RAF or Navy?

Hi,
after looking into raf careers in great detail and finding a great passion for Intelligence, i know that this area is what i really want to be doing. i hope to apply for officer, then, if i am unsuccessful, apply for analyst. However, i have friends in both the raf and the navy, and my matloe friends (i use the term affectionately) say i should look into the navy (unsurprisingly). I have looked on the website and read all material given to me by my AFCO, but obviously there is no direct comparison between raf intelligence and navy communications and intelligence, nor does there seem to be a job title 'intelligence officer' in the royal navy (although there is in U.S.).

I wonder if anyone can shed some light on the most similar naval job to raf intelligence officer and how they differ???

It is the actual day to day work and lifestyle that is most important to me, but there are of course other factors too. for example, i live in a town called Helston, right next to RNAS Culdrose (although unfortunately about 200 miles from the nearest RAF base) and as i hope this to be a long career, having the option of moving closer to home/family at a later stage in my career would be a big bonus. I understand that Culdrose has an airborne surveillance squadron, which includes an 'intelligence officer' (according to the website). but is this a naval or raf officer? I can only seem to find naval 'Comm. and Info. Systems Specialist' or 'Comm. Technician' as a job title? and is it even possible to request working at a particular base?

I have had my P2 raf presentation and am waiting for the IntO branch to reopen early next year to be interviewed, so hopefully i have plenty of time to gather as much info as possible before making an informed decision. Well, thats the plan anyway. So any help much appreciated.

Thanks so much, sorry for the essay...

Reply 1

skisimon

1

It pains me to say it, but if you really want to become an intelligence officer, then the RAF is your best choice. Most intelligence work done by the RN is actually conducted by the Reserves (who do have a specialist intelligence branch).

The 'intelligence' roles that you can apply directly for in the RN are for ratings only. There are some intelligence opportunities for officers, however they become a specialization after a few years. CIS officers are engineers, charged with keeping the comms and info systems working which then gather the data.

I might direct you to this RumRation thread which goes into slightly more detail about how little intelligence there is in the senior service.

Reply 2

natjayne

In terms of quality of life, I would say that the RAF is your best option (although I am biased).
You get free healthcare, dental care, good hols, good pay (especially as an officer); all worth considering in the "current ecenomic climate".

And of course, you are based on dry land...

Reply 3

djmarkmclachlan

AmyLou_Int

Hi,
after looking into raf careers in great detail and finding a great passion for Intelligence, i know that this area is what i really want to be doing. i hope to apply for officer, then, if i am unsuccessful, apply for analyst. However, i have friends in both the raf and the navy, and my matloe friends (i use the term affectionately) say i should look into the navy (unsurprisingly). I have looked on the website and read all material given to me by my AFCO, but obviously there is no direct comparison between raf intelligence and navy communications and intelligence, nor does there seem to be a job title 'intelligence officer' in the royal navy (although there is in U.S.).

I wonder if anyone can shed some light on the most similar naval job to raf intelligence officer and how they differ???

It is the actual day to day work and lifestyle that is most important to me, but there are of course other factors too. for example, i live in a town called Helston, right next to RNAS Culdrose (although unfortunately about 200 miles from the nearest RAF base) and as i hope this to be a long career, having the option of moving closer to home/family at a later stage in my career would be a big bonus. I understand that Culdrose has an airborne surveillance squadron, which includes an 'intelligence officer' (according to the website). but is this a naval or raf officer? I can only seem to find naval 'Comm. and Info. Systems Specialist' or 'Comm. Technician' as a job title? and is it even possible to request working at a particular base?

I have had my P2 raf presentation and am waiting for the IntO branch to reopen early next year to be interviewed, so hopefully i have plenty of time to gather as much info as possible before making an informed decision. Well, thats the plan anyway. So any help much appreciated.

Thanks so much, sorry for the essay...

You also use it wrongly! You're not alone, there's too many lads in the RN spell it as mattlow and all sorts of other variations.

I read into this a little in the past, as a mate was thinking the exact same as you, and I'd go with Simon on this one.

I imagine another reason for wanting to stay near there is the cider? Seems that everyone who goes to SeaHawk becomes a cider drinker, talking of a mystical "Rattler"... :confused:

A mate of mine, from Helston, never shut up about the stuff!

Wrt. requesting to work at a particular base, yes, you can. Though, as I'm sure you appreciate, it's not a guarantee.

Sorry, not really much help, hope all works out well for you!

:top:

Reply 4

djmarkmclachlan

natjayne

In terms of quality of life, I would say that the RAF is your best option (although I am biased).
You get free healthcare, dental care, good hols, good pay (especially as an officer); all worth considering in the "current ecenomic climate".

And of course, you are based on dry land...

What on earth are you chatting about? Every single point there could be said of Navy personnel.

Also, you'll find that even RAF are finding themselves bobbing around in the oggin, as equally the RN are finding themselves in hot, sandy places.

