Been offered a place in the Royal Navy. Thoughts?
Discussion
I'm 31 years old, currently earning approx. £42k per year, live on my own and have a mortgage which I fund myself/look after all house things/bills associated with living, and a new-ish girlfriend of 3 months.
I have been in my current office/desk-based IT job, working from home, for almost 3 years (9am-5pm) now but I've been considering a career change. It's pretty easy going to be honest. However, I keep wondering is this all there is to life? I thought something pratical would be more up my street so I started looking into entry-level trade jobs etc where potentially I can get more satisfaction, but I then stumbed across the RAF and Royal Navy websites. Their advertised job roles and benefits look interesting to say the least.
The weapons engingeering technician role took my fancy. I thought what the hell, I'll apply and see what happens not really expecting much. To cut the long story short, I've been through many of the recruitment steps including making it past the selection interview so I'm pretty much on the home straight.
The starting salary after training is £20k with structured pay scales each year etc.... you don't need to be a genius to work out this is a huge salary drop and starting from the bottom of the pile. My goal would be to work towards a foundation engineering degree which the Royal Navy would help support etc and apply to be a weapons engineering Officer after 3 years/whenever I have the skillset.
Benefits? Adventure, doing something completely different, travelling the world, operating and maintaining high-tech weapon systems, communication systems, radar and sonar etc onboard a Warship, gaining incredible experiences while working towards decent qualifications.
Cons? Uprooting from my current home town, moving away (potentially to be based in Portsmouth or Plymouth), having to rent my house out to help with income, being deployed away at sea for 3 to 6 months at a time (I get this is the whole idea of the Navy... being at sea), not seeing friends (I understand I will make new ones), female/male ratio (sounds daft but ya know), moving away from the girlfriend (ouch)/how do relationships actually work?!, I'll be one of the oldest at this initial entry stage and training with 20 year olds fresh out of colleage etc, I'll probably be bossed around by people <30 too.
Am I bonkers?
I have been in my current office/desk-based IT job, working from home, for almost 3 years (9am-5pm) now but I've been considering a career change. It's pretty easy going to be honest. However, I keep wondering is this all there is to life? I thought something pratical would be more up my street so I started looking into entry-level trade jobs etc where potentially I can get more satisfaction, but I then stumbed across the RAF and Royal Navy websites. Their advertised job roles and benefits look interesting to say the least.
The weapons engingeering technician role took my fancy. I thought what the hell, I'll apply and see what happens not really expecting much. To cut the long story short, I've been through many of the recruitment steps including making it past the selection interview so I'm pretty much on the home straight.
The starting salary after training is £20k with structured pay scales each year etc.... you don't need to be a genius to work out this is a huge salary drop and starting from the bottom of the pile. My goal would be to work towards a foundation engineering degree which the Royal Navy would help support etc and apply to be a weapons engineering Officer after 3 years/whenever I have the skillset.
Benefits? Adventure, doing something completely different, travelling the world, operating and maintaining high-tech weapon systems, communication systems, radar and sonar etc onboard a Warship, gaining incredible experiences while working towards decent qualifications.
Cons? Uprooting from my current home town, moving away (potentially to be based in Portsmouth or Plymouth), having to rent my house out to help with income, being deployed away at sea for 3 to 6 months at a time (I get this is the whole idea of the Navy... being at sea), not seeing friends (I understand I will make new ones), female/male ratio (sounds daft but ya know), moving away from the girlfriend (ouch)/how do relationships actually work?!, I'll be one of the oldest at this initial entry stage and training with 20 year olds fresh out of colleage etc, I'll probably be bossed around by people <30 too.
Am I bonkers?
Edited by AnaishaK on Friday 3rd September 10:29
Not bonkers at all, I would certainly go for it! I took a huge pay cut to become a retained firefighter, did it for a couple of years and now have a wholetime job. Even though I was skint I didn't care as it was all I wanted to do, and it paid off in the end. Theres nothing better than a bit of adventure and some seat of your pants moments in life, and to find a way to be paid for it is worth more than the money!
ETA I know several ex Navy people in the brigade and working as trainers, not one has ever had a bad word to say about their time in the navy
ETA I know several ex Navy people in the brigade and working as trainers, not one has ever had a bad word to say about their time in the navy
Feel like I can help on this one OP as I’ve done exactly this. I was slightly younger at 28 but left a decent 45k a year job to join.
