When going through selection for the Army, it can be very tempting to try and be the person you think they are looking for. That might work in the short term, but in the longer term, or when you are under pressure / tired / in command, that doesn't work. It is far better to be the person you really are, with your own quirks and personality, and to utilise your own skills and abilities. The Army can teach you how to lead and think tactically, it can develop your fitness and your endurance, it can't change how you start out as a person.

The army is more than what is seen in dramatised film and television. It’s a group of had working individuals who have learnt to be a part of the army, learnt their strengths and weakness, learnt what kind of job and job role suits them best. There is so much opportunity it is impossible to write it all here but information about the army has never been so easily accessible. The wealth of insight that can be gleaned, to help you determine the right career path in the army, is massive and can help you decide. Even if that decision is not to join the army, you won’t know until you have a look.

One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give somebody who has an interest in joining the military is to simply be yourself. One of key values of the military is integrity, so as long as you're honest with yourself and being true to who you are, you can't go too wrong. Those who try to be somebody they're not always get found out, and false appearances can only be kept up for so long. I would also say work hard. If you continue to push yourself and push what you think are your limitations, you'll find yourself pleasantly surprised. Those who work hard in the military are very often rewarded and go on to have the more fulfilling, exciting career with an abundance of opportunities. Those who shy away from work or are lazy will again get found out very quickly and have less opportunities available.