What's new
By:
Filters
Navy Net - Royal Navy Community

Register a free account today to join our community
Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site, connect with other members through your own private inbox and will receive smaller adverts!

ME 'fast-track' limbo malaise

B

block

Midshipman
A small number of us who just completed Sultan and were selected for 'fast-track' find ourselves parked on the hard shoulder in Nelson. We are waiting in a 'pool' and there are no ships and no vacancies in ETS. No one here seems to know how long we'll be in this limbo, so can someone please explain why we've constantly heard 'manpower shortage and lack of MEs' etc? And does anyone know how this will affect our status when we cannot get on with our task-book, given the time constraints? One year after going through the gate, still not in the fleet, assigned to 'maintenance support' and bored out of our minds. Any help would be welcome.
 
Last edited:
I will appear to be in the same boat as you next Friday, though one of the FT lads managed to get ETS Devonport along with 1/2 the class.
 
We were told there's a backlog with FT that could take a while to sort. How long is anyone's guess. It's the uncertainty that's doing our noodles in.
 
block said:
A small number of us who just completed Sultan and were selected for 'fast-track' find ourselves parked on the hard shoulder in Nelson. We are waiting in a 'pool' and there are no ships and no vacancies in ETS. No one here seems to know how long we'll be in this limbo, so can someone please explain why we've constantly heard 'manpower shortage and lack of MEs' etc? And does anyone know how this will affect our status when we cannot get on with our task-book, given the time constraints? One year after going through the gate, still not in the fleet, assigned to 'maintenance support' and bored out of our minds. Any help would be welcome.
Click to expand...
To be honest, I think the best way to find-out what the problem is, is by using the divisional chain of command. There's plenty of information out there and the Branch Manager is the logical first port of call.

Trouble with having a drip on social media is that it tends to be frowned-upon and as sure as eggs is eggs, the social media fun police will have issues with regard potential reputational damage, particularly on a group of individuals who can be very, very easily identified by the information provided in the opening post.

Just sayin' :)

Good luck, let's hope the constipated training pipeline becomes unblocked remarkably swiftly.
 
It takes about 18 months to get an ET(ME) "Sea Qualified". A Ship, near regardless of size, can only cope with so many trainees at a time. For better or worse, you are probably towards the bottom of the list.

Have you

a) spoken to your DO?
b) asked your DO for extra work?
c) expressed a preference to be somewhere other than Pompey? If you just want a Pompey Ship, then you'll be waiting longer.
d) asked to go to HMS PRINCE OF WALES?
 
alfred_the_great said:
d) asked to go to HMS PRINCE OF WALES?
Click to expand...
To be honest, I'm aware of frustrations with regard getting taskbooks cracked on another aircraft carrier of a similar appearance and truth is, until they move on board and the kit actually gets commissioned, there will be periods of stasis I'd have thought.

It's bad enough trying to crack a taskbook on a ship coming out of refit but not so long ago it was feasible in little over six months - I guess the number of operational seagoing hulls at present will be making it difficult to manage fleet-wide.
 
Ninja_Stoker said:
To be honest, I'm aware of frustrations with regard getting taskbooks cracked on another aircraft carrier of a similar appearance and truth is, until they move on board and the kit actually gets commissioned, there will be periods of stasis I'd have thought.

It's bad enough trying to crack a taskbook on a ship coming out of refit but not so long ago it was feasible in little over six months - I guess the number of operational seagoing hulls at present will be making it difficult to manage fleet-wide.
Click to expand...
Despite my earlier comment a month 'aquiant' to QE would at least give them some thing to do apart from kicking their heels in Nelson.
 
What about sea time in an RFA? Getting to grips with basic engineering is the building block of a career. The RFA can always do with a hand. The Bay class have plenty of accommodation. In many cases the kit is not exactly the same but principles are the same. At least it will get these people to sea..
 
Gentlemen, thanks for your comments. My next question is to all stokers - Would I (that's we) be better off requesting a different draft and going the scenic route rather than hanging on for this 'fast-track' bus that might never show up? No dripping intended, your opinions would be gratefully received.
 
block said:
Gentlemen, thanks for your comments. My next question is to all stokers - Would I (that's we) be better off requesting a different draft and going the scenic route rather than hanging on for this 'fast-track' bus that might never show up? No dripping intended, your opinions would be gratefully received.
Click to expand...

I've had about 6 or 8 ET(ME)s been Fast track in my ship, it does turn up.
 
block said:
Gentlemen, thanks for your comments. My next question is to all stokers - Would I (that's we) be better off requesting a different draft and going the scenic route rather than hanging on for this 'fast-track' bus that might never show up? No dripping intended, your opinions would be gratefully received.
Click to expand...

As a stoker in the submarine fleet you'll be put straight to work if that's any help?
 

Latest Threads

New Posts

Top