How much will an in-service degree hold you back for the Engineering platoon officer? How are non-graduates affected?
5 responses
366 views
Esi I. asked a question to Engineering
Category: Role Comparison
Date asked: Friday, April 24, 2020
Last reviewed: Friday, April 24, 2020
Georgina Z.
Marketing Manager
There should be no reason why an in-service degree would hold you back. I have both a officer REME and RE friends who both did in-service degrees the first at Birmingham and the latter at Southampton. From watching their careers I would say it enhanced both of them as they have been incredibly successful and I know they thoroughly enjoyed their in-service degrees.
Friday, April 24, 2020
Esi I.
Thanks for your reply. How would you say being a non-graduate differs from being a graduate?
Friday, April 24, 2020
Fionidi
Officer Engagement
Choosing the In service degree (ISD) route will not hold you back per say but it will likely change your career profile. You should make sure you are fully aware of all your options before making this decision.
From a REME point of view, at present you have the following options:
1. The ISD option: Extremely competitive and we can usually only offer one of these per intake, and so they are not something we would recommend relying on.
In order to be eligible for an ISD you need to have no previous degree (you cannot use the ISD programme to gain a second degree) and you need to have the relevant qualifications/experience to be able to gain the degree. Bare in mind that if you are intent on competing for these places, many of our soldiers are also coming through the commissioning process, without degrees, and so there will be fierce competition for the ISD.
The ISD Officers will follow an identical initial training programme, so completing a year at RMAS, followed by 4 months phase 2 training at MOD Lyneham. After this they will go to their first posting alongside all their peers. The first posting typically lasts 18 months, after which time most officers will move onto a second posting, while the IDSOs will start their university course (typically 3 years). Reduced REME platoon command experience means you must work harder on returning to the field force to ensure you pass mandatory REME Officer testing (EngO).
2. The Technical Bursary: This is a far less competitive route that has no negative impact on your career but comfortably helps fund you through University with a guaranteed job on the other side.
The Army Undergraduate Bursary - Technical (AUBT) is open to anyone who wants to join one of the four technical Corps (Royal Engineers, Royal Signals, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers or Royal Logistic Corps), and are studying, or applying to, an Army-endorsed engineering or science degree.
The total financial value of each award is £25,000, which is divided between your remaining years of study. For those awarded the bursary in their final year, they will receive one payment of £25,000.
Hopefully this helps! If you would like to discuss it further please feel free to get in touch.
Fionidi
Friday, April 24, 2020
Esi I.
That helps loads, thanks. Would you be employed in the army as a reserve as you studied?
Friday, April 24, 2020
Fionidi
Officer Engagement
With the Technical bursary you would not be employed as an army reserve as you will not have had any military training - You will be encouraged to join a UOTC though. As an ISDO you will still be in the regular army but you will be a platoon commander in charge of UOTC/DTUS (Defence technical Undergrad Scheme) OCdts, where you will be expected to support and guide them on their way to RMAS using your previous experience.
Friday, April 24, 2020
This discussion is closed, so no new comments can be added.
Did you find this discussion helpful?
Related discussions
How long does it take for a recruiter to come back to you?How does shift work with being a reservist? there is an extreme lack of information regarding this. any help?Length of training phase 1 and how much leave for the paratroopers ?If you are commissioned for a gap year and apply for a regular commission, how long would the course be?Once you have completed your training as an officer, what is the minimum amount of time you would have to serve for ?Does the army offer any degrees which would be beneficial for a career in the Police Force?How does going through University through the Army (student nurse role) differ to being a civilian student?What is the intial training like for an Educational and Training Services Officer?Please, what's unsuitable for army service when one is discharged from the army ? How long can the person apply again ?For an intelligence officer - What happens if you pass the officer training, but then fail Intel Corps Selection? ThanksWhat is the possibility of gaining a degree within the army? (Cyber Engineer role preferably)If I am a reserve officer, how will this impact a medical bursary?IIf I am a reserve officer, what impact will this have if I become a regular officer (will rank change) As a PQO?How long can you spend as general duties medical officer, before and if you want to specialise? What is the progression?How much leave will I get as a Veterinary Officer?