Joining the Navy
Discussion
From the "Where is our Navy" thread I didn't want to go off topic, but No1 Son with rather poor, or maybe perfect timing, is looking at joining the Navy as Mech Tech or Weapons Officer. He has passed two aptitude tests and has been training for the fitness tests and is almost there. Aged 28 and with a degree in Forensics and Criminology (which he has not been able to get a career with...) any advice on how to proceed / careers advice expectations or tips?
My experience may or may not be valid as I joined the Navy in 1978 so different times..
However my advice is to really concentrate on fitness (which he is doing) and to just make sure he is doing everything they are asking of him.
Back in my day only 7 applicants out of every 100 were successful in gaining entry. The only test you can't prepare for is the "attitude test".
If the final decision is still made by an interviewing officer then he will decide that with all the previous tests etc in place, are you a good fit for the Royal Navy ? i.e. does the officer think you have what it takes.
You should answer questions carefully and not blurt out daft answers (needless to say) and make sure the officer knows/thinks that you are very hungry to succeed and you are ambitious. These things are standard issue good advice for any interview but possibly more at stake if the office makes the wrong decision and enlists someone who is simply not cut out for life at sea.
Good Luck mate
However my advice is to really concentrate on fitness (which he is doing) and to just make sure he is doing everything they are asking of him.
Back in my day only 7 applicants out of every 100 were successful in gaining entry. The only test you can't prepare for is the "attitude test".
If the final decision is still made by an interviewing officer then he will decide that with all the previous tests etc in place, are you a good fit for the Royal Navy ? i.e. does the officer think you have what it takes.
You should answer questions carefully and not blurt out daft answers (needless to say) and make sure the officer knows/thinks that you are very hungry to succeed and you are ambitious. These things are standard issue good advice for any interview but possibly more at stake if the office makes the wrong decision and enlists someone who is simply not cut out for life at sea.
Good Luck mate
Ted Maul said:
My point entirely, there is no such role as a Weapons Officer. There is a Warfare Officer and a Weapons Engineer Officer but there is no Weapons Officer, there is also no such role as a mech tech.
mech tech is slang for Engineering Technician.Edited by Ted Maul on Sunday 8th March 18:58
You're right though a Weapons Officer is a commissioned role, normally trained at Dartmouth. OP could be mixing them up with this role.
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/roles/enginee...
Thanks for the responses.
To add.
He has a degree in Forensics and Criminology but was unable to find any careers in that field. He has been working a Security Guard with SIA licence on shifts for the last few years in the Energy industry so OK with weird hours. Can now pass the fitness tests.
The terminology for the available positions are due to my remembrence of conversations with ex navy personnel locally who suggested paths, but roles may have been re-described.
I used to employ some ex-Navy personnel in my previous career and found them to be disciplined and have a good work/team ethic with some good anecdotes from the past!
It's not a knee jerk "do something" feeling, it's something he's been considering for a couple of years.
I think it is "what would suit him best" type scenario, but hopefully interviews and getting to know him would steer him in the right direction.
eta. Has competent crew, working on Day Skipper and has sea legs.
To add.
He has a degree in Forensics and Criminology but was unable to find any careers in that field. He has been working a Security Guard with SIA licence on shifts for the last few years in the Energy industry so OK with weird hours. Can now pass the fitness tests.
The terminology for the available positions are due to my remembrence of conversations with ex navy personnel locally who suggested paths, but roles may have been re-described.
I used to employ some ex-Navy personnel in my previous career and found them to be disciplined and have a good work/team ethic with some good anecdotes from the past!
It's not a knee jerk "do something" feeling, it's something he's been considering for a couple of years.
I think it is "what would suit him best" type scenario, but hopefully interviews and getting to know him would steer him in the right direction.
eta. Has competent crew, working on Day Skipper and has sea legs.
LivLL said:
Ted Maul said:
My point entirely, there is no such role as a Weapons Officer. There is a Warfare Officer and a Weapons Engineer Officer but there is no Weapons Officer, there is also no such role as a mech tech.
mech tech is slang for Engineering Technician.Edited by Ted Maul on Sunday 8th March 18:58
You're right though a Weapons Officer is a commissioned role, normally trained at Dartmouth. OP could be mixing them up with this role.
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/roles/enginee...
Back to the OP though, it would be worth finding out exactly what it is he's after. If he's going non-commissioned at the age of 28 with a degree (assuming BSc?) he may find it frustrating, people do do it at that age and with decent quals but they're a rarity. If he's going for a commission 28 is still a little older than most but again, entirely doable.
Does he have family or looking to start one soon?
Work with a lot of ex forces. They all say the same thing. Fun when you’re young and want to see the world (navy best for this). Hell if you have a young family.
My experience and massive generalisation.
Few who have done full term are difficult to work with. Less than 10 years in and they can cope with the outside world and make good engineers in the outside world.
Work with a lot of ex forces. They all say the same thing. Fun when you’re young and want to see the world (navy best for this). Hell if you have a young family.
My experience and massive generalisation.
Few who have done full term are difficult to work with. Less than 10 years in and they can cope with the outside world and make good engineers in the outside world.
As an ex-marine but now a WAFU engineer I'd not join up as a non officer in a role at sea at all. The MN or RFA routes mean you get more time off and usually tax free too.
If he doesn't go officer then there's Accelerated Apprenticeship schemes for ME, WE and air engineering. Also for the subs but f
k that! You start on 37 grand as a "potential" leading hand with no responsibilities until you go on your LH course within two years. Just need a maths or physics a level
If he doesn't go officer then there's Accelerated Apprenticeship schemes for ME, WE and air engineering. Also for the subs but f
k that! You start on 37 grand as a "potential" leading hand with no responsibilities until you go on your LH course within two years. Just need a maths or physics a level Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff