Thinking of joining RNR. Ex raf rigger

[Mkcg]

Hi all

new member here. I’ve got a few questions, so bear with me.

I left the RAF in 2007, qualified rigger, done the nvq3 & btec in aeronautical engineering & a core skills level 2 thing for the AMA. I left Rank was sac(t) with 6 year’s service all in. I’m currently 36, I’ve read that you can join RNR up to 42 and ex military can join the RN up to 50. Is this correct ?

I’ve recently been finding myself missing the service life & considering the reserves. I’ve excluded the RAF reserves as a large part of the reason I left the RAF was the lack of overseas travel. I was posted as 2nd line maintenance (there’s pretty much no travel in this role unless your on a squadron). I gather there’s much more travel in the RN equivalent role?

So, firstly, as an ex regular with RAF, what initial training etc would I do with the RNR. (Tbh I reckon with the Amount of time that has passed I’d be starting from scratch).

Also if I did join the RNR and down the line considered joining the regular RN, would this be a relatively straightforward process given I’d be both a serving RNR and ex raf at this point?

If I did join the RN would they take me as a qualified AET straight off the bat? And what rank would this possibly bring. ?

I’ve got a few more questions but that that’ll do for now

TIA

 

[Mkcg]

Maybe this would be better in another section of the forum, possibly the RNR.

Maybe admin can move?

 

[WreckerL]

Moved as requested, although Sol did mention it to me but I thought I knew better

 

[Mkcg]

Thanks wrecker

 

[Branch-Hopper]

Riiiight..
Unusual one this, but I'll do my best.

My first advice here would be to speak to the RNR Air Branch direct, and see what they can do for you/you can do for them.

RNR Air Branch

The Royal Naval Reserve Air Branch supports the Fleet Air Arm in times of stretch, crisis, tension and war.

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

That link tells you a little about them, and has some contact details. Don't be put off by the location as the Air Branch is one of our "funnies" and, whilst being administered from HERON, you will be able to do drill nights at which ever unit you find it easiest to attend for non-branch training.

As for basic training, I anticipate that you will be asked to do the two week course at RAL. But don't take this as gospel. You do need to be taught to march properly, dress in a uniform not cobbled together in the latter days of WW1, and salute in the manner that God intended.

Ping an application in, as, ex regulars seems to take longer to process. It's something to do with recovering your file from deep, dark, dungeon in Glasgow, apparently. This takes TIME.

Transfer back into the regular service is not my specialised subject, and I would be loathed to give advice that might be counter-productive. However it is generally accepted that the RN have built two huge floaty things for keeping WAFU's in. These require suitably qualified bodies.

Does that help?
BH

 

[Mkcg]

Hi

thanks for taking the time to reply

After reading that link, I’m unsure if they would allow me to be an RNR air branch reserve.

Going on what it says, you’d need to be ex ‘naval’ service, (which obviously I’m not), or have significant ‘maritime’ aviation experience which I don’t, I worked on the GR4’s at lossie. That being said I am fully qualified on aircraft so who knows, I’d imagine they might take this sort of thing on a case by Case basis.

Who would I speak to at heron?

i think I’ll also Maybe register an interest online.


Out of interest, does the navy do it’s own second line a/c maintenance at all ? & which Naval aircraft squadron gets the most travel ?


@Branch-Hopper

 

[Alfacharlie]

Hi

thanks for taking the time to reply

After reading that link, I’m unsure if they would allow me to be an RNR air branch reserve.

Going on what it says, you’d need to be ex ‘naval’ service, (which obviously I’m not), or have significant ‘maritime’ aviation experience which I don’t, I worked on the GR4’s at lossie. That being said I am fully qualified on aircraft so who knows, I’d imagine they might take this sort of thing on a case by Case basis.

Who would I speak to at heron?

i think I’ll also Maybe register an interest online.


Out of interest, does the navy do it’s own second line a/c maintenance at all ? & which Naval aircraft squadron gets the most travel ?


@Branch-Hopper

I'd say 815sqn, lynx. But I've been out a bit . But reckon that's the travellers mate

 

[Branch-Hopper]

i think I’ll also Maybe register an interest online.

Yep, cost nowt and gets things moving

Who would I speak to at heron?

There's an email address in the link I sent - suggest you send some info to that.

I’d imagine they might take this sort of thing on a case by Case basis.

Yep, hence my suggestion that you ping Heron.

 

[Mkcg]

Thanks guys

 

[Mkcg]

Quick update
I emailed Heron RNR this morn. I got a noce reply from the Reserve unit commander, although he did say I wouldn’t suitable for the RNR air branch. They only take RN regulars who have recently left the naval service and are ‘current’ on the relevant aircraft.

No harm done. If anything, It’s made things a bit clearer by narrowing the reserve role options for me.

 

[redmonkey]

The current on aircraft type makes sense as otherwise a lot of time would be spent converting you to type or doing a "Q" course as the RAF call them I believe.

Shame you arent F35 qualified.

I have known some RNR working in workshops but that was a long time ago.

We do have second line depth facilities which can be a mix of RN and civvies.

