RFA Deck Hand?

[Gary stevens]

Taxed like the rest I would guess, but all tax rebated if away from uk for over 6 months in a year I believe.

 

[Gary stevens]

Just completed RT today. Found the maths to be the worst bit, not really hard but against the clock. Got to survive the sift now and hopefully get an interview.

 

[Gary stevens]

Just received my RT results , I passed.

Bad news is have to wait until autumn to see if I've been selected for interview.

 

[Luminox]

Just received my RT results , I passed.

Bad news is have to wait until autumn to see if I've been selected for interview.

Well done!
What month in autumn are they planning the interviews? Do you know when they intend to start the training if fully successful?

 

[RumBox]

Well done Gary!

I got my RT invitation letter today.. 15th August!

Are the questions of the same standard as in the practice booklet?

 

[Gary stevens]

They just said autumn, your guess is as good as mine.

RT much the same as booklet, just more of them and added pressure of being against the clock.

Next course in May I think.

My local careers office told me September for my test but I pestered them and they fitted me in. Give it a try RumBox!

 

[Gary stevens]

Do RFA personnel have to do a swimming test like the RN??

 

[Megalopteron]

Do RFA personnel have to do a swimming test like the RN??

Nope. There is a selection of lifejackets in your cabin.

 

[silverfox84]

Hi all

Been accepted as a Deck Officer Cadet and start at Dartmouth on 23rd September. I know that I will attend Fleetwood after 7 weeks training at Dartmouth but will I be required to attend there immediately after I finish? It will be xmas 4 weeks later and need to plan...

 

[MeJosh]

Hi guys, I had my psychometrics test yesterday at the AFCO near Russell Square. I left the place thinking I did crap, maths was never my strong point but I got an email saying I passed before I even got back home. Pretty nervous wondering what the next stage is though!

 

[ianandnadine]

Hi guys, I had my psychometrics test yesterday at the AFCO near Russell Square. I left the place thinking I did crap, maths was never my strong point but I got an email saying I passed before I even got back home. Pretty nervous wondering what the next stage is though!

The test is multi-choice and even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day. next step I believe involves four fingers and a hole.

 

[stobart night driv]

Hello my friends ! Please can anyone help me ? I applied for SG2 in 2010 and passed the RT but got the chop at that stage ! Anyway, have applied again,this time I've submitted the application form. I've been informed by RFA HQ Recruitment that I don't have to do the RT again as I'm within a time period since the last time. Just have to wait to see if I pass the sift this time around ?
I used to be an RO1(T) in the RNR some time back (1990's) till the cuts, and was very fortunate to sail onboard many RFA's as a supernumerary signalman. I was always interested in the deck side of things so after many talks with the SG1A's and SG1B's decided to invest in doing some training at Maritime Warsash and South Tyneside College on courses eg: Stage 1 Firefighting,Basic Sea Survival,CPSC,First Aid at Sea,Carriage of Dangerous Goods at Sea,Oil Tanker Safety,GMDSS,EDH Exam and a spell onboard the TS Jonas Hanway to get my Steering Certificate.Of course these are now not STCW 95 compliant and anyway have been told that as a prospective trainee,that all these courses/exams with the exception of the GMDSS will be carried out during training anyway.
Well I'm 56 now and I think I'm at the "last chance saloon" with alot of competition from the ex-RN and "alot younger" applicants ! I well understand this,but as I'm stuck in a "dead end job" (but in a job thankfully),as an lgv c+e tramper/night driver with eddie stobart limited driving artics up and down the roads of the uk bored intensely surrounded by some pretty dodgy car driver's antics (especially around the M25); I thought I'd give it 1 more attempt at trying to gain entry as an SG2 before I become a "giffer" !
Do any of you have a similar experience of getting the chop during the application process and then applying again with success ? I really do miss my time at sea as it wasn't just a job to me,more away of life" ! I look forward to anyone out there either serving or otherwise who can guide me on my way. Anyway, to all of my fellow SG2 applicants and to you serving people may everything turns out ok for you and maybe,just maybe,I may see you all soon. Good luck my friends !

 

[ianandnadine]

Hello mate, I may be wrong but I don't think age will be an issue as long as you are medically fit enough, good luck with it it's an avenue I'm also considering. On a side note have you considered working offshore on the oil rigs? Have seen a few job adverts recently looking for Radio Operators with the GMDSS ticket being almost the only thing you need apart from maybe the CAA licence as well which can be done in two days for around £300. Anyway good luck with your adventure

 

[stobart night driv]

Hello Ianandnadine ! Well firstly may i thank you for replying to my query ! Just to let you know it was way back in 1997 at South Tyneside College when i did the GMDSS General Operators Certificate course and exams and coincidentally,at the time there were some ex-RN lads (then CR2 trainees)on the same course with me,and i have to say,were obviously "switched on" as far as there knowledge of proceedures etc,(and alot younger!).
Well, i hope you do take the plunge and go for it matey,as you've nowt to lose ! I did find the RT tests somewhat scary(especially as it's against the clock),but thr RN careers office sent me a test booklet prior to the tests to practice on, and i think that helped considerably.
Anyway, please let me know how you get on; and maybe i might see you down at Jago Road at their HQ if i get through the sift.Just off to get some scran now after a 15 hour "night tramping shift".Delivered 26 pallets of bottled water from Folkestone in Kent to Livingston in Scotland ! Cheers matey,catch you later !

 

[ianandnadine]

Hi Guys. Has anyone been advised if they have got an interview?

Yes mate, everyone that applied has been told.

 

[Harry_Thomas]

hello everyone, great thread by the way, gives the best information on the web. I was just wondering if anyone could help answer my questions about the RFA. I am currently 16 years of age and hating 6th form a lot, and im in desperate need to find a good career path. I have thought about joining the RFA because well it sounds great and looks to be a really good laugh! i have phoned the RFA number but got rejected for the role of deck hand because unfortunately they where not recruiting! it was a massive blow as i really thought i had found a really good job which i could apply for. so my question is if anyone knows roughly around what time of the year are they most likely recruiting what i want to go into as? i just need some basic info on what i could also do to step up my game and be most likely chosen to join i know this takes everyone back to basics on how they began but i really need help! thanks for any reply and it will be mostly appreciated!

 

[ianandnadine]

Harry, it might not seem like it at the moment but you are in a great position and one that many on here will envy to a degree i.e. you have age and time on your side to do anything you want. Without wishing to sound like a boring old git I'd say don't rush to leave 6th form, at 16 you would be like an embrio on an RFA age wise and it will always be there for you at a later date. That said if you really want to go for it then as said above don't limit yourself to just the RFA, there are plenty other options/companies available. With regards to recruitment all I can say is keep phoning them although I know that they have just completed interviews for two courses starting next year so it may not be for a few months or more.

 

[WreckerL]

Harry, if your only 16, have you considered taking your A levels and joining the RFA as an officer?

Also, you haven't been "rejected", just unlucky they're not recruiting at the moment.

 

[ianandnadine]

As above, get your A-levels squared away and try for officer, they always seem to have officer deck cadet positions open.

 

[jcas1403]

Oh i was under the impression i didnt have to do it......oh well will have to do some online papers myself then! :silent:

RT tests i think are valid for 3 years... I am ex RN and still had to do one for the RFA