The pay for the first 6 months will be hard work, take home will be £1200 give or take a few £. I managed because I had savings, so I’d recommend having a decent pot saved to cover those first 6 months. Although granted the first 10 weeks you won’t have much of a chance to spend any money in basic training.
You do get used to training with younger people after a while and most of the people training you will be the same age or older.
You and the girlfriend may struggle at first but once you get into a routine it gets a bit easier. Although the basic training is hard for this die to limited phone times.
If you have any other questions give me a shout.
The pay for the first 6 months will be hard work, take home will be £1200 give or take a few £. I managed because I had savings, so I’d recommend having a decent pot saved to cover those first 6 months. Although granted the first 10 weeks you won’t have much of a chance to spend any money in basic training.
You do get used to training with younger people after a while and most of the people training you will be the same age or older.
You and the girlfriend may struggle at first but once you get into a routine it gets a bit easier. Although the basic training is hard for this die to limited phone times.
If you have any other questions give me a shout.
My son went in as a weapons engineer straight from school.
Hes been in 3 years now and struggles to spend his money.
Obviously covid has affected everything, but whilst away he just accumulates money.
Hes got over £30k in the bank although he had some childhood savings before he went in.
This tour he got £2k additional fees to cover time alongside in a country with high costs.
Hes not spent any of it due to not being allowed out of the port.
Hes applied to transfer onto the officer route as some of the people in the Navy are a bit annouying.
Overall he likes it but like many has struggled with the isolation and lack shore leave fun in the recent year.
Hes currently spending his time sat in his underpants playing games all day and going seeing mates at weekends. I think he's got 5 week leave this time.
Hes been in 3 years now and struggles to spend his money.
Obviously covid has affected everything, but whilst away he just accumulates money.
Hes got over £30k in the bank although he had some childhood savings before he went in.
This tour he got £2k additional fees to cover time alongside in a country with high costs.
Hes not spent any of it due to not being allowed out of the port.
Hes applied to transfer onto the officer route as some of the people in the Navy are a bit annouying.
Overall he likes it but like many has struggled with the isolation and lack shore leave fun in the recent year.
Hes currently spending his time sat in his underpants playing games all day and going seeing mates at weekends. I think he's got 5 week leave this time.
How much do you need the money?
How long are you planning on staying in? Pension etc to think about.
If you don’t like it and leave after 5 years (or whatever the minimum term is now), can you go back to your old role?
Wouldn’t worry about being told to do stuff by people younger than you, especially if you’re joining the ranks, you’ll get used to it.
Can’t speak for the navy (ex-army) but I’ve been on expensive exciting holidays too and they’re not comparable. This is pretty much as late as you can leave it to join too.
How long are you planning on staying in? Pension etc to think about.
If you don’t like it and leave after 5 years (or whatever the minimum term is now), can you go back to your old role?
Wouldn’t worry about being told to do stuff by people younger than you, especially if you’re joining the ranks, you’ll get used to it.
Can’t speak for the navy (ex-army) but I’ve been on expensive exciting holidays too and they’re not comparable. This is pretty much as late as you can leave it to join too.
I transferred to the RN from the Marines at 36 but didn't have to go through basic training so joined at the start of the Phase 2 Air Engineering course. In hindsight I should have just done the basic as I would know more about the RN than I do now plus I didn't know any of them where they were as thick as thieves by that point. I didn't have any issues talking to them but I did find it hard adjusting to the caliber of person the RN recruits compared to the Marines and the difference in standards and work ethic. Same with some of the instructing staff as how they treated us compared to what I was used to felt pretty stupid and illogical but I had to keep quiet.
I kept my old salary when I came over though but I wouldn't have done it if they gave me new entrant pay. When you're away you get paid a separation allowance which increases with how many "sea days" you have and when ashore abroad you have an allowance to account for the difference in living costs for that country. From LH you also start getting engineering pay which is about and extra 100 quid a month, increases at PO then again at CPO and replaces the bonuses that they used to have.
I chose air engineering for location reasons and am based ashore. If i wanted to work at sea I wouldn't have given the RN a second though as the MN/RFA has a way better package and rotation. I am happy I stayed within the MoD as its mostly pretty chilled and you can absolutely rip the arse out of free sport and adventure training.
Had a couple of relationships since I've been in the military but wouldn't say they ended because of my job. It can be hard but you get used to it and also depends on how far you can be bothered to continue travelling far at the weekend. Common for blokes to go away and either get a honking ship wife for the deployment who then grasses them up to their real wife when they get back. Or blow all their saved up cash at 4 Floors of w
es as soon as they get a run ashore.
