joining the navy

W

welshbodyguard

Longterm Registered User
hi all i have decided to join the navy as i am fed up of being a civvie looking for more challenges and see the world any recommendations on what career to do in the navy and bit of advice

cheers wb
 
I'll give you my version, anyone else is entitled to their own, I don't want to be drawn into an argument! Worth noting I have just left, I won't give my negative opinions, I'll just tell you how it is! I joined as a ETME (Engineering Technician Marine Engineer) hoping to gain a trade and some good qualifications. You will gain, in general, NVQ Level Two in ANY branch within four years, easily doable within one year though if you knuckle down and do your task book! However, you will not even BEGIN to get any sort of diploma level qualification until you go on your PO (Peity Officer) course, and you won't even be looking to go on this course until at LEAST your 8th years' service, again if you knuckle down HARD!

Depends what you want though, if it's a doss you're after, an easy(er) ride than the tougher branches (i.e Marine Engineer, Weapons Engineer, Aviation Engineer) and just want to see the world and travel, I'd go Seaman Spec or Warfare Spec...personally. I'm not saying they're easy, and are definitely not without their mundane and tedious tasks as with any branch, but it is certainly a nicer ride in general. I personally loved the ME branch even though I knew I was being worked into the ground, the comradery within the ME department is second to none and by far the most social branch in the fleet ( you'll have a cracking run ashore with this lot, whatever ship!).

The good stuff now. Personally, ME wasn't the branch or job for me. There is a newly formed draft (not yet a branch) called P-Squadron, who are all Navy Personel working along with the Marines in Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines in Faslane, Scotland. There is talk of it becoming a branch in the next few years, as at the moment it is seen as a break from your regular branch for two years, and after that you will return to, for me, Marine Engineering. I loved it, and were it a branch before I left, I'd have done my full 22 years service in P-Squadron. Their role is fleet protection (Maritime Security, Anti Piracy) onboart merchant vessels, RFA Vessels and Minesweepers in the Gulf. Loved every minute of it. However I'd imagine, unless it becomes a branch, you'll not even be to look at this option until at least two years service, and when you have completed your taskbooks to become Able Rating First Class. I couldn't reccommend this enough if it were a branch.

Am gonna stop rambline now. If you wanna know anything else feel free to PM me or what not, glad to give my insight into anything else / other branches you wanna know about, and not give you the bibble babble you read regarding the careers on the website haha. Hope this helps somewhat.
 
Hey there! I'll give you my version, to add to Geord05's. As background, I'm a CIS (radios and IT and signal messages, essentially), and have unfortunately been selected for redundancy, but otherwise I think I would probably have served most of my 22 years, quite happily. Anywhoo.. as far as your choosing your branch goes, it depends heavily on what you are good at/interested in. If you have a good head on your shoulders, then you will do well in the technical branches like ETWE (maintaining weapons systems, kit, and equipment, and loafing in the mess lots), any of the flight branches (maintaining/operating helos, and even more lounging about..), or CIS (as explained. You need to be pretty interested in techy stuff to enjoy the job though, some people just don't take well to it & it requires a slightly higher security clearance than most). Also CT (deals with high level intel, and other sneaky-beaky bits and bobs) if you are bright, but be aware, it requires a very deep security clearance process, so think before you apply! If you are mechanically minded, then ETME, is most probably the one for you (engines, domestics, fridges, etc). If you are more practically minded, and like working outside then sea-spec may be for you. (working with ropes/wires, *eventually* driving seaboats around, maintaining lifesaving equipment, signal flags, flashing-light morse, manning voice circuits on the bridge. These guys can be very busy at times). Personally, I wouldn't recommend the warfare branch (WS), it seems that few ABs truly enjoy what they do, and also they have quite a bit less responsibility at AB level, and seem to get treated with a little less respect than other branch's ABs. However, that changes as they progress through the ranks, and begin to specialise in different disciplines (sonar, radar, etc), also available to them is the EW specialisation, which seems to me to be quite good, but would take me too long to explain! As for the logistics branches, (chefs, writers, stewards)... well, I can't give you an impartial non-biased opinion of them, so I won't! I will say that, if you have the smarts to to something more difficult, then you probably should! ..........CONT
 
