Conflicted about which role to join as

[Jack_sparrow]

So recently I have passed the interview to join as a direct entry aircrewman. I am 17 and want an exciting, adventurous career. Due to covid, I didn't get the chance to have a proper careers meeting. I looked through forums and the rn website and eventually chose aircrewman. However, I very much like the idea of ship deployments, life at sea and experiencing different places and challenges - despite being failry sea sick (but ive been told you get used to it quite quickly). I want a hands on, practical career (something that is varied and not just sitting at a computer screen). To my knowledge, depending on which aircrewman specialisation you are streamed into, it is fair to not expect much time on ship. Am I right in saying this? Do you have any suggestions on what I should do? Either carry on with my current application or choose a different role. Do you think any particular role will suit me more? I know that you can transfer into the air crewman role from other roles. Do you think that this may be a good option. Maybe get some time at sea and then transfer for a more varied career?
Any help is appreciated

 

[Waspie]

Talk to any aircrewman and they will tell you they wouldn't change a thing. It is challenging and will give you all the thrills and spills for one lifetime, (if not two!!!). I packed in loads of sea time, as well as a fair portion ashore. At 17, do you really know what you want? I mean that seriously not sarcastically.

 

[Jack_sparrow]

Talk to any aircrewman and they will tell you they wouldn't change a thing. It is challenging and will give you all the thrills and spills for one lifetime, (if not two!!!). I packed in loads of sea time, as well as a fair portion ashore. At 17, do you really know what you want? I mean that seriously not sarcastically.

Good point. I've never been certain on what I want to do with my life. Joining the navy as an aircrewman is the closest I've ever come to being sure. I know I want to be in the navy however. One thing I'm sort of considering is joining as a seaman specialist or warfare specialist and transferring. I know this probably sounds stupid and maybe isn't even possible but I do want a varied career. However I know that whatever I choose in the navy it will be varied (aircrewman especially). I am still yet to pass my FATs. I've never had a problem with exams however it is still possible I will not have the aptitude. If so I will join as a surface fleet role. One question, as a commando aircrewman, is there chance of being deployed to active war zones to cover troops etc. I've heard this is possible but is it probable?

 

[Waspie]

Good point. I've never been certain on what I want to do with my life. Joining the navy as an aircrewman is the closest I've ever come to being sure. I know I want to be in the navy however. One thing I'm sort of considering is joining as a seaman specialist or warfare specialist and transferring. I know this probably sounds stupid and maybe isn't even possible but I do want a varied career. However I know that whatever I choose in the navy it will be varied (aircrewman especially). I am still yet to pass my FATs. I've never had a problem with exams however it is still possible I will not have the aptitude. If so I will join as a surface fleet role. One question, as a commando aircrewman, is there chance of being deployed to active war zones to cover troops etc. I've heard this is possible but is it probable?

Oh yes. Take 1982 as an example. The Cdo AIrcrewmen were actively involved at the front line. Flying underneath attacking enemy aircraft in support of ground troops. In 1991 - onwards in the Gulf again actively supporting the troops. This as well as the lesser publicised operations in Northern Ireland.
Many oppo's were on operations in Africa, supposedly, humanitarian aid but no-one apparently told the bad guys!!!
I have to say, even ASW aircrewman get a taste of the action. I was on 819, (predominantly ASW), we carried out Ops in NI as well as supporting SF in MCT, (Maritime Counter Terrorism).
Varied is the tip of the iceberg for a 'crewie'!!!

 

[Alfacharlie]

Good point. I've never been certain on what I want to do with my life. Joining the navy as an aircrewman is the closest I've ever come to being sure. I know I want to be in the navy however. One thing I'm sort of considering is joining as a seaman specialist or warfare specialist and transferring. I know this probably sounds stupid and maybe isn't even possible but I do want a varied career. However I know that whatever I choose in the navy it will be varied (aircrewman especially). I am still yet to pass my FATs. I've never had a problem with exams however it is still possible I will not have the aptitude. If so I will join as a surface fleet role. One question, as a commando aircrewman, is there chance of being deployed to active war zones to cover troops etc. I've heard this is possible but is it probable?

I’d just like to add that, personally, I wouldn’t join in the hope you can transfer at a later date.

 

[Jack_sparrow]

Oh yes. Take 1982 as an example. The Cdo AIrcrewmen were actively involved at the front line. Flying underneath attacking enemy aircraft in support of ground troops. In 1991 - onwards in the Gulf again actively supporting the troops. This as well as the lesser publicised operations in Northern Ireland.
Many oppo's were on operations in Africa, supposedly, humanitarian aid but no-one apparently told the bad guys!!!
I have to say, even ASW aircrewman get a taste of the action. I was on 819, (predominantly ASW), we carried out Ops in NI as well as supporting SF in MCT, (Maritime Counter Terrorism).
Varied is the tip of the iceberg for a 'crewie'!!!

Ah okay brilliant. It's refreshing to have some genuine examples rather than a load of ambiguous roles I might be involved with. It sounds as though you've had a great career. You've put my mind at rest to be honest so thank you for that.

 

[Jack_sparrow]

I’d just like to add that, personally, I wouldn’t join in the hope you can transfer at a later date.

Very good point. I've heard it's not always possible and depends on service needs.

 

[Alfacharlie]

Very good point. I've heard it's not always possible and depends on service needs.

Yup. Aircrew, AC (gods branch), PTI etc. used to all be sideways entry. However, it’s all now direct entry, so, from what I believe is the new norm (not him), if you don’t like the trade it’s harder to get out of. Unless you leave.
Choose wisely.

 

[fishhead]

@Jack_sparrow Join the trade which appeals the most. The RN doesn't like spending thousands of pounds training you for a certain role to then let you go swanning off to another branch. They want to see a return on the money invested in you.

 

[Jack_sparrow]

Yup. Aircrew, AC (gods branch), PTI etc. used to all be sideways entry. However, it’s all now direct entry, so, from what I believe is the new norm (not him), if you don’t like the trade it’s harder to get out of. Unless you leave.
Choose wisely.

Yeah I am certain it is the right role for me. Just some minor doubts because it's a massive decision. All through the past few months of research it has stood out more than any other.

 

[Jack_sparrow]

@Jack_sparrow Join the trade which appeals the most. The RN doesn't like spending thousands of pounds training you for a certain role to then let you go swanning off to another branch. They want to see a return on the money invested in you.

Yeah I can imagine. With budgets stretched thin, it would be a bit of a piss take. I'm confident now it is the right branch.

 

[Jack_sparrow]

Every person I talk to seems to be part of God's branch. This 'god' fella must be busy with all those sailors at his command

 

[WreckerL]

Every person I talk to seems to be part of God's branch. This 'god' fella must be busy with all those sailors at his command

God is a submariner, he lets the surface dwellers think their his chosen ones to take their minds off the fact they didn't make the grade....safeguard, two clips, two pins

 

[Waspie]

God is a submariner, he lets the surface dwellers think their his chosen ones to take their minds off the fact they didn't make the grade....safeguard, two clips, two pins

Then along came that damn helicopter and @Alfacharlie, Drop Now, now NOW.

 

[WreckerL]

Then along came that damn helicopter and @Alfacharlie, Drop Now, now NOW.

And the boat hears you coming and goes deep, deep, deep
Although we may have to turn the movie off.

 

[Waspie]

And the boat hears you coming and goes deep, deep, deep
Although we may have to turn the movie off.

I just knew you say that!!!!

 

[Alfacharlie]

And the boat hears you coming and goes deep, deep, deep
Although we may have to turn the movie off.

Yup. Then it’s time for me to ring the galley and make my scran order!

 

[WreckerL]

I just knew you say that!!!!

I knew someone from the WAFU world would mention dropping nasties on us

 

[Waspie]

I knew someone from the WAFU world would mention dropping nasties on us

Cos it's wot I did guv!!!!

Sunday mornings , Irish Sea. Ashcan gone!!! The things we did for you guys!!!!

 

[redmonkey]

Do not bank on being able to change branch. I know of someone who was going to branch change from Seaman Spec to PTI. Everything was going through and then the branch manger suddenly stopped the branch change as Seaman spec had become a shortage branch. They lost her in the end as she put her notice in.

If you want to go aircrew then go that way. You won't regret it and wish you had more seatime.

If we end up deployed somewhere again, as a crewman on the Cdo squadrons you could be there, in charge of the self loading cargo, making sure they don't do anything daft and ensuring they are covered when they leave the cab.

Moat of those on the Cdo squadrons denied to hot and sandy places when we were in those parts of the world.

I think 845 and 846 took turns all the time we were out in Bosnia and the former Yugoslavia. Quite a few years knowing that you were going in and out of there.

Even without anything newsworthy the junglies are getting deployed. All the trips the Queen Elizabeth has been on have involved Cdo cabs going as well

With the Junglies I've been to Germany, Norway, Jordan, sailed through the Baltic and other places.
You will travel.