Jimbinho Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Recently I have been seriously considering joining the Navy. Im a 19 year old student and bored of my life and the situation I am in. Just wondering if anyone has served in the Navy and has any experience of what its like? Is it all the Navy website cracks it up to be or is it a nightmare? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan_R Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Not been in the Navy personally and I'm sure others will be able to give input in greater detail but my friend was in the Navy and loved it! We used to work together and she was never short of Navy tales. By the sounds of some of them think she got off lightly being female. Its tough but if you don't mind putting the work in, it sounds like a good time! She thoroughly enjoyed it anyway. I know that. (que a few sailor jibes now!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wibble Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Sometimes it's a hoot ... and sometimes it's not ... I imagine that most people enjoy their time in the services and if you want to gain skills etc. then it's great for that too, but you always have to remember that at some stage you may be asked to do things that put you through hell both physically and mentally. You might be lucky and have a great time or you might end up a casualty. Also, you will be deployed in a role that suits the need of the Navy first and foremost. There is less opportunity for YOU to decide your career path, so you might find that what you thought would happen, doesn't. The last thing to remember is that once you have signed up you can't get out very easily and after your service you can still be called up for active service for years afterwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acey Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 John Findlay in three...two... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
number16 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 If you're at university, see if you can join the University Royal Naval Unit (URNU). If you can get in it'll give you a better idea of what you might be joining. A few tidy birds in them aswell (at least in Aberdeen over the last few years). Again, if you go to the Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) and ask to speak to someone from the Navy they'll be able to give you advice and put you on the right track and arrange visits or put you in contact with officer selection if you wish to go down that road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blairdin Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 My old man was in the Merchant Navy in the 1970s. He served on supercarriers in the Gulf and North America. He still bores the tits of us..I mean, he still speaks with alot of fondness of his time. The ships themselves, the places (never watch Wish You Were Here of the holiday channel with my old man - if it has a coast, the old sod has been there), the career it gave him. Despite the advancements in technology since he came ashore as he calls it, cargo ships haven't actually changed that much. I'm an epileptic gimp so I couldn't have followed in his footsteps even if I'd wanted to, but dad would recommend it to anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest King Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 What sort of student are you? University? Good chance to see the world though, not to be sniffed at IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groot Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 My Stepdad was in the Navy and I laughed at blairdin's post about the holiday channel as it sounds like him Gave him the opportunity to play at the Marecana in Brazil, lucky sod He left 17 years ago though after 20 years service so dunno what it would be like nowadays Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronJambo Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Recently I have been seriously considering joining the Navy. Im a 19 year old student and bored of my life and the situation I am in. Just wondering if anyone has served in the Navy and has any experience of what its like? Is it all the Navy website cracks it up to be or is it a nightmare? do you have kids? if you can prove theres a strong semen in you the navy will take you on no problem. think i may have spelt something wrong in the at sentance :santa4: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CavySlaveJambo Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 strong semen in you the navy will take you on no problem. think i may have spelt something wrong in the at sentance :santa4: Is that "be the best" etc quote coming into play. Put it this way. If I could join the forces. I would. Alas I can't. Also it is a steady job in a time where there isn't steady jobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamboAl Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Recently I have been seriously considering joining the Navy. Im a 19 year old student and bored of my life and the situation I am in. Just wondering if anyone has served in the Navy and has any experience of what its like? Is it all the Navy website cracks it up to be or is it a nightmare? I always believe you should do something because you want to do it rather than because you are bored of your life. Often that could be out of the frying pan and into the fire. Whichever way you decide to go I wish you luck but please weigh up the options carefully before you make your decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morri Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 I never served in the Navy but in the Army and to be honest it was the best career decision I made. You'll see and do things that civvys can only dream about. Don't get me wrong its hard work and you'll have to push yourself past your limits on occasion. They do talk alot of pish on the adverts and the careers office because they are trying to sell you on the forces. Try talking to people who are in the forces(not in the careers office) they will give you an idea of day to day life on ship. Obviously Op Tours are different but you'll adapt to those as you would adapt to most situations. I came out after 5 years and have been a civvy for 5, and I'm looking to go back in. Its all about Medals and Glory!