Navy General Chat

mikey123

What do you have do for the selection?

Dont worry mate, you will get there, im pretty sure most rates in the navy after a couple of years will be leading hands. And new news for the submarine service there looking at new rates going into the submarine service going striaght in as LH's. Keeping an eye on this one.

Reply 382

*Jude*

i thought you were going into the RAF, perhaps i'm getting confused??

I would (obviously) love to fly the Typhoon around, however, I will be applying for the RN too. And also the AAC if they'll let me fly for them!

Robmister

Howdy folks! I'm wondering if any of you can recommed a book/website I can read to help me pass the Psychometric Test. I've already done it once and failed it by 14 marks, so this time around I'm going to do some hard revision before sitting it again.

If any of you can help I'd appercite it alot.

Look over some GSCE standard stuff, that's as high a standard as is required and examined.

Robmister

I want to join as a CSM [Communications Submarine] and I failed on the Mechinal Comprehension, could of been abit better on the maths side though lol

So you passed everything but the mechanical comprehension? Well, look up how cogs work, tools work, stuff like that (mechanical stuff), until you have a basic knowledge.

tricky_rn

Dont worry about it to much mate, i did crap on my maths as i didnt have time to finish so i just random ticked like 15 questions. Try contacting your AFCO for some more books to practis. You can get a video on the physc tests to. il have a look for you. Im going in as OM (W) but it could also be WSW on a submarine. We will see.

Thatta boy, 'OM (W)' - finally figured out what you're gonna join up as? :P

I still don't understand how you can go UW. Mates of mine (OM's, MEM's, Chef's) all have (SM) at the end of their job title, you don't - so therefor you're expected to become surface fleet OM. I'm not saying it's not possible for a change in the future, but not anytime during Raleigh, Collingwood, or anytime in the near future.

Robmister

The Maths part is hard though because I can't grasp doing the sums in my head, I need to write them down and do it the slow way - that takes up extra time.

So I take it, your after excitement in the Warfare Branch?

Get a piece of paper and write it down, I understand it takes longer, but if you need to - then do it. Maths is a funny subject, it takes time to learn, some longer than others - but it's a case of do as many examples as you can and you'll become more competant and a lot faster at doing that type of problem. So practice GSCE stuff, loads of it!

tricky_rn

Oh yes! apprently its one of the best places to be on surface fleet, Mark will proberly dis-agree with me now like on everything, but yeah. Half my family are in the navy and im pretty close to my cousin who joined last Jan and he loves it. Second to none! Other than that i could get drafted to WSW on subs to. But i hope not, i think the surface fleet is more for me, though you do get paid more on a sub!

Naturally! Though, honestly I'd rather become an MEM than an OM, job just doesn't sound appealing to me.

I mean, ask OldSubmariner, I bet he didn't join as a Warfare Officer and just got drafted to Astute I believe he's on. You join as a submariner, when you join, not suddenly get re-branched once you join (unless you apply).

Dagg

Regarding flying in the Navy, I heard that you don't need to have quite as sharp eyesight as that needed to get into the RAF. And was just curious about whether anyone knew any specifics about this?

Thanks in advance.

PS - Sorry if this issue has been covered before.

Eye sight requirements are 6/6/1/1; the same as the RAF. The reason that 'some' say this, is not because the RN are gagging for pilots, just that they might have an applicant who is perfect otherwise, and just short, in which case they can be flexible - as can the RAF, just that they have a larger pool to fish in, and don't tend to have to drop their standards. I know this because I sat the eye sight alongwith other medical stuff, while serving at Sultan (where the AIB and Officer + Aircrew Medical Board is sat).

Scotsman88

the reason is that the NAVY are not as good as the RAF! no only jocking. My friends starts as a pilot after he finishes UNI, so next sept. he told me they are not as strict as the RAF, as the NAVY need to recruit more pilots, so they cant be as Picky as the RAF, who get loads of candidates applying for pilot! hope this helps. If this is not true, someone let me know please!

No, it's not true. The requirements are in effect for a reason, because they are required. Now an ever so slight adjustment perhaps, but nothing major would be accepted - and they wouldn't meet their requirements for that year, though that's unlikely to happen. The RN don't recruit more pilots, take 2004 as an example, 41 pilot slots were up for grabs, 9 of which going onto the FJ stream for 2004. Compared to the RAF the RN recruit a lot less pilots (as you would expect :wink:

).

Ergo bibamus

Dagg mate, the problem with asking about advice on medical stuff on forums like these is that loads of people know someone who knows someone who's girlfriend's brother's mate got into the Navy as pilot despite being blind, or something. Try giving your careers office a bell, or get a number for the Fleet Air Arm themselves and try that. Nothing to lose! For what it's worth, I've certainly heard of more people being unfit for the RAF but got into the Navy than vice versa, on everything from eyesight to functional reach, so good luck!

LMAO, thanks for that.

Ergo bibamus

JD and tricky, I take it that the Shipmates book is based on the tv series. I wasn't too impressed by that show myself, is the book any better? Can anyone recommend any other good books on the navy?

I've got a few in my bag - never read them. I'll fish them out and post them.

tricky_rn

Shipmates Book is Great 10/10, especialy "life in a blue suit" and the new recruits going into raliegh (will soon be me: 6th of feb, ahh) A lot better than the series. The book somewhat is inspiring where as the series wasnt really. I only liked the first and the thired chapters of the tv series any way and didnt think it was great as there was so much more it could of unlocked about the navy and the sailors who make the navy "the team works" ect. But hey, he was only allowed five episodes so maybe it wasnt his fault to, a years filming into five episodes. I blame the BBC not Chris.

''blue suit''? The Navy wear black; it's the Air Force who wear blue. :wink:

OK, I can't comment on the TV programme, however I'll take from a general concensus that it sucked, oh well - that's the Navy's plans of injecting a little 'life' into the recruitment sector up a certain creek,, without a certain paddle.

Ergo bibamus

hey, apologies if this is well known to you all but I've just been made aware of this site:
http://navy-matters.beedall.com/index.html

which has loads of funky stuff on the Navy, especially the future and where it's headed, could be useful interview prep.

Also, has anyone been on the POC visit to Yeovilton? I've got one coming up soon, and was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to make the best out of it. What's it like? Are there any opportunities to do your own thing, or do you follow the itinerary to the letter? Anything anyone can recommend doing?

Cheers in advance

Was down there for a bit, wasn't based there, wasn't on a POC. I was led around the 'Junglie' circuit mainly, and it was more of a 'here's your job in a years time' kind of thing. They were pretty tight there mind, just if that helps atall.

Recommend doing... in Yeovil? Lol, There's nothing to do.

big_pd

It depends whether you want to be a pilot or observer. Also fast jet pilots need perfect vision whereas the rotary get a little more leway. For observer the eyetest is not as strict. If you want to find out contact the aircrew medical board at HMS Sultan and they will tell you.

If you join as a pilot, you don't get streamed after your medical, and the standard is the same at this point for RW or FJ, so - the standard of eyesight is the same, though, Observer is a little lower.

mikey123

Can someone tell me the selection proscess for NCOs? i need it for my coursework but will be useful as i am joining n all

Though I already replied, the Navy don't have NCO's; they have JR's and SR's, you'll get pulled up for that by some SR's.

mikey123

What do you have do for the selection?

Do a maths and english test, I've not sat it nor seen it, but by the quality of some of the Killicks around - it must be easy enough. You'll do leadership exercises, you'll do walks and stuff on the Brecons, and you'll have all your RORS3's read over to make sure you've been a good boy/girl throughout your time serving.

tricky_rn

Dont worry mate, you will get there, im pretty sure most rates in the navy after a couple of years will be leading hands. And new news for the submarine service there looking at new rates going into the submarine service going striaght in as LH's. Keeping an eye on this one.

It's not guaranteed. Even if it's expected. And as I've mentioned and explained in detail before, it's a little longer than a 'few years' unless you're 'fast-tracked', not like the old Tiff's jobs, who were LH's in no time, now everyone has an equal chance to shine in the ET trades.

