Met police firearms

[Hyde 328]

I've always had an interest in policing and everything surrounding it, and I've always said to myself that I do not want to be sitting on my behind from 9-5 every day of the week taking customer service calls. I have no commitments and literally have the world at my feet.

This has made me think of my career options, and the main option that I have available to me is joining the Royal military police.

I've been specialing for a few months now, and apparently the BA love it when applicants have a history of voluntary activities, and this couldn't be more relevant.

I am unsure as to whether it would be more realistic to attempt to join the RMP as an officer or a pvt (become lance corporal after training)

Officers are meant to have a wealth of life experience, and I feel that at 19, my life experience so far may be completely overlooked. I'm just not sure if I would be cut out to join as an officer. I have 3 A levels, but I read somewhere that most officers at Sandhurst hold Degrees. I feel that I could be considered somewhat under qualified.

Is it more realistic for me to join as a Private, or as an officer?

Honest replies would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

[Bart 128]

If you want to do police work within the RMP, you're better off going down the NCO route. You won't get much of a chance for hands on police work as an officer.

[Hyde 328]

Yeah I thought as much, I feel that I am currently wasting my time in my dead-end part time job. When asked how I am getting on, I keep lying to them saying that I am really enjoying it and that it's really interesting.

I think the best bet for me would be to go down the local recruitment centre to see what is on offer, however MP looks like the place for me

[JamesK89 0]

May I add the perspective of a friend:

My flat-mate is a third year (21) History/Politics degree student who has been part of the Officer Training Corps since joining when he started University (away training practically every weekend), he however aspires to be an Intelligence Officer. I believe he is one of the few from the Unit with the intent of fulfilling a career within the British Army and as such, has invested a serious amount of time with countless extra curricular TA courses that he committed to during term holidays, as such he has an array of TA qualifications.

He is a well rounded individual with fitness levels that are absurd, as well as numerous University volunteering roles (President of the Young Greens political party on campus, Captain for the Triathlon club and so on, he has a host of work experience from working every holiday in various jobs since 16..). I believe he holds some form of further rank, and is platoon commander for his unit... You literally couldn't fit much more on his CV.

Frankly, I'm not that familiar with the commission process, but if I recall correctly: Last year he spent a week away somewhere doing some form of course test that was a preliminary for the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB), he received glowing reports/passed and then went on to do AOSB briefing at a later date.. again, glowing (Category 1).. he then went onto the AOSB main board part and came out with the following option: 'Required to delay for between three and twenty four months (often awarded to younger candidates with potential ability but insufficient maturity, or for remedial purposes such as to improve upon Physical fitness)' - I believe his feedback essentially cited they felt he was currently too young (life experience/maturity).

He intends to return to do main board at the latest date possible now, finish his final University year (degree complete), then take a year out to travel/'experience' and return.. He'd be around 23 by then. The point of my ramblings was to highlight the following point: At AOSB, he stated he was literally the youngest individual there along with a few other students his age from other units around the country. He stated the average age seemed to be around 23-25~, from various walks of life, with some rather serious jobs floating around. None of the other students passed. Obviously I can't comment on their performance on the tasks over the week, but my friend was one of the fittest in terms of results. Knowing him, and the feedback he received, I would suggest that his age was the main draw-back cited. Although I generally don't agree with views concerning age, it is probably with good reason in this case, you have to consider that within the BA, Officers are leading a platoon on men in often difficult, stressful and potentially life threatening situations. I can't see many situations where large groups of regulars, typically much older.. and the views they have.. as being positive in terms of respect, and leading them effectively (This is obviously a generalisation on my part from literature/views I've come across in the pass. He may of simply not exerted himself enough in the other performance aspects hence the feedback, who knows!).

Now I'm by no means suggesting that young officers don't advance, but I'd assume only a small number do. As I say, he has experienced it and intends to leave it as late as possible once he has aged/gained even more experience.. I personally can't see what more he could do to make himself appear more positive in light of passing and going fourth to Sandhurst. I'm also not aware how different the RMP Officer approach is, or if they are more lenient when it comes to life experience so please forgive me if I am mumbling something unrelated, I've looked at the RMP process in the past and believed it was essentially the same.

I believe at the current time, there are more individuals who are older applying due to the economic situation - people are being made redundant, possibly taking the circumstances as a chance to lead a completely different life. Perhaps even, it was also a freak intake in terms of age demographics.

Hopefully I've offered more of a personal insight that can direct your train of thought. I'd be happy to ask him any further questions you have related to this in regard to his perspective.

