Joining the RNR

[CrazyWiggy]

I'm currently going through the process of joining the RNR and I just feel like having a bit of a moan right now over how much of a pain it's turning into.

In March of this year I came the end of six years in the mob and before going on terminal leave I was at sea in a pussers gray for a few weeks. So why in God's name am I having to sit the joining test, go to a formal interview and have an eye test. And, to do all this I'm having to take time off from my new job to go to the AFCO. A job I've only been in for half a dog watch.

A girl I was on resettlement with from the Royal Sigs practicaly walked in to the TA with none of this hassle.

If I'm going to join the RNR, something which operates mostly at weekends and evenings then why can't all this be handled in those hours??

 

[phil1972]

The AFCO see their job as recruiting mainly full time RN and RNR was a bit of an after thought. I know that you get the impression that they make you feel that they are doing you a favour.

It may be best to just contact your local RTC, it won't make AFCO any easier but at least you will get to know the people you will be working with in future and hopefully make you feel the effort is worthwhile.

Stick at it, the RNR need more ex RN like you. Good luck.

 

[Brains]

If it's any consolation, we're told it's going to get a lot easier. Doesn't help you, I know, but it does mean that the powers that be acknowledge there is a problem and are doing something about it.

 

[dubaipusser]

I'm currently going through the process of joining the RNR and I just feel like having a bit of a moan right now over how much of a pain it's turning into.

In March of this year I came the end of six years in the mob and before going on terminal leave I was at sea in a pussers gray for a few weeks. So why in God's name am I having to sit the joining test, go to a formal interview and have an eye test. And, to do all this I'm having to take time off from my new job to go to the AFCO. A job I've only been in for half a dog watch.

A girl I was on resettlement with from the Royal Sigs practicaly walked in to the TA with none of this hassle.

If I'm going to join the RNR, something which operates mostly at weekends and evenings then why can't all this be handled in those hours??

As a matter of interest - when you left the RN you should have had the full discharge medical (including an eye test) - which presumably declared you fit otherwise you could have a claim against the RN for whatever they did to you during the 6 years to turn you from the fit recruit who can see to the unfit Discharge Shore who can't see.

That medical should still be valid since it was only 6 months ago - ask the AFCO why they need to go through the rigmarole - have they actually read your application and noted your previous experience?

The pragmatic (big word that the RN/RNR doesn't seem to understand) answer should be that you walk in off the street and back into rig unless the background Service checks suggest that there is a problem.

 

[Gunpowder_Gertie]

Seems rather silly to me having to sit the joining exam again. I had many years between leaving regular service and joining the RNR. I had the interview and the medical because obviously in that time alot will have changed. I didn't have to repeat basic training either, just went straight into my branch.

Could it depend whether you are going into the equivalent RNR branch or going for something different. A friend of mind in the Aussie TA had to retake their entrance exam and got better marks and has been able to train in a more technical branch so it may have its advantages.

 

[CrazyWiggy]

Thing is, just supposing I had a bad day when I did the test, would that mean I can't do the job for the RNR that I've been doing for the RN for six years?

 

[Anchor_Faced]

It's all supposed to be improving!! Ex RN types should be able to 'seemlessly' transfer in.....if I were you I'd get in touch with the recruiting SO1 who'll probably take this up for you. Good luck. :?

 

[Lurch]

The big problem that the RNR has with taking in ex-RN is that the system is only designed for taking in people off the street to be AB2s. Anything else is treated as an exception and something that's not happened for years. So it comes as no surprise that many ex-RN Officers, SRs and JRs who are thinking about the RNR are put off by the utterly stupid way that they are treated by the RNR recruiting process. You'd have thought by now that someone would have sorted out a way to get these people in. How hard can this be?

 

[dubaipusser]

The big problem that the RNR has with taking in ex-RN is that the system is only designed for taking in people off the street to be AB2s. Anything else is treated as an exception and something that's not happened for years. So it comes as no surprise that many ex-RN Officers, SRs and JRs who are thinking about the RNR are put off by the utterly stupid way that they are treated by the RNR recruiting process. You'd have thought by now that someone would have sorted out a way to get these people in. How hard can this be?

The stupid thing is that I bet there already is a well documented 'system' with a clear laid down set of procedures in the middle of a very big BR somewhere that either hasn't been made public or, more likely, has not been handed over to those who need to know about it. Understandable given the rapid pace of rotation of recruiting personnel in RTCs (and AFCOs in some cases) but not really an excuse.

 

[trehorn]

I'm currently going through the process of joining the RNR and I just feel like having a bit of a moan right now over how much of a pain it's turning into.

In March of this year I came the end of six years in the mob and before going on terminal leave I was at sea in a pussers gray for a few weeks. So why in God's name am I having to sit the joining test, go to a formal interview and have an eye test. And, to do all this I'm having to take time off from my new job to go to the AFCO. A job I've only been in for half a dog watch.

A girl I was on resettlement with from the Royal Sigs practicaly walked in to the TA with none of this hassle.

If I'm going to join the RNR, something which operates mostly at weekends and evenings then why can't all this be handled in those hours??

Unfortunately mate its one of them things that for some reason never seems to have been addressed.

As others have mentioned, please stick with it. The RNR needs experienced hands like never before. Once you get through all the bullshit at the beginging it really is worth it.[/quote]

Take a look at the "why do you stay in" thread when you start to get really pissed off with it.

 

[FlagWagger]

The stupid thing is that I bet there already is a well documented 'system' with a clear laid down set of procedures in the middle of a very big BR somewhere that either hasn't been made public or, more likely, has not been handed over to those who need to know about it. Understandable given the rapid pace of rotation of recruiting personnel in RTCs (and AFCOs in some cases) but not really an excuse.

BR60 has a section on joing the RNR from the RN and the options that ex-RN have.

 

[Smudge_3/06]

It may be best to just contact your local RTC

Sound advice phil. AFCOs are the worst way to join the reserves. Unfortunately, they're the only way.

Having said that I haven't read BR60 so ex RN may have other options.