RN ship visits

Poignard said:
That is disgraceful.

Mind you, it wasn't much better in the 1950s. I remember it took ages between my application and being signed on.
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Actually there is more to my son's story. I bought a tender from a nice chap in Emsworth a few years back and it turned out that he was responsible for recruitment in the RN. Staff were being lost at a rate of 4 times faster then they could replace. 20% annual loss Vs a manageable 5%. We bumped into him earlier this year during a family walk and I mentioned my son's experience to him. His response was "oh just apply again and everything will be fine".

This demonstrates the problem that the RN has, in that it doesn't appear to appreciate that once someone shows interest in a career there is one chance to secure their commitment.

My son is now studying for a Bsc in electronic engineering and will no doubt find a fulfilling career outside the services.
 
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Hot Property said:
Actually there is more to my son's story. I bought a tender from a nice chap in Emsworth a few years back and it turned out that he was responsible for recruitment in the RN. Staff were being lost at a rate of 4 times faster then they could replace. 20% annual loss Vs a manageable 5%. We bumped into him earlier this year during a family walk and I mentioned my son's experience to him. His response was "oh just apply again and everything will be fine".

This demonstrates the problem that the RN has, in that it doesn't appear to appreciate that once someone shows interest in a career there is one chance to secure their commitment.

My son is now studying for a Bsc in electronic engineering and will no doubt find a fulfilling career outside the services.
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They don't seem to understand how young people's minds work.

When a young man or woman shows enthusiasm for something they should be encouraged and helped to fulfil their ambitions. They will naturally have doubts about whether they are doing the right thing and if nothing happens to reassure them, those doubts will take over, they'll feel they're not really wanted and go elsewhere.
 
Do they not just grab a few likley looking youngsters from dockside pubs. :)
While the army had to bribe them with a shilling.

The RCN training vessels do ship visits when they visit ports and take part in local festivals ect.
When I was with GCNS BSAC I visited the clearance divers base at faslane. They were very friendly and informative.
I am sure a polite request from some sea cadets to a visiting ship would be warmly received.

My personal experience asking a Marine recruitment chap about the military including the navy.
Was join the marines were tough. The rest are a bunch of softies. Perhaps a bit less political correct.
His comments on the Navy were highly amusing. Though I doubt the Navy chap next door would agree.

Looking back on the recruitment office went quite a ways to try and sell the idea. Particularly when I showed some interest.
 
There was an article in Private Eye that, because they had 2 personnel databases, they'd made twice as many redundant as they'd meant to.

I did approach them in my younger days. The recruiter asked me 2 questions before deciding I was surplus to requirements.
 
st599 said:
There was an article in Private Eye that, because they had 2 personnel databases, they'd made twice as many redundant as they'd meant to.

I did approach them in my younger days. The recruiter asked me 2 questions before deciding I was surplus to requirements.
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Are we to be told what these questions were?

Or must we guess?

"Would you take your feet off my desk?"

"Would you mind not addressing me as Mate?"

:D
 
Another thought, when I went to the London boat show a few years ago the Navy had a (?) Frigate there. Maybe they don't do that now but might be an option if they do .

However don't try and poke on the new things they've tried to cover up – they didn't take kindly to that! :)

Are there still RN reserves? Maybe another route to take?

W..
 
st599 said:
Might be waiting a while. The type 31 is years off and will be cut back as costs overrun, the carriers aren't launched. Might see a type 26 or two.
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There has been a three part series on the Beeb about the Queen Elizabeth. It was filmed last year when the carrier was conducting initial flight trials on the US eastern seaboard. Well made, will appeal to youth looking for some insider stuff. Will go over the head (geddit) of the short tempered old cynics though!

The vessel is currently on second deployment there working up the front line aircraft.

Sister ship Prince of Wales is some weeks into machinery and systems trials pit stopping now and then in Invergordon. Can be found on Marine Traffic. Due in Pompey later this month.
 
Some nice responses there which will take a little bit of following up.

It was so easy when I had all my contacts.

My latest thought is for him to sign up. He is 16 and bored with school.

Unfortunately he lives a long way from me and the nearest SCC unit is 8 miles away from his home. His mum lost her husband (a Merchant Marine engineering officer) shortly after he was born and has a struggle with making financial and time ends meet in consequence. She is not enormously receptive to help either which is very frustrating.
 
