Weighing up my options

G

GTYSON

Full Registered User
Evening all

I have been doing some serious research the last 6 months and have been scanning the forums religiously for the past few years in order to help me make a decision whether to invest my money on a course or would I simply be throwing my money down the drain.

I have observed a lot of negative posts by experienced members on here who have been in the industry for years claiming that the work is thin on the ground and it's hard enough these days for an experienced CPO to get work let alone new comers. I had my mind set on not letting the negative posts put me off however there has been that many I would be silly to take the plunge and jump in and spend the money to not come away wth anything at the end of it.

I'm still young enough to join the forces and I was looking at the British Army.

I'm looking for opinions from the more experienced chaos on her and employers. Would you advise me to take this route and follow the line of work say with the RMP or infantry regiments to help me gain the relevant skills in order to look at close protection in the long term?

CP is my long term goal and I have always dabbled with the idea of joining the forces and I know before anyone says that is my choice I can't listen to anyone else or rely on anyone else to make that decision for me. Of course I know this however if you can hand on heart honestly say that strong military experience under my belt will secure me 80/90% chance of CP employment in the long run then it's something I would be following up next week.

What are people's thoughts?

Thanks in advanced
G
 
I'd go with the military route mate.

I did short CP tasks back in the mid 2000s when I was still serving.

When I left the Army I had a short stint in Iraq but found it hard to get any substantial CP work. Landed on my feet and got a decent gig with the FCO now.
Not trying to be negative but unless you know someone who can give you an IN it is very hard, I found it very hard, just got lucky at the end with persistence and luck.

If you are young enough join the military even for 5/6 years, which will give you life experience second to none.
You never know you may even make a career out of it.
If you do go down CP route make sure and get your Cv professionally done or at least get some of the more experienced members on here to have a look at it for you, and give you feedback.

Good luck.

P.S join the Paras
 
As above, join up.
But don't do it as a means-to-an-end to get in to CP.
Do it because you want to and give it 100%.
If you're lucky enough you'll get to do CP in the service and see if you're cut out for it and if you're not then you've not lost anything.
If you get to do the RMP CP course you'll have been on possibly the best and most comprehensive training course you can do, for free.
There's lots of industry specifically hiring ex service personnel because of what they can bring to the job, so you've options there too - don't narrow your thoughts to just CP - you've never done it, might be crap at it, might hate it (I've had to look after some right tossers in my time, it's not for everyone)
 
alamarahsoldier said:
I'd go with the military route mate.

I did short CP tasks back in the mid 2000s when I was still serving.

When I left the Army I had a short stint in Iraq but found it hard to get any substantial CP work. Landed on my feet and got a decent gig with the FCO now.
Not trying to be negative but unless you know someone who can give you an IN it is very hard, I found it very hard, just got lucky at the end with persistence and luck.

If you are young enough join the military even for 5/6 years, which will give you life experience second to none.
You never know you may even make a career out of it.
If you do go down CP route make sure and get your Cv professionally done or at least get some of the more experienced members on here to have a look at it for you, and give you feedback.

Good luck.

P.S join the Paras 
Click to expand...

Hi Soldier

Thanks for your feedback.

I am starting to think that the military is the way forward and because it's something I have always had an interest in I think it would be a well chosen career path for me to follow not just because I want to do CP but I generally have a passion for it.

I'm 27 in October so I have a few years on my side but if I want to do it I need to do it sooner rather than later. I have had a chat at the careers office in Aldershot with the staff there I have been to my local unit and have looked around the reserves base and now it's time to complete my application for for a regular Soldier position that's where I am at the moment.

The thing is I don't want to waste money and not get employment at the end atleast if I do t this way I can network with many people and prove that I have what it takes to perform at the level required and hopefully this will flow over into a potential career in CP - but who knows I may enjoy it that much I take my next 15-20 years in the armed forces.

Again I thank you for your suggestions and opinions and it is something I have taken on board. I'll keep you updated on my progress. Realistically even though I have 4 years police experience as a officer on the ground I don't think this will be enough on its own so my plan B comes into play.

Thanks again and all the best to you
Regards
Gary
 
MrBlonde said:
As above, join up.
But don't do it as a means-to-an-end to get in to CP.
Do it because you want to and give it 100%.
If you're lucky enough you'll get to do CP in the service and see if you're cut out for it and if you're not then you've not lost anything.
If you get to do the RMP CP course you'll have been on possibly the best and most comprehensive training course you can do, for free.
There's lots of industry specifically hiring ex service personnel because of what they can bring to the job, so you've options there too - don't narrow your thoughts to just CP - you've never done it, might be crap at it, might hate it (I've had to look after some right tossers in my time, it's not for everyone)
Click to expand...

MrBlonde

Thanks for you reply sound advice as usual.

I did not mean it to sound like it was a means to get into CP in the long run I was aware when I was typing it out that this could communicate across this way however it is not my intention. If I can stay in the military doing CP work or something equivalent maybe something completely different then I would be more than happy.

But I still believe in myself that CP is something I want to do in the future and if the opportunity ever came up I will definitely be the first one to jump up and down and say I'll take it!

I will certainly take your points on board and again I will update you with my progress hopefully I'll return here and have some promising news. I will still remain around the forums they chap at the careers office said applications are taking around 9 months from the date of submission to complete, therefore I can expect to have a start date 9 months from when I apply. Depending on what regiment I'm looking to join.

