Weapons or Marine Engineer?

I have went through all my recruitment process wanting to be MCD. Although they have only just figured out my eyesight isnt what it needs to be about five month down the line. Sucks right? Yeah I know.

I have read both brief descriptions on RN site and in a few third party forums but doesnt clear much up as to why I am writing this!

Can anyone give me a better description or add to what I already know about both roles as I want to make a decision by Friday..

I come from a computer background being a computer engineer but I also fancy a new scene.

Also to add to this does anyone know a role in the RN where you can still dive with V3 eyes

Cheers


It's never a failure. It's always a lesson

 

Do you want to play with engines or weapons?

 

Entries for witty comments are still open for submittal.


It's never a failure. It's always a lesson

 

It was serious question but if that's your response, try the RAF Regiment.

 

The two jobs will have many similarities at the different ranks as both are structured similarly. The main difference is the kit you look after. As an ME its quite simple. If it ain't a weapon, sensor, comms device or aircraft you can and probably will work on it. This includes the hull and structure, propulsion machinery, electrical generation and everything that makes the ship liveable like ventilation, fresh water production, galley and laundry equipment and so on. You'll start at the bottom learning how to watchkeep on the machinery alongside and then at sea. In between time you'll work for a section which actually maintains the kit more often than not cleaning your sections compartments and machinery too. You'll also do other general duties on the ship like fire party, RAS party and dining hall party. Theoretically as you move up the ranks the job gets better but that's debatable. At sea you'll normally expect 8 hours a day watchkeeping and 3 or 4 working for your section if you are very lucky. More is often the norm. You'll have task books to complete, which prove you can conduct certain tasks solo, in order to proceed up the ladder. These are expected to be completed in your own time. Finally you can squeeze in keeping fit and keeping your mess deck, heads and bathrooms and department areas clean and tidy for regular rounds. The rest of he day is yours to eat and sleep. Alongside its much the same with duties 1 in 4 days as a junior rate and improving a bit as you progress.

As a WE its pretty similar but on different kit (anything except the aircraft in the earlier list). They do much less watchkeeping as a junior rate and all in all seem to have a bit better work/life balance. If you have a background in computers then WE would be the way to go I think. You may feel you want away from it but that might change in the cold hard light of life in an engineering dept. Ships are relying more and more on computers and will need to specialise people in that area soon. It's just taking time for the higher ups to click.

Both branches in the surface fleet are having some issues at the moment and changes are afoot but the core jobs have to remain the same. Just the way we achieve things might change.

Hope this helps with your decision.


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Really helped! Quite alot. After this and a talk with my mummy earlier I think my final decision is WE. Reason being the only problem I have with being a computer engineer is the customer service but I wont have that in the navy. Thanks so much.


It's never a failure. It's always a lesson

 

You may not have customer service as a WE but I bet no-one you ever dealt with had the power to call you to a room with lots of windows (not the Microsoft kind) and publicly tear your head off because his computer broke down and stopped him firing his big gun! You'll enjoy that.


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Agree, the 'customer service' comment is a bit worrying (but I'll sleep). Inability to get on with others doesn't bode well. It certainly made life difficult for me.

 

Entries for remedial "search function" operation classes are also still being submitted. You should consider it. This has been done to death.

 

Inability to get on with others seemed to be a prerequisite in some WE departments I've seen though!


Posted from the Navy Net mobile app (Android / iOS)

 

Yeah i have heard that too. Must be the nerd in us. We will see i guess. Every job has its pros and cons



It's never a failure. It's always a lesson

 

I was a WAFU Pinky (Aircraft radio and radar) when I left the RN I joined BAE as a Weapons Engineer (It's all electronics).
I was suprised at how similar the general service world was to the Woo world, right down t the weapons electrical haveing a much easier life than the stokers, NUFF SAID,:sith:

 

Cos he's a born weapons engineer:shock:

 

Always a good indicator of the "work ethos" of the branch :scratch: - so far as I'm aware there are three or four Marine Engineering contributors on this thread, together with representation from the Air & Logistics world....but no comments from the Weaponeering world.

Too early?

 

Too busy .......

 

Too dopey!

 

This isn't entirely reassuring for me going in as a WE. I don't want to be seen as just getting by :s

It is still possible to be a WE and work hard, right?

 

POTW!!

 

What do you mean as just getting by? I hope you dont mean pay as i want to be able to live comfortably


It's never a failure. It's always a lesson

 

Do you have a good life outside of the navy ?


It's never a failure. It's always a lesson