POC Informal interview

[Deadhead]

My 'informal' (meh) interview is in two weeks. I thought it was just me asking whatever questions I had, whilst I was told about the marines. However according to my letter I'm going to be asked

..about the role of the Royal Navy/Royal Marines, the equipment we use as well as recent/current operations.

Fine, not a problem. However, I don't really know where to start looking to 'revise' this sort of info. Marine History is OK, as well as the badge sections etc, but does anybody have any tips for the equipment and operations parts?

Thanks in advance.

DeadHead.

[Thrithraing]

Operations are a bit tricky, because the RM's ops are kept quite secretive. Keep an eye to the newspapers, as they occassionally mention them (such as with the Black Watch in Northern Iraq). Generally, search google, as I found a few bits and pieces around.

However, equipment wise, they have a whole part of the website dedicated to that, ref.

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/static/pages/3453.html

There is also a handout book your local AFCO can give to you, I suggest you go prof one...and a baseball cap...

And if you can get within striking distance of a snowglobe, I'm your highest bidder.

Hope that helps and good luck, it's not that hard really (but for God sakes know what 21 Commando is!)

Darce

[gradnojob]

If you go to your AFCO and ask nicely they will give you the current issue of Globe and Laurel, beyond being a good read will keep you abreast of where and what 40, 42 and 45 are doing.
Everything else is on the Royal Navy website. Take some time and trawl though it.
Although i'm sure it will vary from AFCO to AFCO the informal interview is not especially demanding. They appear to be just taking a look at you to make sure you are not a complete waster before you get a POC date. Be confident and speak clearly and there should be no problem. Ask questions, show an interest, etc etc.

[Deadhead]

Phew... glad it was informal. I got toasted, to put it mildly. On the other hand, better to get it in the neck now than during the AIB, as I only get one shot at this, due to being so old (24).

So now my walls have several huge pieces of paper covering them, and I'm going to start trying to get all my service knowledge and history into a coherent order. The main problem I had wasn't so much lack of knowledge (although I did have a fair few gaps), but not being able to get my knowledge across clearly and concisely.

I've got another interview in August, hopefully I'll have improved.

For the first time in my life I'm going to have to pull my finger out and really crack on. Which I guess is why 99.99% need not apply.

[cliffchallanger]

ive applied for the royal marines and they say their are aranging an informal interveiw with me soon so you never no i might actually be doing the prmc with you, hopefully ill be able to do it
and the interview.

[Artist]

He's applied to be an Officer.

Different requirements are needed to wear a Pip on your shoulder. As in you need to be aware of the current situation thoughout the entire spectrum of the world and it's various implications concerning the armed forces of the United Kingdom.

Sorry but go for it anyway. I did! In 1973. And I had a farking great time!!!

Artist

[themattmeister]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Marines

Give that a go.

[Deadhead]

Interview is on the 31st of August. Big pieces of paper are currently covering half of my house. If anyone has ever seen the film 'A Beautiful Mind', it's something very similar to Russel Crowe's shack of 'code breaking'.

[dalo]

I would definetly get to grips with what the units are up to, and even if it doesnt come up at least you will have the knowledge. Hope your interview goes well and remember just be yourself. Keep us posted on how you get on.

[sd88]

When they say theyre going to ask about equipment, does it mean vehicles as well as weapons?

[Deadhead]

Done and dusted, pretty much.

Whole thing went a lot better. Nice to be able to answer questions knowing my answers are right. Just got to work on explaining my motivations better. Apparently it all comes out a bit garbled. Nothing a good session of deep thought in the boozer with a pen and paper won't fix.

Assuming everything goes according to plan, POC will be in January. Best crack on.

[Deadhead]

Update:
Next interview November 3rd. Then application papers and my mum going spare. *sigh*

[letsrole]

Why would your mum go spare?

[Deadhead]

a)She's not that keen on me joining the military, although given her dad was a mechanic in the RAF, I'm not sure how that works.

b)Knowing the above, I've only told my dad so far, and he's been helping me out with subscriptions to G&L etc, without telling my mum.

She's going to go VERY spare, I can feel it.