 

[Joint_Force_Harrier]

Hi

thanks for taking the time to reply

After reading that link, I’m unsure if they would allow me to be an RNR air branch reserve.

Going on what it says, you’d need to be ex ‘naval’ service, (which obviously I’m not), or have significant ‘maritime’ aviation experience which I don’t, I worked on the GR4’s at lossie. That being said I am fully qualified on aircraft so who knows, I’d imagine they might take this sort of thing on a case by Case basis.

Who would I speak to at heron?

i think I’ll also Maybe register an interest online.


Out of interest, does the navy do it’s own second line a/c maintenance at all ? & which Naval aircraft squadron gets the most travel ?


@Branch-Hopper

One of my very good friends was a GR4 Chief Tech Rigger at Lossie (his son is now a Stoker).

 

[Mkcg]

The current on aircraft type makes sense as otherwise a lot of time would be spent converting you to type or doing a "Q" course as the RAF call them I believe.

Shame you arent F35 qualified.

I have known some RNR working in workshops but that was a long time ago.

We do have second line depth facilities which can be a mix of RN and civvies.

Ye true

but sadly the f35 wasn’t even in Service when i left the raf, in fact the typhoon wasn’t either lol.

Second line is great for learning all the in-depth work, like i did, but there’s practically zero travel In 2nd line, certainly in the raf anyway.

 

[soleil]

Ye true

but sadly the f35 wasn’t even in Service when i left the raf, in fact the typhoon wasn’t either lol.

Second line is great for learning all the in-depth work, like i did, but there’s practically zero travel In 2nd line, certainly in the raf anyway.

Mkcg

Am I right in thinking that you would also be interested in joining the regulars as an Air Engineering Technician?

What is your current job?

 

[Mkcg]

Mkcg

Am I right in thinking that you would also be interested in joining the regulars as an Air Engineering Technician?

What is your current job?

Hi soleil

Yes I have considered it. I was thinking of going reserve and seeing how I got on. If i enjoyed it & could it work, family wise, what’s the difference in salary going to be etc, (From what I gather it could be a decent drop, but I don’t know to be honest)

Long story short, When I left the raf I Went to British airways for a while, on 737’s and a320’s. Then i got the chance to do an adult trainee thing, working for British Gas repairing heating and I’ve been doing that wver since. We Work on a self certify basis and I’ve Got some supervisory experience, bringing apprentices through their field nvq books & field exams etc. Also they had a patch support engineer Role (Like a side role, taking time out to help colleagues with diagnosis etc) which I done for a few years until the usual budget cuts kicked in and they dropped the role. So I just do my normal duties these days.

Do you work on a naval squadron yourself?

 

[Mkcg]

One of my very good friends was a GR4 Chief Tech Rigger at Lossie (his son is now a Stoker).

Hi
What is his name?
The chief tech that is

 

[soleil]

Hi soleil

Yes I have considered it. I was thinking of going reserve and seeing how I got on. If i enjoyed it & could it work, family wise, what’s the difference in salary going to be etc, (From what I gather it could be a decent drop, but I don’t know to be honest)

Long story short, When I left the raf I Went to British airways for a while, on 737’s and a320’s. Then i got the chance to do an adult trainee thing, working for British Gas repairing heating and I’ve been doing that wver since. We Work on a self certify basis and I’ve Got some supervisory experience, bringing apprentices through their field nvq books & field exams etc. Also they had a patch support engineer Role (Like a side role, taking time out to help colleagues with diagnosis etc) which I done for a few years until the usual budget cuts kicked in and they dropped the role. So I just do my normal duties these days.

Do you work on a naval squadron yourself?

Hi Mkcg

That's interesting. You've got a really good background there.

Not on a Naval Squadron myself.

I'm wondering whether it would be worthwhile your just dipping a toe into the recruitment process. Absolutely no obligation at this point. It would put you in touch with the RN Careers Advisors in your area though.

Register | Royal Navy

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

Could be a good idea - I don't know whether there will be a long wait for you given everything happening at the moment - you are 36, so you need to think about it.

 

[Mkcg]

Hi Mkcg

That's interesting. You've got a really good background there.

Not on a Naval Squadron myself.

I'm wondering whether it would be worthwhile your just dipping a toe into the recruitment process. Absolutely no obligation at this point. It would put you in touch with the RN Careers Advsiors in your area though.

Register | Royal Navy

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

Could be a good idea - I don't know whether there will be a long wait for you given everything happening at the moment - you are 36, so you need to think about it.

Ye

I’m going to register an interest online today. From what I gather you Can join one of the services up to age 50 if you are ex forces. 39 seems to be the number for a new recruit.
But I’m sure the Afco staff will let me know when they get back to me. I’ll keep the thred updated

 

[Bisley]

The Air Branch is at max capacity at the moment and the engineers looking to be taken in will usually be indate for current aircraft type (Merlin and Wildcat) with relevant type courses completed. The trade courses are so lengthy now on each aircraft type even current Air Branch can't got on them as no requirement . Odd exception applies. Only exemptions have been contractors working on squadrons (serco, Morsons etc) who can transfer quals across.

 

[Maxpowers]

Level three would make you Eligible for the AA scheme - Direct Entry leading hand on 30k+ ?