Royal Navy waiting times.
Discussion
Hello,
I’m currently waiting for my start date for the Royal Navy. Joining the armed forces has always been on the cards for me so I began the application process for the RN in around October 2009. I sat my psychometric test on 22/10/09 and then I then went onto pass Medical, Physical and finally an interview at the start of January sometime. I was told that I am an ideal candidate, that the job was mine and that I now had to just wait for a start date.
I was always aware there was going to be a wait. When I sat my test, that wait was at 6 months. By the time I passed my final interview it had gone up to 12. Since then, the wait has gone up to 16 months (ish) and is currently back down to 12. These times vary depending on your job choice (AET is 24+ months!!) I get my waiting times from RN forums where recruitment officers post the info they receive occasionally.
The waiting time begins when you sit your psyc test.
I don’t hear much from the recruitment office. I’ve called myself a couple of times to see if there have been any updates. They obviously have a lot of people on the books like me and don’t give much info, just ‘no updates’
I’m wondering if anyone on here is in, or has been in the same position and can give me and advice? Is the 12 months thing realistic or do they just keep extending?
Also, I presume the large wait is largely due to the recession? IE People who are serving already who would usually have left and got another job aren’t... Because of the fairly accurate perception that there’s a shortage of jobs to go to (also increasing the number of applications all of the armed forces are getting).
If the 12 months was correct, I would have expected to hear from the RN with a start date as October is swiftly approaching.
Sorry for the essay. Thanks anyone who can offer any advice
ct
I’m currently waiting for my start date for the Royal Navy. Joining the armed forces has always been on the cards for me so I began the application process for the RN in around October 2009. I sat my psychometric test on 22/10/09 and then I then went onto pass Medical, Physical and finally an interview at the start of January sometime. I was told that I am an ideal candidate, that the job was mine and that I now had to just wait for a start date.
I was always aware there was going to be a wait. When I sat my test, that wait was at 6 months. By the time I passed my final interview it had gone up to 12. Since then, the wait has gone up to 16 months (ish) and is currently back down to 12. These times vary depending on your job choice (AET is 24+ months!!) I get my waiting times from RN forums where recruitment officers post the info they receive occasionally.
The waiting time begins when you sit your psyc test.
I don’t hear much from the recruitment office. I’ve called myself a couple of times to see if there have been any updates. They obviously have a lot of people on the books like me and don’t give much info, just ‘no updates’
I’m wondering if anyone on here is in, or has been in the same position and can give me and advice? Is the 12 months thing realistic or do they just keep extending?
Also, I presume the large wait is largely due to the recession? IE People who are serving already who would usually have left and got another job aren’t... Because of the fairly accurate perception that there’s a shortage of jobs to go to (also increasing the number of applications all of the armed forces are getting).
If the 12 months was correct, I would have expected to hear from the RN with a start date as October is swiftly approaching.
Sorry for the essay. Thanks anyone who can offer any advice
ct
Current waiting times are dramatically different depending on what career path you're taking. An AET might be in much higher demand so they'll have a much shorter wait, likewise with the RM; there are huge pressures on them in theatre so demand for new recruits will be higher.
Sit tight and bide your time; once you've been accepted it's just a matter of waiting for your start date.
If it makes you feel any better, my mate's been waiting for over 2 years for the RAF to open up the area he wants to go into. Prime candidate for the job, but they're holding off. He's all but given up hope now.
Sit tight and bide your time; once you've been accepted it's just a matter of waiting for your start date.
If it makes you feel any better, my mate's been waiting for over 2 years for the RAF to open up the area he wants to go into. Prime candidate for the job, but they're holding off. He's all but given up hope now.
Ok, thanks for the advice okgo and T350 AL. I’ll just wait patiently and hope that letter is on its way soon. I’ve got my job in the meantime although I predictably have come to dislike it a lot since I decided what I wanted to do. I guess it’s much worse for the people who are waiting with no current employment. 
AL, your friend who has waited 2 years for RAF has done well to last that long. I hope he/she gets in soon.
I’m mildly concerned that I never heard anything else after the RN said they were going to apply for my security clearance. I guess they haven’t proceeded with it yet because it’s costly and only lasts a year or so?
As you both understand what’s going on, having no doubt experienced all this yourselves, I’ve got another couple of questions if you don't mind...
Is it simply a case of one man out, one man in with regards to recruitment?
How do you think the defence review will affect my situation? I hear that a recruitment freeze is unlikely but I’m not so sure?
AL, your friend who has waited 2 years for RAF has done well to last that long. I hope he/she gets in soon.I’m mildly concerned that I never heard anything else after the RN said they were going to apply for my security clearance. I guess they haven’t proceeded with it yet because it’s costly and only lasts a year or so?
As you both understand what’s going on, having no doubt experienced all this yourselves, I’ve got another couple of questions if you don't mind...
Is it simply a case of one man out, one man in with regards to recruitment?
How do you think the defence review will affect my situation? I hear that a recruitment freeze is unlikely but I’m not so sure?
Not in the Navy, but the RAF, so have a rough idea of the recruitment process.
I wouldn't worry about the security check.
