Northumbria1995
Newbie

Hi,
I've been interested in joining the Navy since I was around 16, although life kept getting in the way and I know if I don't go for it, it will be a huge regret.
I left school at 16 to do a mechanical engineering apprenticeship, followed by completing a mechanical engineering degree shortly after. Due to turning 26 this year, it really seems if I don't join shortly the financial/life commitments would make it more difficult to join, and therefore probably won't happen.
My dilemma is at this stage in my life, joining as an officer really doesn't appeal to me, as it seems they're far more of a managerial role than engineering based. I would much rather be actually working on the equipment than managing the people that do, as that is why I became an engineer.
The AFCO near me advised I either bite the bullet and try out for an officer role or the UGAS scheme. As they thought I'd stand a very good chance of being selected, due to my level of experience and qualifications. Though this seemed backwards to me as potentially I'd be studying for an apprenticeship and degree I already have just from a different University. Also, while I'd love the chance to work on the nuclear submarines, I agree with a lot of the advice on here and I'd much rather join the surface fleet and have the option later on to work on the boats rather than committing from day one - having never seen one.
I've read a lot of the questions previously asked on here, but none seem to cover how to join with previous experience and an engineering degree as rating within the engineering roles.
I am more than happy to join as a Marine Technician Rating, as the money wouldn't bother me so much, my fear is my expectations of what I'd be doing and what I'd actually be doing are wildly different. For example, this role requires no qualifications therefore there much be considerable training given prior to actually working on any of the ships equipment, so is it possible to be accelerated through that training or is it a fixed timeline from starting at the bottom to working you way up?
I appreciate your help.
Cheers,
I've been interested in joining the Navy since I was around 16, although life kept getting in the way and I know if I don't go for it, it will be a huge regret.
I left school at 16 to do a mechanical engineering apprenticeship, followed by completing a mechanical engineering degree shortly after. Due to turning 26 this year, it really seems if I don't join shortly the financial/life commitments would make it more difficult to join, and therefore probably won't happen.
My dilemma is at this stage in my life, joining as an officer really doesn't appeal to me, as it seems they're far more of a managerial role than engineering based. I would much rather be actually working on the equipment than managing the people that do, as that is why I became an engineer.
The AFCO near me advised I either bite the bullet and try out for an officer role or the UGAS scheme. As they thought I'd stand a very good chance of being selected, due to my level of experience and qualifications. Though this seemed backwards to me as potentially I'd be studying for an apprenticeship and degree I already have just from a different University. Also, while I'd love the chance to work on the nuclear submarines, I agree with a lot of the advice on here and I'd much rather join the surface fleet and have the option later on to work on the boats rather than committing from day one - having never seen one.
I've read a lot of the questions previously asked on here, but none seem to cover how to join with previous experience and an engineering degree as rating within the engineering roles.
I am more than happy to join as a Marine Technician Rating, as the money wouldn't bother me so much, my fear is my expectations of what I'd be doing and what I'd actually be doing are wildly different. For example, this role requires no qualifications therefore there much be considerable training given prior to actually working on any of the ships equipment, so is it possible to be accelerated through that training or is it a fixed timeline from starting at the bottom to working you way up?
I appreciate your help.
Cheers,