DO NOT worry about heart murmurs

Definition of a heart murmur-

A heart murmur is an extra or unusual sound heard during a heartbeat. Murmurs range from very faint to very loud. Sometimes they sound like a whooshing or swishing noise.

Normal heartbeats make a “lub-DUPP” or “lub-DUB” sound. This is the sound of the heart valves closing as blood moves through the heart. Doctors can hear these sounds and heart murmurs using a stethoscope.

The first time I attended ADSC Pirbright I was ready to get it over and done with, meet all the
people in my situation also and maybe gain a few good friends out of it. As soon as you arrive at selection you are shown your room (everyone shares) and you are told to change out of your suits and into fitness clothing to conduct the full medical examination, and when I mean they check EVERYTHING I mean EVERYTHING.
I passed everything they threw at me in the medical… And then it came to the heart checker. I got sent home because I had a suspected heart murmur, I got sent home on Monday and got a doctors appointment the following Wednesday therefore I could get it over and done with and get back on the next selection. When I was on the train back home I rang my recruiter and his exact words were
“Mate, that’s ridiculous. Don’t worry about that at all more than half of the people on most selections will fail first time due to heart murmurs. They’re fucking annoying”. So after hearing his advice to me it’s given me a motivational “boost”.
When I went the the hospital to get my heart checked the doctor even said “I’m not going to bother checking your heart as by these graphs it is perfectly fine! It’s so stupid that they still send people home for that after you travelled all of that way to get there!” which is true, I spent 4 hours getting up there only to get sent home within the first 30 minutes of being there…

Outlook of a heart murmur
A heart murmur isn’t a disease, and most murmurs are harmless. Innocent murmurs don’t cause symptoms. Having one doesn’t require you to limit your physical activity or do anything else special. Although you may have an innocent murmur throughout your life, you won’t need treatment for it.

The outlook and treatment for abnormal heart murmurs depend on the type and severity of the heart problem causing them.
Basically if work out too much, it’s a big possibility that you will have one (that’s what the doctor said) therefore every footballer will defiantly have a heart murmur but ALL of them will be innocent murmurs.

The joining process of a regular Soldier

GETTING STARTED
Remember: explore your options; get in touch with us and, if you do decide you would prefer to come and have a chat to one of our Army Careers Advisers; don’t worry about dressing up too much for the occasion. That comes later for your initial interview where you will be advised on what to wear and how it works beforehand.
INITIAL INTERVIEWS
Once you’ve decided to take your application to the next level, you will be invited for an interview with an Army Careers Adviser. The interview allows you to get answers to any further questions you may have about the Army, the joining process and how to prepare, as well as giving the Army Careers Adviser the chance to confirm your suitability for the Army.
To make sure you’re given the best advice, you’ll need to do same basic numeracy, literacy and reasoning tests. This will help find out which Army jobs are really best for you.
SELECTION
Providing you meet all the standards required and your medical report is favorable, you will be invited to attend two-days at an Army Development and Selection Centres (ADSCs). Here you will be tested to see if you have the potential to be a soldier. You will also be given a further Army medical to make sure you are fit and well enough to start your initial Phase 1 training. Watch the films below to find out more.
In order to prepare yourself for the ADSC medical you should be refreshed, get a good night’s sleep beforehand, drink plenty of water and avoid fizzy drinks as these can raise your heart rate.
INITIAL TRAINING
Having completed the Army Development and Selection Centre you’ll be given a grade. This will directly affect how long it will be before you are invited to start your initial training, know as Phase 1. Another factor that will affect this process is the number of places the Army has to offer for each specific trade. Therefore it is important you discuss your result with your Army Careers Adviser.

Where you conduct your Phase 1 training will depend on how old you are and which job you’ll be doing. If you are under the age of 17 years and 5 months you will be classified as a Junior Soldier and do either a six-month or 12-month course. If you are older than 17 years and 5 months you will conduct a 14-week package. Recruits joining the Infantry must complete a combined Phase 1 and Phase 2 course that lasts 28 weeks.
TRADE TRAINING
After completing Phase 1 training you will be considered a trained soldier and will be posted to a specialist training centre. There you will be taught the key skills required to perform your initial job. Phase 2 training can take from a few months to more than a year to complete depending on your job.

And the most important part… ENJOY IT!

Is the Infantry role right for you?

Infantry solider (Combat)
As part of the Army’s front-line team, you get involved in everything from peacekeeping and disaster relief to full-scale war. You won’t do this on your own, though – you’re supported on the battlefield by some of the Army’s best soldiers. And you make some great friends in your unit, which generates vital team spirit in combat.

