Royal Navy Careers and Employment

I joined the Royal Navy straight out of high school. I had very average grades and no interest in returning to a classroom, so I decided to serve my country whilst seeing parts of the world none of my friends had or ever would.The motto back then was "join the navy, see the world", which is precisely my experience. I met so many people that I care about still to this day and will do anything for, these people are more than colleagues, they become family.I served on operations in the initial Iraq conflict in 2003, still a young man it changed my world view. After this I decided I wanted to do more, and aspire to become more. In 2006 I transferred from the Royal Navy to the Royal Marines, which meant going through basic training again. The Royal Marines is the longest basic training in the world, with a very high attrition rate. Out of 53 recruits in my initial class only 12 made it (myself included). I served on operations many times as a Commando and retired as a Corporal but still with very average school grades.So my advice to anyone joining is, take every single opportunity you are offered, NEVER get comfortable in a position and begin to coast because it will come back to bite you!I have recently gained an honors degree from Open University as, although I have buckets of 'life experience', I was never pushed to gain civilian qualifications (which the Royal Navy will help you gain! £££).

Engineering Technician Marine Engineer in Portsmouth, Hampshire

on 19 July 2022

Exciting, challenging and rewarding

If I wasn't married, I'd still be in. It's not for everyone and you have to have the right mentality for the job. I loved it, loved the travel, loved the job, and loved my shipmates. Had a lot of opportunities to cross off things from my bucket list whilst being away on deployment.

Chef in Faslane

on 14 July 2022

Awful

Just a number , soon as something wrong medical releated your a liability. Bullying swept under carpet, People in leadership roles without experience.

Communications Information Specialist/Weapons Engineer in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute

on 14 July 2022

Difficult but rewarding

After spending 5 and a half years in the RN I would say it is definitely a single person's game. Difficult to say the least but it has prepared me for life and for that I will be grateful I did it. I am proud to have served.

Weapons Engineer Submariner in Helensburgh

on 5 July 2022

No life outside of work but good experiences.

If you're a single person and don't miss home then this is the job for you. Plenty of money with promotion in rank, get to travel the world, literally get to do things no one else would even be able to dream of (talking from a Submariner point of view).However, the lack of support for if you're struggling with any mental health issues or family issues is shocking. "Man up and get on with it" "If you don't like it, leave" where a few of the comments I recieved from Managers on board the boats.Barely get any time at home once qualified. Worked 0800-1900 most days, and when you include duties, you're only going home 1-2 weekends in a month. The period of October 2020 to June 2021 I was home for 3 weekends and 2 weeks for that year. If you live near Faslane it's fine as you go home every night, if you live away then you don't get a good work/life balance.For Ordnance sections of the WESM branch, you're overworked and understaffed *constantly*. If long days and hard graft are your thing then it's ideal for you, but ultimately I just burnt my candle at both ends and couldn't do it anymore.Do not join the Submarine service if you're looking at the wages. Do it because you want to be working there, otherwise you will not enjoy it.

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