Ryan Carmichael, 2021 leaver, now studying at Chalfont Community College had an interview for Sandhurst a few months ago when he was just 13!  On Saturday 13th July he attended Sandhurst for an Insight Day, looking ahead he hopes to be an officer in the Coldstream Guards. 

We recently caught up with him to find out how he got on... 

When did you first start thinking about a career in the army? How did it come about?

I’ve grown up around the Armed Forces as my dad is a Lieutenant Colonel, his dad was in the Royal Marines and my brother Simon was in the Royal Artillery and served in Afghanistan.  I’ve always been interested, so I joined the Army Cadet Force two years ago to get a flavour for it. I’m also off to an army camp in Strensall, Yorkshire for a week soon too.

Can anyone apply to Sandhurst? What was the application like?

Yes but Sandhurst is very competitive including an international co-hort. Having a degree is not an essential but it looks like most successful candidates have been to Uni. My plan is to get a Bursary but I have to get the qualifications first to be awarded that. My application isn’t in yet, I’m too young but my aim is to register an early interest and I have two visits to Sandhurst this year. My recruiter is a Lt Col and was pleased with me saying I already ‘ticked the boxes’ but my main efforts has now to be GCSE’s.

Did you need any support from your current school?

I’m at Chalfonts Community College and the Head was keen and impressed with my focus and interest so my first visit requires me to get a day off school which was 100% supported. I feel confident that my school will support me all the way.

How did you feel visiting Sandhurst for the interview? What was the process? Hardest bit? Was it as you expected?

The interview was informal but I knew I was being assessed – first impressions sort of thing for both Lt Col Timmerman and me!

I did find it a bit daunting at 14 but the Colonel really relaxed me and I was there or a couple of hours. The real process can’t start until we get a feel for my potential and qualifications in Year 10 & 11. It was much more informative than I thought it would be because I was treated the same as the more adult applicants. I think Gayhurst gave me a lot of the confidence I required plus my army cadet experiences.

What did the insight day entail?

The Insight Day from 1000hrs to 1600hrs. You are supposed to be 16+ but the army waived that for me and a 15yr old which I thought was very fair of them. This day was intense though, a few hundred potential officers and their parents and we were all initially briefed in the huge Churchill Theatre and then divided into groups where we were shown around all of the Royal Military Academy. We had the usual good British army curry lunch and then chaperoned around various stands, exhibitions and equipment by recently commissioned officers, new officer cadets and cadets halfway through training – it was very frank and didn’t pull any punches and I was impressed by the quality of those in training and the staff. You realise the standards are very high bit it was clear the training was progressive and fair – but as they all said, it’s going to be hard. There were a few Olympian standard athletes in the officer cadet ranks. There was a Q & A session at the end where you could ask anything of those in training – again quite direct and not rose tinted. Sort of thing that either enthused you or worried you. For me it just makes me even more determined to succeed.

What happens now?

Qualifications! GCSE’s and A level results will dictate my route in so the better I do, the more opportunities I will have, The next big hurdle after that is the Army Officer Selection Board at Westbury which acts as a filter – maturity plays a big part and the board decides whether you’re ready then, in a few year time or if you’re just not up to it – a little brutal. My dad was Vice President there so has told me what to expect and it sounds tough.  At this time, I want to commission as an officer in the Coldstream Guards (which is my Army Cadet cap badge) so I have to make an impression on them too – the Guards General at the time interviews each candidate personally. However, you don’t have to go firm on your choice of Regiment or Corps until you’re two thirds of the way through Sandhurst but I think I will go infantry as it’s pure soldiering. I know it’s not the easiest of career choices but I’m determined to get the Kings commission. Loving it so far – a proper challenge!!

Go Ryan! Please keep us updated on your progress, we are so proud of you!