Is the role right for you?
You should be:
Sex: Male

Regular Army Age: 16 – 32.11 years
Territorial Army Age: 18 – 42.11 years
You should have:
No formal qualifications required
You should like:
Taking risks and feeling the adrenaline
Outdoor activities
Working outside
Target or game shooting
Driving vehicles
You should be interested or have experience in:
Combat
Ammunition & Explosives Handling
Telecommunication
Vehicle / Equip Mechanic
Paramedic
Security
Driving large vehicles

Training

The Infantry Training Centre Catterick (ITC(C)) trains all Infantrymen joining the British Army and produces the best Infantry soldiers in the world. You will complete a Combat Infantryman’s Course (28 weeks), which combines your initial training and your Infantry training (Phase 1 & 2). You learn essential soldiering skills like how to survive in numerous environments and you will build stamina and fitness. You will be taught how to fire the Infantry weapons, how to administer first aid, how to map read in all conditions as well as many other skills of the trade. Junior entry Infantry soldiers (aged 16-17) receive basic training at the Army Foundation College Harrogate, and then you complete your Infantry training at ITC(C) on a 10 week course. Once you have finished your Infantry training you will then complete a further 2 weeks to gain a category B (car) or C (heavy goods) drivers license. Now you are ready to join your Regiment and take part in all manner of operations world-wide.

Information on 1 Royal Anglian regiment (The Vikings)

If you are considering joining the Royal Anglian regiment here are some details that you should know about before thinking about applying to join the regiment (This is my first job choice so I used this information as revision for all of my selection interviews so this information is very significant)

The Vikings are the 1st Battalion of The Royal Anglian Regiment, a Light Role Infantry Battalion that recruits from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. Based in Bulford, Wiltshire, the unit uses the most up to date weapon systems and the most advanced communications available.

Recent History

In 2007, the Battalion deployed in Helmand, Afghanistan. During what was a particularly demanding six month tour, the Battalion gained over 70 awards for bravery – including a Distinguished Service Order, six Military Crosses and a Queen’s Gallantry Medal.

In August 2009, The Vikings returned to Helmand and are currently deployed again on their fourth tour. Life in The Vikings is not for the faint hearted and for an idea of what the Battalion got up to in Helmand, take a look at ‘Ross Kemp in Afghanistan’. You’ll see how The Vikings trained for and operated in the infamous Sangin Valley where they clashed with the Taliban on a daily basis.

Before Afghanistan, the Battalion served in Iraq, Bosnia, Croatia, Northern Ireland and Belize. In order to remain ready for operations, The Vikings have trained in Africa, Canada, USA, Oman and throughout the UK.

Both the Vikings and Poachers are fighting units that deploy worldwide wherever they are needed. Within the unit there are many different jobs. Initially, you will be part of a four-man team trained to fight at close quarters, though once you have gained some experience within the Battalion, you will have the opportunity to specialise.

Here’s a full list of the roles available within The Regiment: 

• Rifleman
• Mortarman
• Anti-Tank Operator
• Driver
• Logistics
• Telecommunications
• Medic
• Regimental Policeman
• Reconnaissance
• Human Resources
• Intelligence Cell
• Assault Pioneer
• Machine Gunner
• Sniper

What qualifications can I gain?

Throughout your time with The Regiment, you will learn new skills as well as having the opportunity to achieve credible qualifications. You can gain academic qualifications to stand you in good stead for life after the Army, or complete an Apprenticeship and get an NVQ. Here are just some of the areas in which you could gain qualifications:

• Engineering
• Security
• Telecommunications
• Warehousing and Storage
• Driving
• Management

What is my commitment?

Initially, you will be required to complete four years’ service.

REVISION IS A MUST.

Many people seem to put revision off when joining the Army but believe me, don’t. When going into the careers office for the second or third time (after your BARB test) you will have to select your three job choices (but if you change your mind half way through your application you have all rights to as you haven’t signed your official contract yet). Your recruiter will then print off information for all three job choices (LEARN THESE PAPERS) then research yourself about the history and training of all of your job choices. I suggest the official British Army website for revision, it helped me out a lot http://www.army.mod.uk this website has all of the information you need for your interviews to become successful.

If choosing not to revision and “wing it” your recruiter and his Sargent major (his boss basically who you will be interviewing you in the final interview before you attend ADSC) will pick up on your lack of your commitment to join and suspend your application if failing the final interview before ADSC as that interview is the verdict of you attending selection at Pirbright (ADSC). You will always hear them say “You prepare to pass” and that phrase usually just goes in one ear and out the other. But that is crucial advise.

YOU PREPARE TO PASS.

My three job choices

As going into the Infantry/armoured side of things in the Army I had a variety of regiments and corps that I could apply for, but as I have been thinking about this before I even first walked into the careers office my decisions were very clear to me;
1st choice) 1 Royal Anglian (The Vikings) the reason why this is my first choice is purely because this regiment is my local infantry regiment, therefore I would be only working with people that are from my area (Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk etc)
2nd choice)The Rifles. The Rifles regiment appealed to me for quite a few reasons, it is the largest regiment in the British Army (5 regular battalions and 2 territorial battalions). Another reason is that the rest of the regiments in the British Army march at 120 paces per minute, The Rifles march at 140 paces per minute making this regiment very unique.
3rd choice) Light gunner Royal artillery. The role of the light gunner is to support troops on the frontline, putting the enemy under extreme pressure. I wanted to join this because you would be away from the battlefield, but not that far that you feel like you are missing out on the action!

If you have any questions or feedback, PLEASE comment!