) I met on a course explained how to disobey an officer's orders you knew were crap. You say 'Yes Sir!' and stand there. Officer thinks again, gives another stupid order 'Yes Sir!' and stand there. Finally, on receiving the correct order 'Yes Sir!' and jump to it...

In reply to captain paranoia:

Hey there - we can't have anarchist climbers in the Army now......

In reply to michaelw: so what makes you an expert on those that can/cannot "make the grade" in the Army? Having served 7yrs myself, my response to the original question is that if you have to ask this sort of question in the first place, then the job probably isn't for you. Being able to lead men in military situations is about making decisions on the spot and under pressure that cannot be replicated in any civilian environment. Knowing the answers to questions before they're asked (or "being prepared") is more the line of the boy scout movement. OK JR, I appreciate you are trying to use your initiative, but rely on yourself before you do on the advice of others who once knew someone who had an uncle that did national service forty years ago! If it's the right thing for you, you'll get in - if not, it's no big deal, at least you won't be wasting your time trying to do something you're not cut out for. Oh, and remember - "it aint training if it aint raining"

In reply to Anonymous: all this bravado is very moving lads. I didn't realise that killing, maming and obaying orders blindly was such a noble profession. I could continue my eulogy against the army and armed forces, civil service etc but for fear of being censored.

Comrade Duncan

In reply to Duncan:

Right on comrade! If people refused to join Armies there'd be no more wars (just the odd domestic dispute perhaps).

In reply to Dave Collier:
think u missed my point

In reply to JR:You have two options;

1.If you want to be a professional "go anywhere, do anything, commando forces action man",join the corps as a marine and not an officer.

2. If you want to be an arrogant dickhead with the soldiering skills of one of the flowerpot men, join as an officer,

you have the choice!

bye, richie F. (CURRENTLY SERVING BOOTNECK)

In reply to Duncan:

What was your point?

Anyway glad to see the troops respect their officers so much - a close knit fighting force indeed!

In reply to Dave Collier:
well u wouldn't know, cause u quite obviouslt missed it

In reply to JR: Good Luck JR, I did the POC and the Army RCB two years ago. Failed the POC, but boy was it tough.

The difference between the Army and RM was the Army were nice to you and looked after you, RM just beast you on the physical. Make sure that you can do the gym tasks(press-ups, pull-ups etc.) within the time limits and more importantly after an hour or so of "warm-up". Don't be afraid to speak your mind on some of the tasks after all they are looking for natural leaders!

If you get through POC the AIB will be relatively simple, but far more mentally challenging...leadership tasks, action plans etc.

If you want any more info then drop me a mail.

Mike

PS What someone else has said that if you want an all-action commando life then join as a Marine rather than an Officer is mostly true - as Officers are barred from doing some of the really specialist training such as Mtn Warfare Course (Part II)