Dolphins in the surface fleet

[icarus11]

This is a bit of a daft question but i’m gonna ask it anyway. I’ve seen often personnel in the surface fleet with dolphins. I was wondering if you were able to train for your dolphins while in GS similar to the commando training, or if these personnel are just ex-submariners?

 

[Dusty70]

Ex submariners who lurk in dark dirty corners of the mess eating raw meat and growling at anyone who comes within 4 ft............................................................

 

[Taztiff]

Escapees

 

[crash_evans]

In the warfare world, usually those who fail perisher. My old PWO (U), ‘Barking’ Bob Laverty failed perisher and couldn’t face going back to normal jobs, so went GS.

I know of a few MA’s who did some time as MA(SM) and then went GS after seeing (literally) the light. Usually after they’ve fleeced the RN for the Gucci quals in the SM service.


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[pompeyexpat]

‘Barking’ Bob Laverty failed perisher and couldn’t face going back to normal jobs, so went GS.

There can't be two Bob Laverty's that were submariners that failed Perisher and went GS, so you must be talking about the same man who was my DO back in the day on an S boat. Never heard him referred to as 'Barking' before though, and it's not a word I'd think of to describe him. Maybe failing had a deeper effect?

 

[crash_evans]

There can't be two Bob Laverty's that were submariners that failed Perisher and went GS, so you must be talking about the same man who was my DO back in the day on an S boat. Never heard him referred to as 'Barking' before though, and it's not a word I'd think of to describe him. Maybe failing had a deeper effect?

I often would rock up at his cabin door to hear him shouting and harrumphing at someone only for it to turn out he was on his own..

He genuinely sounded like Lord Melchett with his occasional Mehhhhh whilst doing CASEX’s. barking is an understatement.


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[mick1199]

Do the vast majority of submariners stay submariners by choice? Or is there no escape?

 

[SONAR-BENDER]

I'm sad enough to say I loved my time in boats. First volunteered as a Dabber, but then re-catted. Tried again as a REM, but picked up my hook and finally succeeded after Mech's course.

I enjoyed being under the ice chasing Ivan. I loved it when we found a new Soviet boat, one time we were even sent out as 'bait' to flush out an alleged German spy! But it was annoying if we had to stay out if things were 'interesting'.

There is (was) much more informality, more responsibility etc. Then there is the elephant in the room - the extra dosh.

You can 'escape', after I think 5 years, but most don't - many have got too used to the extra dosh to make the break.

 

[WreckerL]

I got drafted after 2.5 years on a big grey thing and originally thought I'd do the 5 years and go back to GS, 30 years later I was still there, mainly due to the reasons SB gives.

 

[Biker Buster]

I did 2 years on skimmers and hated it so much I nearly put my notice in, got a shore draft to faslane met a bunch of smelly bastards, saw them having a blast and decided to give boats a try, I could still put my notice in if I didn't like it.
Totally enjoyed my first10 years during the cold War. Then I got conscripted to bombers which were shite but i still enjoyed myself and it was still better than skimmers.


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[Taztiff]

Totally understand the reasons why some people wanted to go and stay sundodgers.

But I much preferred the freedom to bimble on the upper scupper with a tea / coffee / pint after scran whilst cruising through the windies / Indian Ocean / South Atlantic / other oceans are available and look at the stars.

 

[WreckerL]

Totally understand the reasons why some people wanted to go and stay sundodgers.

But I much preferred the freedom to bimble on the upper scupper with a tea / coffee / pint after scran whilst cruising through the windies / Indian Ocean / South Atlantic / other oceans are available and look at the stars.

That was the only thing I missed from my GS days, but it was the only thing.

 

[pompeyexpat]

You can 'escape', after I think 5 years, but most don't - many have got too used to the extra dosh to make the break.

I don’t think the 5 year rule applies anymore. It was the case that those drafted from GS had a right to return after 5 years (though very few ever did), but that was when we all joined as GS, even though many of us volunteered (or were drafted) straight away. I for example when from Collingwood to Dolphin after WEMs course, but I’d still joined as GS and completed GS phase 2 training. Now they join as submariners so there’s no right to return to something they never were. That’s not to say individual cases aren’t considered, but there’s no entitlement to transfer from SM to GS.

Branch transfers and promotion ends any chance of entitlement too. If you’ve been accepted for branch transfer by a SM Branch Manager you have no right to expect the GS equivalent to accept you. I lost all rights to return to GS on commissioning because I was specifically extracted as a WESM.

 

[SONAR-BENDER]

That was the only thing I missed from my GS days, but it was the only thing.

My last ship before Mech's course/boats was Rusty B. I once went several weeks without seeing daylight due to flying stations, Booty games etc.

cruising through the windies / Indian Ocean / South Atlantic / other oceans are available...... and you think we didn't.........!

Round Cape Horn on the surface..... flat calm!

 

[SONAR-BENDER]

I don’t think the 5 year rule applies anymore. It was the case that those drafted from GS had a right to return after 5 years (though very few ever did), but that was when we all joined as GS, even though many of us volunteered (or were drafted) straight away. I for example when from Collingwood to Dolphin after WEMs course, but I’d still joined as GS and completed GS phase 2 training. Now they join as submariners so there’s no right to return to something they never were. That’s not to say individual cases aren’t considered, but there’s no entitlement to transfer from SM to GS.

Branch transfers and promotion ends any chance of entitlement too. If you’ve been accepted for branch transfer by a SM Branch Manager you have no right to expect the GS equivalent to accept you. I lost all rights to return to GS on commissioning because I was specifically extracted as a WESM.

Interesting - I can see how the wording works!

However, what are the implications for retaining folk? If they are disillusioned with boats and denied GS and go outside, then we have lost them.

 

[pompeyexpat]

It does happen; I can think of 2 MEs I know that went from SM to GS (though 1 came back), and a WESM SR who commissioned as a WEGS Officer. Branch and Career Managers will consider individual cases; it’s just not a right.

It’s not always as simple as asking if a decision will retain someone either. It’s certainly true that in some cases to deny a transfer risks losing a good sailor, but it’s also true that some who request transfers are simply malcontents and will be no happier (or more useful) in another branch or arm. They’re often the loudest too.

 

[Alfacharlie]

Good shipmate of mine was an AB(R), then went SM, then transferred back again into AC branch.

 

[crash_evans]

I was on Daring with Mick. An interesting conversion, [mention]Alfacharlie [/mention] probably knows him.

WO1 Mick Turnbull - The British Forces Foundation

WO1 Mick Turnbull was appointed as the first Fleet Commander’s Warrant Officer in January 2020. WO1 Turnbull joined the Royal Navy at the age of 16 in 1986 as a Junior Seaman 2nd Class. He spent nine years in the Submarine Service, including various operational patrols, on board HMS Trafalgar...

bff.org.uk

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[Alfacharlie]

I was on Daring with Mick. An interesting conversion, [mention]Alfacharlie [/mention] probably knows him.

WO1 Mick Turnbull - The British Forces Foundation

WO1 Mick Turnbull was appointed as the first Fleet Commander’s Warrant Officer in January 2020. WO1 Turnbull joined the Royal Navy at the age of 16 in 1986 as a Junior Seaman 2nd Class. He spent nine years in the Submarine Service, including various operational patrols, on board HMS Trafalgar...

bff.org.uk

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I do know him. Top bloke from what I can remember.

 

[Taztiff]

Round Cape Horn on the surface..... flat calm!

Round Cape Horn on the surface..... blowing force 10!

But then, here wernt many options for diving on a sleek grey messenger of death.