Poignard said:
Are we to be told what these questions were?

Or must we guess?

"Would you take your feet off my desk?"

"Would you mind not addressing me as Mate?"

:D
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Which school did you go to?
What did your father do for a living?

Never got on to my Master's degree in engineering, my membership of the university squadron or my sporting/fitness achievements.

The old timer in the recruiting office made it quite clear I wasn't the right "sort" and shouldn't waste his time any further.
 
capnsensible said:
There has been a three part series on the Beeb about the Queen Elizabeth. It was filmed last year when the carrier was conducting initial flight trials on the US eastern seaboard. Well made, will appeal to youth looking for some insider stuff. Will go over the head (geddit) of the short tempered old cynics though!
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I don't generally watch broadcast telly, but this popped up on YouTube the other day. The narration is hugely irritating with all the fake drama and transparent suspense that helps explain why nobody under 35 watches broadcast telly nowadays, but when they let the matelots (and the ship) speak for themselves it's an entertaining and informative programme that does indeed make me feel pretty positive about the whole thing.

Pete
 
st599 said:
Which school did you go to?
What did your father do for a living?

Never got on to my Master's degree in engineering, my membership of the university squadron or my sporting/fitness achievements.

The old timer in the recruiting office made it quite clear I wasn't the right "sort" and shouldn't waste his time any further.
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Are you quite sure that you hadn't wondered into the Army recruiting office?
 
Elecglitch said:
Are you quite sure that you hadn't wondered into the Army recruiting office?
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Nope, definitely an ancient 2 ringer in the seat opposite.

I did have a mate who got in, did Dartmouth and then quit for similar reasons. Despite being near the top of the class, he said he'd never felt more unwanted.
 
There used to be a specialist recruiting branch in the Royal Navy and its personnel were permanently based in RN Recruiting Offices around the country. They were retirees from active service.

I once enjoyed a 3-month secondment to the RN/RM Recruiting Office in Leeds. The cushiest number I ever had.

The elderly man in charge had the rank, and wore the uniform, of a lieutenant but had been a CPO until he joined the Recruiting Branch and was given a commission. He was a bit of a Captain Mannering type; very conscious of his dignity and proud of his officer's uniform but so long as you called him 'Sir' and stood up when he entered the room, he was pleasant enough.

His sidekick was a former Royal Marines Colour Sergeant, also a very pleasant chap. Both had served in WWII and been decorated so very worthy of respect.

The reason I was sent there was, if I remember correctly, was that someone in the Admiralty had the idea that potential recruits might relate better to a serving junior rating than to elderly men from WWII.

I don't know how many I managed to persuade to join but I hope I didn't put any off!

Mostly the job consisted of handing out leaflets and making tea for the recruiting officers and the local policeman when he dropped by.
 
prv said:
I don't generally watch broadcast telly, but this popped up on YouTube the other day. The narration is hugely irritating with all the fake drama and transparent suspense that helps explain why nobody under 35 watches broadcast telly nowadays, but when they let the matelots (and the ship) speak for themselves it's an entertaining and informative programme that does indeed make me feel pretty positive about the whole thing.

Pete
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I love watching the Mighty Ships, Below Deck type shows but I too hate the fake drama. Every day mariners doing their every day job - there is no impending doom if Joe Bloggs doesn't get that bolt undone! As for Below Deck I wouldn't trust some of these people with a toy boat in the bath tub let alone rehire them!

W.
 
Ohlin Karcher said:
That's an amusing website capn. Apart from glossy forces news with a positive spin, it seems mainly dedicated to defensive rearguard actions debunking tabloid headlines about admirals living it up in 5* hotels, pregnant jennies and other scandals. Good link :encouragement:
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Yes it's great at dismantling a load of the rubbish misconceptions some people hold after reading poor journalism. Accurate and positive writing by a chap who uses his deep inside knowledge in an intelligent and incisive way. Good bloke.

I also see that the Prince of Wales is now operating in the western approaches and along the south coast. Due in Pompey soon. No doubt will be heartily welcomed by locals and crowds without an agenda. Portsmouth News is a good paper for reporting these spectacles.

Glad you found the link informative, isn't it good to find out what really happens? :encouragement:
 
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