Royal Navy waiting list
Discussion
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.
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!
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
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. 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.
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! 
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.
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