User talk:Fixer

Army advice

Dear Fixer

Hello. My name is Alasdair. I've been a member of this site for a few months now. I am myself British and also thinking of joining our Great British Army's ranks. However, there is one downside. If I'm to join, I want to be a sniper (I'd really hate to be a regular infantryman-no offense Fixer or any ordinary soldier who looks at this, you guys are doing a great job, it's just not for me, and the amount of recoil that comes from being a light machine gunner would break my shoulder-and I cannot drive anything), so really it's either sniper or commander. And as sniper seems more likely, that's the route I've chosen. The problem is that I am short sighted, and rely on glasses to see things at distance. Can I still be a sniper even with glasses? I've looked around on the internet and found yes, no, use laser eye surgery (which is too expensive-£395 per eye!) and no because the glint reveals their position to the enemy. But I feel as if I should ask you these two questions:

One: Can you be a sniper if you are short-sighted? If so, how? Two: Is sniper training more or less intense than the standard army training? Because I'm not the fittest of men.

Much appreciated Alasdair

---

Alasdair

Cheers for getting in touch mate, I'll be glad to answer your questions. To be a sniper, (I haven't yet applied) I think we would both have to train as infantry men. You need not worry however, as if you apply to be a sniper on your application form, I think you train as it for your Phase 2 training. The army will also teach you how to drive, by the way. I too do not have perfect vision. When I thought about applying for the Royal Navy as a Warfare Specialist, it was compulsory for me to have an eye test, which I think the Army would give you a voucher for (to be done in Boots, as I recall). They suggested that I be fitted for contact lenses. If you haven't been tested yet, they require your eyesight to be within -6 to +6 diopters, which is the measurement for long/short sight. Providing you pass that, you should be alright. I came back with about -1.6 in my one eye and -2.3 in the other, and I occasionally wear glasses. I agree, laser eye surgery is bloody expensive, and if you do get it, you have to wait six months after the operation to be able to start or continue an application. I'm not sure about the glint off the glasses, I'd imagine so, but you are on a site packed full of gun-experts, I'm sure they would be able to answer that question :) When you say commander do you mean officer or Commando? (Sorry, by commander i meant tactician. Alasdair.)

To answer your questions Alisdair, I am unsure whether you can be a sniper if you are short sighted. Your best guess is to ask the ArmyJobs page on Facebook, but I think if you pass the eye test, you should be alright. They recommend you switch to contact lenses instead of glasses, as contacts are more likely not to get in your way during training. As for sniper training, I'd imagine it would be infantry training, along with learning how to use the scope on a sniper. Like I say, I haven't applied yet, so don't take my word as gospel. As for you not being "the fittest of men", I'm not either, so what I would suggest is to start exercising. Don't join a gym if you can't afford it, just go out running with your headphones and a water bottle.

The best thing you should do, is find your nearest AFCO (Armed Forces Career Office) and ask them.

If you have anymore questions, I'd be more than happy to try and answer them. Contact me on MSN - [email protected]

Cheers for getting in touch mate, and I hope it all goes well :) Fixer

A long overdue reply

I realise you said hi a good few months ago, but back then I was a tad shy. So this is me, returning the favour! Pleased to meet you good sir! --Taurus96 (talk) 14:26, 12 February 2013 (EST)