Joining as a Warfare Specialist - A Few Questions

[SLDR]

Hi all, I am currently in the process of joining the Royal Navy as a Warfare Specialist on submarines. I have just a few questions about the role itself, being a submariner, and also the submariner pay.

Firstly, what sort of qualifications can one expect to pick up by being both a submariner and a warfare specialist. My first guess would be IT qualifications, but I understand that a submariner is expected to know the boat inside and out, so do you pick up more qualifications for different sections of the boat?

A second question I have is due to all submarines moving to Faslane, do submariners also move up there with their families? Or is it possible to live on base while your family live elsewhere, and if so, what costs can incur by living on base?

Finally, there's every chance I'm being dumb here, but I'm struggling to find information on the extra pay submariners get. I read that a submariner gets their base pay, as well as money for being a submariner (all year round I believe?), and money when they are out at sea. Are there any more I might have missed?

Thank you for your time.

 

[alfred_the_great]

There is a decent chance that by the time you join you’ll join as an apprentice. At the moment SSMs get a qualification in data analysis, but it might we change.

You don’t have to move to Faslane - the majority of the RN lives where their partner grew-up and/or they have family. It doesn’t have to be the case. The way we provide financial support for that is changing, and best to wait until you are. But you will get some kind of allowance.

SM pay Below

 

[WreckerL]

With regards your first question, yes you will have to have a good general knowledge of the boat and it's systems but you won't get any qualifications on passing your exam on that (used to be called Part 3, now called SMQ(Wet) but you will get your dolphins and it's when your submarine pay starts.

 

[SONAR-BENDER]

I'm not an employer, but I have heard of employers (that know) who like having submariners due to the depth of knowledge they have/had. I suppose it also proves that you are or were capable of some serious studying.


It's also a jolly wheeze working as a civvy with a load of other civvies where the common bond is that you were all sundodgers! (Big And Expensive springs to mind )

 

[Tigerpaw]

I have recently sent off for my NVQ level 3 certificate in Submarine Nuclear Systems Engineering. All SMQ's become eligible for it on getting their dolphins. There was a RNTM about it in 2018 I think.

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[SONAR-BENDER]

I have recently sent off for my NVQ level 3 certificate in Submarine Nuclear Systems Engineering.

Well that's better than a kick in the nuts when included in the old CV!

 

[SLDR]

I have recently sent off for my NVQ level 3 certificate in Submarine Nuclear Systems Engineering. All SMQ's become eligible for it on getting their dolphins. There was a RNTM about it in 2018 I think.

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That's awesome to hear, that's great for you. I'll definitely be looking to learn as much as I can while I'm in the RN. Do you know of any other certificates you can send off for once passing the SMQs??

 

[Tigerpaw]

That's awesome to hear, that's great for you. I'll definitely be looking to learn as much as I can while I'm in the RN. Do you know of any other certificates you can send off for once passing the SMQs??

Depends what branch you are. Within the same RNTM I mentioned theres one for the warfare depts as well, but this is the only one I'm aware of

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[SLDR]

Depends what branch you are. Within the same RNTM I mentioned theres one for the warfare depts as well, but this is the only one I'm aware of

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Thanks for the info, I'll have a look at the RNTM you mentioned