Joining the Navy!

[calais]

One thing i'd say about joining the ADF is to research on your own ie; Ignore every possible piece of information recruiting feed you with reference to either postings and/or promotion because its total BS. What they dont ever tell you at recruiting is that when it comes to postings in reference to manning and CE is that the service requirements will always override any personal preferences you may have in reference to wanting to avoid a posting location or an exercise or deployment. That goes for all services. So what it really comes down to is these things Yes it is your career and you can shape it the way you want, but only if it truly fits in with the needs of the service. It is quite widely accepted that the RAAF is somewhat more accomodating than the other services. My experience is based on four years and three postings with the RAAF as a supplier/ Movements Operator.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by calais

Yes it is your career and you can shape it the way you want, but only if it truly fits in with the needs of the service.

^^^100% what he said. It is the #1 reason I am no longer in the service.

Originally Posted by calais

It is quite widely accepted that the RAAF is somewhat more accomodating than the other services.

And this is what I was talking about earlier when I referred to RAAF as ADF Lite. They put up with the same cr*p as the rest, but they seem happier about it. It's not normal :

It seems I'm on here every other post, maybe I should re-enlist and take that recruiting job after all... : NOT!!!


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[calais]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

And this is what I was talking about earlier when I referred to RAAF as ADF Lite. They put up with the same cr*p as the rest, but they seem happier about it. It's not normal :

Its not that we are happier with the same crap at all. I personally believe that the RAAF is simply far more diplomatic by nature when it comes to maintenance of troop morale, be it at junior or senior level. Seldom are tasks ordered that achieve nothing more than waste time such as in other services; for example

1) The navy = Cleaning 'Panics' that the junior enlisted are required to undertake under the 'maintenance of service Discipline' ethos, that and the need to keep all sailors and junior officers walking on eggshells for fear of charges and disciplinary action for even the slightest 'dereliction of duty' or misdemenour

2) The Army = Total disregard for maintenance of a balance between service and family life. I have lost count of the number of times that the Army have begun training exercises on a saturday to ensure the exercise is up and running by the monday, running the rock show for a week or two or three or four depending of the mood of the CO or OC, ending on a friday, packing up and redeploying over the saturday and sunday, then expecting his troops to parade clean shaven and bright eyed on the monday. Families get by of course, but with "departmental services" as an interim replacement for the husband or wife the army is training relentlessly. Oh that and the need to keep all troops and junior officers walking on eggshells for fear of charges and disciplinary action for even the slightest 'dereliction of duty' just as the navy does and worse.

It has also been my experience, however short it may be, that whenever I have been given a task by my superiors, I can hand on heart say, it has in some way completed either a training task which in turn has safely completed an operational goal.

I would also like to add that it would be wholeheartedly foolish to think the there is a lack of discipline with the RAAF or that it is the more lax of the three services. The RAAF simply applies common sense in cases where the other services have been known to apply unnecessary administrative action. which in turn can deplete the morale as much as the senior commanders will tell you it improves it.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by calais

Its not that we are happier with the same crap at all. I personally believe that the RAAF is simply far more diplomatic by nature when it comes to maintenance of troop morale, be it at junior or senior level.

Now you're just being modest. Every uniformed member of the defence force has to eat the occasional S#*t sandwhich. Otherwise they'd have been replaced with defence civilians long ago. Believe it!

Originally Posted by calais

I would also like to add that it would be wholeheartedly foolish to think the there is a lack of discipline with the RAAF or that it is the more lax of the three services.

In actual fact, I believe the navy is that. Though we do like to give the RAAF a complex about it :hihi: . Onboard ships, the navy has the most relaxed whole unit environment of the three services, IMO. Need to when you live that close to each other for that length of time.

I lived at RAAF Williams for 9 months while on course, and waiting to take delivery of my ship. My time there confirmed my belief that in every service there are tools with more rank and authority than is good for them.

I don't know what your experience with army or navy is calais, but it isn't all that bad really. I can tell you, and I'm sure there are (ex?)soldiers lurking on here somewhere who will back me up, that not everyone is living with fear in the other services.

In fact, I enjoyed the majority of my time in the navy. It just got less fun after some d*ckheads allegedly drove some planes into some buildings a few years ago. And after promotion and change of duties I found my goals were no longer the same as the navy's and it was no longer the same exciting adventure - it was just a job. Poor senior leadership just made it worse.