James

Edited January 14, 2011 by JamesK

[Bart 128]

I was 18 when I joined the RMP, most of the officers I encountered were early 20's upwards. I was 20 when I was promoted to Corporal. I was acting sergeant at 22 in Northern Ireland and if it wasn't for the fact that I'd had enough of the army after 7 years, I was on course for my substantive sergeant stripes 12 month later. The number of officers in the RMP is relatively small compared to the number of NCO's, so you'll be treading water quite a lot waiting for the next rank up. When you consider there is only one Provost Marshall there is not much chance of a quick progression through the officer ranks. Each company usually only has one Major, a couple of Captains and a couple of Lieutenants, there are a lot more NCO's, so you have more chance of promotion.

[Hyde 328]

Cheers guys for your posts.

I'll still pop in to the recruitment office or talk to them on their online chat, but as i gather, the long and short of it is to join as a private?

[Hyde 328]

Wow what a bloody kick in the balls,just read that they do not accept applications from those with a history of asthma. Absolutely gutted.

My childhood asthma was mild and currently not medicated. Never (touch wood) had an attack but regardless I have the correct assumption I will be barred from applying.

[Constantinople 0]

Wow what a bloody kick in the balls,just read that they do not accept applications from those with a history of asthma. Absolutely gutted.

My childhood asthma was mild and currently not medicated. Never (touch wood) had an attack but regardless I have the correct assumption I will be barred from applying.

Go and have a chat with the recruitment office - if you've not been medicated for x amount of years and the medical staff are happy with you then chances are they'll let you in fine. Childhood asthma is fairly common and a lot of people grow out of it - example being a old friend of mine who had fairly serious asthma when we were at school and he now serves as a Royal Marine.

If I was you I'd get on the phone to the recruitment team AND get yourself booked in with the GP to have blow in a peak flow meter. If your medical records show that your asthma is cleared up (or that your peak flow is fine) and you've been off medication for a few years then you should be fine.

[Cargo + 166]

Wow what a bloody kick in the balls,just read that they do not accept applications from those with a history of asthma. Absolutely gutted.

My childhood asthma was mild and currently not medicated. Never (touch wood) had an attack but regardless I have the correct assumption I will be barred from applying.

As long as you have been free of an attack for 7 years and your doctor will write a letter to this effect you are eligible to apply.

[PCmonkey 5]

The RMP are currently oversubscribed, so when you speak with a recruiting officer the likelihood is they will try to convince you to apply for pretty much any other role. Stick by what you want, as once you get your name down on the waiting list you are one step closer to getting in.

I'd personally highly recommend going down the NCO route. As has already been said, if it is police work you are interested in, this is pretty much exclusively done by NCOs, with officers having a far more managerial role (when RMP officers really come into their own is on operations, when they become key decision makers).

[Guest]

The RMP are currently oversubscribed, so when you speak with a recruiting officer the likelihood is they will try to convince you to apply for pretty much any other role. Stick by what you want, as once you get your name down on the waiting list you are one step closer to getting in.

I'd personally highly recommend going down the NCO route. As has already been said, if it is police work you are interested in, this is pretty much exclusively done by NCOs, with officers having a far more managerial role (when RMP officers really come into their own is on operations, when they become key decision makers).

That's what happened to me when applied 3/4 years ago. They originally said I needed a C in English and Maths (I didn't do particularly well at school), but if I took and passed an English and a Maths test then they would proceed my application. I passed but was then told that a Captain had put a stop on my application as they were over subscribed, but I could join the SPS and possibly transfer to RMP later on.

I was very disappointed, as they wouldn't even take my policing experience into account, which was probably far greater than most other applicants.

Still, what will be, will be.

[Bart 128]

I was lucky. In my day, there was an intake of 35 every month. RMPTC was heaving. There was 6 training squads on the go as well as all the police training courses. On top of that, there were the RM Police training squads. When I did my training, day 1 to pass out was all done at the same place.

[Alison1546081017 21]

Wow what a bloody kick in the balls,just read that they do not accept applications from those with a history of asthma. Absolutely gutted.

My childhood asthma was mild and currently not medicated. Never (touch wood) had an attack but regardless I have the correct assumption I will be barred from applying.

Don't "kick yourself in the balls" before you've even applied. Yes there are restrictions but until you've tried to apply don't knock the idea in the head too soon. Speak with the recruitment staff at your local AFCO and see what the say. They will probably tell you to go ahead with your application as you will be taking a medical as part of the recruitment process - that medical will be the deciding factor on your eligibility to join.