If you decide to go for it I hope you enjoy cleaning.
I kept my old salary when I came over though but I wouldn't have done it if they gave me new entrant pay. When you're away you get paid a separation allowance which increases with how many "sea days" you have and when ashore abroad you have an allowance to account for the difference in living costs for that country. From LH you also start getting engineering pay which is about and extra 100 quid a month, increases at PO then again at CPO and replaces the bonuses that they used to have.
I chose air engineering for location reasons and am based ashore. If i wanted to work at sea I wouldn't have given the RN a second though as the MN/RFA has a way better package and rotation. I am happy I stayed within the MoD as its mostly pretty chilled and you can absolutely rip the arse out of free sport and adventure training.
Had a couple of relationships since I've been in the military but wouldn't say they ended because of my job. It can be hard but you get used to it and also depends on how far you can be bothered to continue travelling far at the weekend. Common for blokes to go away and either get a honking ship wife for the deployment who then grasses them up to their real wife when they get back. Or blow all their saved up cash at 4 Floors of w
es as soon as they get a run ashore.If you decide to go for it I hope you enjoy cleaning.
dai1983 said:
I transferred to the RN from the Marines at 36 but didn't have to go through basic training so joined at the start of the Phase 2 Air Engineering course. In hindsight I should have just done the basic as I would know more about the RN than I do now plus I didn't know any of them where they were as thick as thieves by that point. I didn't have any issues talking to them but I did find it hard adjusting to the caliber of person the RN recruits compared to the Marines and the difference in standards and work ethic. Same with some of the instructing staff as how they treated us compared to what I was used to felt pretty stupid and illogical but I had to keep quiet.
I kept my old salary when I came over though but I wouldn't have done it if they gave me new entrant pay. When you're away you get paid a separation allowance which increases with how many "sea days" you have and when ashore abroad you have an allowance to account for the difference in living costs for that country. From LH you also start getting engineering pay which is about and extra 100 quid a month, increases at PO then again at CPO and replaces the bonuses that they used to have.
I chose air engineering for location reasons and am based ashore. If i wanted to work at sea I wouldn't have given the RN a second though as the MN/RFA has a way better package and rotation. I am happy I stayed within the MoD as its mostly pretty chilled and you can absolutely rip the arse out of free sport and adventure training.
Had a couple of relationships since I've been in the military but wouldn't say they ended because of my job. It can be hard but you get used to it and also depends on how far you can be bothered to continue travelling far at the weekend. Common for blokes to go away and either get a honking ship wife for the deployment who then grasses them up to their real wife when they get back. Or blow all their saved up cash at 4 Floors of wes as soon as they get a run ashore.
If you decide to go for it I hope you enjoy cleaning.
Spent the third night of my honeymoon at the four floors. It was full of US submariners and an rfa crew I kept my old salary when I came over though but I wouldn't have done it if they gave me new entrant pay. When you're away you get paid a separation allowance which increases with how many "sea days" you have and when ashore abroad you have an allowance to account for the difference in living costs for that country. From LH you also start getting engineering pay which is about and extra 100 quid a month, increases at PO then again at CPO and replaces the bonuses that they used to have.
I chose air engineering for location reasons and am based ashore. If i wanted to work at sea I wouldn't have given the RN a second though as the MN/RFA has a way better package and rotation. I am happy I stayed within the MoD as its mostly pretty chilled and you can absolutely rip the arse out of free sport and adventure training.
Had a couple of relationships since I've been in the military but wouldn't say they ended because of my job. It can be hard but you get used to it and also depends on how far you can be bothered to continue travelling far at the weekend. Common for blokes to go away and either get a honking ship wife for the deployment who then grasses them up to their real wife when they get back. Or blow all their saved up cash at 4 Floors of w
es as soon as they get a run ashore.If you decide to go for it I hope you enjoy cleaning.
My mate who lived there took us for a laugh.
Ex RN Weapons Engineer here 
I joined at 16 as an Artificer (WE) and left at 24 as a Pretty Officer running a Weapons Section. I loved my time in the Navy, but left once I met Mrs 98elise and started to missing being at home. Anything specific you want to know just ask.
I would liken being in the Navy to intense periods of work, punctuated by foreign stag do's. You will make some great friends and get to do stuff you can't do in any other job.
The Navy is more laid back than the Army. Beyond basic training providing you can do your job properly (and on time), and don't piss anyone off, then it's reasonably relaxed.
