I have some questions on the (REME)

[Gareth Kidd92]

I have been looking about the army.mod website and have found after being originally adamant about joining the Para or Royal Marine regiment, the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers or REME as I have recently found out. The reason for a sudden change in what I want to apply for is that I was speaking to my Aunties boyfriend who serve in the infantry, and he noted and even emphasised that after he left the forces which was several years before he met my auntie, he did not have trade to fall back on. After he left he began an apprenticeship in both plumbing and learning to become a registered electrician.

He told me that it is fine to aim highly for the more elite regiments in the forces, Para or Royal marine; but told me to weigh my options as if I were to leave the forces I would need something to fall back onto - specifically some sort of trade and this has led me via his recommendation to both look and enquire about REME at both my local Army career centre and elsewhere.

First thing first for ease of answering my questions I'll break them down into smaller bullet points:

1. If I were to join REME what are the "trade" benefits - I'm not really looking at the benefits of Electrical and mechanical engineering as those are fairly obvious.

2. This is not so much a question about REME as it is about Army or Navy transfers, I am extremely active and like to challenge myself - often getting a kick out of it. After training with REME could I transfer after training into a different regiment like the Para regiment or am I better off staying at REME?

3. What could I expect from the training as both basic and trade training, I've asked my Aunties boyfriend for his input already but would like someone else's too.

4. What opportunities could REME open up for me, furthermore if anyone has graduated from REME could you give me some information about the grounds and accommodation where you are taught?

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read my questions, it is greatly appreciated and hope to receive an answer in short time.
Regards,
Gareth Kidd

[paratrooperRC]

I say if your passionate about joining paras or RM and determined GO FOR IT!!
if not, join the craphats and do a trade

[Gareth Kidd92]

Haha, I actually already felt like I wanted to join the Para or Royal Marine anyway, as you said I am determined to be the best I can possibly be and I guess that the Para or Royal marine is the pinnacle of their fields. Looking at REME was literally just an attempt to future proof myself any possible redundancies which may occur during my time in the forces. I will look up education opportunities in the Para's then - Thanks!

"craphat" first time hearing that, I guess it is anything which is not Para or special forces?

Anyway, again thanks for replying,
regards,
Gareth Kidd

[paratrooperRC]

emailed u anyway mate, get back to me..
haha am sure u will find out !

[EvansBT250]

I was with REME for a short stint and I didn't like it, if you want to be in the RM or Paras then go that route, you'll just regret it. And in any case if you join REME, you can actually still do the Commando course or do the para course with any regiment you join. On the flip side, if you join the RM, you are strongly advised to specialise, the RM is an army in its own right, you can still get the same qualifications and trades in the RM if you wanted, they still need electricians! Or you could look at the royal engineers, the UKSF favour the RE for their specialist trades. You will find that most regiments have soldiers that have completed the para/RM course. The army is there to be used, the opportunities in the regs are unlimited and are encouraged, many people leave without qualifications and their own fault for not pursuing them. So, if you want to be an infantry soldier then don't join a regiment that predominantly tows and fixes big army vehicles, you just won't enjoy it as much, go and do the paras or RM and make use of the quals that they all offer. Better still, go down to the careers office and ask them about it.

[steve ossie]

Hi Gareth
First things first well done for wanting to join the Army but how old are you at the moment.
Everyone will have a different opinion but all their advice is good and take it on board we have all been there and done it over the years.
I worked with the Paras and the RM on a number of occasions and they are great people to work with, with out a doubt top men, but you need to look to the future. When your young who gives a shit about the future none of us but it hits you when you come out and you realise you are not employable ie no trade nothing.
Civilian businesses do not want Top Snipers working for them and guys who can Tab 10 mile with 50kg on their back, now a days they can be choosy and it is a kick in the nuts when you get out.
My advice would be to join the Reme and stay with it for a minimum of 3 years. Straight away you will get your HGV license and start getting your qualifications, that will help you when you get out. Then start asking to go and do these courses ie pre Para etc if you get knock back ask again.
I new a couple of lads from the RCT who went on selection and passed and they were gone for a couple of years, but they still had a trade behind them for a later date in civi street.
Just test the water first get some kind of a trade and then go to the elite units all the best mate.

Steve

[steve ossie]

Forgot to say what ever you choose have fun while your doing it. It is a great life and you will never meet better people the you will meet while serving.
Check out my web site I have just wrote a book about all the fun, Humour, and all the cock ups I made while serving, from Training to leaving after 22 years www.steveosbornebritisharmy.com . Always Believe In Yourself.