bit of advice, graduate as a rating?

[thebrasso]

Hi, I haven't visited the forums much recently but i'm hoping I can get some advice.

My 3rd and final year of university begins in September, I am studying International Politics and Military History. Before university, my plan was to join the Army, I was applying for univesity sponsorship. However, I did one and a half years in the Officer Training Corps and although I enjoyed bits of it I found I just wasn't suited to the command aspects. The Army as an institution, well its officer corps, put me right off.

My uncle was in the Navy for a few years, he was on the old HMS Ark Royal (commissioned in 1955) as a Marine Engineer I think. He told me all about the friends he made, the laughs they had, and the places he went to...he still has friends in America now he stays in touch with.

I'm seriously considering joining the Navy when I finish uni...both to do something positive and for practical reasons, I need a career with some security and structure. It would also give me the chance to get back into boxing properly after two years out of it, although I have been doing Tae Kwon Do and do my own personal training. Having looked at the website, the Operator Mechanic (Communications) branch looks quite interesting.

Would the Navy look down on me for wanting to go in with a degree? Also, would they look down on my application for the Army and the fact that I made the decision not to go to RCB (got pre selection sponsorship)?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[davo141]

there are about 5 lads in my troop in the Marines with Degrees...they just seem like normal lads and no stick...except when they ask about previous jobs etc...one fella was a plumber n bricky...he could earn what ever he wanted annually just about but no stick or hassel.

cheers, davo

[Jammy]

Nobody will look down on you for whatever Quals you have or don't have the modern RN though you don't need qualifications for most branches they would not hurt you to have.
As for anything to do with the Army the Navy has it's own manning requirements & could not give a hoot about the Army.
I would go into the Navy if i was you as a Officer if that is what you have your heart set on.
Because if you join as a rating then decide to go Upper Deck (Officer ) you are restricted to a Rank of Commodore though that is still flag rank it's a kind of a bad boys rank.

[thebrasso]

thanks for the advice chaps, much appreciated.

i will go and speak to a navy rep at the armed forces careers office on tuesday, i can't do it tomorrow as the car is in for an MOT and i have to go into work.

[Jammy]

Nice one hope you do well

[thebrasso]

just went to the careers office, a bootneck and a Navy warrant officer spoke to me, said not to go for operator mechanic, but that i should consider artificer entry or communications techician...CT is what i was considering anyway to be honest.

i'm intending to apply probably next easter...as I graduate in July 2005.

[Hyperlithe]

The Navy were steering me towards CT, but I felt that at 26, with a degree and management experience I wouldn't want to be a rating, which is why I went to the RAF and have ended up going in as NCO Aircrew.
It did look interesting though, and if I hadn't got through the selection for the RAF, it's what I would have gone for next.
Good luck!

[thebrasso]

aye, they said loads of people were going OM, and they were saying to consider Artificer entry, but it seems to be all engineering based and thats not what i want to do.

i did technology systems, like electronics, at school. and was quite good. i build computers a lot etc in my spare time. but its not what i want to do as a job, getting into something really technical.

i've just got to consider it fully, then return the application but stating i am only available from July 2005.

[Jammy]

aye, they said loads of people were going OM, and they were saying to consider Artificer entry, but it seems to be all engineering based and thats not what i want to do.

i did technology systems, like electronics, at school. and was quite good. i build computers a lot etc in my spare time. but its not what i want to do as a job, getting into something really technical.

i've just got to consider it fully, then return the application but stating i am only available from July 2005.

If they offer you CT i would take that if they are not offering you Officer
CT is a smallish branch but with good prospects for promotion .
Think about when you leave GCHQ & other security service jobs hope you don't mind the odd trip on Subs though

[thebrasso]

thanks for all the advice, especially Jammy.

well at the careers office they said i could apply for officer entry, but after my experiences with the Army its just not what i want to do and i also believe i'm no leader. they even agreed, by saying that some people assume that because of their academic qualifications they will enter as officers automatically for some reason

[thebrasso]

I was just wondering, to go into the CT branch can you also volunteer for subs? I can't find this as a job option on both the RN website and the recruitment information i was given.

[thebrasso]

hi, does anybody know whether there is a CT branch that works onboard subs? i.e. serving in the submarine service?

i'm going back to the careers office just after new year, to find out what sort of time frame i'd be looking at if from sitting entrance tests to going to training (assuming i passed the entrance tests). also, to see whether i can take entrance tests and get a later date for entry, i.e. several months in advance.

[Hantslad]

Im not a Matelot, but I have worked with CTs before. They generally seem like a good bunch. The only disadvantage is having to spend vast periods of time at the Defence School of Languages, which is very grotty. However, that is relocating to Chicksands so the accommodation and class rooms should be better. However, you still have the disadvantage of being near Bedford. Seriously though, the training they receive is 1st class.

As for subs, as far as Im aware, CTs don't serve on boats as a matter of course. They tend to hitch rides on them depending on the type of mission. I knew a Russian speaking CT who spent a lot of time up in the arctic listening to Russian subs during the cold war.

[thebrasso]

ah right, so as a CT you won't get drafted to a specific ship? so you will be shore based but go to sea when needed?

[Hantslad]

No you could get drafted to a specific ship, but equally you could find yourself attached to ships for short periods of time for odd jobs. You are more likely to find yourself at land based listening stations.