:top:

Reply 5

tissue

natjayne

In terms of quality of life, I would say that the RAF is your best option (although I am biased).
You get free healthcare, dental care, good hols, good pay (especially as an officer); all worth considering in the "current ecenomic climate".

And of course, you are based on dry land...

Are you serious?

djmarkmclachlan

Seems that everyone who goes to SeaHawk becomes a cider drinker, talking of a mystical "Rattler"... A mate of mine, from Helston, never shut up about the stuff!

You have not lived if you haven't at least tried one of them! When ever i go down i try and bring as many back as the bank ballance (and boot) will allow! I was well chuffed when i found that the Tesco near Culdrose sold them!

As far as the original post is concerened if you have your heart set on Intel then the RAF would probably be the better option, however if you really want to be based near home in the future then the RN would seem to be your only option, going in and specialising at a later date, unless of course you decided to go in as an rating.

Mr T

Reply 6

ChannieAlana

16

Does it matter? MEN IN UNIFORM!!!! :drool:

Reply 7

Drewski

19

Well, personal allegiances do make me somewhat biased*. RAF IntO has to be the way forward. The involvement, the access, the variety of jobs - in my opinion - can't be beaten.

*OK, blatent lie, I'm going to IOT in 2 months to become an IntO, I'm incredibly biased.

Reply 8

Mgodwin88

djmarkmclachlan

I imagine another reason for wanting to stay near there is the cider? Seems that everyone who goes to SeaHawk becomes a cider drinker, talking of a mystical "Rattler"... :confused:

A mate of mine, from Helston, never shut up about the stuff!

:

You talk of Cornish Rattler. I can not remember a thing about Saturday night after my 6th pint of it. Lethal stuff!

Reply 9

AmyLou_Int

OP

1

Thanks for all the advice, i've definitely realsied i have my heart set on the RAF; and the prospects for a career in Int are certainly better.

Also, i hope my interviewer asks me questions on Rattler, as i now feel able to answer questions on its popularity! so thanks :wink:

TISSUE- You do not have to go all the way to tescos in Helston for your fix. They sell it in Plymouth, and even Bristol now... the cornish are slowly taking over the country :smile:

Personally, i have a penchant for the pear stuff! :wink:

Reply 10

djmarkmclachlan

ChannieAlana

Does it matter? MEN IN UNIFORM!!!! :drool:

Shame none of the girls within drinking distance to any base don't think like that - we have to lie and say we're mechanics to get anywhere (granted on the most it's deserved when the lads use and abuse them). However, and it's ironic, go out in number 1 dress and you need to fight them off with a stick... Just no consistancy there! :mad:

Mgodwin88

You talk of Cornish Rattler. I can not remember a thing about Saturday night after my 6th pint of it. Lethal stuff!

Lol, so I've heard. People down that way swear by it; I had a picture of a Merlin with it painted on the side when on deployment but I seem to have lost it. Beats the numerous cocks drawn on the harriers here at 20. Can't even pick up a paper before 9AM without it being plastered with them!

Nah dude, you want Stella. It's the original and the best, they don't call it wifebeater for nothing, bursts what little braincells I have left! (Although, if I had the choice, a pint of Tennents would be it everytime... :cool:

)

AmyLou_Int

Thanks for all the advice, i've definitely realsied i have my heart set on the RAF; and the prospects for a career in Int are certainly better.

Also, i hope my interviewer asks me questions on Rattler, as i now feel able to answer questions on its popularity! so thanks :wink:

TISSUE- You do not have to go all the way to tescos in Helston for your fix. They sell it in Plymouth, and even Bristol now... the cornish are slowly taking over the country :smile:

Personally, i have a penchant for the pear stuff! :wink:

I thought Cornwall was already it's own country with it's own language, and mystical creatures impersonating peoples with 6 toes per hand? :wink:

"Your mothers your borthers your sister." :thrasher:

Reply 11

Yoof the Fifer

djmarkmclachlan

Shame none of the girls within drinking distance to any base don't think like that :mad:

Beats the numerous cocks drawn on the harriers here at 20.

First point - very true

Second point - you back in now?

Thirdly - How the devil mate?!

Reply 12

GR29KHS

2

OP have you considered GCHQ in Cheltenham? Last time I looked they were recruiting.

Reply 13

djmarkmclachlan

Yoof the Fifer

First point - very true

Second point - you back in now?

Thirdly - How the devil mate?!

Sure am mate, been back in a while now. The whole student thing wasn't suiting me (well, the circumstances of such), so plan the current plan A is UY (RN commissioning from ranks) and shipped of the Southampton's 5* Aero Engineering dept, with a nice pay packet at the same time. :wink:

Spot on mate. You a full 3 now? Which aircraft/ role you got? I haven't seen you in a while, my MSN's the same (if you've got it): [email protected] - give's a shout.

:top: