Hi, Another 'Wanting to Join post!' from a Navy Ne

[creddly]

I'm not gonna beat around the bush, I'm 21 in February and I joined the Army when I was 17, I lasted 6 weeks... half of me was happy with that decision, half of me was unhappy.

I'm gutted I left because I've done absolutely nothing since, gone from small odd jobs to not working back to odd jobs again. There is nothing in my area.

I'm glad I left because on reflection, I wish I'd joined the Navy now (No disrespect to our boys in green)

I don't know if it's the same in the Navy, but during basic in the Army, you get a weekly score out of 10 for all different points of your performance, mine was average, 7 out of 10.

Now I DEFINITELY WANT to join the Navy as a Medical Assistant (General Service), how will my Army history (Or lack of history) affect my chances?

I know when I was in the Army, there were boys who had been in before and came back because they said it was the biggest mistake they'd made, but we're talking Army to Army, not Army to Navy, so it might be more difficult for me!

Will there be any way to clarify to the Navy that I'm fully matured now and would be giving 110% effort and service to the Navy?

Also, none of you need to mention that I'm passed my window so I'd better be making sure I know what I'm doing as I know if I got in, I'm in there for nearly 4 years with NO CHANCE of leaving. But I've accepted this because I want to do it and NOT leave and piss about (Excuse my language)

So please, any advice would be great.

Thanks in advance people!

Creddly

 

[Tartan_Terrier]

Re: Hi, Another 'Wanting to Join post!' from a Nav

I can't see it holding you back, you have probably grown up a bit in the last four years.

What may be a bigger minus is the fact that you've gone from job to job ever since, they may look on it as meaning that you can't stick at anything!

 

[creddly]

Re: Hi, Another 'Wanting to Join post!' from a Nav

Thanks for your reply mate.

That is a good point.

I wouldn't be applying until June/July 07 anyway because this time, I will want to be that fit, strong, knowledgeable on my job/duty, up to speed with ironing, cleaning that I'll be sort of doing my own basic before I start, except without the screaming Sergeants, Corporals, etc... so when I eventually start basic, it'll be easy with regards to PT, early rising, etc. So it's gonna take a lot of preparation from now!

So do you think it's a good idea to get ANY job until then and stick at it?

That would give me 6 months from now until I apply and probably make it 9 months - a year in this job by the time I get to selection?!

Also, I should imagine that Basic in the Navy is the same level of toughness as the Army, but why is it 8 weeks instead of 12 like the Army?

Cheers in advance!

 

[Tartan_Terrier]

Re: Hi, Another 'Wanting to Join post!' from a Nav

I don't know if you really need so much preparation, you will learn how to iron your kit in basic, and if you don't get up in the mornings you'll know all about it!

If you're not applying till next year (remember that the joining procedure can take a while), I'd say get a job and stick with it, and if possible find a local Sea Cadet unit and ask if you can help out.

It'll give you the chance to learn a bit and will also demonstrate to the Navy that you really are interested, plus you'll be helping an institution that really does a lot for kids.

Don't take my advice for Gospel though, I'd recommend talking to the careers office too, as they can tell you exactly what they're looking for in a recruit.

 

[ET(WE)Sutton]

Re: Hi, Another 'Wanting to Join post!' from a Nav

You Wont Need as much prep for the simple fact that its gonna take you up to nearly 2 yrs before you get in as an MA. The waiting times have gone up alot. It Took my friend nearly 2 and a half to get in as an MA.

Aslong as your showing that you are doin fitness, workin hard in civvy life your army past will help more then hinder against you.

The basic training is not so much focused on being a SOILDER you dont really do much of that, you do a little bit, but not as much as in the army.

look at this link

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.5444

(go into all the links on the left hand side)

plus when you apply you go onto a 4 day course to see what the navy is really like.

look at this link for that

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.3303

hope that helps mate. we have all been there.

 

[creddly]

Re: Hi, Another 'Wanting to Join post!' from a Nav

Thanks for the advice Tartan, very much appreciated... I've read about that Cadet training. Is it the same as Navy Prep training? Because I've read about that and it looks really good.

