Preparing For Royal Navy Selection

[mildmannered]

I have no personal knowledge/experience, but how about swotting up on World news, politics, current affairs?

I have recollections of colleagues doing this before RAF selection.

[Pothole]

MBBlat said:

Pothole said:

hy?

Personal bugbear - because all too many don't and treat the whole thing as a giant black box, which has in the past made my job a lot harder than it should be.

I suspect that the engineers at ford/Nissan etc have a similar attitude to the general public's (not Pistonheads) knowledge of how cars work.

OK, thanks

Fundamentals.

[Pickled]

16plates said:

Your unlikely to get screamed at by a knob with lots of gold on his shoulders either!

Those with gold on their shoulders tend to get people with insignias on their arms to do the shouting

[98elise]

Pickled said:

16plates said:

Your unlikely to get screamed at by a knob with lots of gold on his shoulders either!

Those with gold on their shoulders tend to get people with insignias on their arms to do the shouting

Its worth mentioning that once you get out of basic the Navy is far less shouty than the Army. Once you've learnt to turn up on time, and do what you're expected to do, then things tend to go smoothly.

[rhinochopig]

MBBlat said:

The best museum is the RN submarine Museum in Gosport, Hampshire - Its also right next door to the Submarine Service HQ, although not home to any active boats. Whilst there you can also pop over the water to the main RN museum in Portsmouth for a more general overview.

If you are going to be an engineer and want to know how they really work try this book
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Concepts-Submarine-Design-...
you could also try to impress by looking into some of the 1930's airship research, there are a lot of simularities.

PS I've never served, I just design the things, and wish the Operators had a bit more knowledge, or even interest in, the fundermentals behind how their boats work.

Missed this earlier. I think you're bing somewhat unfair there. The operators I've worked with - serving and retired but working in the defence sector - typically know far far more than ANY of the designers I know. They can usually tell you indvidiual differences between boats that are 'identical' on the P&I drawings.

Further, in the command cadre one of the reasons why UK boats typically do well in combat / war games is BECAUSE they don't have the intimate plant knowlegde you decry. They don't need it, and worrying about it in a combat scenario is not helpful. It's one of the reasons suspected why UK boats typically out-perform their US cousins because their command structure is drawn from the engineering discipline.

[Speedy1995]

I just want to give everyone, experienced or not a big thanks for all the advice, I'm not looking for any easy way to do this or anyway to avoid "a knob with gold on his shoulders shouting". I've planned in what order I'm going to prepare for things so I can be the best I can, I won't be the best there is by any stretch but I'll have a fking good crack at it.

Anyway I have the RT (Recruitment Test) on Tuesday. I've done some practise questions and am currently sorting out my paper work and trying to find more on line. So if anyone's interested I'll let you know how I do on Tuesday and then I can prepare for the next bridge to cross.

Anyway, this has all been much appreciated so thank you for the advice and watch this space.
Thanks.

[V88Dicky]

Just remember, it's multiple choice, so even if you don't know the answer, put a cross in a box! If your invigilator is a good bloke, he'll tell you when you're halfway through each section and when there's a minute left, so make sure you're progressing at the right pace.

Going in as an engineer, you need good scores in maths and mechanical comprehension as well as a decent overall score.

Good luck!

[Matt_N]

Good luck.

Subs wouldn't be for me, the air is stale in them even with all the hatches open, can't imagine what it's like after a few days under water!

Although not in the RN I work very closely with the surface fleet in weapons engineering and have a fair few mates in the service - it's worked out pretty well for all of them as NCOs.

[Speedy1995]

Passed the recruitment test. I was told It had a very strict mark boundary and I passed it comfortably so I'm fairly chuffed with it toe honest. I've got my interview on Monday so hopefully I'll get that.

Fitness wise I'm in the gym 3-4 times a week and I'm getting loads better. I've also started running out doors as well.

[V88Dicky]

[ecsrobin]

Speedy1995 said:

Passed the recruitment test. I was told It had a very strict mark boundary and I passed it comfortably so I'm fairly chuffed with it toe honest. I've got my interview on Monday so hopefully I'll get that.

Fitness wise I'm in the gym 3-4 times a week and I'm getting loads better. I've also started running out doors as well.

Well done, keep up with the running, press ups and sit-ups and you'll be fine. Prior to your interview it's probably worth having a read of "the week", knowing about current conflicts around the world and where you could be based the odd obscure base would probably impress. For the RAF they wanted to know about NATO and United Nations.

If you get through to training I was given a very good bit of advice from my grandfather who was an ex Station Warrant Officer at HMS Osprey- do not get noticed. If you are really good the hierarchy keep an eye on you, have a bad day and they'll be on top of you like a rash. If you are really bad they will also be on top of you like a rash.

I went through RAF training with hardly a bking to my name so when the end of training report came through saying I was a middle man I was very pleased. Trade training and the real military is where you carve out a name for yourself.

[WindsorRob]

Read bear grylls autobiography. Talks about SAS selection. A step beyond, but at least you could aim for that level and then you'll breeze it.

[dai1983]

After spending time on pussers ships and with the RFA, I'd pick the RFA all the time. A lot more relaxed with better food and it's my understanding that they work away about 6 months (not in one go) of the year. I also believe this qualifies them as tax free and they then have second jobs when they are in the UK. Either that or join the Royal Air Force instead.

As far as any advice goes Just practice the physical tests you need to pass to get in. I've no idea about the Navy recruit training but can't imagine it to be too physically demanding. Gone are the days where fat, pissed up matelots are the norm and I work with quite a few "Super Matelots" who love phys.

Can you iron your clothes? Get used to cleaning your living space daily. Can you live in close proximity to lots of other blokes with regular nudity?

Hipster beards also seem all the rage at the moment so you may need one to blend in.

[98elise]

dai1983 said:

After spending time on pussers ships and with the RFA, I'd pick the RFA all the time. A lot more relaxed with better food and it's my understanding that they work away about 6 months (not in one go) of the year. I also believe this qualifies them as tax free and they then have second jobs when they are in the UK. Either that or join the Royal Air Force instead.

As far as any advice goes Just practice the physical tests you need to pass to get in. I've no idea about the Navy recruit training but can't imagine it to be too physically demanding. Gone are the days where fat, pissed up matelots are the norm and I work with quite a few "Super Matelots" who love phys.

Can you iron your clothes? Get used to cleaning your living space daily. Can you live in close proximity to lots of other blokes with regular nudity?

Hipster beards also seem all the rage at the moment so you may need one to blend in.

i'm pretty sure the RAF and the RFA don't operate submarines

Initial training is physically and mentally hard (or was in my day). PT, assault courses, breacon beacons etc.

"Hipster" beards wouldn't be alowed unless the rules have changed. It was full beard or nothing.

[Speedy1995]

Had my interview today I passed it! He told me I needed to do more research and improve my fitness which I completely agree with. He set me a target for the run of 9 minutes 40 seconds which I will achieve even if it kills me . He gave me a lot of paperwork to do which was quite intimidating but overall a good result.

[dai1983]

Nice one.

Given enough training you will eventually pass the run comfortably