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MJ · M2 Passed Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 153

I'm due to start basics in September 07 and have heard that the duration of basics has been cut down to 6-8 weeks.

Is there any truth to this?

Thanks
MJ

MusnShelton · Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 1:19 pm Post subject:

Hi there,

My old troop were the last ones to do the standard 15 weeks basics.

Now you have to do 8 weeks I believe and then move into the school of music and will have a mix of military and music training. I dont think the actual military training finished until around June/July time and I heard rumors that you will be in combats until then, no barrack dress!

MJ · M2 Passed Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 153

Cheers for that MusnShelton!

Aaron Aardvark · Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 9:23 pm Post subject:

MJ · M2 Passed Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 153

Another question:

Whilst in training how long do you have to live on base for? And can you go home at the weekends?

bootybandy · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 11:21 am Post subject:

MusnShelton · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:18 pm Post subject:

admin · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:22 am Post subject:

DURING BASICS:
First weekend Saturday & Sunday afternoons and you have to be in by 2200 (10PM)
all others during basic training are
Under 18 yrs of age you have Saturday afternoon and Sunday after church until 2200 (10PM)
Over 18 yrs of age you have Saturday afternoon and Sunday after church until 2359 (1159PM)

You can request to go home for the weekend but I doubt you will really have time to as you are very busy learning new skills. All of the above is currently correct however, things canand do change. If the troop is not working the way they should, leave can be stopped. If individuals are not working the way they should, have additional duties, extra rounds etc then getting ashore can be very difficult.

We were only allowed out on the 3rd weekend for an afternoon to buy all our field kit... the next time we saw the town was one afternoon in week 6!
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MJ · M2 Passed Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 153

Thanks guys that's really helpful.

RAB · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:49 pm Post subject:

admin · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:42 am Post subject:

You have to live in the accomodation during basic training and after that you have to get permission to live outside the barracks. Each request to live ashore is looked at on a case by case basis and depending where you intend to live will be a major factor. Living in a caravan in the Sainsbury car park will not be allowed (perhaps Marks & Spencer will get through) or living somewhere too far away or unsuitable to the job. Remember, you have to get 'home' after a gig and be in early for parades etc. If you fail to make a parade then the living situation could be reviewed at a later stage and permission withdrawn.
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MJ · M2 Passed Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 153

Thanks for the info everyone.

I live about a ten minute jog from the school of music so hopefully time keeping and reliability wouldn't be an issue.

So if I've understood things correctly I live on base for roughly the first year, during which time I can go out at the weekend until just before midnight (10pm first weekend).

After basics I can request permission to live off base.

Don't get me wrong it's not like I don't want to be at the base or anything it's just good to know what the deal is so I can let her indoors

know what life will be like etc.

admin · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 10:55 am Post subject:

Yup, you have just about got it but basics finish after the first term. If you are married then obviously things are looked at very differently. As I said, each request is looked at based on its own merits. It is best to live in whilst on course (basics for definate) as you progress through your career.
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Aaron Aardvark · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:48 pm Post subject:

Live in but cook yer own food.......it's shite now that 'save as you starve' is in. Oh and if you must cook in the grots, please cover the bloody smoke alarm up first.

Certain Sgts are getting a tad irritable when they have to go for a quick standeasy in the carpark at 4am

admin · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 3:35 pm Post subject: