Choosing an RNR branch.

[dunkers]

The time has come in my RNR new entry training for me to choose a branch... GSSR, Logs or MTO. I've had the usual "branch aquaint" night where all 3 branches have given a presentation on what they do but I'm wondering if anyone can tell me about their own experiences in any of the branches?

Currently I'm thinking about going MTO (NCAGS), mainly because it sounds like fun and there's lots of travelling opportunities. I reckon I'll only be in the RNR for 3-4 years (hopefully going full time RN after that), and I understand the first 2 or so years of GSSR are nothing much more than SPO duties so that's a bit off putting. I hear that in the logs branch, 6 month deployments are not uncommon, but I'm going to uni so that might be a bit inconvenient.

But I've still not made my mind up for certain, and would be very grateful to hear your advice/dits on what it's like. What do you do on a drill night? Do you get the chance to go away someplace often? What have you been up to on deployments? etc. Cheers :lol:

 

[PartTimer]

Well, there are a fair few people that go through the RNR on their way to the RN. This is recognised. We need need people at the junior level at the moment and if we can get a couple of years out of them fair play.

Mobilisations at the moment or on a volunteer basis, and until you've completed specialisation training then you will not be even considered, so I wouldn't worry unduly about the 6 months figure (which isn't limited to Logs incidentally).

 

[Reservist-Monkey]

but I'm going to uni so that might be a bit inconvenient.

They won't mobilise a student Dunkers. It's not that they can't but it's very rare even for the TA during Telic 1 (unless you want to go).

MTO won't be too bad. They seem to be getting their act togther. The SO3 at Collingwood seems to have put something concrete in place and the regional training seems to be kicking off. It's all good.

SPO does do a fair chunk of Group4, but then again you will get to run about in boats and play with guns. Since they borrowed much of their architecture and trainers from the old seaman specs, they do more in unit (depending on where you are) than some branches.

What are you thinking of doing in the RN?

M(R)

 

[dunkers]

Thanks for your help guys. In the RN I'm thinking of Engineering (Info Specialist) or Warfare (submarine).

Jim - it's not a case of "taking someone's billet", they're desperate for recruits just now. My RNR unit alone has, alledgedly, lost 500 of its strength in the last 20 years - it's not like there's competition for places in a branch. For the record, the skipper is reasonably encouraging about RNR guys going on to join the RN. Being useful to them for a few years is better than nothing.

What happens on a drill night upon joining a branch is still a bit of a mystery to me. I assume we do branch training but there seems to be a lot of courses for that. What happens?

 

[Reservist-Monkey]

If that's the case you might want to consider CIS as well.

On a drill night, it depends on the unit, some do NMT type stuff others still seem to do branch training.

 

[dunkers]

Sorry I'm not sure what CIS and NMT stands for?

And thanks C_M I will bear that in mind (ref. the contact details).

 

[Reservist-Monkey]

Comms and Information Systems
Naval and Military Training

 

[FlagWagger]

If that's the case you might want to consider CIS as well.

CIS is not currently "open" for business for people leaving NE unless they have very strong civvy IS skills (and given the original poster is talking about 3-4 yrs RNR before RN while at uni, I doubt that he/she will have the depth of commercial IT/IS that would be required).

Cheers

 

[Reservist-Monkey]

Topic now split, no more recruitment and rention in this thread.

 

[SpliceTheMainbrace]

I am in GSSR and looking to join Loggies branch, I wanted to join that branch when i went from New Entry to Branch, however I haven't passed my driving test and so couldn't do so. Annoying because you get told different things from different people. My driving test is next month and so when I pass that I am going to put in a transfer to Loggies.

 

[dunkers]

There's a 16 yo guy in my unit going from NE to logistics; he can't drive... I didn't know you had to be able to?

 

[jesse650]

yeah, driving licence is now manditory. But the six month deployment is misleading.....that's a maximum and only when you've reached trained strength (on average) 12 - 18 months downstream. The rosta pool does not affect your call up, it just makes it easier for the brass to organise us. 8). the only thing we might have problems delivering is a baby.....and we'd give that a go if they gave us a forwarding address 8O :twisted: