Royal Navy waiting list

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A few other people have dates, not me!

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Steves89 said:

Hi sparks first off congratulations on making it this far really well done. I am in the process of applying now sent the forms off a week ago now hopefully going to be a weapons engineer and was just wondering if you have any advice on getting through the various stages as it would be greatly appreciated.

Hey thank you! The advice that I've been given on here and from other sources are keep up the fitness and make yourself known at the careers office. I phone them once a month. Aim to get the 1.5 mile run down to under 11 minutes and make sure you can do 23 press ups and 39 sit ups in under a minute each. Before your fitness test (which is only the run and on a treadmill, not outside) you will have a medical test. For the medical you should be in relatively good shape with no current ailments. My fitness test was about 4 weeks after the medical. You would already of had an eye exam by this stage. Don't be put off by the wait. If you are just applying now it could be 2-4 years before you get in (I applied in 2010 and haven't started yet, nor do I have a date)

I really enjoyed my selection interview despite being a bag of nerves, we talked about things I've never really talked about before and it was different to what I expected in a good way. The key is to be yourself. I got the feeling that they don't appreciate over confidence or a "cocky" approach. From what I have been told (and again certainly from the way I saw it) they are after honest candidates who can apply common sense and have a good sense of loyalty and work ethic. They seem to value these qualities over qualifications and life experiences. It also pays to research your chosen field and gain some knowledge on the types of vessels you may serve on. They also like you to understand the training regime and how you can leave the Navy if you chose to do so. Good luck!

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Steves89 said:

Wow that's a loooooong wait. I was told originally it will take about a year to get a join date waiting is fine tbh though. Fitness wise I can do the run currently in 12 mins 30 secs so have to shave at least a minute and a half off that any ideas how I can get that time down? I am really looking forward to it as have wanted to join since leaving school 7 years ago but haven't had the right drive to do so till now. I really hope you get your join date soon it must be torture ATM

You must be a similar age to me then (25). Well waiting times are decreasing but the latest I've heard most of them are still 2 years plus. The waiting time starts from your recruitment test. I would just keep running, do 30 minutes 3-4 times a week. If you can do it outside you'll trash it on a treadmill (I hate the bloody things). I hope I get my date soon, a guy on the Facebook page (join it!) who took his recruitment test for CIS 4 months before me has got a date for December, but I've noticed it isn't necessarily first come first serve. Not sure how they do it but I guess it's spread fairly amongst the various AFCO offices. I've spent the time having a bit of fun, saving some money and researching what I can about the Navy.

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Steves89 said:

Ah righto can't really join the FB page as my current employers are on my FB and I am not telling them because as soon as I do they will drastically cut my hours at work forcing me to leave as I have seen them do it to others who are planning on changing careers. How hard was the RT as compared with the test booklet they give you to practice and is there any more I can do to practice for it? Also is handwriting important as mine is readable but not the neatest. Sorry for so many questions its just helpful to have finally found someone who has been through and is willing to help.

Sorry about the late reply, I thought I already replied! My handwriting isn't the neatest but as long as it's readable don't worry. The RT was tricky (I'm not great with maths) but scoring is done by what trade you are going in as. I'd say the test booklet is an accurate representation. Happy to help if I can!

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I visited HMS Lancaster yesterday in Portland, Weymouth. I had a great time and am further convinced I'm doing the right thing.

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April 2014

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It's really dragging now I have a date. Anyone else here serving?

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Gazzas86 said:

Yea, I'm a CPO (Group Head for the CIS Department).

Cool, how long have you been in for?

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98elise said:

sparks_E39 said:

April 2014

Good luck. Providing you have the following qualities you will love it;

A sense of humor
A thick skin
A good drinking arm.
Professionalism
Ability to live/sleep in an average size bedroom, with 20 other people!

Lack any of those and you will hate it.

During basic training don't forget that its not like the real Navy.

Think I'll be ok.... not much of a drinker nowadays, I cut right down to help get fit enough to pass the fitness tests.

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Not long to go now!

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junglie said:

I sent you a PM earlier (not related to this) and your details page now makes sense!

Congratulations on getting a date to join - it is a fun life.

Thanks mate, just read it. I'll reply tomorrow evening, need to get some sleep!

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The Lordflashart said:

Good luck mate.
It's lots of fun.
Keep your sense of humour. Basic is a laugh if you see it the right way.
I'm a retired Lieutenant commander and I started at Raleigh as an AEM.

Best job in the world

Thanks! I'm going in as a rating so it would be a good few years before officer training would become available to me. Obviously I'll take it as it comes but it's what I want to work towards.

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Off to PRNC tomorrow, with a cold. Joy!

I'm looking forward to it, but I know with this cold I won't be 100%

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PRNC passed! It was hard, but I loved every minute and would honestly stay another week. I've got 10 or so weeks till Raleigh, just going to hammer the fitness.

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Thanks guys. The PRNC (Pre Royal Navy Course I think) has being going since 2012 I believe to give a taster of life at Raleigh for the 10 weeks basic. Mine was at HMS Collingwood in Hampshire, not sure if there is a base up north that does a similar course. Also I visited HMS Dragon, one of the new Type 45's which was brilliant. I'm sure you guys remember hospital corners, they're a bugger but I got them in the end. Did a bit of phys, my swimming needs work but I'm okay. I loved it and would quite happily still be there. Instead of quietly stting myself about Raleigh I'm now really looking forward to it.

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We were told past Raleigh we will never have to do hospital corners again. Beds just have to be as neat as possible, and there are certain parameters and measurements to abide by.

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Well.... I start on Sunday. Oddly not stting myself. I feel I should be nervous... I definitely thought I would be. The acquaint course helped a lot.

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98elise said:

No need to be nervous. If you breezed the aquaint course then you will be fine. Basic is as crap as it gets, so if you get through that then it just gets better.

Thanks. Just trying to get my head round 10 weeks! It's a long time but I'm guessing it flies by.

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Going well so far. From what our superiors say the days are long and the weeks are short, we've lost a few already due to not turning up or failing medicals. Phys is hard but I enjoyed it.

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Still going well. I'm st at folding at the moment but the more I wash my kit the easier it gets. Lots of shouting, but hardly any at individuals, more at groups/teams. Kit prep is a nightmare!