.....As for the Navy itself, the life is generally good. It's often boring, and you are often away from home, BUT the places I've been lucky enough to visit, the experiences I've had, the cameraderie, *usually* knowing that your job is pretty safe, having a roof over your head, and having your food, health, and just about everything else looked after, and so many other plus points, for me, make it most definitely a worthwhile career. It isn't for everyone, but if it suits you, then it suits you good!

As for general advice, well, if you do decide to join, then make sure you are fit and healthy (your AFCO will provide you with details and standards required, but basically, if you're not fat, and you are fairly strong, then you will manage it.), make sure you know how to handwash clothes, polish shoes, and iron. If you are having any family or domestic issues, then be aware that the life in the navy will aggravate them somewhat, so make sure you are prepared to deal with that. Also, I know it should be obvious, but realise that you will spend a lot of time away from home. My ship has deployed on a 6month+ trip every year since I joined it in '07, and that is not unusual. Some people really aren't prepared for it, so make sure you think that through. When you finally get through the door at Raleigh, you will sometimes be shouted at, go without sleep, be given little time to eat, or be exercised until you are about to keel over, but generally it is not that hard at all, just listen, show interest, and try your best. Wash/iron/polish your kit as soon as you are given the opportunity, don't argue, get stuck in, don't piss up too much once you are allowed to go to the bar, and you will breeze through the place.

If you are unsure about joining up, then remember, that at worst it is only a few years out of your life, before you can leave (differs depending on what you choose to do). The opportunities that may present themselves, and the skills that you will learn would be hard to find elsewhere.

*WHEW*! If you have any other questions don't hesitate to PM, and I'll answer as best I can! Ciao for now!
 
Submarine cleaner. All you need is the ability to hold your breath for 5 mins at a time. Sounds F'ing easy!
 
trust me he isn't joining the navy any more than he will train to be a CP, SV,medic K9 handler or any of the other things he has claimed he will be doing in the last few months
 
Aboys gotta have plans and options Annie.
Otherwise he'd go blind with all that time on his hands.

Big round of applause to the guys that gave straight forward from the shoulder advice.
Might be an idea for a set of posts on what would you advise joining the army, navy air force etc.
 
I think a couple of sticky posts outlining basic procedures for each of teh forces and joining etc is a great idea OJ. I think the answers to the original question here were extremley well answered with fair points from those who have been there etc My annoyance comes when thread starter has changed his mind more times than a woman in a shoe shop, and people take time to give good detailed info he has absolutley no intention of using. That is my issue with him. Total mate of kermit and miss piggy in my opinion.
 
I was on the navy as a chef best thing I did as far as my opinion goes. I gained a qualification and it gave my confidence and helped me grow up quick. A bonus was I met some great friends and had one hell of a laugh. But I will say it wasn't always like that and you did have some crap days/ weeks but your opo's got you through them. When your in training remember this ' that isn't the navy it's just to flush out the muppets' but they do get through lol
Just enjoy it
 
Its a good job as theirs not much in Civy street, it provides a decent wage for lets be honest it a easy job in the terms of manual work. You get to see the world Ive been all over

Theirs bad points too, been away from home, family and loved one can be quite shit, but you get paid more per day for been away. Sometimes you will feel like youre been treated like a kid but Im sure thats the same in every job


But I d give it a go.
 
Oddjob said:
Aboys gotta have plans and options Annie.
Otherwise he'd go blind with all that time on his hands.

Big round of applause to the guys that gave straight forward from the shoulder advice.
Might be an idea for a set of posts on what would you advise joining the army, navy air force etc.
Click to expand...

You are subtle OJ, nice way with words, just called the bloke a tosser and with feeling too, you are getting kinder in you're twilight years mate ;)
 
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