Royal Navy

Conchir

Hello,

I'm thinking of joining the Royal Navy when I'm older (I'm in 4th year now) and I've been doing a bit of research. I know you can join as an Irish citizen, however I've been looking and most of the careers I'm interested in seem to be "British or Dual British citizenship only". I'm out, right?

I've been looking at Warfare Officer, Warfare Specialist and Specialist Seaman, and a few others. Can someone suggest anything that is similar to these that I could apply for?

I know questions about joining the British Armed Forces have been posted time and time again, but I haven't found anything on this specific subject, most threads seem to be about the Army.

Thanks in advance.

alex18

Best thing to do is ring up or e-mail the careers office in Belfast. They are the recruitment professionals and will be much more helpful than a bunch of forumers.

xflyer

Ok, I have no real information that's specific. But you won't qualify for certain jobs that need certain security clearances right now. On the other hand given the way things work after a few years service in a lesser job you will find that you will have proved yourself to the point that it's obvious you are not the enemy. In effect you will be of dual nationality.

That's the way it seems to work for Irish people in the British military. Which is is bit unfair given our history. Ironically as often as not it's not the British with the issue but the Americans. When the Yanks sell something to the British part of the deal is that it's not shared with people who cannot pass the security clearances. Guess what! Thanks to our 'neutral stance' that's us.

You can join the RN, but you really need to prove yourself. Don't worry it won't take long.

discus

xflyer wrote: »

That's the way it seems to work for Irish people in the British military. Which is is bit unfair given our history. Ironically as often as not it's not the British with the issue but the Americans. When the Yanks sell something to the British part of the deal is that it's not shared with people who cannot pass the security clearances. Guess what! Thanks to our 'neutral stance' that's us.

You can join the RN, but you really need to prove yourself. Don't worry it won't take long.

I know guys who've gone into the RAF as pilot cadets and the residency and citizenship issue was waived. If they want you, they'll find a way. My advice is apply for anything you want.

I was waived for medical standards. If you fit the bill, they'll work the system.

Conchir

Thanks all for your replies, they've given me a lot to think about.

Firstly, I've sent an email to the RN, so hopefully I'll get a reply (relatively) quickly.

It's still a difficult decision to make, Royal Navy or Irish Naval Service, and thankfully one I dont have to make for a few more years. At least if you guys think they'll 'work the system' if they want me, it leaves my options open. From your experiences, is it often that Irish people get into these areas, or just a few lucky ones?

alex18

Conchir wrote: »

It's still a difficult decision to make, Royal Navy or Irish Naval Service, and thankfully one I dont have to make for a few more years. At least if you guys think they'll 'work the system' if they want me, it leaves my options open. From your experiences, is it often that Irish people get into these areas, or just a few lucky ones?

In my view I'd say the British military is the most flexible it has been for many years. You've got to remember that (and I don't mean to demean what the Irish forces do) the British military is a 'real' war-fighting force on a war footing with thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen deployed across the world.

In my opinion the best thing to do is join the Royal Navy. You will get to work on a larger variety of ships (Amphibious Carriers, Frigates even Polar Icebreakers if you are lucky), have more opportunities to travel, get to use some of the most up-to-date kit of any navy in the world (like on the T45 Destroyer), have more training and the chance to learn more skills, you are more likely to do the job for real (eg anti-piracy operations or fighting drug-runners in the Caribbean) and you are more likely to be promoted.

If, after a few years, you get tired of the Royal Navy and want to go home then the PDF will not have disappeared and you can always apply to join them (or you can transfer to other places like Australia or Canada if you are in the Royal Navy).

Of course the choice has to be yours alone, but there is no shame in being an Irishman serving in the Royal Navy.

brotherrabbit

Well folks.. I have finished a degree in engineering and im considering the RN. would i be able to get a engineering position?

goldie fish

brotherrabbit wrote: »

Well folks.. I have finished a degree in engineering and im considering the RN. would i be able to get a engineering position?

What type of engineering?

getz

dont be put off as it is the hardest of all the british armed services to get in,there are many different sections to the royal navy ,from flying to the royal marines,most of the lads i meet,seem to love it,

Maybe_Memories

discus wrote: »

I know guys who've gone into the RAF as pilot cadets and the residency and citizenship issue was waived. If they want you, they'll find a way. My advice is apply for anything you want.

I was waived for medical standards. If you fit the bill, they'll work the system.

This caught my eye.

I very much want to join the RAF as a pilot, but it says I need to have been living in the UK for 5 years as well as being an Irish national.

Any way around this at all?

Also, is it the same thing with the parachute regiment? Or is that just a case of "be capable of passing selection, pass selection, you're in" kinda thing?

The Master of Disaster

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

This caught my eye.

I very much want to join the RAF as a pilot, but it says I need to have been living in the UK for 5 years as well as being an Irish national.

Any way around this at all?

Even if there was it wouldn't make a difference as they're not taking on pilots at the moment. I know quite a few guys who were supposed to start RAF pilot training over the summer who got a call literally a week or two before they were due in Cranwell to say 'Sorry chaps but looks like we don't have any need for trainee pilots at the moment'. They even cut people who were halfway through training! Similar problems with the Fleet Air Arm as well so if you want to fly the only place at the moment is the army.

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

Also, is it the same thing with the parachute regiment? Or is that just a case of "be capable of passing selection, pass selection, you're in" kinda thing?

The process isn't quite that simple but in a way you're right. As long as you're dual nationality or Irish you can apply to any part of the BA as an officer or soldier (with the exception of Intelligence).

Maybe_Memories

The Master of Disaster wrote: »

Even if there was it wouldn't make a difference as they're not taking on pilots at the moment. I know quite a few guys who were supposed to start RAF pilot training over the summer who got a call literally a week or two before they were due in Cranwell to say 'Sorry chaps but looks like we don't have any need for trainee pilots at the moment'. They even cut people who were halfway through training! Similar problems with the Fleet Air Arm as well so if you want to fly the only place at the moment is the army.

Thanks for the info!

I'd be up for the aircorp but considering their fleet there wouldn't be as much fun involved as there would be in flying a fully armed jet :pac:

westdub

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

Thanks for the info!

I'd be up for the aircorp but considering their fleet there wouldn't be as much fun involved as there would be in flying a fully armed jet :pac:

I'm sure flying a fully armed Apache would get the juices flowing too.....:cool:


http://www.army.mod.uk/aviation/3589.aspx

Maybe_Memories

westdub wrote: »

I'm sure flying a fully armed Apache would get the juices flowing too.....:cool:


http://www.army.mod.uk/aviation/3589.aspx

I don't trust helis, mate! I'd much rather be in a plane with total engine and instrument failure than a heli with total engine and instrument failure.

Actually, would it be in any way possible to join the British army air corps, then somehow transfer to the RAF?

brotherrabbit

the degree I have is maintenance engineering. aka electro mechanical.
I called up the RN today and had a good chat. It seems im eligible for marine engineer officer so thats what im making my move on!

OS119

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

...Actually, would it be in any way possible to join the British army air corps, then somehow transfer to the RAF?

a) yes.

b) there's no need. the flying arms of all the UK forces swap people around - hence you will find AAC aircrew on RAF helicopters, RAF aircrew in RN helicopters - and formerly, and in the future - in RN fast jets, and in one case to my personal knowledge, a Royal Marines officer who joined 3Cdo Bde Air Sqn, then flew RN Sea Kings, and somehow ended up flying Tornado GR4's.

Maybe_Memories

OS119 wrote: »

a) yes.

b) there's no need. the flying arms of all the UK forces swap people around - hence you will find AAC aircrew on RAF helicopters, RAF aircrew in RN helicopters - and formerly, and in the future - in RN fast jets, and in one case to my personal knowledge, a Royal Marines officer who joined 3Cdo Bde Air Sqn, then flew RN Sea Kings, and somehow ended up flying Tornado GR4's.

Great info, thanks!

So not being a UK citizen isn't the end of the road of getting my hands on a fighter jet. Very interesting.

mlumley

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

I don't trust helis, mate! I'd much rather be in a plane with total engine and instrument failure than a heli with total engine and instrument failure.

QUOTE]

:eek:I'd rether be in a heli, ther rotor acts as a parachute, think AutoGiros. They have noengin for the rotors, it's the air passing through the rotors that keep them up.

mlumley

IIRC, if you had an Irish grandparent who was born before independance, he passes on British Citizenship to you via Mum or Dad. I'm sure I'll be corected, but I think thats the way it works.

Maybe_Memories

mlumley wrote: »

IIRC, if you had an Irish grandparent who was born before independance, he passes on British Citizenship to you via Mum or Dad. I'm sure I'll be corected, but I think thats the way it works.

Really?!
This could come in handy.

OS119

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

Great info, thanks!

