Ex RN Chef thinking of joining up, advice please...

[Borochap]

As title suggests I left the mob in 2004 and have since gained a Degree in journalism (which isn't much use). I've been teaching English in South Korea for a few years and married a Korean lass.

I want to head home and wouldn't mind going back to sea.

I'd be interested in Supply Officer but my maths skills are nothing short of horrendous TBH.

Wouldn't mind going down the cookie route again even though I've been out of the game for a while.

Any advice please?

Ben

 

[dapperdunn]

They're desperate for chefs Ben. I expect that they would snap your hand off if you're within the age /fitness parameters. Just expect to spend a lot of time at sea.
How long did you do the first time?

 

[Borochap]

Just a tad under 4 years left on good terms and spent a while in the RNR too while I was studying at uni.

I'm 42 and in good shape .

I contacted the RN too to see if they'd have me back but I'm almost certain they'd block it on residency and being 'overqualified '. I recall a guy I served with having snags for completing an OU degree so hence being smarter ( on paper) than his DO.

I see that the 'apprentice chefs' are killicks. Can one apply from abroad ?

 

[dapperdunn]

Can you be 'over qualified'? A myth perhaps? @Ninja_Stoker will help I'm sure. He is the font of all knowledge

 

[Sumo]

Can you be 'over qualified'? A myth perhaps? @Ninja_Stoker will help I'm sure. He is the font of all knowledge

dapps what have I told you about but kissing that stocker chappies arse,you know it goes to hishead
BoroC you are probably correct where you have living may throw up some issue, if you can clear security, dapps mentioned Chef shortage, especially boats. Probably because no one has ever passed the Chef course, the best we get is cooks
@Ninja_Stoker when he gets out of his rack may have some pointers, just don't mention pigeon pie.

 

[janner]

Things have changed, I hadn't realised that the RFA had Submarines.

 

[Sumo]

Things have changed, I hadn't realised that the RFA had Submarines.

missed that, was early? He might fancy a change to surface skimming

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

Can you be 'over qualified'? A myth perhaps? @Ninja_Stoker will help I'm sure. He is the font of all knowledge

Complete messdeck myth, perpetuated by those who ill-advisedly assume a degree makes a good leader.

There's a Doctor (General Practitioner) serving as an AB in the RNR, a nuclear physicist working on the Hadron Collider at CERN who is a GD Marine in the RMR, so if a Chef with a degree wants to be a Chef, he can be a Chef. One Other Rank Royal Marine recruit troop of 50 men had 17 degrees between them with a further 20 qualified educationally for Officer entry.

 

[Branch-Hopper]

@Borochap
Have a look at the FTRS list, here: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/ftrs
You will see that Chefs are in big demand. Being x RNR it might be a more flexible, and quicker way back?

 

[Borochap]

Been outside too long for that. If anything g I'd suspect it's RFA for me.

 

[Sumo]

Been outside too long for that. If anything g I'd suspect it's RFA for me.

if it's a life at sea you want try all options there is no commitment, just enquiring, or testing your options.

 

[Borochap]

I've dropped a few feelers out, I'll wait to see what transpires.

 

[Seadog]

I'd be interested in Supply Officer but my maths skills are nothing short of horrendous TBH.

If Dianne Abbottamus can be shadow Home Secretary....

 

[Borochap]

Good point.

 

[digger84]

The RN is offering 5K golden hello for people joining as a Chef/Steward.

 

[Borochap]

I'm tempted but I'd really struggle with security clearance I feel. I left the UK in June 2012 and have only been back three times since. I've been married and have all the relevant docs to prove my residency here in Korea though.

The reason why I assumed that anyone with a degree couldn't be a rating was because of the dit I heard a few years back about a SM rating getting 5 numbers on the Lottery. He won a few £100,00 and tried to get a commision but was knocked back for being dense. He was then told he couldn't carry on as a rating because of some QR about being overqualified or too wealthy. Probably BS but I fell for it anyway.

 

[Random]

I'm tempted but I'd really struggle with security clearance I feel. I left the UK in June 2012 and have only been back three times since. I've been married and have all the relevant docs to prove my residency here in Korea though.

The RFA requires you to be security cleared just like the RN. Living abroad is not necessarily a barrier to regaining it/keeping it. There's a fair few who live abroad and are married to foreign citizens. My guess is that the main problem will be it will slow down the process if they have to check anything in Korea, two bureaucracies instead one etc...

 

[BreathingOutOnTheWayUp]

...The reason why I assumed that anyone with a degree couldn't be a rating was because of the dit I heard a few years back about a SM rating getting 5 numbers on the Lottery. He won a few £100,00 and tried to get a commision but was knocked back for being dense. He was then told he couldn't carry on as a rating because of some QR about being overqualified or too wealthy. Probably BS but I fell for it anyway.

Definitely BS: The version circulating in my, ermm, 'formative years' had the JR who won the Pools [£75,00o], turning down the instant commission offered then being promptly discharged on the grounds that his newly-acquired wealth was likely to turn him into a bad influence down on the lower decks.

 

[Sumo]

Definitely BS: The version circulating in my, ermm, 'formative years' had the JR who won the Pools [£75,00o], turning down the instant commission offered then being promptly discharged on the grounds that his newly-acquired wealth was likely to turn him into a bad influence down on the lower decks.

BOB that will be me.

 

[maukjf]

Complete messdeck myth, perpetuated by those who ill-advisedly assume a degree makes a good leader.

There's a Doctor (General Practitioner) serving as an AB in the RNR, a nuclear physicist working on the Hadron Collider at CERN who is a GD Marine in the RMR, so if a Chef with a degree wants to be a Chef, he can be a Chef. One Other Rank Royal Marine recruit troop of 50 men had 17 degrees between them with a further 20 qualified educationally for Officer entry.

out of interest. Can qualified doctors serve as an normal RNR officer i.e. not as a medical officer. I think they can't in the AR I wonder if the same rule applies in the RNR.