Jamie
Firstly, in the future is it possible to switch and join the RN full time ?
Definitely, and depending what you have done in the RNR, you can apply to attend a 3-day “familiarization package” instead of doing the full 10 weeks basic training at RALEIGH – after success at the 3 days, you move straight to Phase 2 (Branch) training. -
If I signed up next month how long does the training take to complete before they could deploy me ?
It takes, to a very large extent, as long as you want – I know at least 2 ratings who were mobilized (after completing all their Phase 1 and 2 training) within 18 months of joining the unit! The key aspect here is, if you have the time available, the courses coincide with that time, and your CO/Branch are happy to give you the Man Training Days (which invariable they do), the world is your oyster!
Could I do all training on weekends and not evenings ?
To begin with, (ie phase 1 – pre RALEIGH) you will really need to attend as often as you can, the more Training Nights you miss, the longer it will take to prepare you for RALEIGH. Once you pass out from RAL, then you can easily get away with once a month, or less, depending on the branch etc
If I completed my training and volunteered to go away , what's the probability of getting deployed ?
Who knows, it will depend on your branch, and depend on the situation at the time, the reserves, are what it says on the tin – a reserve to be used when needed – so if global peace breaks out, world poverty disappears and we all start to love each other, then there will be fewer calls on the Reserves, however how likely is that – also, will the RN recruit enough sailors to man the 2 new carriers? If not, one option will be to ask the Reserves to fill! – sorry it’s not a black and white answer, but it is a truthful answer.
I'm interested in joining and after all training is completed id like to be deployed for a few months
Again, see above – depends on branch, and the needs of the service.
Finally, if you have started the recruitment process before, it is well worth contacting your local RNR Unit, who now have much more integration with the recruiters, and you can be in, and paid within a month!!!!!!!!!
Good Luck