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I used to paint my models when I was at work in the RAF.
I built my epic army while doing t-bar duty on 111(f) Sqn,
I painted my Necrons and Tomb kings while on standby for QRA.
My Necromunda Cawdor gang was painted while I was on Guard Duty at RAF Valley in Wales (not when I was actually guarding something though)
Quite a few RAF camps have clubs, and there is an association (RAFWA) with annual championships.

And the RAF do deploy, don't let anyone tell you different.
I remember one time I had to stay in a 3* hotel.
3*! It's barbaric!
There wasn't even a mini-bar!
It's true what they say, War is hell.....

I'm RAuxAF (504 Sqn) and I've recently discovered one of the other blokes is a gamer, overheard him talking about Salute in the mess. We didn't stop talking for the rest of the day then! Top stuff.

I am not in the armed forces or been part of it, but I have one friend who is in military, and one that used to be. One is currently on tour. and funny enough the one that used to be also worked at GW.

My experience has been that most haven't heard of it, some will generally be interested to listen to you explain and even seen pictures, and others will make fun of you.

Now ... granted ... those others that will make fun of you, are probably going to find other reasons to make fun of you so it doesn't really matter. I figure i'll stay in for the mere fact that if I tried to get a 'real' job I'd be an HR nightmare and get fire within weeks.

I know in Okinawa when I was stationed there, there was a gaming club on Kadena. Here at my FLGS there are a lot of active duty and veterans that play. There are also a few that claim they served at one point but I have a seriously hard time believing them.

In the US Army (Which I served in) hobbying was actually very prominent. This of course took place over all kinds of systems; DnD, WarmaHordes, Magic, GW games, independent you name it. More people than you would think played one or more of these and those that didnt rarely scofed at someone for having a hobby.

Henry wrote:

Drop by Arrse when you're sorted, you'll probably find some pongo gamers there.

Arrse is rammed full of (very) right wing crusties, it reads like an even less informed Daily mail, so personally I wouldn't bother.

There isn't even very much on there about wargaming. Your best bet is simply to wait until you get to your first unit and then look for local clubs.

"Arrse is rammed full of (very) right wing crusties, it reads like an even less informed Daily mail, so personally I wouldn't bother. "

Agree - but that tends to be in the NAAFI and Current Affairs - dig a little deeper and you'll find some very good posters and knowledge there - it just gets lost in the deeper sub forums rather than the top couple.

I did start an ARRSE gaming subgroup and got a few followers - if you ARRSE then my username there is the same as here, so ping me a line and I will link you the gaming subgroup.

I live next to an MOD base and there are several people currently in the service who play in our gaming group.

Thank you all again for your contributions to this thread. Not only has it helped me to worry a little less about whether I'm gonna fit in the armed forces, but I hope it's also helped anyone else with any worries.


Thanks a bunch guys, just waiting on a reply from the army!

 LazzurusMan wrote:
I hope it's also helped anyone else with any worries.

Yes actually. I was wondering about this myself as I'm considering making an application to join the Royal Military Police (or maybe the RAF). I did a degree in Crime Scene Science and I'm trying to getting into a Forensics related career and it seems that the RMP have some basic Crime Scene roles.

Its good to know that I'll be able to continue my hobby in some way.