Aiming for officer is a good career plan, but keep that to yourself and your Divisional Officer. There is still very much a blue collar/white collar or class divide between Officers and Ratings. The majority of your peers will not be making that jump. Things may have changed since my day though.
In the meantime some light reading. It's the memoirs of a matelot (also a Weapons Engineer).
https://www.arrse.co.uk/community/threads/pull-up-...
I joined at 16 as an Artificer (WE) and left at 24 as a Pretty Officer running a Weapons Section. I loved my time in the Navy, but left once I met Mrs 98elise and started to missing being at home. Anything specific you want to know just ask.
I would liken being in the Navy to intense periods of work, punctuated by foreign stag do's. You will make some great friends and get to do stuff you can't do in any other job.
The Navy is more laid back than the Army. Beyond basic training providing you can do your job properly (and on time), and don't piss anyone off, then it's reasonably relaxed.
Aiming for officer is a good career plan, but keep that to yourself and your Divisional Officer. There is still very much a blue collar/white collar or class divide between Officers and Ratings. The majority of your peers will not be making that jump. Things may have changed since my day though.
In the meantime some light reading. It's the memoirs of a matelot (also a Weapons Engineer).
https://www.arrse.co.uk/community/threads/pull-up-...
Edited by 98elise on Thursday 26th August 12:24
I would caution in as far as your peers are going to be 18-20yr olds who will have a very different perspective to a 31yr old with lots of life experiences - they will be a different generation, think having an 18yr old girlfriend(ok, poor example!!). But apart from that it can be a really good career unlike anything else. If you are one of those who can fit in anywhere and can roll with things go for it
tonyvid said:
I would caution in as far as your peers are going to be 18-20yr olds who will have a very different perspective to a 31yr old with lots of life experiences - they will be a different generation, think having an 18yr old girlfriend(ok, poor example!!). But apart from that it can be a really good career unlike anything else. If you are one of those who can fit in anywhere and can roll with things go for it
This could certainly be an issue. It's like going to Uni in your late 20's, while almost everyone else is fresh out of school. In basic training you might be older than your instructors!That said once you've moved into general service most Juniors mess have one or two who are married, and a few older killicks (leading hands) who've outgrown the lad culture.
I would simply say look at it as do you want to be traveling (but not necessarily seeing anything) or be based in the UK?
If you want to experience something new, take a risk, and can afford it, then I'd say so it.
But people saying "oooh, you get to travel the world" - Maybe a few years ago, these days with Covid everywhere I wouldn't be surprised if you were barely allowed off the ship let along any "sightseeing".
I've had the same, quite a few years ago I did a 6 month "travel lot" of jobs (basically jetting around Europe for 2-3 days a week for 6 months or so)
I thought it would be great, some free travel, took the Wife on a rare occasion when we could extend the stay to the weekends and fly back on the Sunday night without having to travel the following day or two.
The problem is that when I was there for example Monday to Wednesday there was not really any time to "do anything" as I was working in the day other than find a nice Restaurant within 10 minute walk and by which time you'd want to just go to the Hotel to prepare for the next day.
Weekend were better obviously but then things tended to be a bit busier. Swings and roundabouts.
So in short you have the following proposed
- Less pay (certainly for many years).
- More travel / networking opportunities
- More interesting / varied job
Up to you, write a pro's and cons list and then perhaps discuss it with your best mate and go from there
Whatever you decide, best of luck!
If you want to experience something new, take a risk, and can afford it, then I'd say so it.
But people saying "oooh, you get to travel the world" - Maybe a few years ago, these days with Covid everywhere I wouldn't be surprised if you were barely allowed off the ship let along any "sightseeing".
I've had the same, quite a few years ago I did a 6 month "travel lot" of jobs (basically jetting around Europe for 2-3 days a week for 6 months or so)
I thought it would be great, some free travel, took the Wife on a rare occasion when we could extend the stay to the weekends and fly back on the Sunday night without having to travel the following day or two.
The problem is that when I was there for example Monday to Wednesday there was not really any time to "do anything" as I was working in the day other than find a nice Restaurant within 10 minute walk and by which time you'd want to just go to the Hotel to prepare for the next day.
Weekend were better obviously but then things tended to be a bit busier. Swings and roundabouts.
So in short you have the following proposed
- Less pay (certainly for many years).
- More travel / networking opportunities
- More interesting / varied job
Up to you, write a pro's and cons list and then perhaps discuss it with your best mate and go from there
Whatever you decide, best of luck!