Also, thanks to you Pooley,

Thanks for posting them links about training, but I've read all of them and the diary... that's me all over, I've got an obsessive personality, when I'm into something, I am into it.

Didn't read the 4 day course page though... will do after this.

Yeah, the Medic thing is really what I want to do, but my father's saying I should go for Engineering... he said that if I go in as a Medical assistant I'll be straight in Afghanistan or Iraq patching up injured marines... and I was trying to explain that being an engineer carries a risk factor too and that any force you go into carries a risk! lol

Question though, lol, I currently have Whiplash of the Traps muscle from this chav who totaled my car 4 weeks ago ... the process or comp is currently going through... would this injury hinder my progress, even when it's healed and gone?

Could they say that I carry a risk of having it injured again and not accept me?

 

[snapdragon]

Re: Hi, Another 'Wanting to Join post!' from a Nav

Creddly,

I think all recruiters will be able to see you for who you are now, not who you were as a pup. 17 is very young to be in the forces, you're still a child then. You're an adult now and as such have concerns that you didn't have at 17. You now realise that you need a good career- maybe when you were 17 you just wanted to play soldiers, it's not uncommon! And let's face it, most people's first thought when the forces are mentioned is the army. You know your options better now. I don't think having been in the army will hinder you. As long as when you get your interview you convey to the officer what you've told us, i think it will be fine. During interviews they listen to your strengths and weaknesses, and it's no bad thing to let you weaknesses show- it gives a good idea whether you'll be suitable.

What trade did you intend to do in the army? I'm sure you've picked up skills along the way that the Navy would like. Your recruiting officer will like to hear about any experience you have.

Don't know about the whiplash, the medical involves questions about if you've had a joint disorder, but i don't remember anything like that. Everyone has injuries so i'm sure you'll be fine. Keep us posted.

 

[Beejay]

Re: Hi, Another 'Wanting to Join post!' from a Nav

Thanks for your reply mate.

That is a good point.

I wouldn't be applying until June/July 07 anyway because this time, I will want to be that fit, strong, knowledgeable on my job/duty, up to speed with ironing, cleaning that I'll be sort of doing my own basic before I start, except without the screaming Sergeants, Corporals, etc... so when I eventually start basic, it'll be easy with regards to PT, early rising, etc. So it's gonna take a lot of preparation from now!

So do you think it's a good idea to get ANY job until then and stick at it?

From what I have heard Drill Sergeants aren't allowed to shout at you any more 8O Anyway what is stopping you going to the recruiting office and finding out.

 

[Deleted 7]

Re: Hi, Another 'Wanting to Join post!' from a Nav

Hey, welcome to RR and good luck xx

 

[creddly]

Re: Hi, Another 'Wanting to Join post!' from a Nav

Creddly,

You now realise that you need a good career- maybe when you were 17 you just wanted to play soldiers, it's not uncommon!.

You hit it right on the head there lol! That's exactly what it was... I never thought of the Career, I just thought of becoming Solid Snake lol!

But as you've said, I'm matured now, I want to go in for the right reasons, and that's a good career where I'll be rewarded for my input.

The thing is, I'll be honest, I haven't done much at all since I left the Army. I've been so depressed (Not officially) and I kept myself going mainly by selling this and that on eBay, again not officially or registered with the tax-man!

In the Army, I went in for the Royal Armored Core.

The main reason I left was because I foolishly had a girlfriend about 3 months before I went in... I'm not with her now and I definitely would NOT being having any ties before going in this time!

Well there are 2 jobs I've been looking at which have really caught my attention and that's the Marine Engineering and the Medical Assistant!

I don't know if I'm too dull to do the Marine Engineering or not... I've lost a lot of confidence that I used to have when I was younger!

I suppose it would be found out straight away through tests, whether or not I would be clever enough for it... I suppose that if I saw on a test result that I was clever enough to do it, it may inspire confidence!

But as for basic, well I wouldn't be doing basic to pass this time, I'd be doing it to win best new recruit, assuming you have such an award, we had it in basic in the army.

Thanks again people for your reply. I have sent away for an information pack and I'll be visiting the careers office after Christmas!

 

[creddly]

Re: Hi, Another 'Wanting to Join post!' from a Nav

Thanks for your reply mate.

That is a good point.

I wouldn't be applying until June/July 07 anyway because this time, I will want to be that fit, strong, knowledgeable on my job/duty, up to speed with ironing, cleaning that I'll be sort of doing my own basic before I start, except without the screaming Sergeants, Corporals, etc... so when I eventually start basic, it'll be easy with regards to PT, early rising, etc. So it's gonna take a lot of preparation from now!

So do you think it's a good idea to get ANY job until then and stick at it?

From what I have heard Drill Sergeants aren't allowed to shout at you any more 8O Anyway what is stopping you going to the recruiting office and finding out.

Lol, as I was writing my other reply these two must have just come in!

What, Drill Sergeants aren't allowed to shout at you anymore? You are kidding? If that's true it would be sort of a disappointment!

Nothings stopping me at the moment mate! lol, I'm gonna be going after Christmas!

To tell you the truth, when I went in the Army, I was 5ft 7 and weighed about 10.5 - 11 stone... now at nearly 21, I'm 5ft 9 and weigh 12 stone, I'm gonna put in overkill on the diet this next month or two now and get down to 11.5 - 11 stone.

You see when I came out of the Army, I immediately regretted it, I was really in a bad way.... I put on zounds of weight! At the start of this year, I weighed 15 stone! No joke! I'm now down to 12 as I've said! So another stone to go!

I wouldn't want to walk into the careers office to have the officer there say 'What you doing here fatty?' lol

Hey, welcome to RR and good luck xx

Thanks Jenny for your kind words. I will definitely need a bit of luck on my side if I'm to get in to the Navy! lol

 

[snapdragon]

Re: Hi, Another 'Wanting to Join post!' from a Nav

Creddly,

You now realise that you need a good career- maybe when you were 17 you just wanted to play soldiers, it's not uncommon!.

You hit it right on the head there lol! That's exactly what it was... I never thought of the Career, I just thought of becoming Solid Snake lol!

But as you've said, I'm matured now, I want to go in for the right reasons, and that's a good career where I'll be rewarded for my input.

The thing is, I'll be honest, I haven't done much at all since I left the Army. I've been so depressed (Not officially) and I kept myself going mainly by selling this and that on eBay, again not officially or registered with the tax-man!

In the Army, I went in for the Royal Armored Core.

The main reason I left was because I foolishly had a girlfriend about 3 months before I went in... I'm not with her now and I definitely would NOT being having any ties before going in this time!

Well there are 2 jobs I've been looking at which have really caught my attention and that's the Marine Engineering and the Medical Assistant!

I don't know if I'm too dull to do the Marine Engineering or not... I've lost a lot of confidence that I used to have when I was younger!

I suppose it would be found out straight away through tests, whether or not I would be clever enough for it... I suppose that if I saw on a test result that I was clever enough to do it, it may inspire confidence!

But as for basic, well I wouldn't be doing basic to pass this time, I'd be doing it to win best new recruit, assuming you have such an award, we had it in basic in the army.

Thanks again people for your reply. I have sent away for an information pack and I'll be visiting the careers office after Christmas!

Creddly, you wouldn't be the only who thought that's what army life would be like, so no shame in telling AFCO staff the same thing. But what it means is you have experience in washing, ironing, taking orders, doing drill and suchlike. All positives. Also, you have real life 'civvy' experience too.

Don't tell them you've been depressed- even if you don't mean in the clinical sense, it'll stop them dead. Just say your sense of worth is greater when you have a challenging job and so the RN is right up your street.

Just because you haven't had a proper job doesn't mean you don't have skills. Titting around on eBay, or 'good with computers'? You just need to turn each issue you have into something that can work for you.

As for your chosen trade, i'm biased as i will be going in as ET(ME). But what i did was reserved judgement until i passed the test and then chose. Both seem to be great trades (popular though), and as long as you have the drive (which you seem to), then you will be fine. I don't think any of what is worrying you will be an issue as long as you can accurately convey how you feel.