Household Cavalry

[Catalyst]

Right well i'm leaving college in about 7 weeks and the prospect of getting an office job as a stepping stone into a career in the police isn't looking too bright. I've always had an interest in the forces and after a few months thinking about it and going over my options i think i'm going to apply for the household cavalry in august time.

Anyone got any experience in the household cavalry or worked with them at all on operational tours?

I've been doing a course on public services so i've had all the talks about how amazing it will be in the army, but i'm not naive enough to believe that so i understand it's not great money and you don't travel the world in luxury as they portay it.

There's so many things you can do but i quite like the idea of the 'cav as it has a ceremonial side as well as the armoured side of it. Got a meeting at the army careers office tommorow but any first hand experience or knowledge from people would be much appretiated.

Cheers, Jack
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SlimRick - I can cook really well - but it's a useless skill, as I'm not a woman and it's their fucking job!

[400bandit]

You seem bright enough, have you any A-levels? If so, have you considered going as an Officer? Not a bad life as an officer although household cav can be a bit "ra" when it comes to officers. If you like ceremonial duties how about Kings Troop? (RHA)

Best of luck to you, Joe
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[Irezumi aka Reuben]

You'll go round shooting things when on duty and polishing stuff when not. About sums it up.

If the careers guys get you to sit a test there and then be wary, perhaps come back another day unless youre 110% certain its what you want to do, one is called a BARB test, cant remember the other.

[Catalyst]

[JonB]

That's surprising, I was under the impression you needed a degree to become an officer.
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[bazza]

Try here: https://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn2/Forums/viewforum/f=113.html
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[Robby]

I think my brother was in with them, as TA. His best mate was same regiment, but in the regular army.

They seemed to enjoy it, but they enjoyed the "ra" culture, which is basically dressing up like a nonce, behaving like public schoolboys from the 50s, and trying to open bottles of champagne with a sword. I was exposed to this one, for 8 hours, at my brother's wedding. It put me off any career in the military. Dicks.

On the flip side, you get to shoot brown people with tanks in sandy countries.

You don't come across as officer material, particularly compared to those guys. If you did, I'd have an even bigger vendetta against you.

[400bandit]

Probably the best way to sum up Kings troop - https://www.army.mod.uk/artillery/units/kings_troop/default.aspx

You kind of have to like horses though, ha.

REME is always a good one, Get some very worthwhile qualifications in there, won't be able to join as a Officer though as you need a degree in engineering.

If you still like the idea of tanks there's always "chav cav" - 1 RTR, pretty cool regiment, none of the "rah" crap to put up with and the uniform is cool as fuck! And they use Challenger II's

You don't need a degree to become an officer in the British Army but you do initially get paid more if you do (and through Sandhurst)

All the best, Joe
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[WildGoose]

There was a couple of fly on the wall series about the household cavalry a while ago, both can be had on amazon for 8 quid a pop.

"Guarding the queen"
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Guarding-The-Queen-DVD/dp/B0010VEDBU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1239824886&sr=8-1

"The Queens cavalry"
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Queens-Cavalry-DVD-Janet-Harris/dp/B000E5KPDI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1239824886&sr=8-3

I do understand entry is quite highly contested, as is considered an elite.

From what i've heard, and I wasn't in the army, so take with as great a pinch of salt as you wish (though it does seem to be a commonly held opinion). You may have a job getting yourself in there, particularly as an officer, as much as the army advertise equal opportunities they are looking for people with double barrelled surnames, and history of household cavalry for these positions. It's probably the most "hooray henry" esque corps in the army, with steeped history going back hundreds of years.

First in the order of precedence, above every other regiment in the army, so don't expect to go waltzing in the door, if you arent what they want, you won't be doing that job. Note both the prince's selected the Blues and Royals, and so the cycle of history continues.

Personally, though they do go on operations, I can think of nothing more tedious that taking all the bullshit ironing, cleaning and polishing of uniform that you are subjected to in the beginning, multiplying the standard required and quantity of uniform, then extending that through a career.

Plenty of more sensible, useful jobs in the army, if you really must.
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[Catalyst]

[WildGoose]

[SoulRider]

I went to the RCB briefing (1 night) and even though i got a level 1 (Pass) to go through to the 3 day RCB assesment i decided not to do it as it wasnt for me.

Truth be told along with the fact most were private schooled, come from really rich families and were a little bit up them selves (some not all) the thing that really stopped me doing it was during the speech we got given where he said "And when you send your men into battle" followed by something along the lines of with you behind the firing line it really put me off.

Im not the sort of person who can stand back and based on my judgement at the age of 19 (when i did the test) possibly send my men to their death and stay safely back myself. I couldnt do it, i decided to go for infantry instead though that fell through when i met my ex and did my knee in at same time.

End of the day the only way you going to find out is do one of their days or go for the briefing, and they will tell you quickly if your material or not and you will know pretty soon after.
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[ZRX61]

A career as a Rupert in the Picadilly Cowboys?

[Catalyst]

Right well went down the careers office today and watched some crappy presentation about all the jobs i have no interest in then got given an application at the end .

Didn't really learn anything or find any information out and when i asked the bloke knew sod all about it. I've narrowed down my choices to 3 things, first choice is between household cavalry and RTR but if i can't get into them for any reason then the Royal Artillery is my second choice.

Not sure when to do my application yet as i don't want to go into training before september really, quite odd when i've been thinking about it today...i could potentially do 4 tours of Afghan' before i'm 22 . Even more daunting is the fact that coming out of 4 tours un-scathed is almost impossible!
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SlimRick - I can cook really well - but it's a useless skill, as I'm not a woman and it's their fucking job!

[400bandit]

Tours aren't that bad, especially if you are single, you can save a shed load of cash (you get pain extra whilst on tour) coupled with the fact that you won't be spending anything!

Best of luck to you mate.

Joe
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[pistonbroke]

join the navy get on subs get trained in nuclear engineering and you can right your own ticket for the rest of your life

steve
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[numark1]

My dad has just finished as the squadron leader for the household cavalry - lifeguards. Can send me a pm if you want, see if i can get him to answer any of your questions.

https://img9.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img4041l.jpg