So just how does an average mum-of-three decide that it's a good thing to allow her 16 year old son to apply to join the army? Well, as all his friends and family know, Connor's been in the Air Training Corps for quite a few years now and has managed to work his way up the ranks. It always seemed inevitable that he'd want to join the armed forces at some stage... but I wasn't expecting the army and I wasn't expecting it just yet!
For a few years he seemed hell-bent on a career in the RAF but an armed-forces careers event in our local town some months ago put paid to that! Some well-meaning, but clearly very enthusiastic, recruitment officer managed to convince Connor that his strengths definitely lay with the marines, as it turns out that he's a bit nifty with a firearm. I wasn't at all happy about it, and told him so, but it wasn't to last long so I needn't have worried really. Eventually, he decided that the marines wasn't the way to go afterall and settled on a two-year uniformed services college course followed by army training, which appeared to be a far more sensible option and one which I felt much happier about.
Shortly after though, Connor discovered that he could get a bursary from the army for doing the course, and although I thought it seemed a good idea, his Dad didn't agree, understandably not wanting Connor to commit himself to any one of the armed forces at such a young age. Teenagers being what they are, Connor had a bit of a fall out with his Dad which eventually culminated in papers being signed for him to apply to the Army Training College to start this September!
The last few days since then have been a bit of a whirlwind with BARB tests to be sat, application forms to be submitted, parental consent to be obtained and medical clearance to be sought. It seems now, on the surface at least, that the application will be accepted, although we won't know for sure for a few days.
So, how do I feel? Apprehensive to say the least, but I've done plenty of research. I've spoken directly to and had online advice sessions with various people at the Army careers centre. The MOD website is a mine of information and the careers officers are helpful and approachable. No question seems too trivial. I've checked out the Army Foundation College website and also their U-tube site, and I've spoken to people I know who've been in the forces. At the end of the day, he may be sixteen but it's what he's worked towards over the years. He's dedicated, motivated and I'm happy that he's going to be working for one of the best employers in the world. If he's accepted onto the course in September he won't be eligible for active service until the age of eighteen anyway, so the next two years will be spent training and making the most of the plethora of benefits available to him. I really hope it turns out to be everything he hopes it will be.
