Any Navy/ex-Navy people here?

[Stobart Stopper]

Especially if he brings home a nice young man still in his uniform!

 

[pengaleng]

I'd wanna see that on youtube y'know.

 

[AnnT]

Do you have a local Sea Cadet Unit near you? I know of one that sends kids off on big ships a couple of times a year as "tasters" - an example here -
http://www.seacadet.org/home page.html
(yeah, I know, Kingsbury ain't got no sea, but there is a reservoir)
Website here can do an area search: http://www.ms-sc.org/

They get to wear the uniform, faff about on "Parade Days", and such.
They get bossed about. It puts most of them off nicely.

 

[Xanadu]

Rum, sodomy and the lash!

There are jobs that aren't like that???

 

[Bob_the_lost]

RAF - Still gets radar, the uniforms aren't as funny looking and you don't get shut up in a tin can for months at a time.

 

[Stobart Stopper]

RAF - Still gets radar, the uniforms aren't as funny looking and you don't get shut up in a tin can for months at a time.

He will be ok with the tin can thing, he's always in his room hooked up to the x Box.

 

[Bob_the_lost]

The navy don't have Xbox live. RAF however do.

 

[Mrs Magpie]

I work with someone who's in the Wavy Navy...I'll find out.

 

[Stobart Stopper]

Thanks!
I wonder if they have maids on these ships who go around picking up wet bath towels?

 

[DotCommunist]

The navy don't have Xbox live. RAF however do.

have you seen the Navy advert where the computer tech on a nuclear sub smiles and says 'sometimes I just turn it on and off again'


which is reassuring

 

[coccinelle]

I've got a problem with the military as a profession. But my cousin started as a working class Northern boy and got to be a commander on a nuclear submarine. He's now a decent, honest, easy-going, very proper person who absolutely loved his life in the Navy.

It depends what you're after, I suppose.

 

[Pingu]

he will either love it or hate it

cadets isnt a bad idea tbf. will give him a taste of it and whilst not really the same thing he will learn some of the slang etc which makes things a bit easier.

he will probably within the first 12 months:

• get a rude and unrelated nickname
• shag a prozzie
• catch something that makes him itch
• mature rapidly

so just like any other teenager really

 

[Bob_the_lost]

he will probably within the first 12 months:

• get a rude and unrelated nickname
• shag a prozzie
• catch something that makes him itch
• mature rapidly

so just like any other teenager really

Yup, cadets does that to you.

 

[likesfish]

just remember when boarding strange ships leave the ipod behind

 

[pootle]

If he's interested in comms etc it's a good way to get taught and skilled without the burden of uni fees and all the associated cost.

My ex (and occasional lurker/stalker, hello!) was in the Navy and he learnt shit loads that lead him to a very profitable career in comms and networks when he got out.

But yeah, young Kev needs to be the sort that can deal with discipline and authotrity and toe the line etc etc.

 

[Pingu]

Yup, cadets does that to you.

the sea cadets where i grew up was a hut right on the edge of the red light area.


I wasnt a cadet though so missed out on all sorts of shenanigans.

 

[ViolentPanda]

Thanks!
I wonder if they have maids on these ships who go around picking up wet bath towels?

He'll be forced to learn to be tidy pretty sharpish if he goes in any of the services, unless he wants to spend all his "free time" scrubbing the heads with his toothbrush.

 

[Pingu]

He'll be forced to learn to be tidy pretty sharpish if he goes in any of the services, unless he wants to spend all his "free time" scrubbing the heads with his toothbrush.

i imagine being on a 24 hour stag on a submarine could be an interesting experience

to be fair stobes if I was his age again I would do it. the variety of experiences and the exposure to cultures etc is something few get to do. You can also learn a good trade and once you leave it can help.

there are risks of course too - the armed forces exist for a reason and its not to deliver sweets to wh smith. But if he gets the right postings and is good at his job it can be a great life.

he will form friendships that will last forever and will be stonger than any other bond. there will be shit moments too though.

 

[AnnT]

I think it's like, 25% ability to do the job, and 75% temperament of the individual. You are a number, not an individual. You march to someone else's tune. It's discipline all the way. If he's not the sort of kid that's going to be happy having someone else running his life for a couple of years, he's going to be dead unhappy. The forces will tell him it's all about the job and the training, but it's being able to take orders and not questioning the orders that's gonna be the thing.

 

[Stobart Stopper]

Thanks for all the replies.
He's still only 14 so alot could change by the time he has to decide properly.
He has a liking for designer gear so he will probably get to about 18 and decide he wants to work for a big bank or BP.

 

[loud 1]

He's 14. He wants to do something in the Navy that involves computers/radar operating. T

so he's watchde that advert on tele then.

 

[BEARBOT]

serious question..what is the policy in the navy/other forces re being gay?

about 10 years ago i watched a depressing documentary which really stayed with me..this guy was about 22 had been in the navy since 16 and had done very well there/was well liked by his superiors..he got chucked out cos periodically people get investigated on suspicion of being gay(!!!)..they found a love letter from a bloke(a civilian..he hadnt been sleeping with his shipmates at all in fact)and that was it his naval career over.. he was gutted!

sobart..im NOT trying to imply yr son is gay BTW..i hope it works out for him, im sure his chances of dying in the navy arent too great..esp in comparison with the army which is obviously a big plus!..has he crossed the irish sea?..that is a rough crossing and good one to see if he gets seasick or not..

 

[bouncer_the_dog]

Can you remind him that if he is to get captured by the Iranians name and number only! And to show no outward signs of emotion as his captors remove his ipod.

 

[Pingu]

serious question..what is the policy in the navy/other forces re being gay?

about 10 years ago i watched a depressing documentary which really stayed with me..this guy was about 22 had been in the navy since 16 and had done very well there/was well liked by his superiors..he got chucked out cos periodically people get investigated on suspicion of being gay(!!!)..they found a love letter from a bloke(a civilian..he hadnt been sleeping with his shipmates at all in fact)and that was it his naval career over.. he was gutted!

sobart..im NOT trying to imply yr son is gay BTW..i hope it works out for him, im sure his chances of dying in the navy arent too great..esp in comparison with the army which is obviously a big plus!..has he crossed the irish sea?..that is a rough crossing and good one to see if he gets seasick or not..

official or unofficial?

officially

welcomed with open arms, awareness sessions and other programs in place to aid equal treatment


unofficially

will get called names and will meet with predujice.

though i guess its no where near as bad as it used to be.

 

[stretchy18]

Modern day navy attitude to being gay is fairly loud and proud, they are allowed to attend gay pride in uniform etc.

As long as you don't kick the arse out of it, just get on with it, there is no problem. In any group of people you will have wankers who will disagree/not like it etc however most in the Navy are a pragmatic bunch

Generally life/career is performance based

 

[BEARBOT]

its great to know that this anti gay policy has changed..

i got upset by the tv doc cos the guy was so nice + loved the navy..also he was discreet he didnt "flaunt" his sexuality, have affairs on the ship etc, but he was still kicked out