So not being a UK citizen isn't the end of the road of getting my hands on a fighter jet. Very interesting.

don't bet on it though, i can't imagine that when Major X was running across Dartmoor with the world on his back he ever thought that he'd end up flying fast jets with the RAF - its all right bloke, right place, right time and a good portion of luck.

if you find that the nationality issue blocks all the direct flying entry options, i personally would recommend a tech trade that works with the AAC - like REME (some of the avionics tech trades are integrated so closely with AAC that they wear AAC's sky blue Beret instead of REME's dark blue) then go for NCO Aircrew after a few years - once you're AAC NCO aircrew the world opens up a bit, and the 'administrative issues' which might stop a direct entrant get pushed onto the back burner.

competition is fierce however, both for the tech trades and for NCO aircrew - its not a back door, flying an AH-64 is as demanding as flying a Tornado, and the selection panel know it.

cruasder777

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

Thanks for the info!

I'd be up for the aircorp but considering their fleet there wouldn't be as much fun involved as there would be in flying a fully armed jet :pac:

Most army air corps pilots come through the ranks and are NCOs for many years previously in another trade in the AAC. Unless you are Prince Harry.

Your chances of making it from civilian to army air corps pilot are about 1 in 100 without going that route.

SIRREX

:eek:I'd rether be in a heli, ther rotor acts as a parachute, think AutoGiros. They have noengin for the rotors, it's the air passing through the rotors that keep them up.[/QUOTE]

Only if the pilot is on the ball and drops the collective immediatly, and lower the nose, to allow him autorotate to a landing. If he fails to do this the rotor blades will fold staight up and the aircraft will drop like a stone, because, unlike Autogiros, a helicopter does not have a motor to maintain forward motion, which provides the airflow through the rotors

Welshman666

are you hoping to be an Officer? If so, a degree (although not actualy required) seems to be a must.

I'm planning on joining the RAF or RN as a pilot (just did my Leaving Cert this year). Recruitment is low as ever at the moment. So i'm heading back to the uk next year for uni to "wait things out" (recruitment wise) and to boost my chances further.

I was watching a programme on Sandhurst recently and virtually everybody had a degree and seemed to be in early 20s, rather than the "minimum age" of 17.5, where it seems basically nobody gets accepted as an officer.

Also Army Aircorps wise, as mentioned most pilots are NCO's. Those who are Officers tend to be people who have done atleast one tour as infantry then transfered to the AAC. You have to go through Sandhurst (if accepted of course) first, then apply for your regiment once graduated. And if you don't get AAC, you could be stuck in a infantry regiment etc...you really are an officer first and pilot second

I'm British + Irish nationaality, so no problems for me there:D

Geekness1234

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

This caught my eye.

I very much want to join the RAF as a pilot, but it says I need to have been living in the UK for 5 years as well as being an Irish national.

Any way around this at all?

Also, is it the same thing with the parachute regiment? Or is that just a case of "be capable of passing selection, pass selection, you're in" kinda thing?

Hate to burst your bubble but you need to be a UK Citizen to be a pilot.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/jobs/pilot.cfm

Maybe_Memories

Geekness1234 wrote: »

Hate to burst your bubble but you need to be a UK Citizen to be a pilot.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/jobs/pilot.cfm

Yeah I saw that. Oh well. On to the next best thing; British AAC or Paras (both very wishful thinking). :pac:

Geekness1234

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

Yeah I saw that. Oh well. On to the next best thing; British AAC or Paras (both very wishful thinking). :pac:

Have you put any thought to the likes of the USAF?

OS119

Geekness1234 wrote: »

Have you put any thought to the likes of the USAF?

citizenship is going to be a stumbling block.

the UK forces will take dual-nationality citizens for direct entrant flying trades, and will take Irish citizens for trades that are not flying trades, but would then allow the right candidate - one who fit the criteria and had used his initial service period to gain British nationality - to apply for transfer to a flying role.

he would not have that opportunity with US forces - assuming he hasn't got a US passport that he's not told anyone about....

Maybe_Memories

Geekness1234 wrote: »

Have you put any thought to the likes of the USAF?

Very briefly. Haven't looked into any of the nationality/residence requirements.
Might do that now.

OS119

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

Very briefly. Haven't looked into any of the nationality/residence requirements.
Might do that now.

US Citizen for Officer recruitment, US Citizen or Legal, Permament resident (depending on role) for non-commissioned recruitment. i'm fairly sure that means a Green Card....