No. Doesn't happen, won't happen. You know what a LH is? It's someone who has passed training, and actually been front-line service, doing his/her job and knows the in's and out's of their job well, how do you propose that they throw a fresh matelot in as a LH to take control of guys in his field? Example, again FAA: a LH is in charge of the logs tools servicing the aircraft, he know's what is required for the job, and it's his responsibility to make sure that at the end of the job that the spanners torque drivers or anything else attained is replaced, as not to fly the aircraft into the sea, how can you expect someone to join up and fulfill his job, straight from the offset? Another thing, what's the rank above LH? It's PO. What do a vast amount of men and woman in the Navy end their careers on? PO. So you're gonna stick a guy straight in there with no experience? Seriously, I don't know where you get this stuff from. People will not join as LH's.

Reply 383

djmarkmclachlan

It's not guaranteed. Even if it's expected. And as I've mentioned and explained in detail before, it's a little longer than a 'few years' unless you're 'fast-tracked', not like the old Tiff's jobs, who were LH's in no time, now everyone has an equal chance to shine in the ET trades.

--------------------

From what i have been told from various PO's, CPO's and Officers in the Navy from Raliegh to Rosyth in Scotland to my Local AFCO, is that there is going to be a gap due to (OM) restructuring in the RN. It has been said that there is nothing stopping me for achieving PO status by the time im 30 and a leading hand (LH) in a few years meaning 2, 3, 4 years Depending on how hard you work at it i guess. Also i have been told by HMS Collinwood and my AFCO that its all going to be changed when i join as an OM from Feb. That after Raleigh at Collinwood, instead of going in as general OM (W) and being trained as an OM (W) i will have to choose and be able to specialise in a particular trade. But everyone else who joins from Feb onwards will have to choose what they want to do back at the AFCO Such as OM (AW) *above water warfare* OM (UW) *Under water warfare, OM (EW) *Electronic Warfare, OM (W) *will be mainly weapons handling and loading and another wich will be specialising in seamanship only. This letter i got sent from HMS collinwood and also the AFCO wanted to know if i was ok with it as it was different from what i was told as they where making final preps to it when i had my AFCO interview ect last June. Also because i qualify to be put on Volunteer basis for training to be a submariner (WSM) *weapons submarine, i was told that the navy are "looking" into ratings going striaght in as LH (Leading Hand), I know this from where i work with the MOD in Abbeywood, Bristol and speaking to one of the recruiment officers at lunch last week and was also mentioned during my visit to Scotland from 4 current submariners up in faslane. Maybe you get even more training by going into submariner?? who knows, but that is the truth matey.

:wink:

Reply 384

"life in a blue suit"

Ratings mostly wear blue uniforms while working. General Navy Ratings work dress No 4's (4th rig) are blue with dark blue combats and blue beret or cap and your No 8's overalls are blue, you got your 3rd rig which is mainly tropics but there white or you have blue 3rd rig, infact i even have the MOD links to the uniform pages which will tell you what i have told you and your 2nd rig is black. Pretty much everyone else wears blue unless its officers or your doing something special ! 8's are the same ones you have to do you swimming test in! ... anyhow... How long ago where you in the Navy? And the term being in the Navy is called by jacks "life in a blue suit" If thats wrong maybe you should write to the BBC and the Royal Navy and put them right Mr Mark. :wink:

Reply 385

Although your No 1 uniform looks black, it is blue, just very dark, hence the name life in a blue suit. The term came into being long before the introduction of 4s, 8s etc.

JR

Reply 386

Ergo bibamus

Also, has anyone been on the POC visit to Yeovilton? I've got one coming up soon, and was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to make the best out of it. What's it like? Are there any opportunities to do your own thing, or do you follow the itinerary to the letter? Anything anyone can recommend doing?

POC visits tend to follow a programme. They normally aim to show a variety of aspects of the service, so visits to Faslane where I work normally go on board a submarine, a ship, simulators,workshops etc. You'll also socialise in the Wardroom at lunch and during the evening where you get further opportunities to speak to serving officers and get their (usually cynical) opinions on service life. It's not possible usually to allow the POCs to do their own thing, I'm sure you understand both the security and health and safety issues of allowing visitors to roam freely around a military air station. My advice would be to go with an open mind, take the chance to speak to people at all levels and see whether there are any roles which take your fancy.

JR

Reply 387

OldSubmariner

Although your No 1 uniform looks black, it is blue, just very dark, hence the name life in a blue suit. The term came into being long before the introduction of 4s, 8s etc.

JR

When i had mine i thought it was very dark blue, but thought maybe it was the light or something!

Reply 388

[QUOTE="tricky_rn"]

djmarkmclachlan

It's not guaranteed. Even if it's expected. And as I've mentioned and explained in detail before, it's a little longer than a 'few years' unless you're 'fast-tracked', not like the old Tiff's jobs, who were LH's in no time, now everyone has an equal chance to shine in the ET trades.

--------------------

From what i have been told from various PO's, CPO's and Officers in the Navy from Raliegh to Rosyth in Scotland to my Local AFCO, is that there is going to be a gap due to (OM) restructuring in the RN. It has been said that there is nothing stopping me for achieving PO status by the time im 30 and a leading hand (LH) in a few years meaning 2, 3, 4 years Depending on how hard you work at it i guess. Also i have been told by HMS Collinwood and my AFCO that its all going to be changed when i join as an OM from Feb. That after Raleigh at Collinwood, instead of going in as general OM (W) and being trained as an OM (W) i will have to choose and be able to specialise in a particular trade. But everyone else who joins from Feb onwards will have to choose what they want to do back at the AFCO Such as OM (AW) *above water warfare* OM (UW) *Under water warfare, OM (EW) *Electronic Warfare, OM (W) *will be mainly weapons handling and loading and another wich will be specialising in seamanship only. This letter i got sent from HMS collinwood and also the AFCO wanted to know if i was ok with it as it was different from what i was told as they where making final preps to it when i had my AFCO interview ect last June. Also because i qualify to be put on Volunteer basis for training to be a submariner (WSM) *weapons submarine, i was told that the navy are "looking" into ratings going striaght in as LH (Leading Hand), I know this from where i work with the MOD in Abbeywood, Bristol and speaking to one of the recruiment officers at lunch last week and was also mentioned during my visit to Scotland from 4 current submariners up in faslane. Maybe you get even more training by going into submariner?? who knows, but that is the truth matey.

:wink:

What age are you now? Did you say 21? Joining up at that age, the way things are looking right now - it's possible to become a PO by the time you're 30, yes. You will have to excell. I don't wish to cause offence, but you're spelling and grammar is terrible, and that could hold you back a little. A LR within a couple of years, is feasible; however it is not guaranteed, and is unlikely if you are not fast tracked. The thing about being recommended for LH is that, during your specialist training, if you're selected for the fast track scheme, then you'll follow it and be a LH in no time, if you're not - then you won't become a LH for more than a 'few' years. This is due to the selection for LH, you'll have to be put forward for it, while completing your initial training, or after you complete your books. As to completing your books, it's not a 'work at your own pace' thing, it's a 'tick next to the box when you've done this' thing, which other OM's will also be eager to complete. Sorry, but you were told by Collingwood? Explain?

Mate I think you're seriously sucking up the **** they're throwing at you. You're joining as an OM (W), not an OM (C), as they already have people filling those slots.

It's AWW for Above Water Warfare, not AW, as is it UWW, not UW. You might be getting confused because you've seen a branch badge from a set of 4's, which only have the 'AW' or 'UW', this being because they have the 'warfare' emblym above it, hence: UWW/AWW.

There's really going to be part of the ships company picking up rifles all day, and another tieing knots all day? Do you realise how stupid that sounds?

OK mate, it's Collingwood, not collinwood - seeing as you recieved a letter from 'them?' you'd might know that. Collingwood is where OM's do their Phase 2 and then move off and onto their ships. So what exactly did this letter say? From the OC, telling you what exactly?

Volunteer basis? What you on about? You either join the subs, or you don't, not part-time submariner or anything like that. You don't have to explain what LH is, I know what it is - honestly. As I've said before, you will never join the Navy as a Leading Hand. Please stop talking about it, because it has not, does not, and WILL NOT happen. Never has it happened in the time of the Navy, and it's not going to happen now, no matter if the Queen Mother tells you so. Oh I think I'll join the Navy, may I join as a Rear Admiral, seeing as their aren't very many of them?

Yes, if you join as a submariner you get more training, for one - you get to do go in a big tank. I know submariners myself, all of whom already serving on the subs, and they've not mentioned anything about this.

I'm sorry, but seriously I'm getting tired of replying to these threads, because no offence - you're talking crap. OldSubmariner politely told you the last time you're 'not quite right', well I'm more forward, you're sucking up all the wrong stuff. I've tried to advise you with what I can, if you have a question please feel free to ask, but don't constantly question me. If I don't know the answer to something - I won't post it, if I'm argueing then it's for a reason. Sorry but I've reached the end of my teather, I struggle to understand what you are saying, with your poor use of puntuation and bad spelling. Good luck becoming an OM, or a PWO - whatever you end up becoming.

Reply 389

tricky_rn

"life in a blue suit"

Ratings mostly wear blue uniforms while working. General Navy Ratings work dress No 4's (4th rig) are blue with dark blue combats and blue beret or cap and your No 8's overalls are blue, you got your 3rd rig which is mainly tropics but there white or you have blue 3rd rig, infact i even have the MOD links to the uniform pages which will tell you what i have told you and your 2nd rig is black. Pretty much everyone else wears blue unless its officers or your doing something special ! 8's are the same ones you have to do you swimming test in! ... anyhow... How long ago where you in the Navy? And the term being in the Navy is called by jacks "life in a blue suit" If thats wrong maybe you should write to the BBC and the Royal Navy and put them right Mr Mark. :wink:

No, they wear their 4's when the job might get their 3's dirty, other than that - they wear 3's and caps. Why are you explaining to me what the 4's look like? I've wore them, I know. Your overalls are not part of your 4's, thats wrong. WHAT? Seriously, learn to form sentences please, I can't understand this. Your 3's are not 'tropics', it's white shirt, no top button, white cap, black trousers and shoes. You have blue 3rd rig? No you don't. Please post this, cause you seem to be getting seriously mixed up. The rig of the day determines what you wear and it's on Daily Orders, if they say 3rd - you don't turn up in your make-shift black trousers and blue shirt. You're second rig is not black. Wrong, you wear blue if you're 'working', other than that it's white, and nothing to do with special events, if it's a special event - you'll be in your bell-bottoms. 8's is not what you do the swimming test in, remember kindly I don't need to be told what is done - I have been there and done it, you'll be in your swimming gear and will have coveralls on, simple as that. I left the Navy on the 23rd of June. Write to them and say whats wrong? They're not wrong, its you.

--------------

OldSubmariner

Although your No 1 uniform looks black, it is blue, just very dark, hence the name life in a blue suit. The term came into being long before the introduction of 4s, 8s etc.

JR

Yeah, back in the old days of having two number 1's I'm guessing. The non-commissioned is definately black and not blue, orelse I'm seriously colourblind, which I'm not.

The Officers dress, looks pretty black to me too. :confused:

Reply 390

Ah yeah, sorry about my spelling and grammar, I can spell and i can have good grammar when i want. But you get the grasp of what i was saying. Ok big suck ups from me then and your right Mark i didnt mean to question you like that, must of been a bad day or something, i am sorry. The letter from HMS Collingwood stated that the OM (W) structure is changing though and will be from when i join them and its operating on this new structure from Feb onwards. The AFCO gave me a rough line of it because currently being an OM (W) your a bit of everything on the ship!? But it was explained to me that instead of going into warfare being an OM, "I will have to choose a specialization" as they put it, such as AWW and UWW ect ect... I think im listening to myself a bit to much which im not afraid to admit when im wrong. We all do it.

sorry ladys. :wink:

Reply 391

Volunteering for the submarine service means I have entered in as volunteer. So i could get drafted at anytime during my career with the Navy to be a submariner which then would be permanent, (after the submariner training... ect) that is to my understanding or even after Raleigh. If i was drafted i would go through the submariner training and then id go into training for WSW. I was told that I could be drafted after my basic training to if I was lucky enough. Im new to all this stuff, But it will come to me at Raleigh and in time as long as i keep my head down and crack on with it.

Reply 392

You're right, you could be taken at any stage for submarine training though it's most likely that you will be streamed at the end of your basic training. The Operator Maintainer officially no longer exists and no warfare branch ratings will receive maintainer trainer anymore. As a WSM you'll be mainly working in the Weapons Compartment and be responsible for looking after the Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles. The RN Website is not quite up to date but most of the details given about OM(WSM) still holds true.

p.s. get off your high horse DJ, I've come across enough people in the service who get confused about what's what with regard to uniform, especially after all the numbers changed a few years back. I'll say it again, just so there's no confusion, RN uniforms whether junior rates square rig, senior rates or officers number 1s are blue, just very dark. If you don't believe it, visit Gieves and Hawkes, No 1 Saville Row, highly overpriced military tailors, and ask them. Tricky - this link will show the different uniforms we wear.
http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/pages/7097.html

Reply 393

So do have more idea of what the labels are going to be in the RN surface fleet at all?? I was told they are scraping the OM to in the letter and that they are going to split up what was OM (W) so that you either go in and train as above water warfare or under water warfare.. ect specificly other than do a bit of both which is the current way on ships as its not really working out for the navy i suppose. But they havent given me any information about any new labels to me yet and the AFCO said the navy havent decided what to do with the labels. If someone could get more info on this that would be great or i might phone the AFCO and see if they know any more about it as i dont really know whats going on about it apart from in the letter, as it just says they are changing it and that i will have to choose a branch within the new warfare dept structure when i reach collingwood. They havent been able to give me any detials though they said. Also on another note wondering if you can give me any insight to what its like serving on a sub oldsumariner, i know a few detials on books and dvd's but nothing like hearing from proper people with out scripts what its like. Its just im a little afriad that its going to be a bit bleak not seeing daylight and how does it effect the crew you work with? Also do you get as many port visits as the surface fleet? How ever working on a sub does interest me a lot which is why i applied to be a volunteer for the sub service in the navy.

cheers,

Kent :wink:

Reply 394

I'm out of office visiting Navigation Simulators until thursday, but once back I'll trawl through the intranet and see what I can dig out about the new warfare branch structure and post. As for life on submarines, I never noticed lack of sunlight, there again I live in the West of Scotland so I don't get much sunlight anyway. Submarines do get less port visits for lots of reasons - many places don't feel comfortable about having a nuclear reactor coming to visit, submarines have a deeper draught than surface ships so can't physically get in to as many places, and submariners can cope with going more than 5 days without receiving a letter. Recent port visits have included Rio de Janeiro, Simons Town (Cape Town SA), Dubai, Souda Bay, Gibraltar, Sardinia, Florida and Georgia USA, Halifax (Nova Scotia not Yorkshire), Singapore and Western Australia. We also have the advantage of being put up in decent hotels during the visits and only having to return on board if a member of the duty watch (typically 1 or 2 during a 6 day visit).
Submariners work a 1 in 2 watchbill, 6 hours on, 6 hours off as soon as we sail although you do get stand-downs during that (unless you are the Officer of the Watch). You have to learn about submarine systems to earn your dolphins and will probably have to "hot-bunk" that is during your 6 hours on watch, some-one else uses your bunk, but you get additional pay to compensate for the conditions. I didn't volunteer for submarines, but never regretted being drafted to them.

JR

Reply 395

tricky_rn

Ah yeah, sorry about my spelling and grammar, I can spell and i can have good grammar when i want. But you get the grasp of what i was saying. Ok big suck ups from me then and your right Mark i didnt mean to question you like that, must of been a bad day or something, i am sorry. The letter from HMS Collingwood stated that the OM (W) structure is changing though and will be from when i join them and its operating on this new structure from Feb onwards. The AFCO gave me a rough line of it because currently being an OM (W) your a bit of everything on the ship!? But it was explained to me that instead of going into warfare being an OM, "I will have to choose a specialization" as they put it, such as AWW and UWW ect ect... I think im listening to myself a bit to much which im not afraid to admit when im wrong. We all do it.

sorry ladys. :wink:

Ah well, use it then! The reason I said it is because I couldn't grasp what you where saying. If you can write properly, why not do it always? :wink:

I wasn't saying I'm always right, I know I'm not, nor do I know everything, however - as I've said previously, if there's something I don't know I generally dont tend to speculate, and leave it for someone who does know to answer. By no means did I mean, don't question me, I'm supreme or anything like that. This I don't understand, why did the CO of OM (W) training (not the CO of Collingwood) send you a letter to tell you, it should've been your AFCO CPO or WO who relayed the information. That's right, and you've argued with me on this before - I told you, better get used to painting (OM's are called painters, because they tend to be the ones painting the ship..). OM's do indeed have a mixed role, as does everyone else, infact, if I remember right - it's mostly OM's (though not always) who do ramp duty. Well, if that's right - then it's changed since I was in training, as I was an AET2, there was OM(W)(SM)2's in the mess next door to me, and OM(C)2's in my entry. Hence they were recruited for subs, not just flung into them once they had joined. Perhaps, but you constantly said you were being told by the AFCO. Just watch out, the AFCO spinned me a few fairytales too, and didn't even bother to tell me about the change from AEA to AET.

OldSubmariner

You're right, you could be taken at any stage for submarine training though it's most likely that you will be streamed at the end of your basic training. The Operator Maintainer officially no longer exists and no warfare branch ratings will receive maintainer trainer anymore. As a WSM you'll be mainly working in the Weapons Compartment and be responsible for looking after the Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles. The RN Website is not quite up to date but most of the details given about OM(WSM) still holds true.

p.s. get off your high horse DJ, I've come across enough people in the service who get confused about what's what with regard to uniform, especially after all the numbers changed a few years back. I'll say it again, just so there's no confusion, RN uniforms whether junior rates square rig, senior rates or officers number 1s are blue, just very dark. If you don't believe it, visit Gieves and Hawkes, No 1 Saville Row, highly overpriced military tailors, and ask them. Tricky - this link will show the different uniforms we wear.
http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/pages/7097.html

I wasn't on my high horse. I know of people being confused with the same things, and wasn't having a dig. I said they were black, because they look black. I take it back they're blue but look black - that better? :smile:

tricky_rn

So do have more idea of what the labels are going to be in the RN surface fleet at all?? I was told they are scraping the OM to in the letter and that they are going to split up what was OM (W) so that you either go in and train as above water warfare or under water warfare.. ect specificly other than do a bit of both which is the current way on ships as its not really working out for the navy i suppose. But they havent given me any information about any new labels to me yet and the AFCO said the navy havent decided what to do with the labels. If someone could get more info on this that would be great or i might phone the AFCO and see if they know any more about it as i dont really know whats going on about it apart from in the letter, as it just says they are changing it and that i will have to choose a branch within the new warfare dept structure when i reach collingwood. They havent been able to give me any detials though they said. Also on another note wondering if you can give me any insight to what its like serving on a sub oldsumariner, i know a few detials on books and dvd's but nothing like hearing from proper people with out scripts what its like. Its just im a little afriad that its going to be a bit bleak not seeing daylight and how does it effect the crew you work with? Also do you get as many port visits as the surface fleet? How ever working on a sub does interest me a lot which is why i applied to be a volunteer for the sub service in the navy.

cheers,

Kent :wink:

The labels? You mean the branch badges? Or the branch title? I wouldn't think they'd change the branch badge, as they kept it when swapping AE's to ET's.

Obviously, I wasn't a submariner and can't comment on life as one - however, I feel it's for a certain 'type' of person, I was on Trafalger, and I wouldn't have liked to be tall, fat or scared of confined spaces. Also, it was like (in my head) when that thing is under water, you're surrounded by water, and that put on edge a little.. just the idea of something happening and drowning really put me off. If you like the idea of subs though, like a lot do, then I can't imagine you'd be happy being surface fleet in the slightest.

Reply 396

djmarkmclachlan

I said they were black, because they look black. I take it back they're blue but look black - that better? :smile:

Exactly

Reply 397

Dcrowe

Hi,

I was shocked when I walked in to a letter last night telling me My AIB was in 3 weeks time and to start brushing up my naval knowledge.

My naval equipment knowledge is strong I think but I fall down on the Navy and its role in current affairs and I am not too sure where the best place to look is beyond the Website and reading a decent paper?? Any info would be gratefully recieved.

Second question is that I go to AIB for Aircrew after passing FATS for Observer and Pilot. Although I was not told the scores, the officer at Cranwell did say that my Pilot score was significantly higher than my observer score but that I could be offered either if im succesful. This worries me a bit because I could not help being dissapointed at being offered observer. Does anybody have an idea of current requirements and what other factors will make them decide what to offer??

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Reply 398