Are you really sure you want your son to join the RN? Many of the people I went through training with are now dead. Think about that for a momnent.
These days you are really working for a government that only cares about one thing: oil.
I suggest a civilian flying career as a better alternative. The RN will screw your boy from begining to end. Just some advice from someome who has seen the light.

Can't go along with that, Colonel. Why so screwed up?

I was chatting last night to my colleague on the way to spain, as he despaired at facing another 30+ years of commercial plodding along the airways.

I am soooo glad I did my jungly time first. Yes, a shed load of my mates are in Yeovilton church yard and elsewhere supporting the sod, but I'll bet none of them would have chosen a different career path. Life's full of risk. Embrace it.

That said, I would have reservations about Tony's wars.

Snafu, fair point. I must be getting old. I simply didn't want the banter to cloud the serious question posed by the thread.

Arkroyal/snafu,

Just to clarify then - if I ask a Jungly pilot, he'll tell me that he thinks he has the best reputation in the world. It's hardly an unbiased opinion poll is it? And are you saying my career would achieve 'balance' if I flew RN Jungly Sea Kings, RN SAR Sea Kings and spent some time on the RN Sea King OCU? Not sure I agree with you on that one either. Each to their own, eh?

Single Seat, Single Engine, The Only Way To Fly

(and Bob V - you know it makes sense. None of that worrying about Decision Speed, Refusal Speed, Critical Engine Fail Speed, Single Engine Take Off Speed, Single Engine Climb Speed etc etc etc. It's so much simpler with one motor.)

Are you kidding?
 

SSSEOWTF.
You must be kidding. We don't worry about those things either. With just one engine, we'd never get airborne anyway!
Also, I have the utmost respect for Junglie pilots but I much prefer my job thanks. We all have a job to do, lets just accept that we enjoy different things!
BV

Many thanks for the replies, guys,

I really did not expect such a response and I am grateful for all of the advice, which I shall point out to him later on.

Just to set the matter straight on a couple of points.

Why didn't he ask the question himself? He doesn't even know this site exists at the moment and I posed the question on his behalf in a rare moment of inspired thought. I suppose I'd better let him know what I've done now...doh! But I'm glad I did - there's some food for thought for him when he reads this thread - hopefully he'll take part himself (if he can drag himself off the X-Box).

Definitely not a spoof post, 100% genuine request for advice.

As for the career in civilian aviation, the question was asked and there was not a glimmer of enthusiasm, unlike the sparkle that arose with the thought of flying military hardware. The civilian option could always follow on as a second career.

I can see the benefits of both RAF and RN options and I suppose he would be pretty dopey not to at least look at both.

Again, many thanks and I will make sure the posts are passed on.

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Col K

Wash your mouth out with soap - suggesting youngster takes the devil's money and pilots a scheduled a/c from the start of his career.

Military aviation was invented so that young men could work hard, play hard, and then have even more fun afterwards!

ArkRoyal - getting old? - you were ancient when you started mate - how you concealed your Zimmer as you struggled up the hill to BRNC I'll never know.

2close - give him plenty of encouragement - it's a fine choice, and his Mum will shed a tear as she seems him march off to the RM band at Dartmouth.

Whatever the RAF say - they don't, and will never have the Royal Marines band. I've seen grown men weep as the RM Beat Retreat - and if he only joins the RN for that then he's made an excellent decision.

God, with replies like that I'm almost looking forward to going back to work tomorrow!

LMAO, mmm I wonder is airborne artist like this at work? can you imagine the crewroom emptying, or the polite visit to the WC in the mess, interesting bloke.

FnF

I can imagine the sound effects in trap 1 with AA playing the porcelain tuba. :sad:

Retard

FnF and Engineer

Shame you do not know whom you are talking about!!

airborne..............

You are too cruel. As for the zimmer, Jack London hid it for me:{

Too Close,

Keep an eye on the recuritment pages and if necessary PM me. The chap you need to talk to here is Si Clik.

1. Going to Uni - stand by for a possible reduction in recruitment age for aircrew. Could limit his opportunities. Flying scholarships, Flying Camps etc are all up for grabs but if he does go to uni fleece the UAS for all their worth then go dark blue - even if just for the banter and dit value.

2. Don't take the RAF/RN opportunity banter too seriously. If your lad wants to be fast jet single seat the standard is the same - they train alongside each other, pass together, fail together. It's just those that aren't good enough for FJ single seat seat in the RAF get to fly an aircraft with a voice activated nav system (AKA Navigator), whereas in the RN we only take the best of the best so they then end up RW.

3. Even if streamed RW in the RN there is an avenue to go FJ later on once a bit of experience under the belt, known as SMAC 309.

4. At the mo there is serious consideration being given to grading obs for FJ potential. Afterall, the first RN GR7 guy isn't a thoroughbred FJ pilot.

5. Oh and we're desparate. Lots of spaces so if he has any glimmer of potential we'll try and tap it. See RAF thread - they stacked out and don't need to recruit!

If I were you I'd give serious consideration to getting in early. The chances are that if you have what it takes to become a FJ aviator then he'll be ideally placed for the JSF. The Navy offers some fantastic flying and great career opportunities.
There is not much more challenging or rewarding in the aviation world than embarked operations. Its the sport of kings!

Good work on persuading our friend on going dark blue, but the first RN GR7 guy was an ab initio non grad. AKA sranners

Thanks again, guys (and, Spud, I hope you're reading this as advised).

It look as though it's going to be the Flying Start programme, to get some insights into life in the service (he was only 5 1/2 when he ceased being a pad brat so I can't expect him to remember too much).

He's been to the CIO where he was advised to come back when he starts his A Levels in September and to apply then.

Apparently a 1 on 1 interview with a RN Lt. will take place to assess suitability - any pointers on preparation for this? Is it usual stuff like Organisation, Role, History, Hardware, Deployments, etc.?

Assuming he passes this stage, the next hurdle he's been told is the Admiralty Board. That should be fun for him.

Cheers again.

2close
(and yes, it was TOO close, far too bl**dy close)