I served as a Weapon Engineer for 29 years in the RN, left 7 years ago as a WO1 ET(WE) so won't pretend to be current but what I would say is I never regretted joining one single day during my service. Managed to avoid the Submarine Service throughout my career despite a close shaves getting a draft to a boat so can't comment on "that lot".
If it's your thing it's a fantastic job, been just about everywhere around the world (good and bad) plus had a laugh most of the time doing it. Joining at 31 doesn't appear to be as rare as it was "in my day" but do be aware you'll be one of the older guys down the mess. My old branch seem to be drawing people through pretty quickly still but you may stall at Killock and certainly PO for a while, think the Officer extraction is still reasonably high though.
You generally split 2 ways (Weapons/Ordnance and boring comms/radar/pinkie stuff), I stayed firmly in the Ordnance area until I reached the higher levels where you broaden out and do more engineering management. Probably worth having a think if you like wielding a spanner/ hammer or soldering iron and laptop and that'll tell you which side of the branch to look at.
As I said though I'm not current and the careers people will fill you in a bit more, I do work at the Waterfront still but don't want to be a lap top Admiral who is well out of date with what actually goes on.
Would I do it again, absolutely...best job ever with life experiences you just won't get anywhere else.
If it's your thing it's a fantastic job, been just about everywhere around the world (good and bad) plus had a laugh most of the time doing it. Joining at 31 doesn't appear to be as rare as it was "in my day" but do be aware you'll be one of the older guys down the mess. My old branch seem to be drawing people through pretty quickly still but you may stall at Killock and certainly PO for a while, think the Officer extraction is still reasonably high though.
You generally split 2 ways (Weapons/Ordnance and boring comms/radar/pinkie stuff), I stayed firmly in the Ordnance area until I reached the higher levels where you broaden out and do more engineering management. Probably worth having a think if you like wielding a spanner/ hammer or soldering iron and laptop and that'll tell you which side of the branch to look at.
As I said though I'm not current and the careers people will fill you in a bit more, I do work at the Waterfront still but don't want to be a lap top Admiral who is well out of date with what actually goes on.
Would I do it again, absolutely...best job ever with life experiences you just won't get anywhere else.
Some really good replies, thank you everyone!
I passed my fitness test at my local Nuffield Health Centre at the weekend. For my age bracket I had to run 2.4km in 13 minutes and I did it in 10 mins 31 seconds
There's only the in-person medical to go and security check. I'm simply taking one step at a time as I'm still undecided and there may be some people thinking "well if you're undecided then you don't really want it." It's not really that, it's just an absoutely mammouth decision in my position!
If anyone can offer more thoughts, tips, advice etc then that would be appreciated as I'm curious to read all replies.
I passed my fitness test at my local Nuffield Health Centre at the weekend. For my age bracket I had to run 2.4km in 13 minutes and I did it in 10 mins 31 seconds
There's only the in-person medical to go and security check. I'm simply taking one step at a time as I'm still undecided and there may be some people thinking "well if you're undecided then you don't really want it." It's not really that, it's just an absoutely mammouth decision in my position!
If anyone can offer more thoughts, tips, advice etc then that would be appreciated as I'm curious to read all replies.
Think the RN website also has a forum but I imagine its full of MoD controlled recruitment morale bots.
Would suggest give it a crack as you can leave anytime within the first 6 months but have to do another 3.5 years once that's out of the way. Guess leaving your current industry and potentially going back with your tail between your legs wouldn't work out for you?
There's always the reserves of any armed forces to have taste but may not be close to the real thing.
Find a cross fit gym and practice rope climbs as per loads of UK military videos as I understand the RN do them in basic. I was told its not a pass or fail but the technique can be hard to get your head around and saves you looking like a tt.
Would suggest give it a crack as you can leave anytime within the first 6 months but have to do another 3.5 years once that's out of the way. Guess leaving your current industry and potentially going back with your tail between your legs wouldn't work out for you?
There's always the reserves of any armed forces to have taste but may not be close to the real thing.
Find a cross fit gym and practice rope climbs as per loads of UK military videos as I understand the RN do them in basic. I was told its not a pass or fail but the technique can be hard to get your head around and saves you looking like a t
t.Facing the draft, I was accepted into the USN aviation program during the Vietnam war, however they instituted a lottery for draft numbers and mine was safe so I declined. Went on to a career flying for a major airline, but have always regretted not joining. Don't miss the opportunity of a lifetime.
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