STABS? Maybe Not.

I have been putting alot of thought lately into joining the Regular Army instead of the Territorial Army. Why? Because I've been a desk jockey for ten years of my life, and it's time for a change. The only jobs I can get in the civilian world are practically identical as the one I have now.

I have no qualifications, no formal skills, I can't drive. If I went for another job I have to hope and pray that they just look at my work experience fluffing papers and typing documents. Of course no it's more complicated than that, but I've had the same jobs now for ten years in different companies. And I'm really starting to resent it.

I went to the AFCO yesterday briefly, and I spoke to someone who gave me some paperwork to look over. I have a list of jobs I'd like, in this exact order:

- Special Gunfire Observer
- Artillery Observer
- Combat Medical Technician
- Combat HR Specialist

The latter job is basically an army desk job in the field. That's my absolute last option. Sure, you go out to Afghan and what have you, but you're a desk jockey and you start off as nothing better than an office junior. I'm all for starting at the bottom, but months of training just to file papers and probably fetch coffee isn't something I'm willing to do.

The Medical job sounds interesting, but nursing isn't something I've ever wanted to do. Sure, the idea of aiding front line causalities sounds fast-paced and fun, but once that's over, you're left changing bed pans and fetching cups of water for injured soldiers. Nowt wrong with that, but not something that I've always wanted to do. Joining the army is a change of lifestyle, not just career. I want to do something I'll be happy with for at least another 10 years. Still, with that being said, it's an interesting job and could lead to some interesting careers afterwards.

As for the top two jobs, either will do me. I want something that get in on the action, something that'll keep me on the ball and give me skills that no amount of university would ever give me. There are a few other jobs in similar fields that I wouldn't mind going for, I might add those to the list somewhere along the line.

We'll see. I'm sure that I'll enjoy whatever I do given how different it will be.