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Royal Navy Aircrew Officer after graduating?

Hi all,

Just wanted to ask for a bit of advice to anyone with knowledge of the Royal Navy. So I'm in my final year of my Physics & Astronomy BSc degree and am considering my options for when I graduate. I'm no longer sure that I'm suited to a desk job, and over the past 6-8 months have become really interested in the Royal Navy graduate-officer scheme. I am very attracted to the Fleet air arm, particularly pilot. I know this is a job that most people prepare for for a long time, but was wondering if anyone has any experience of applying to RN aircrew (or RAF, army etc) as a graduate, and what their experience was? Cheers
Original post by Walt_kovacs
Hi all,

Just wanted to ask for a bit of advice to anyone with knowledge of the Royal Navy. So I'm in my final year of my Physics & Astronomy BSc degree and am considering my options for when I graduate. I'm no longer sure that I'm suited to a desk job, and over the past 6-8 months have become really interested in the Royal Navy graduate-officer scheme. I am very attracted to the Fleet air arm, particularly pilot. I know this is a job that most people prepare for for a long time, but was wondering if anyone has any experience of applying to RN aircrew (or RAF, army etc) as a graduate, and what their experience was? Cheers


Hi there

I am currently in the process of becoming an aircrewman and come from a Naval family so have a good amount of experience. I won a gliding scholarship from the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association which gave me great insight especially as my family are all submariners. I highly recommend you check out the FAAOA website for more information.

Joining the RN over the Army and the RAF will see you being deployed more as the naval personnel are deployed the most over their careers. When I was with the navy for gliding of the summer there were pilots there who weren't on block leave who were training and flying with the army apache's, so there is a chance you won't just be restricted to the Wildcat or Merlin. With the army or the RAF you will either be at an air station or abroad whereas with the Navy you could be on the back of ship, on an aircraft carrier, as well as land.

The best way to find out about the Navy hands on is to go to your local Armed Forces Careers office (AFCO) and ask about becoming a pilot. If you have a University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) approach them as soon as possible and they will set you up either with a specialist recruiter or even a visit to 727 NAS. The moment you tell the careers advisor that you have a degree in Physics or will do soon they will want you, the RN are keen on science based degrees especially the FAA.

Do look at the engineering roles too as I believe you would be eligible for the 27k joining bonus as an engineering officer.
Reply 2
Original post by Teebowe
Hi there

I am currently in the process of becoming an aircrewman and come from a Naval family so have a good amount of experience. I won a gliding scholarship from the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association which gave me great insight especially as my family are all submariners. I highly recommend you check out the FAAOA website for more information.

Joining the RN over the Army and the RAF will see you being deployed more as the naval personnel are deployed the most over their careers. When I was with the navy for gliding of the summer there were pilots there who weren't on block leave who were training and flying with the army apache's, so there is a chance you won't just be restricted to the Wildcat or Merlin. With the army or the RAF you will either be at an air station or abroad whereas with the Navy you could be on the back of ship, on an aircraft carrier, as well as land.

The best way to find out about the Navy hands on is to go to your local Armed Forces Careers office (AFCO) and ask about becoming a pilot. If you have a University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) approach them as soon as possible and they will set you up either with a specialist recruiter or even a visit to 727 NAS. The moment you tell the careers advisor that you have a degree in Physics or will do soon they will want you, the RN are keen on science based degrees especially the FAA.

Do look at the engineering roles too as I believe you would be eligible for the 27k joining bonus as an engineering officer.

Hi, thanks for the detailed response. :smile: And congrats getting on with being an aircrewman, what stage are you at exactly? And have you chosen a specific role?

Yeah, I'm pretty convinced the I favour the FAA over the RAF and AAC, seems like it could be more fun and varied, although I'm sure it's very competitive. Engineering officer is also something I've considered, if they'd let me in with my degree. I will make a visit to my local careers office when I finish up with uni in the next couple weeks.

Are you applying straight from school or are you/have you been to university?

Cheers!
Original post by Walt_kovacs
Hi, thanks for the detailed response. :smile: And congrats getting on with being an aircrewman, what stage are you at exactly? And have you chosen a specific role?

Yeah, I'm pretty convinced the I favour the FAA over the RAF and AAC, seems like it could be more fun and varied, although I'm sure it's very competitive. Engineering officer is also something I've considered, if they'd let me in with my degree. I will make a visit to my local careers office when I finish up with uni in the next couple weeks.

Are you applying straight from school or are you/have you been to university?

Cheers!

Heya

I’m just waiting for my PRNC date at the moment. I have put down on my application to specialise with the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) but it’s not 100% yet. I did score highly on all my tests including flying aptitude test so I should get the specialisation I want but wouldn’t be fussed with either.

I’m currently second year a levels going in around September next year, hopefully straight after a level results.
Reply 4
Original post by Teebowe
Heya

I’m just waiting for my PRNC date at the moment. I have put down on my application to specialise with the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) but it’s not 100% yet. I did score highly on all my tests including flying aptitude test so I should get the specialisation I want but wouldn’t be fussed with either.

I’m currently second year a levels going in around September next year, hopefully straight after a level results.

Very nice man, good luck to you!

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