Hi I’m looking at joining the army but me and my partner are just worried about the time we could get together

Good morning Callum,

Great question and equally very understandable that you and your partner are asking these sorts of questions early.

The work life balance that the Army has, is phenomenal, it's adapted massively as we have continued to modernize over the years in favor of us as individuals. This being said, it's dependent on your units ongoing commitments at any given time.

each Soldier gets 30 days a year plus bank holidays a year so extremely good when it comes to some well earned downtime.

If you and your partner are also wishing to travel to different assignments together, this is another option open to you. We receive heavily subsidence housing which you could take advantage of. I'm currently paying around 20% of rent that i would be if i were a civilian. Housing, Travel and life experience could all benefit not just you but your partner also.

Over my career, i tend to move units every 2-3 years and in doing so i take my family around the world with me. My kids are more travelled then most adults do. Which will inevitably work in their favor later in life.

So how often would you say I would be away for by doing a plumbing apprenticeship after the first lot of training

Any trade training will be in conjunction with your usual annual allowance. So you'll receive 38 Days leave a year. Additionally, during trade training you'll likely have most, if not all weekends on leave also.

So how does it work when doing the course do I stay near my current home area whilst doing it or go elsewhere to do it

I believe all of the training related to being a Plumber in the Royal Engineers is situated between the Royal School of Military Engineering near Camberley, Surrey. With the near by Chatham, Kent also in the fold for such training.

All throughout training you will be accommodated by the Army at a very small expense to yourself. They are shared accommodation blocks of which you will share large rooms with other potential Soldiers.

For Phase 1 training you will be away for the entire duration at the training establishment. Phase 2 (Trade training) is alot more flexible in that most, if not all weekends you are free to return home at weekends.