Do you think there is any point me doing a course anyway before I join the military or not to bother at all? Is the military CP course
Only open to those who are in the RMP regiment? Or can anyone apply to do it no matter the regiment?

Thanks again

Gary
 
I wouldn't bother doing a CP course - you won't use the skills in the Army, you'll be wasting your money as anything they need you to know they'll teach you, for free (actually it's better than free, they pay you while training you)

The 'CP course' is the training they give when you join the RMP CP unit, so not a course you can opt for from within another unit. It's only open to RMP. You then get deployed protecting Generals etc and doing proper CP work, not 'protecting' some writer at a book launch
 
MrBlonde said:
I wouldn't bother doing a CP course - you won't use the skills in the Army, you'll be wasting your money as anything they need you to know they'll teach you, for free (actually it's better than free, they pay you while training you)

The 'CP course' is the training they give when you join the RMP CP unit, so not a course you can opt for from within another unit. It's only open to RMP. You then get deployed protecting Generals etc and doing proper CP work, not 'protecting' some writer at a book launch
Click to expand...

MrBlonde

Thanks for your sound advice I will make my first steps and contact them careers office again of my intentions.

They did say to me that the RMP was sought after so they asked me to pick 3 regiments that I have an interest in I forgot to ask however if I am unable to join RMP due to there being no physical vacancies 1. what other roles could I do within the army that will be more suited to CP work 2. Can I transfer to RMP at a later date if I enlist on another regiment?

Sorry I know these were questions I should of asked but they are now closed so I cannot call them and I'm working night shifts so I sleep most of the day. Maybe someone on here would know the answers to my questions.

Again I thank you MrBlonde
Many thanks
Gary
 
If your young enough, then save that money and go serve your country. Many years ago I was at the university and just completing my PhD, and I was a dual citizen of the US and Switzerland. Unlike most university students, I knew what I wanted to do, I knew that chances where very slim and fiction did not get in the way of reality. Most important though, I knew what the reality of the situation was and I knew exactly what I did not want to do.

So when all else fails and you can accept and welcome some guidance, then join the military. However you should not join with any expectations other than you will be guided. So use your first term for acclamation or service, then sign on for a second term with the only expectation being that you can now follow your path technically and tactically. If at the end of that second term you have done well and done right by your self and others then sign up for the long haul.

If at the end of that second term you are sitting on the fence, well best you sign up for the long haul because you do not have much time left to get that retirement check, chances are the economy is still in the gutter so why not right. Just do your job as if it where a normal career, support those that have found it to be their calling and if possible earn a proper degree in something that is fairly universal among several industries.

My self I was hooked as soon as I shipped off, poorest years of my life but the greatest. I furthered my education whilst serving when I could and before I knew it I had one too many bad days and suddenly hit retirement. Would do it all over again the same exact way.

One thing most do not think about, set money to the side everyone month for investments. I had always set to the side 50% of my check automatically for investments throughout my entire career. First 12 years only play Defence Tech Stock, why because world peace is not around the corner, only hell and war with some major Defense corp ready to make our task easier. Then I let that sit for the next 12 years while I played with FOREX.

Military will provide you with everything you need, and half that check is more than enough to still have fun. Invest smart, earn and education and get that retirement; by the time it is over you have money, structure, discipline, education and the ability to pass up crap offers.

Thats just what I think, its fun, it hurts, it get sad at some points but it is the best adventure you can legally do.
 
Ivan67 said:
If your young enough, then save that money and go serve your country. Many years ago I was at the university and just completing my PhD, and I was a dual citizen of the US and Switzerland. Unlike most university students, I knew what I wanted to do, I knew that chances where very slim and fiction did not get in the way of reality. Most important though, I knew what the reality of the situation was and I knew exactly what I did not want to do.

So when all else fails and you can accept and welcome some guidance, then join the military. However you should not join with any expectations other than you will be guided. So use your first term for acclamation or service, then sign on for a second term with the only expectation being that you can now follow your path technically and tactically. If at the end of that second term you have done well and done right by your self and others then sign up for the long haul.

If at the end of that second term you are sitting on the fence, well best you sign up for the long haul because you do not have much time left to get that retirement check, chances are the economy is still in the gutter so why not right. Just do your job as if it where a normal career, support those that have found it to be their calling and if possible earn a proper degree in something that is fairly universal among several industries.

My self I was hooked as soon as I shipped off, poorest years of my life but the greatest. I furthered my education whilst serving when I could and before I knew it I had one too many bad days and suddenly hit retirement. Would do it all over again the same exact way.

One thing most do not think about, set money to the side everyone month for investments. I had always set to the side 50% of my check automatically for investments throughout my entire career. First 12 years only play Defence Tech Stock, why because world peace is not around the corner, only hell and war with some major Defense corp ready to make our task easier. Then I let that sit for the next 12 years while I played with FOREX.

Military will provide you with everything you need, and half that check is more than enough to still have fun. Invest smart, earn and education and get that retirement; by the time it is over you have money, structure, discipline, education and the ability to pass up crap offers.

Thats just what I think, its fun, it hurts, it get sad at some points but it is the best adventure you can legally do.
Click to expand...

Hi

Thanks for your comments and opinions.

I don't believe in giving up on your dreams so I will still follow the CP route as it's always what I have wanted to do however my consideration about the military is real and genuine and I have completed research and my intent is to go ahead and join the military and if I like it I will stay where I am and look to get into CP in a decade maybe. Who knows what will happen but for sure I will end my career doing some sort of CP work I'm sure of it.

Thanks again
Gary
 
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