all depends on what branch you are in, most branches are massivly under staffed, some have are very healthy intake.
When i first went to apply to join in 94 for OM(EW) i was told there was a 1 year waiting list, and tried to get me to join another branch, which i refused, and waited the 1 year. once i had joined and done all my training and got to see, OM(EW) branch was seriously under staffed, only 2 OM2(EW) and 1 LOM (EW) 1 PO(EW) and 1 CPO(EW) on the invince, was pretty hectic when we got deplyed to the Gulf, we had to go on 6on 6off defence watches as soon as we left Pompey, while the rest of the Warfare brance did not go into defence watches until we were at the bottom of the Red sea nearly 3 weeks later, Pretty sh_yte while your having to get some kip through the day and your mess are having a party :evil: