Hello chap, welcome to the Forum, the only place you will find the answer to any of your question is at the AFCO, they have the up to date and correct info, now for a warning, although you have the interest and the enthusiasm, you have to understand that it is you that's wants them they do not necessarily want you, the Army is over manned across the board, this does not mean you wont get what you want , but you have to make yourself a shining example of what they want, the old times of dads and coppers marching young boys down to the careers office for them to "make him a man" are gone, get on the royal marine web site and look at the fitness programme, it's the better of the training programmes and doesn't need any kind of gym membership, you fit it around your life, your young and still growing so expect pains in your muscles,joints and bones if you haven't trained before, though I would say get your knees looked at by a doc if your worried,( at least they can say your fine and nothing to worry about) the biggest failing during training is from chaps missing there family, nothing wrong with that at all, but it can be a problem if you don't deal with it, phone your family at least every couple of days, talk to your mates with you, and talk to the training staff. get out and join some kind of sport club/ team, they will look for team skills and sporting ability.
But again the biggest thing is to go and talk to the staff at the AFCO, be aware that they will be very pro joining and will steer you towards the current trade/regiment that is recruiting, get all the free pamphlets you can and read them all, ask if you can go and visit a few bases and training establishments, most hold taster weekends where you can go, stay the night and play with some kit and try out some of the lessons.
aside from your chosen job once your in and through training, there are so many adventures to be had, get your hand up for any task when volunteers are asked for, the crap jobs always lead to good times. and don't believe the "there's no money to do anything any more" it isn't true, there are plenty of adventurous training opportunities you just have to put your self out there and look, even take it upon your self to organise it yourself.
most of all have fun, it is a fantastic lifestyle, you may loose friends, you may get very badly injured or even killed, you may have kill another person. you have to be aware of these facts if you are going to take this path.
If I can help in any way with advice or anything please feel free to ask, I can only say no!
