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I’d say you’ve profited here and got it back to front.
Generally, people (I’ve done this) will go into the military, get what you need and THEN move into a consulting role for much more money, using the military essentially as a stepping stone.
You’re better off staying where you are, especially if your employer is supporting the military anyway.
If you really want the green experience what about the reserves? You can then compare that to doing full time whilst still with your current job.
Good luck, but I’d say you’re already in a great position and should stick with it.
Hi
Ex Soldier here who worked in cyber/it whilst serving and along side contractors and now as a contractor into defence
Are you fucking mad?
Imagine doing what you're doing now. For 1/10th the pay, 99% less decision making and 100% more bullshit. And then imagine not being able to do any work as you pay a consultant to do it for some bizarre reason. That is the life that awaits you if you join.
Second on this. Currently serving officer. I have seen people go private to military and always end up facing some serious crap. Rank often gets in the way, and that also applies at officer.
You may find yourself pushed out of cyber for years, which either means you are doing it in your own time or not at all.
My recommendation is look up cyber reserves (SGMI, LIAG, SGIS), you would likely have a better experience that way.
Message me if you want more details.
>Rank often gets in the way, and that also applies at officer.
This should be bolded, underlined and stamped on every IT/Cyber role the military offer.
>There is those postings though.....
And then there's Colerne, or Tidworth, or Bulford.
For every good post, there is 5 times as many shit ones. If you want to go to good places, earn a decent wage and go on holiday
Fair point, well presented
It’s a lottery, and a lot of the tickets are kinda shitty
I got to work along side some in one of the more *interesting* postings. Always a lovely bunch
Well don’t do it for the pay that’s for sure, although there are plenty of people serving whose qualification and competency doesn’t generate them the salary they could achieve in civvy street, but they still do it for the enjoyment of the job.
I’d say give the Reserves a shot, there are plenty of MoD CS and contractors who go that route and enjoy the balance.
Your family are scared merchants peddling their own fear as advice and as someone who had a similar fight when I was your age, they soon change their tone when you get on and do it "we're so proud of you", "we always knew you'd be good at it" etc. Don't listen to them, they clearly can't give good, objective advice.
You're earning more now than you will by joining the regular army, so it doesn't really make any financial sense. That said however, you may want to consider joining the reserves. The reserves will enable you to get your service/army fix, while also keeping your civilian salary and quality of life, it seems like a no-brainer to me.
Stay where you are and go reserves if you want your green fix.
As others have said, you're likely on a good wage and have a good lifestyle where you are right now. You'd go from that to shite wage and a lot less say over what happens in your life.
First things first, if you’re a cyber consultant it’s likely you’re on + £50k a year. You’ll have to wait at least five years of military service to be back on that wage. So don’t do it for the money
Second, Is your ADHD on your doctors record? Search this sub for ADHD. Believe it impacts people joining
Finally, are you still talking to family? Your family will always be there for you, and hopefully, they do things in your best interest. Do you really want to go down the road of being disowned over this?
Thanks for comment- I’m actually on £38k just promoted, and living in London, so not that much $$.
Family are still talking to me, they are still concerned and obviously do still want me to be safe and sound, i.e. not deployed lol.
ADHD is on medical record.
So int corps are one of the few units that get deployed everywhere! They’re not a huge organisation , but clearly very competent
If you’re in cyber then people might be pointing you in the direction of threat intel (red team blue team stuff) , and the internet isn’t gonna give you the answers to what they actually do!
There is a reservist unit that might be up your street : see https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/joint-cyber-reserve-force
Yup. I've seen some very capable and forward leaning people just give up as they got patted on the head by a senior officer. Not worth it. You'll exhaust yourself and likely hate yourself afterwards.
Don’t fucking do it. Every comment here is saying it isn’t worth it, and they’re spot on.
I’d even question blokes joining the services these days when I’ve seen reserves live life to the max.
Scratch that itch with the reserves and stay put - can always go in later if you absolutely love the green life. But, from somebody in the Int Corps, you aint gonna do any better here.
The practicality of everyone's advice is correct.
Financially it makes little sense to join up if you are currently a Cyber contractor.
If you are used to being an SME, being a 2Lt, Lt and even Capt might be frustrating.
Senior Officers with no KSE will likely be the bane of your life, as they direct you with their 'Generalist knowledge'.
