Was it worth joining

Hi there,

Thank you for your question!

Absolutely yes - without a doubt.

I wanted to join the Army from the age of 13, eventually joined at 22, and I’ve never looked back. I’ve now served for over 20 years and it has shaped me in every way. I’ve had my best days and my hardest days in the Army — but that’s because it’s been such a huge part of my life and identity.

Before I joined, I had what most people would call a “proper job”, and it doesn’t come close to what the Army has given me. Here, I’ve been able to contribute to something bigger than myself, be part of real positive change, and know that what I do actually matters.

I’ve travelled, had more adventures than I can count, played sport, done adventurous training, gained qualifications and education I never thought I’d have access to, and built friendships that I know will last a lifetime.

If you have any more questions please feel free to ask.

Katie

Hey Max, for me, yes it has absolutely been worth joining. I wasn't too sure about the army to start off with so I became a Reserve soldier to see if it was for me. After a couple of deployments with my unit, I realised I wanted to do more so I joined the Regulars as an officer. Even after commissioning I wasn't sure how long I might want to stay in the army, but I have loved it and now want to serve much longer thanks to the experiences I've had.

The great thing about the army is it doesn't have to be all or nothing. If there are civilian jobs you'd also like to try, I recommend joining a Reserve unit, a University Officer Training Corps, or maybe even as an Army Cadet Instructor. If you like the things you do in your spare time, then consider joining as a Regular. I really do think there is a job for everyone in the army, so have a look at the roles we offer and see where you'd be happiest.

Good luck!