Becoming a Royal Marine Commando with a degree...

First of all hello to everyone on here, just doing my first research into becoming a Royal Marine...however I am in my second year of University doing a Psychology degree. I intend to finish it and then look into joining but I am wondering whether many people wih degrees join the regular commandos or if most go for officer training?

Also does anyone know if there is much difference in the life of a Royal Marine Commando or a Royal Marine Officer (dreaded class divides etc.)

Thanks fors your help lads and take care!

 

Mate, it doesn't matter what other people do, do what you want to do, and ther is plenty of info on the website on what the differentces, such as the training cource is much longer and the pay is different. Class divides..shutup lol

Speak to a AFCO.

 

Reckon the thing that would frighten the otherwise cool, calm and collected RM most is a Psychologist!

McC

 

The class divide simply isn't an issue with RM Officers. I know lots and they're all great blokes. I can quite confidently say that in 16 years I've never met a booty officer I didn't like and get on with.

As for the distinction between the jobs/roles - you need to read more and think quite clearly about what it is you want to do with your life. An Officer inspires and leads men to achieve a goal, sometimes one that he and his men may not necessarily agree with or even understand but he'll make sure it gets done. Marines are quite simply outstanding soldiers specialising in littoral and Mountain/Arctic Warfare, which makes them employable across the globe.

Have fun whatever you decide, I am sure you'll not regret joining the Corps.

 

Cheers lads...definately think i'd keep the psyhology quiet though!

 

what you enter the corps as is entirely up to you Marine or Officer, bear in mind if you have the qualifications to become an officer they earn more money but their training is longer (around 12 mounths) where as a marine is payed less and training shorter (around 9 months), again the decision is yours entirely as both officers and marines both carry out training at CTCRM Lympstone and are based on the same camp. You should way up both options to your own personality i.e. are you better at giving orders and managing men or reciving orders and executing them.
Either way best of luck in what ever role you choose

 

Maybe that's why they're really unsuitable for members of the Royle family? :lol:

 

never aim low (good advice that!) a PhD is better ... if you haven't got one before entry getting one afterwards is an absolute must ... so I've been told ...

:thumright:

 

Could I just say that Psychology is a pseudo-science and based upon a 17 century mistake.

 

Hi Sammo and welcome aboard, firstly there are numerous other ranks serving who have degrees, the reasons for which could be failing the AIB but still wanting to serve or just a desire (??) to be one of the lads.
There is the option of a Corps Commission, which entails passing out as a Recruit serving as a Marine for a few years and then applying for a Commission. Be warned that this would entail you having to go through Young Officer Training, including all Commando Tests.
The class issue is, er, not an issue. Officers are selected on merit not on how plummy their accent is although you will encounter some very POSH 'chaps' you'll also meet Ossifers with brummy, jock or geordie accents. Although they might try and take the rough edges off a bit so that softee Southern gits like me can understand them.
Best of luck with your decisions, keep us all informed.
NZB

 

Samo,

Go in as an officer, the benefits will be miles better and you get to go to cocktail parties!

Like wave dodger said, don't sweat the class divide thing. Most of the Bootneck officers I knew were stand up blokes.

If/when you get in as an officer, or Marine for that matter, keep your ears open and your mouth shut, at least initially until you get settled in.

Good luck, mate

El Junglero

 

I fully agree with all El J says, if i had my time again i would have gone for the commission route as you get to trap off with a better class of slapper, cocktail parties and all that.

Main thing is go for it mate and good luck :afro:

 

Hi samo:

Over here in Canada, we've been advocating for a few decades the importance of education to both the NCMs and Officer Corps. Hence increased levels of academic support for all CF members. Back in 1997, it was noted that only 53% of our Officer Corps had degrees.

What we are experiencing here, is a noticable increase of the number of degree and college diploma NCMs who are joining. As well as seeing an increase in the number of NCMs gaining their degrees while serving.

Our Military College was one of the first degree granting institutions to offer distance learning for all CF members no matter where they were serving. (The USMC has been following our lead for years in setting up a similar program)

There has also been a move within the Officer Corps to seek post graduate degrees amongst the senior officers. A PG degree goes a long way on the career profile when making the jump from a junior officer to senior in where you land on the merit list.

Here's an article on Soldier/Scholar written by B Horn. http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/D12-9-4-4E.pdf I think you'll be able to spot the emerging trends in who is joining with what.

I realise that the UK and especially the Booties, will view education quite differently, but this might give you an idea where the rest of the world is heading.

 

plenty of gravs with degrees, don't rub anybodies nose in it and you'll be fine