As for numbers, it usually boils down to more than `one in one out`. Each trade will have a manning level, normally expressed as a percentage of the number required. If the trade is overmanned then recruitment will slow, likewise if it is undermanned then they will try to get more people through training. Add to this the fact that some trades will have new kit coming in, or becoming civilianised; these both affect recruitment.
Keep at it, stay in touch with the careers office. Although cutbacks may be on the way we will always have an armed forces, and once you are in it is a great lifestyle as long as you make the most of it.
Do constructive things and stay fit so that when you get the call you are competitive.
I wouldn't worry about the security check.
As for numbers, it usually boils down to more than `one in one out`. Each trade will have a manning level, normally expressed as a percentage of the number required. If the trade is overmanned then recruitment will slow, likewise if it is undermanned then they will try to get more people through training. Add to this the fact that some trades will have new kit coming in, or becoming civilianised; these both affect recruitment.
Keep at it, stay in touch with the careers office. Although cutbacks may be on the way we will always have an armed forces, and once you are in it is a great lifestyle as long as you make the most of it.
Do constructive things and stay fit so that when you get the call you are competitive.
When i joined the Navy back in 03 my waiting time was around 'roughly' 12 months. I would get the odd letter now and then, and as like you i also had a job in the mean time whilst the process was ongoing. You should be getting letters through, maybe phone calls if you're lucky. What branch are you going?. A good place to find information out would be www.rumration.com , this is basically a forums for Navy personell with many people on it like you discussing how their joining process is going. There are also a few people on there who work in the AFCO and could answer any questions you have.
As for the SDSR (Strateigic Defence Security Review), i believe (from what i've heard) they are not stopping recruiting, as from past lessons learnt when recruiting was stopped many a year ago and too this day the navy is still short in area's. However....... I would be more worried if you're in the RAF....
these guys are going to get slaughtered. :P..
As for the SDSR (Strateigic Defence Security Review), i believe (from what i've heard) they are not stopping recruiting, as from past lessons learnt when recruiting was stopped many a year ago and too this day the navy is still short in area's. However....... I would be more worried if you're in the RAF....
these guys are going to get slaughtered. :P..^Ah, so the waiting period is more common than I first thought it was. A guy I know who is in the marines told me that he waited 12months when he joined 10 years or so ago. But I wasn’t sure if this was the same sort of thing as my wait. I thought the current waiting periods were mainly caused by the economic situation, lack of other jobs/budget cuts within the RN ect.
I’ve have been told that a recruitment freeze is unlikely because of the same reasons you say gazza. Training skills lost due to no recruits = skills being lost from the system.
I look on rumration fairly often but only for the updated waiting times really. It’s a useful website though like you say, because recruitment officers post all the time.
Oh and in answer to your question – CIS SM.
Benh – I’m training and trying to stay positive as you suggest. My current job is fairly physical so that helps. It’s just a killer when you’ve already made your mind up and moved on but you’re then trapped by the situation. I wish I’d joined earlier and avoided some of this wait but there’s nothing that can be done now.
I’ve have been told that a recruitment freeze is unlikely because of the same reasons you say gazza. Training skills lost due to no recruits = skills being lost from the system.
I look on rumration fairly often but only for the updated waiting times really. It’s a useful website though like you say, because recruitment officers post all the time.
Oh and in answer to your question – CIS SM.
Benh – I’m training and trying to stay positive as you suggest. My current job is fairly physical so that helps. It’s just a killer when you’ve already made your mind up and moved on but you’re then trapped by the situation. I wish I’d joined earlier and avoided some of this wait but there’s nothing that can be done now.
I already regret that I didn't join up at 16 so hope to avoid feeling the same in years to come if I don't do it now. My current job is ok but working in the stores dept of a security company is not exactly exciting. The news that most people have had a wait of some sort makes my wait a lot more bearable.
its a wonder anyone joins, unless you want to slop out and be a general grunt I think they play the waiting game to see who has the staying power (or if they can get better recruits in the mean time).
Rather than relying on the forums go back to the recruitment office and have a chat with them.
Rather than relying on the forums go back to the recruitment office and have a chat with them.
Thanks stigmundfreud I intend on speaking to the recruitment office tomorrow if I get chance.
The only positive is that people who are in a similar position to me may find other employment, get bored or die of old age which should shorten the queue for when recruitment starts again.
This is a nightmare really but I'll get there in the end.
The only positive is that people who are in a similar position to me may find other employment, get bored or die of old age which should shorten the queue for when recruitment starts again.
This is a nightmare really but I'll get there in the end.
stigmundfreud said:
and with active service from raf and army the rn I dare say are prime targets for the cuts at present
You'd be amazed at how many RN are out on OP HERRICK at the moment; my wife being one of them I even believe that, at one point, there were more RN and RAF in theatre than Army. Not a stat you'll hear quoted often by the media.
T350 Al said:
stigmundfreud said:
and with active service from raf and army the rn I dare say are prime targets for the cuts at present
You'd be amazed at how many RN are out on OP HERRICK at the moment; my wife being one of them I even believe that, at one point, there were more RN and RAF in theatre than Army. Not a stat you'll hear quoted often by the media.
As for the future less boats less subs and if they are very lucky one flat top....
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