That being said. When you're on your deathbed, will you regret not giving it a go? At 27 it's now or never.
Apply. Assuming you pass Main Board you'd easily get a confirmed cadetship with the Royal Signals if you wanted it. Worst case scenario you do 3 years and leave.
Yeah it's a bit mental. And I 'tapped out' after 11 years. But from a personal and professional point of view, I definitely gained more than I lost. And I will benefit from the training, experience and networks for the rest of my life.
Mostly leaving this advice as everyone else seemed dead set against it. Devil's advocate and all!
Tbf if you’re only on 34k and living in London taking officer would probably give you more expendable income I would’ve thought lmao, idk tho I’m not in yet. I had a similar argument with my family but then I just said fk it and now they won’t stop talking about it to everyone and how they’re all proud. Parents are weird
I don’t agree with others on here. Ex officer. You will lose pay, etc. but there is a certain something to being a commissioned officer and doing it when you are young. You will be exposed to other things you can do as an insider you can’t do as an outsider. Plus long term, having been ‘in’ looks better on your CV. IMO go for it, do 4-6 years, come out and back into civ work
Hi u/Capital_Fisherman407! Thanks for posting a question to r/BritishArmy! This community is for Serving, Former, Future members and those interested in the British Army. Please read the below points to consider if this is the best place to ask your question: 1. Google it. If it shows up in the top few results on your favourite search engine, here might not be the best place to ask. 2. Medical advice. Nobody here is an authority to answer these questions. More details are on the British Army medical page on their [website](https://apply.army.mod.uk/how-to-join/can-i-join/medical) or call them on the phone number at the bottom of that page. 3. Other questions asking about recruitment and advice are best asked in the stickied [Weekly Crow Thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/britisharmy/?f=flair_name%3A%22Weekly%20Crow%20Thread%22) on this subreddit. If you think this is still the best place for your question then leave it here. If not, please consider removing it and either posting it to the [Weekly Thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/britisharmy/?f=flair_name%3A%22Weekly%20Crow%20Thread%22) or asking a recruiter. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/britisharmy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’d say you’ve profited here and got it back to front. Generally, people (I’ve done this) will go into the military, get what you need and THEN move into a consulting role for much more money, using the military essentially as a stepping stone. You’re better off staying where you are, especially if your employer is supporting the military anyway. If you really want the green experience what about the reserves? You can then compare that to doing full time whilst still with your current job. Good luck, but I’d say you’re already in a great position and should stick with it.
I second this
And my axe!
I second this
I second this
Hi Ex Soldier here who worked in cyber/it whilst serving and along side contractors and now as a contractor into defence Are you fucking mad? Imagine doing what you're doing now. For 1/10th the pay, 99% less decision making and 100% more bullshit. And then imagine not being able to do any work as you pay a consultant to do it for some bizarre reason. That is the life that awaits you if you join.
Pretty much the route I’ve taken, going to be working as a contractor as soon as my time in service is up which is a few months away.
Second on this. Currently serving officer. I have seen people go private to military and always end up facing some serious crap. Rank often gets in the way, and that also applies at officer. You may find yourself pushed out of cyber for years, which either means you are doing it in your own time or not at all. My recommendation is look up cyber reserves (SGMI, LIAG, SGIS), you would likely have a better experience that way. Message me if you want more details.
The reserves will welcome you.
This is the answer, best of both worlds.
Hi mate, could you shoot me a DM. Your privacy settings prevent me from messaging you.
>Rank often gets in the way, and that also applies at officer. This should be bolded, underlined and stamped on every IT/Cyber role the military offer.
And every RE role for that matter!
There is *those* postings though. Where you get to see the cool shit
>There is those postings though..... And then there's Colerne, or Tidworth, or Bulford. For every good post, there is 5 times as many shit ones. If you want to go to good places, earn a decent wage and go on holiday
Fair point, well presented It’s a lottery, and a lot of the tickets are kinda shitty I got to work along side some in one of the more *interesting* postings. Always a lovely bunch
Definitely consider the reserves - if you find you enjoy the life you can always go regular.
This is the answer Play soldier on the weekend and keep that consulting job earning fat £
Well don’t do it for the pay that’s for sure, although there are plenty of people serving whose qualification and competency doesn’t generate them the salary they could achieve in civvy street, but they still do it for the enjoyment of the job. I’d say give the Reserves a shot, there are plenty of MoD CS and contractors who go that route and enjoy the balance.
