Transferring from the RAF to the Navy

Hi Everyone

I am new to this so please bear with me, I am wondering if there is anyone out there that can help me, I am currently in the RAF I am looking at transferring to the Navy to be an Oceanographist, I have been on the careers website and have got an appointment at my local careers office on the 5th of Dec, I was just wondering if anyone out there is currently doing the job? I joined up because I wanted to travel and in the 6 yrs I have already been in I have been to the Falkland Islands!!!! I am currently a Comms Specialist in the RAF and I am so bored with my job I want some excitement, if I go for Oceanographist will I get to travel alot, or will it just be down to the Falklands......

Sorry to be a pain

Pretty in Pink
xx

 

Why don't you join the Merchant Navy if all you are interested in is travel?

Might be an idea.

 

Thats about the size of it.. sara has it right.

Oceanographist spend an inordinate amount of time AT SEA... ploting the bottom of mid ocean trenches, and tide hights. Not much chance of a run ashore.

the grass is always greener on the other side. Talk to a couple of Drigies before you take the plung :thumright: :thumright:

 

I love being in the forces I dont want to leave I am definately in for 22 yrs, I just need a bit of variety and excitement I have spoken to my line managers about it and they understand where I am coming from, my Trade is dying.. I didnt join up to to do what I am doing now!!! I know everyone says the grass is greener but I honestly do feel that transferring is the right thing to do

 

If you really want to change then go for it, but have a good look around at wots available first.
I spent 12 yrs in boats (submarines to you RAF types) and I loved it, but I just thought one day that it was time for a change, so had a good hard think about what I really wanted to do and transferred to the Photographic branch.
Best thing I ever did. Excellent small branch, brilliant bunch of blokes (& girls) & travelled all over the place. Only wish I'd done it earlier!

 

I have thought about it for a while, and the idea of being an oceanographist really does appeal to me.

 

Droggies do long deployments (compared to other non H ships) with not that many runs ashore. Lots of long straight lines across the Ocean. It will get you away from home for a while though, and on ships which transfer the crew while the ship stays on station, at least on the bigger ones. Do you get sea sick? Thats an honest question mate because the smaller ships roll about like a bastard in the Irish Sea in Winter

 

I have never had the oppotunity to find out if I suffer from sea sickness. Will it be a problem if I do suffer from it?

 

If it is really bad then yes, you will be discharged shore (outside). But that is VERY rare.
Generally you get used to it, and there are medicinal solutions too.
Its worth bearing in mind though as there is nothing worse than being stuck on a ship for a few weeks wishing you were dead.

 

Welcome to Rum Ration Pretty in Pink & good luck with transferring "in-service" to the Oceanographic, Hydrographic & Meteorological branch. (Always sounds a bit like the beginning of "Grease-Lightning" to me).

The only thing I'd advise is that it's not particularly exciting, plodding around surveying the ocean-floor compiling underwater maps at "Red-Sea pedestrian" walking pace, measuring tidal ranges, or predicting if the weather's going to be nice enough to drop bombs on people. The job certainly has variety & is relatively small, so training places are relatively scarce. The job is certainly full of transferable skills, but as stated beware thinking it's exciting.

The majority of excitement, at risk of type-casting, appears to be winning the "ZZ Top" beard-growing competition & finding a "nice pair of socks to go with your sandals", whilst finding the ultimate pair of John Lennon glasses that don't clash with your tank-top.

(I am jesting, incidentally)

 

He's not. Droggies are weird fcukers. Honestly.

 

Thankyou all so much for your advise and information, I think that Oceanographist would be perfect for me, I get to travel, see some of the world, when I joined up I did not want to be stuck behind a desk doing a boring 9 to 5 job and at the moment that is all I have got. I am so passionate about being in the Forces, I just feel that if I stay doing what I am then I will lose that passion and I dont want to. I am in the process of trying to decide a second option just in case the Careers Office say that I wont get in as an Oceanographist.

 

I knew I shouldn't have had that 7th Stella....I'm into triple vision now.

 

If you don't want to be bored, then a 'Droggys job isn't really for you.
Ninja-Stokers post just about sums it up, and Jimmy Greens reply that NS isn't kidding;- bob and indeed on.
Good luck with what you want to do :thumright:

 

Or even as an OceanographER. :afro:

 

Admiral Lord Collingwood (second dickie to Nelson) advocated that to sit under a tree was a sure cure for sea sickness.....sorry a bit light heartedness just to get my 100th post in

 

:thumright: Thanks Clanky!! That was bugging me to!!! Didn't want to appear pedantic :shakefist:

 

Thankyou for all your informative posts, I think I would suit Hydrographer, I dont imagine it will be a boring job at all. I am going to speak to the careers office in 2 weeks so I will just have to see what they say. My second choice will be AET so I am going to spend the next few weeks studying for the Aptitude Test.

 

Surely that should be "Oceanographer"? Not Oceanographist?
Well, it was in my day............................
RoofRat

 

Not a big reader Roofrat? Better at drivin' trakters?