Career as a Royal Navy officer

[steve208]

Can anyone recommend this as i am thinking about it. I have been on a number of "aquaint" trips etc but am unsure about certian aspects.

1.Being in the front line and if I would be able to handle it as from my time at uni i have become rather sceptical about the need for force in the world.

2.Coping with being away from home for so long and with many different situations/cultures.

Many say that a career in the forces can be the making of them and they become strong etc. But i am not so convinced as to wether it will break me or make me stronger?

[buildersmate]

Firstly I think they are eminently sensible questions and its good that you are thinking about this. Secondly I feel you won't get a particularly good, impartial view from an open website like this. Thirdly I'd go to the RN Careers Advice people and see what they say and how they tackle your concerns. But I wouldn't just take that answer, because, afterall, they are part of the recruitment machine. As part of that, you could ask to speak to a RN Chaplain. The chaplaincy organisation within the forces has a pastoral care role and a one-to-one discussion might help. Finally I'd try and find a family friend who is in the RN - ideally at about a Commander level - so a couple of ranks above the level that you would go in at - to ask for an informal discussion about how it worked for them. Good luck, BM.

[steve208]

Thank you for your answer.

Off the top of my head i am not sure there is anyone in the family or friends who is in the RN, there used to be someone at my dad's work who had a son in the RN but my dad changed jobs.

I will try to go to the careers office but not sure what they would say about speaking to a chaplin, and anyway i am not at all religious. When i was at Britania RN college for a week years ago you had to go to church and i really dont believe but it seems to be tied in with the RN/forces.

I know some of what i have said makes it seem that i only have negative questions about life in the RN but on the positive side.

1. I love being by/on the sea and being part of managing the ship. I have been on watch on a tall ship before.

2. I am keen to be part of bringing help to those in need and in using the threat of force to help prevent activities which may be harmful, such as drug traffic in the west indies.

[horsestache1]

Agree with buildersmate (as usual).

But you might also wish to have a look at Deck/Engineering Officer training in the Merchant Navy.

[steve208]

Well yes i have looked into training with the Royal Fleet Auxiluary, the supply ships of the royal navy. But i think i found i am now too old to be an officer cadet (at the age of 24) and have a C grade in maths GCSE not a B.

[buildersmate]

A chaplain's role is both religuous and non-religuous. They have a role in counselling.