In the Navy . . . .

jennihen

DD1(age 14) has expressed an interest in joining the Navy. I'm delighted because prior to this her career choices until now have been the dreaded 'Hair and Beauty' vocational course!!!:eek:
She is bright,confident and articulate, and back on track doing 10 GCSE's of which she is predidicted good passes. Her best subjects are Maths, IT and French. Sadly she missed the best options (because of the H+B abberation) but is in a competitive dance squad and is on track to become a sports leader at her school.
Out of school she is a keen rider and our PCDC has already promised her a reference having been impressed with her organisational skillls and commitment. She is finding out about D of E opportunities at the mo and wants to do 10 Tors next year.
My Father was an officer in the Navy and ex-OH was a sqaddie but I have lived a peaceful civvy life for the last ten years!
I guesss my question is "what sort of careers are available for DD1 and what can she do to increase her wantibilty?

snowball1972

Any sea cadet units nearby, she can join?

BWZN93

Hi there!

Ive just finished the process of joining the Navy (I go in to basic training in 2 weeks, ive applied as Aircraft Controller) and my best advice would be to go and speak to a forces careers office, and check the royal navy careers website - http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/. My careers Advisor was really helpful and they are able to give loads of literature etc and copies of Navy News which will be helpful to her in her interview - if your daughter cant go as they are usually only open mon-fri 9-5, then you can go in for her, and grab some info. I went to my interview and saw a parent in there alone getting info and they would be helpful.

Also - have her watching Warship (channel 5, Tuesday night at 9pm) - im addicted and its certainly interesting!

Wish her luck from me

Jo

oh - and also, remember that the application process is very long and in some trades there are up to a 2 year wait, so dont think its too early to be looking at this stuff! (for me, I first went into the careers office mid feb, and am going in October, but that was actually really quick comparitvely as they pushed me through the process as fast as they could!

jennihen

Thankyou Jo and best of luck.
She'll be 17+1/2 when she finishes her 'A' levels - what is the minimum age to apply? We'll definitely watch 'Warship' and I'll take her to the Careers office in 1/2 term!
Where are you doing your Basic?

mercman1969

Where in the country are you? Has she considered the RAF?

My advice would be visit a local AVCO but have a strong idea of what she wants to do and dont allow herself to be deflected into something that she isnt interested in

I would also ask at the AVCO what,if any work experience placements are available

PM me for some further details that I can offer

BWZN93

jennihen wrote: »

Thankyou Jo and best of luck.
She'll be 17+1/2 when she finishes her 'A' levels - what is the minimum age to apply? We'll definitely watch 'Warship' and I'll take her to the Careers office in 1/2 term!
Where are you doing your Basic?

Im not sure on the minimum age to apply, I think it may be something like 15yrs 9 months (I seem to recall that from somewhere!). My basic training is down in Plymouth, well, Torpoint, and its 9 weeks. Should be fun anyway! Im actually looking forward to it - I was in the Army Cadets as a kid so this for me feels like one very long summer camp in the middle of winter

I would take Mercmans advice too - have a look at the RAF (my sister is in the RAF - she was devastated I went for the Navy instead ) as there are some interesting jobs there, but definately only go for what she is interested in no matter how long the wait!

Jo

ICATQ

www.navy-net.co.uk/

try on here

woody01

Also - have her watching Warship (channel 5, Tuesday night at 9pm) - im addicted and its certainly interesting!

But very 'play to the camera' stuff.

Its a great life for a single person (i did 10 years).
Unfortunately, the days when you are out on manouvres and spilling over to the Caribbean or Africa are a distant memory.

If you get out of Pompey or Guz these days you are doing well.

Lastly, i would DEFINITELY NOT recommend someone under 18 joining, and especially a female.
To say that, the place would be an 'eye-opener' is an understatement.

internationalhardman

The basic training is a doddle now.... a shadow of what it used to be so no worries there!

woody01

internationalhardman wrote: »

The basic training is a doddle now.... a shadow of what it used to be so no worries there!

You obviously have little experience of the armed forces then.
I did my basic training over 15 years ago, and then went on to be an instructor.

It certainly has not got easier.

jaxhen

If your DD likes maths and IT then engineering could be a good choice in the Navy. I did an apprenticeship with the Navy, but left after 10 years with a decent qualification that I could use in civvy street. It might seem a long way ahead now but when (if) she wants to leave to start a family then having a trade that transfers easily into civvy street helps.