Hello,
I am in a bit of a dilemma and am looking for some advice. I have read previous threads (which has been helpful), however I don't think there are any recent posts with the same situation as me.
My background is as a physiotherapist so I have a degree from that. I applied in 2018 as a rating (HM - warfare) as at that point the age limit for an officer was 25 (I was 27). However I failed at the paper medical with Capita (past history of eczema). I went travelling for 6 months and when I returned this summer I went back to my AFCO to see if it was worth reapplying. I was told the age limit had now increased and was encouraged to apply as an officer. I have completed most of the stages for this (and passed the medical this time), and had another interview where I was told they were happy to put me forward to the AIB. Before the AIB the plan is to arrange a POV sometime in the New Year.
Now this all sounds great and I should be happy. But I'm having serious doubts about whether I am the right material to be an officer and it's really winding me up. On paper I make a good candidate, however I have never been the most confident and don't think I really fit that image of a leader. Family are keen for me to persue the officer route, and I guess I'm worried about letting myself down or disappointing anyone. I just think I'd struggle to be happy with the added pressure of the leadership elements of the officer role. But I do think I could gradually work my way up/build confidence as a rating and eventually progress down the non-comissioned route. I think it's clear which way I'm leaning but I don't know if this is just a lack of confidence making me self sabotage things. Now when I mentioned the rating route at the AFCO I was told that we can switch the application, but to go for it as an officer and we'd explore the rating route "if it happened".
Does anyone have a take on this? I'd really appreciate your opinions.
Thanks
I am in a bit of a dilemma and am looking for some advice. I have read previous threads (which has been helpful), however I don't think there are any recent posts with the same situation as me.
My background is as a physiotherapist so I have a degree from that. I applied in 2018 as a rating (HM - warfare) as at that point the age limit for an officer was 25 (I was 27). However I failed at the paper medical with Capita (past history of eczema). I went travelling for 6 months and when I returned this summer I went back to my AFCO to see if it was worth reapplying. I was told the age limit had now increased and was encouraged to apply as an officer. I have completed most of the stages for this (and passed the medical this time), and had another interview where I was told they were happy to put me forward to the AIB. Before the AIB the plan is to arrange a POV sometime in the New Year.
Now this all sounds great and I should be happy. But I'm having serious doubts about whether I am the right material to be an officer and it's really winding me up. On paper I make a good candidate, however I have never been the most confident and don't think I really fit that image of a leader. Family are keen for me to persue the officer route, and I guess I'm worried about letting myself down or disappointing anyone. I just think I'd struggle to be happy with the added pressure of the leadership elements of the officer role. But I do think I could gradually work my way up/build confidence as a rating and eventually progress down the non-comissioned route. I think it's clear which way I'm leaning but I don't know if this is just a lack of confidence making me self sabotage things. Now when I mentioned the rating route at the AFCO I was told that we can switch the application, but to go for it as an officer and we'd explore the rating route "if it happened".
Does anyone have a take on this? I'd really appreciate your opinions.
Thanks