18 and I've already ballsed things up.

[HKS-920]

Hi everyone, I'm currently in the process of joining the Parachute Regiment. My gripe is, I left school before it was time to do my GCSE's, having moved house and schools twice in during my last two years in school.

I understand my initial hopes of joining as an Officer are out the window now. But, I'm a bright lad, I scored 91 in my BARB test. I do believe I have the right stuff to make a good Officer. If there's such a way in existence to be able to join as an Officer in my current predicament, what would be the best way to go about it? Would I have to go back, do my GCSE's, go onto my A-levels and take it from there or, if I were to show enough potential within the Army, could I be commissioned to undergo Officer training?

Thanks in advance.

[terambulan]

Yes....you can get a commission while serving as an 'other rank' providing you get A levels or degree.

[HKS-920]

Thanks for your answer mate, just one more question. Can A-levels and Degrees be obtained within the Army?

[daffy654]

My older brother took A Levels whilst in the RAF,I don't know if the Army allows that as well.If not you could always do them through Open University courses.

[saxy_jag]

You can't do A levels through the Open University, but you can do courses that are equivalent or higher. Pretty much all their courses can be included in a degree profile. The full-time university I went to took my OU foundation course in lieu of A levels.

I see quite a lot of servicemen and women posting to OU forums, and I believe it's something the army themselves like to encourage.

Good luck.

[Cheekystar]

Why not speak to the Army careers service who will be able to give you the best advice most big towns have an office.