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wibble Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 As Morri says try talking to real servicemen and women if possible. There must be some message boards that are for Navy folk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuanD Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 I was in the Royal Navy for 5 years as an Aircraft engineer I joined in 1997 and left in 2002 due to a medical condition, I would still be there to this day had it not been for the condition (least I get a medical pension for the rest of my days) I can only let you know what it was like from a ratings point of view. Like you I was 19 years old when I joined (I always wanted to join the Navy from a young age) First off I went to the careers office, filled out an application form and then a few weeks later I sat the entrance exam, this was a multiple choice exam which covered english, maths, engineering. Once you pass the exam you will be invited to sit a medical for the old cough test etc etc.. If you get past this stage and all your CTC and background checks are ok you will then be invited back for an inerview, when I done the test they say it was about 1-40 that pass it all and progress to the next step. If you pass all the interviews then you will be put onto the list and eventually a start date for Raleigh will be sent to you.... Raleigh is 8 weeks of being shouted at, drilling, doing class work, cleaning and doning lots of physical work.... Your first week will be in the new entry wing, here you will be issued your uniform and sign your contract and sort out bank details etc etc.... The remainder of the 7 weeks is just all bull**** baffles brains! Allot of people walk out at the Raleigh stage as they think that the Navy is going to be like that for the remainder of the 22 year contract... It's not, far from it!! Once you pass out of Raleigh, you then go trade training base, the length of this depends on the trade you chose, as I was an Aircraft engineer I went to HMS Sultan, just outside Portsmouth, I had a great time here, again it's still people shouting at you as your still a trainee but its few and far between. Once finished Basic ytraid training you will most likely get your first posting, again depending on your trade, I was sent to Cornwall to type speciffinc trade training on Seaking MK6 aircraft, if I remember rightly that was about 4 months. For me the training in total lasted just over a year, once the training was finished you could relax as much as you wanted to.... Being in the Navy, you get out of it what you want, In the summer time I was always canoeing and in the winter time I was always skiing (spent 2 weeks in the French alps half board and full ski passes for ?100) The Navy will cater for anything you want if you show an interest in it and if your good at something you can basically travel the world doing that sport. Job wise, I only ever went to sea once and that was only for 4 weeks, the reason for this is because of the trade I chose, other people are away every 6 months... Again it's really down to you and what you want to do, the careers officer would go over all that with you. In terms of pay, I was walking out with just under a grand a month back in 2000, when your on a 2nd line detachment you accomodation and food all comes out your wages but back then it was only ?160 a month so not much. There is most likely a million and 1 thinks i've missed so if you want any more infor drop us a PM What I will say is I would recomend the Navy to anyone, I had some of the best times of my life and got some great mates out of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chester copperpot Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 My old man was in the Merchant Navy in the 1970s. He served on supercarriers in the Gulf and North America. He still bores the tits of us..I mean, he still speaks with alot of fondness of his time. The ships themselves, the places (never watch Wish You Were Here of the holiday channel with my old man - if it has a coast, the old sod has been there), the career it gave him. Despite the advancements in technology since he came ashore as he calls it, cargo ships haven't actually changed that much. I'm an epileptic gimp so I couldn't have followed in his footsteps even if I'd wanted to, but dad would recommend it to anyone. Your old man's not him is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redjambo Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DikT. Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Is it true you can still go to sea with an arsehole and come home with a port hole? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefjambo Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 was in the mob for 9 years great time . if you play any sport you will love it . onlyleft because they shut rosyth and it's a long treck from Pompey or Plymouth to see the hearts every weekend . you don't realize what you are taught in the navy means until you come back into civy street , it opened my eyes . use the navy to get a good trade behind you and you will never struggle for a job . good luck and go for it . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalkeithjambo Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 I was in the Royal fleet auxiliary for 19 years, They are the Royal navy supply ships, they carry all the fuel, food, ammo etc. Also have specialist ships for other things like a Hospital ship, Forward repair (for submarines). Landing ships. Was a good job, i finished as Chief petty officer (mechanical and electrical engineer), Pay at that grade is approx ?37k per year. Get your tax back if you out of uk for more than 6 months in the year, Bonus of about ?3k as you would be a civilian in military areas. You get your own ensuite cabin with double bed (dosent sound much but better than sharing with about 16 others in a room). You also get your little extras like TV and fridge in cabins. You do approx 4 months on and about 3 1/2 months off. I only finished because of medical problems. Well worth a look. Depending on school grades you could get in as Engineer cadet and although pay initially may not be great (still ok), you would be on Mid ?30k within about 4 years. Heres a youtube video and although a song involved it shows roughly what they are all about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southside1874 Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 I always thought of the Navy as a bit of a Hibby profession, if you get my drift. The airforce would be better and you learn to fly a plane too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyjambo Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 I always thought of the Navy as a bit of a Hibby profession, if you get my drift. The airforce would be better and you learn to fly a plane too. :santa1: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Real Maroonblood Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 I always thought of the Navy as a bit of a Hibby profession, if you get my drift. The airforce would be better and you learn to fly a plane too. Village People sing about the navy. :santa5::santa1: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuanD Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 I always thought of the Navy as a bit of a Hibby profession, if you get my drift. The airforce would be better and you learn to fly a plane too. What a lot of pish! I knew a few Hearts fans in the navy but not one hobo... Also you can learn to fly in the navy, the Fleet air arm is not much smaller than the RAF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJGJ Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 Do both -- get them to sponsor you through your education -- part time sailor until graduation then commitment for 3 years after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.