What to do between now and starting forces.
Discussion
I'm after some opinions. I work full time in an office job. It's ok, pays alright and I like the people. I am joining the Royal Navy mid to late next year all being well. I've passed all the application interviews and tests etc and have been accepted. I guess I'm after something a little more fun/manual. I live in Dorset and am thinking about volunteering at one of the sailing clubs/ marinas on Poole Quay at the weekends but I'm thinking something more full time would be nice. Something like a building site labourer would be fine. I can go down to around £1k per month take home and don't mind getting my hands dirty or working outside in the pissing rain. I could stay where I am and be relatively happy to do so. It's a nice company to work for. Everyone there knows about the Navy and they support me, but I just fancy something a bit more physical/involving. I've looked around... not a lot going!
I've travelled well for someone my age, so not really bothered about doing anything like that before I go in. I pretty much need a regular income until the weeks before I go in. Any thoughts/ideas of what I can/should do will be appreciated.
Cheers
I've travelled well for someone my age, so not really bothered about doing anything like that before I go in. I pretty much need a regular income until the weeks before I go in. Any thoughts/ideas of what I can/should do will be appreciated.
Cheers
RealSquirrels said:
i'd keep future options open until i had a contract. (i.e. pursue the most lucrative/best career option), just in case. I assume nothing is yet set-in-stone legally with your entry?
Nothing set in stone. The office job is generic, no special skills involved or much hope of progression. I'd go travelling or try and work in a bar abroad somewhere sunny for a few months (check with the Navy that this will be okay). If you are joining a technical trade then you will be in training for a fair amount of time and the opportunities for travel etc could be minimal.
FYI I've been in the RAF nearly 8 years and I wish I'd done this.
FYI I've been in the RAF nearly 8 years and I wish I'd done this.
My best advice having served in the navy is make the most of normality. One of the things I most looked forward to on leave was a normal weekend, washing the car on a Sunday mowing the lawn etc as that normalisty disappears as soon as you join the mob.
So I would say stick with the office job, save up some cash (staying on board throughout training stops you spending too) so you have a nice lump of cash in the bank when you get your first leave then go and buy a nice car!
You will do more in a few months of RN life than you would otherwise do in three years so don't worry about wanting to do something more exciting.
So I would say stick with the office job, save up some cash (staying on board throughout training stops you spending too) so you have a nice lump of cash in the bank when you get your first leave then go and buy a nice car!
You will do more in a few months of RN life than you would otherwise do in three years so don't worry about wanting to do something more exciting.
Tom8 said:
My best advice having served in the navy is make the most of normality. One of the things I most looked forward to on leave was a normal weekend, washing the car on a Sunday mowing the lawn etc as that normalisty disappears as soon as you join the mob.
So I would say stick with the office job, save up some cash (staying on board throughout training stops you spending too) so you have a nice lump of cash in the bank when you get your first leave then go and buy a nice car!
You will do more in a few months of RN life than you would otherwise do in three years so don't worry about wanting to do something more exciting.
Thanks. That sounds like good advice..... although spare money will probably go towards a mortgage and I'll stick with the bargain barges So I would say stick with the office job, save up some cash (staying on board throughout training stops you spending too) so you have a nice lump of cash in the bank when you get your first leave then go and buy a nice car!
You will do more in a few months of RN life than you would otherwise do in three years so don't worry about wanting to do something more exciting.
I hope i'm not teaching you to suck eggs here, but some info may help in prep:
Depending on your current fitness level, doing a labouring type job will pay dividends when it comes to your basic training, especially the 'banter' on site. It will come as less of a shock when the DIs are screaming in your face than the soft and cuddly World of office work. (I am an office worker now
) Don't be surprised if you hear guys sobbing in their pillows at night when they go to sleep throughout the first 3 weeks. I found that a bit strange- what did they expect??!
Get a decent iron & ironing board. Start practining ironing your 'rig'. Learn how to iron a shirt & trousers the proper military way. Learn how to sew. You will need to sew labels into your kit, so get a decent pocket sewing kit. If you get it mastered in the run up to joining, it will save you b0ll0ckings come morning inspections & also allow you to go to bed early- sleep is important, so get organised.
Now, this is a little cheeky, but worth it. Buy a pair of No 1 shoes now from a surplus store. Bull them up in the evenings when you're watching TV or have a spare 10 mins. Again, this will save you time in the evening if you already have a head start- the DIs know all the tricks so don't take in a pair of mirror finished shoes on week 2!! They will be thrown out the window & you will get a beasting.
http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/Bulling_boots
Once on your ship, you will be put into a JRM (unless you're shore based, where you may be very lucky & have your own room). You'll be living with around 20 guys in a small space. Get used to not having any personal space. Stealing isn't common, but it does happen, so I'd mark your personal items like Ipods & such like.
Going into the Navy, you'll soon become aware of the Torpoint & Plymouth night life. The Harbour Lights in Torpoint. Not been in years, but it was crap then, and it's probably crap now. Jesters in Plymouth. Oh. My. God. You will catch bad AIDS by just looking through the door. It's the hunting ground for many-a-fish-head, so beware, the girls have had more cock ends than weekends. Bag it up. Then double bag it and a walkers crisp packet cabled tied over your old boy.
Another word of advice from someone that p1ssed up all earnings on beer & wimmins throughout my time. Don't get drawn into it too much. You will gain a lot of close mates in a short space of time so you will always have someone to go out on the lash with. Some guys were drinking every night- pay day millionaires & skint 3 days after for the rest of the month. This isn't fun, save as much cash as you can. That said, it is important to try to fit in with the lads, so make an effort to go out every now and again. If you're a hermit and stay in your pit all the time, you will be prime for a piss take & being sober when 12 leathered matlows burst through the door isn't funny.
Good luck & have fun
Depending on your current fitness level, doing a labouring type job will pay dividends when it comes to your basic training, especially the 'banter' on site. It will come as less of a shock when the DIs are screaming in your face than the soft and cuddly World of office work. (I am an office worker now
) Don't be surprised if you hear guys sobbing in their pillows at night when they go to sleep throughout the first 3 weeks. I found that a bit strange- what did they expect??! Get a decent iron & ironing board. Start practining ironing your 'rig'. Learn how to iron a shirt & trousers the proper military way. Learn how to sew. You will need to sew labels into your kit, so get a decent pocket sewing kit. If you get it mastered in the run up to joining, it will save you b0ll0ckings come morning inspections & also allow you to go to bed early- sleep is important, so get organised.
Now, this is a little cheeky, but worth it. Buy a pair of No 1 shoes now from a surplus store. Bull them up in the evenings when you're watching TV or have a spare 10 mins. Again, this will save you time in the evening if you already have a head start- the DIs know all the tricks so don't take in a pair of mirror finished shoes on week 2!! They will be thrown out the window & you will get a beasting.
http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/Bulling_boots
Once on your ship, you will be put into a JRM (unless you're shore based, where you may be very lucky & have your own room). You'll be living with around 20 guys in a small space. Get used to not having any personal space. Stealing isn't common, but it does happen, so I'd mark your personal items like Ipods & such like.
Going into the Navy, you'll soon become aware of the Torpoint & Plymouth night life. The Harbour Lights in Torpoint. Not been in years, but it was crap then, and it's probably crap now. Jesters in Plymouth. Oh. My. God. You will catch bad AIDS by just looking through the door. It's the hunting ground for many-a-fish-head, so beware, the girls have had more cock ends than weekends. Bag it up. Then double bag it and a walkers crisp packet cabled tied over your old boy.
Another word of advice from someone that p1ssed up all earnings on beer & wimmins throughout my time. Don't get drawn into it too much. You will gain a lot of close mates in a short space of time so you will always have someone to go out on the lash with. Some guys were drinking every night- pay day millionaires & skint 3 days after for the rest of the month. This isn't fun, save as much cash as you can. That said, it is important to try to fit in with the lads, so make an effort to go out every now and again. If you're a hermit and stay in your pit all the time, you will be prime for a piss take & being sober when 12 leathered matlows burst through the door isn't funny.
Good luck & have fun
Yeah what VB said!
The hardest part ogf being on ship for me was living with loads of people. They are usually noisy b
ds too. I'd stay with the office job and go do something you enjoy doing on dry land. I'd also try and spend time with family, friends and your girlfriend or boyfriend as you may not see much of them while your in.
What are you wanting to do again?
The hardest part ogf being on ship for me was living with loads of people. They are usually noisy b
ds too. I'd stay with the office job and go do something you enjoy doing on dry land. I'd also try and spend time with family, friends and your girlfriend or boyfriend as you may not see much of them while your in.What are you wanting to do again?
dai1983 said:
Yeah what VB said!
The hardest part ogf being on ship for me was living with loads of people. They are usually noisy bds too. I'd stay with the office job and go do something you enjoy doing on dry land. I'd also try and spend time with family, friends and your girlfriend or boyfriend as you may not see much of them while your in.
What are you wanting to do again?
Thanks, all taken on board. I'm going into the CIS branch as a systems specialist. The hardest part ogf being on ship for me was living with loads of people. They are usually noisy b
ds too. I'd stay with the office job and go do something you enjoy doing on dry land. I'd also try and spend time with family, friends and your girlfriend or boyfriend as you may not see much of them while your in.What are you wanting to do again?
I had to wait over 6 months to join the RAF back in 1990 due to a failed medical on my badly sprained ankle. I ended up working in a French ski resort for the season, at 17 it was a great experience. I even met Chris Waddle 
I joined up a couple of months after I returned home. I only wish I'd travelled further afield; Oz or NZ.
I joined up a couple of months after I returned home. I only wish I'd travelled further afield; Oz or NZ.
acd80 said:
You mean you're joining as an AB(CIS)?
Speaking as a former instructor, you'd do well to get the terminology right now prior to Raleigh!
I'm joining this trade. Speaking as a former instructor, you'd do well to get the terminology right now prior to Raleigh!
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/Careers/Explore-Opport...
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