Preparing For Royal Navy Selection

Preparing For Royal Navy Selection

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Speedy1995

Original Poster:

189 posts

140 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
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Hi guys,

I have sent my application to the RN and I received an e-mail basically saying that they will be sending my details to my local careers office. They will then contact me about a date for a recruitment test. I practised one of these online and got 27/32 which could be better but certainly isn't disastrous. Fitness wise my push-ups and sit-ups are nearly there but the run is shocking. I run on a treadmill at a pace to do 2.4k in under the target time. Currently I can only manage 1.2k, I know that it's shocking but I've only just started back at the gym so hopefully in a couple of weeks I'll be laughing.

The aim is at the minute to really improve the fitness and start outdoor running also. Academics side I've starting researching the job role more (Engineer-Submariner) and am hoping to try and visit a submarine or at least a museum. Quals wise I've got a fair few GCSE's, all the core ones are at C-B so I should be ok there. Also I've got a BTEC that's equivalent to I believe two B's and a C at A-Level.

Apart from improving the diabolical fitness and doing more research, what else should I be focusing on.

Feel free to give me as much st as you want about my fitness, I can take it smile

Thanks.

e600

1,315 posts

151 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
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Lube

MBBlat

1,601 posts

148 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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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.


98elise

26,376 posts

160 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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I served 8 years in the RN as a weapons engineer (Phalanx mainly)

Avoid submarines if you can. Smelly cramped things, and the view is crap.

DuncsGTi

1,152 posts

178 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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First of all, stop using a treadmill, it's much easier to improve your run times by actually going out running. Another great technique is fartlek training (jog 2 lamp posts, sprint 1, repeat)

Not been through RN selection, but the army one involves command tasks to see how you operate as a member of a team, a 5 min icebreaker stood in front the other candidates, fitness tests, medical examination and an interview at the end

The main thing to remember, is that you are being assessed at all times while you are there. As long as you show the right attitude towards the selection, you'll be fine.


Taff107

567 posts

148 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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As has been said, forget the treadmill and get out and run. Ensure that you keep pushing yourself. If you know you can do a specific distance in a certain time comfortably, then increase the distance or reduce the time you take to do it. Most importantly, if on a run you feel like you have to stop, just slow it right down. Your mind will try and tell you that you have reached your limit way before your body.

When you do the fitness test, 'dig in'. The test is a few minutes of pain to endure which can decide the rest of your life.

Speedy1995

Original Poster:

189 posts

140 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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This is all great advice. I'm looking in to getting some running shoes as my Adidas Originals however they look good just really aren't up to it. Once I have them I'll be out doors on rest days. Also as far as a the recruitment process goes the main thing I gather they want is a can do attitude who will fit in. Not too bossy or quiet in a team environment.

As far as Submarine living standards are concerned I think that It'll be a shock to the system but nothing I can't adapt to and learn to cope with. Also it'll make me appreciate the outside world more.

Any more advice would be mega!
Thanks

Speedy1995

Original Poster:

189 posts

140 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
quotequote all
This is all great advice. I'm looking in to getting some running shoes as my Adidas Originals however they look good just really aren't up to it. Once I have them I'll be out doors on rest days. Also as far as a the recruitment process goes the main thing I gather they want is a can do attitude who will fit in. Not too bossy or quiet in a team environment.

As far as Submarine living standards are concerned I think that It'll be a shock to the system but nothing I can't adapt to and learn to cope with. Also it'll make me appreciate the outside world more.

Any more advice would be mega!
Thanks

MR Kirbyz

559 posts

158 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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Just popping into this thread as I'm in the same boat as you (see what I did there). I've just passed the test and interview so if you have any questions just ask.

phumy

5,671 posts

236 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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Ive been there and done it all about 40 years ago, you`ll love it....

bishbosh66

118 posts

121 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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Did my 22 years and loved it. Selection test was a bit different then (running !!!!!)
As mentioned earlier, don't be a crabmariner, all your conversation will be about how much money you earn, and the runs ashore are limited for subs.

Pothole

34,367 posts

281 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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MBBlat said:
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.
Why?

MBBlat

1,601 posts

148 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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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.

16plates

1,796 posts

126 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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Why have you chosen the RN? Is it family ties or are you local to a base etc?

If you haven't already and would consider working on above the water as opposed to below, check out the merchant navy, or even private vessels. Often a bigger salary and more time at home. Your unlikely to get screamed at by a knob with lots of gold on his shoulders either! wink

Speedy1995

Original Poster:

189 posts

140 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
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I know it sounds very immature but for me a submarine is on the same page as a space shuttle. There such amazing engineering feats and being able to work on one and just be able to say you've even been on one is amazing. I'm forever recording documentaries about them on TiVo etc.

I did apply for RAF at officer level last year as everyone said don't go for a submarine it's too cramped. Being the cocky little st I was I chose officer level, I made it to interview and he said I gave a fantastic interview but due to the fact I was 18 and hadn't been in a position of responsibility before he didn't want to take the chance of putting me through a costly training programme. So I thought fk it I'll go for the service I want in a trade that's likely to lead on to greater thing either in a civilian or forces role.


Speedy1995

Original Poster:

189 posts

140 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
quotequote all
I know it sounds very immature but for me a submarine is on the same page as a space shuttle. There such amazing engineering feats and being able to work on one and just be able to say you've even been on one is amazing. I'm forever recording documentaries about them on TiVo etc.

I did apply for RAF at officer level last year as everyone said don't go for a submarine it's too cramped. Being the cocky little st I was I chose officer level, I made it to interview and he said I gave a fantastic interview but due to the fact I was 18 and hadn't been in a position of responsibility before he didn't want to take the chance of putting me through a costly training programme. So I thought fk it I'll go for the service I want in a trade that's likely to lead on to greater thing either in a civilian or forces role.


rhinochopig

17,932 posts

197 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
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Speedy1995 said:
I know it sounds very immature but for me a submarine is on the same page as a space shuttle. There such amazing engineering feats and being able to work on one and just be able to say you've even been on one is amazing. I'm forever recording documentaries about them on TiVo etc.

I did apply for RAF at officer level last year as everyone said don't go for a submarine it's too cramped. Being the cocky little st I was I chose officer level, I made it to interview and he said I gave a fantastic interview but due to the fact I was 18 and hadn't been in a position of responsibility before he didn't want to take the chance of putting me through a costly training programme. So I thought fk it I'll go for the service I want in a trade that's likely to lead on to greater thing either in a civilian or forces role.
Shuttle analogy is apt. A lot of tech inside dates from the 70s too hehe Modern subs aren't that cramped. Astute is positively huge - similar size to the old bombers.

My advice to you would be to go down the propulsion trade rather than weapons/electrical. Job prospects when you come out are far far better. Also with nuke pay the salaries are very good.

Morale was terrible in the service last I heard, although that was a few years back so things may have improved.

Funnily enough I have a meeting with an ex CAT A - Eng. Chief of Watch - in 10 minutes so will ask him whether he'd recommend it these days.

Speedy1995

Original Poster:

189 posts

140 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
quotequote all
MR Kirbyz said:
Just popping into this thread as I'm in the same boat as you (see what I did there). I've just passed the test and interview so if you have any questions just ask.
I've got the psychometric test next Tuesday. As I say I've done one online and scored 27 out of 32. What was it like? I imagine it to be like a driving theory test but stricter on paper work. How many people where in there ? How long did it last etc.

wal 45

654 posts

179 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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16plates said:
Your unlikely to get screamed at by a knob with lots of gold on his shoulders either! wink
It is generally called discipline and by the very nature of the job it can be neccessary to make people do things they really don't want to in unpleasant situations. You'd probably have to had served in any of the arms of the military to properly understand wink

Anyway OP good luck and I'd recommend the RN highly, had a great 29 years as a Weapon Engineer and although I served on surface ships there are merits to either sides of the Service. I ended up doing "stuff" I never dreamed of when I signed up including outside the core WE branch employment, life experiences you'd never get anywhere else (good and bad).

The bit of pain now with the phys will all be worth it once you're in and you might even grow to like running, certainly a good way to unwind when at sea or when away on deployment.

As for branches it depends what your engineering preference is and probably worth chatting to the careers people. I wouldn't ever have changed from being a WE but being a Clankie is pretty good too.

I won't comment on morale as I am no longer serving, oh and as for future jobs all of my peers have made a successful transition to being ex military irrespective of which engineering branch they were in. The current RN ads are a bit cheesy but there is certainly an element of truth in "made in the RN".


V88Dicky

7,302 posts

182 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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wal 45 said:
16plates said:
Your unlikely to get screamed at by a knob with lots of gold on his shoulders either! wink
It is generally called discipline and by the very nature of the job it can be neccessary to make people do things they really don't want to in unpleasant situations. You'd probably have to had served in any of the arms of the military to properly understand wink

Anyway OP good luck and I'd recommend the RN highly, had a great 29 years as a Weapon Engineer and although I served on surface ships there are merits to either sides of the Service. I ended up doing "stuff" I never dreamed of when I signed up including outside the core WE branch employment, life experiences you'd never get anywhere else (good and bad).

The bit of pain now with the phys will all be worth it once you're in and you might even grow to like running, certainly a good way to unwind when at sea or when away on deployment.

As for branches it depends what your engineering preference is and probably worth chatting to the careers people. I wouldn't ever have changed from being a WE but being a Clankie is pretty good too.

I won't comment on morale as I am no longer serving, oh and as for future jobs all of my peers have made a successful transition to being ex military irrespective of which engineering branch they were in. The current RN ads are a bit cheesy but there is certainly an element of truth in "made in the RN".
+1 yes

Another 22 year veteran here, served as a Weapons Engineer on all kinds of ships, patrol vessels, and even did a stretch on our V boats too. Finished with nearly 4 years in an AFCO so if the OP has any more questions, fire away.