I said earlier that as a young, single feller (or chick) the ADF can be a really great lifestyle, no matter your chosen service or core duties. But when the passion for service goes, it's time to leave.

The ADF will give you everything you need, almost to the point of spoon feeding you, but they demand everything from you too. Yet, when you decide it's time to leave, they take it all back. So if you do decide to go, make sure you're all set up first, because you may find the service will no longer be there for you.

Anyone who wishes to join the ADF needs to know that it is a complete lifestyle change they will be undertaking. If you just want a job, seek elsewhere...

Bottom line, it can be the most fun, most rewarding time of your life if you're prepared to give it a go. Go hard, no fear.


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[sleekism]

Well I've got a "Personality Test" on Wednesday whatever that is.

Apparently it's not pass or fail?????

[bluestreak]

Sounds like the old aptitude test - where they work out what you might or might not be good at, how well you'd go in certain situations etc.


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[sleekism]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

Sounds like the old aptitude test - where they work out what you might or might not be good at, how well you'd go in certain situations etc.


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Already done Aptitude and Mechanical test etc.

This is a "specialist" test for Submariners.

[XlR8TED]

Originally Posted by sleekism

Already done Aptitude and Mechanical test etc.

This is a "specialist" test for Submariners.

With the current shortage, I think you'd really need to flap up to get through it. All the best!

Have my OSB 7-11 Oct...starting to sh!t bricks.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by sleekism

This is a "specialist" test for Submariners.

Originally Posted by bluestreak

...where they work out what you might or might not be good at, how well you'd go in certain situations etc.

As submarine service takes a special kind of cookie, they just want to see how you'll fit in, how you might cope with it. My understanding of it, from other submariners, is it allows sub captains to pick their crews based on the personality test, or know where strengths and weaknesses might be within the crew.

If sub service is what you really want, best of luck.


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[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by sleekism

Well I've got a "Personality Test" on Wednesday whatever that is.

Apparently it's not pass or fail?????

They test your reaction to this training video. Anti-discrimination laws prevent them from passing or failing you.

NAVY training video

[myxr6]

The best advice I can give you about joining the NAVY is too keep your sense of humor.
I was in from 1980 to 1990 , through Nirimba and various ships and bases.You make good friends and have fun , but it can also be hard at sea with all the Cr*p and people from other branches sticking their nose in where it doesn't belong just to be a pain.

Originally Posted by sleekism

I'm applyling for the Navy and am wondering what peoples experiences are.

I have put down:

1) Seaman Officer
2) Marine Technician Sub Specialist
3) Bosuns Mate

I was originally just appyling for just Marine Tech but then I thought I might as well have a go at officer entry as well and put Bosuns mate because thats pretty much what I was in cadets and enjoyed it.

The thing was that I think I ****ed off the recruiter by changing preferences he went on about "theres a waiting list for Bosuns" and "MT is a good job you will get straight away promotion".

Doing some research it appears there is a critical shortage of MT's and submariners. Why???

Sleekism,

As a member of the Submarine service and the RAN in general i really think you need to look at the reasons that you want to join mate.

If you are chasing a short job or money then maybe something like a Bosun might be the go for you. If you are looking at being a Submariner just to get some good money, or to have a shiney badge on your chest then i think you should look elsewhere. Most people who come over to the black things for those reasons rarely make it. And if they do they dont last very long.

To be a submariner takes a lot of training and dedication by the person involved; much more than in the surface fleet. The hours are long both alongside and at sea. When you dive on these things, for up to 60 days, you have no phone, internet, email, tv, gym etc (like you do on the ships). The watches at sea are always in 2 watches compared to 3 or 4 on the grey things so a lot of guys burn out quite quickly. Looking at all of this should answer your question about why they are so short.

I have read a few people knocking their time in Pussers (some even did 10 years and still knocked it) but like any job it has its good and bad points and in the end its what you make of it mate, good luck!

Cheers

XR5 Driver

[sarrge2001]

I looked at it like this.....

Army - crawl through mud and get shot at

Navy - Get on a ship and sail off to be shot at

RAAF - Strap your officer into a plane and send him off to be shot at.

I joined the RAAF