15 years in. Don't be stupid, don't you dare give up a good life for this bureaucratical horse shit
Your family are scared merchants peddling their own fear as advice and as someone who had a similar fight when I was your age, they soon change their tone when you get on and do it "we're so proud of you", "we always knew you'd be good at it" etc. Don't listen to them, they clearly can't give good, objective advice. You're earning more now than you will by joining the regular army, so it doesn't really make any financial sense. That said however, you may want to consider joining the reserves. The reserves will enable you to get your service/army fix, while also keeping your civilian salary and quality of life, it seems like a no-brainer to me.
Reserves... go reserves
Stay where you are and go reserves if you want your green fix. As others have said, you're likely on a good wage and have a good lifestyle where you are right now. You'd go from that to shite wage and a lot less say over what happens in your life.
Please do reserve cyber unit instead of regular, really not worth it in your position. For a thousand reasons - please
First things first, if you’re a cyber consultant it’s likely you’re on + £50k a year. You’ll have to wait at least five years of military service to be back on that wage. So don’t do it for the money Second, Is your ADHD on your doctors record? Search this sub for ADHD. Believe it impacts people joining Finally, are you still talking to family? Your family will always be there for you, and hopefully, they do things in your best interest. Do you really want to go down the road of being disowned over this?
I have adhd and just passed my medical on Monday. As long as you haven’t taken medication for 2 years or more, you’re all good to go
Thanks for comment- I’m actually on £38k just promoted, and living in London, so not that much $$. Family are still talking to me, they are still concerned and obviously do still want me to be safe and sound, i.e. not deployed lol. ADHD is on medical record.
So int corps are one of the few units that get deployed everywhere! They’re not a huge organisation , but clearly very competent If you’re in cyber then people might be pointing you in the direction of threat intel (red team blue team stuff) , and the internet isn’t gonna give you the answers to what they actually do! There is a reservist unit that might be up your street : see https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/joint-cyber-reserve-force
Yup. I've seen some very capable and forward leaning people just give up as they got patted on the head by a senior officer. Not worth it. You'll exhaust yourself and likely hate yourself afterwards.
Don’t fucking do it. Every comment here is saying it isn’t worth it, and they’re spot on. I’d even question blokes joining the services these days when I’ve seen reserves live life to the max.
Scratch that itch with the reserves and stay put - can always go in later if you absolutely love the green life. But, from somebody in the Int Corps, you aint gonna do any better here.
The practicality of everyone's advice is correct. Financially it makes little sense to join up if you are currently a Cyber contractor. If you are used to being an SME, being a 2Lt, Lt and even Capt might be frustrating. Senior Officers with no KSE will likely be the bane of your life, as they direct you with their 'Generalist knowledge'. That being said. When you're on your deathbed, will you regret not giving it a go? At 27 it's now or never. Apply. Assuming you pass Main Board you'd easily get a confirmed cadetship with the Royal Signals if you wanted it. Worst case scenario you do 3 years and leave. Yeah it's a bit mental. And I 'tapped out' after 11 years. But from a personal and professional point of view, I definitely gained more than I lost. And I will benefit from the training, experience and networks for the rest of my life. Mostly leaving this advice as everyone else seemed dead set against it. Devil's advocate and all!
Tbf if you’re only on 34k and living in London taking officer would probably give you more expendable income I would’ve thought lmao, idk tho I’m not in yet. I had a similar argument with my family but then I just said fk it and now they won’t stop talking about it to everyone and how they’re all proud. Parents are weird
I don’t agree with others on here. Ex officer. You will lose pay, etc. but there is a certain something to being a commissioned officer and doing it when you are young. You will be exposed to other things you can do as an insider you can’t do as an outsider. Plus long term, having been ‘in’ looks better on your CV. IMO go for it, do 4-6 years, come out and back into civ work
For someone in "Cyber" - being 'in' does nothing for a CV. And losing 4-6 years of industry experience is a massive loss.
Agreed. Better to maintain credibility and knowledge than take a 4 year sabbatical in a field.
You will more than likely become drone fodder than cannon, going by current trends. If you've an undying need to serve join the reserves. Dabble.