Irish Navy ... any info

Panda General

Well done 00Blaine00, good run, hopefully we will all here good news in the next couple of days, good luck to all.

Dr.Sanchez

Theres also a class in training at the moment so we're actually the second lot to be pulled from the list of names!

rockagusroll

Yea one of the classes started around Christmas i think, I seen on the Irish Naval facebook page that they pass out on April 7th! Did you get talking to any of them? Wonder how they're finding it..

Dr.Sanchez

No, wasnt talking to any of them... but when I was walking out the gate I heard them getting beasted! Hah!!

rockagusroll

Haha hopefully that'll be us soon :eek:

Dr.Sanchez

Is there only four of us here waiting then? Me, Lazy, Panda and Rockagusroll?

rockagusroll

Yea I think that's it, hopefully we all hear the good news!

Panda General

Yea, the wait is killing me

MRLAZY

Stop my head is wrecked from it. I just want to find out either way. hope we hear somthing next week.

Dr.Sanchez

Trying to put it out of my head. The more I think about it, the more things pop into my head that I should have/shouldn't have said in the interview!... Don't want to set myself up for disappointment...!

What age are ye lads anyway?

MRLAZY

I know im the same trying not to get my hopes up. Im 23 kinda pushing on at bit so hope i get in. I dont have much time to try again if i dont get in.

Dr.Sanchez

Well I'm 22 next month so kinda the same. Have you applied for the defence forces before?... I did 3 years ago, for the army... Was all set to go in, tests passed.. Then I got a letter saying they were freezing recruitment and that was the end of it.

Hoping I get it this time tho..

MRLAZY

Ya I applied a few years ago when I just fin school, I found a letter one day when cleaning my kitchen it was from army, it was for my interview date which was for the week before, damn mother, she must of put it away and forgot to tell me. Then applied for the second time. The week before my medical I got letter saying it was cancel, because of the recruitment freeze. I had no luck in the past so hopefully it changes this time around.

Dr.Sanchez

Yeah they asked me that in the interview, hopefully they take it in into consideration as it shows we've always been interested and not just applying for the sake of it or because there is no work... Anyway, I'm not posing on here again till I get the email - good or bad news!

Best of luck!

MRLAZY

Ya same to you.

clancyoo7

A friend of mine just left the navy he was an ordinary seaman for 3 years. He was telling me there were 15 other people leaving with him. Life on the boat was far from good. He was not a big drinker but when he didn't take part in the boozing sessions he was made take extra duty by superiors to cover two lads out on the piss. At one stage he had to do 3 x 24 hour shifts in a row and got no extra payment and he only rostered to perform one. When he brought this to the attention of the captain he was accused of being weak, and he explained that if he went against the wishes of his direct supervisor he would be dogged with work. If you are going to join as an ordinary seaman which is what the majority of recruits will end up doing due to the current shortage due to the amount leaving. Unfortunately you will end up a janitor on the high seas. The 24 hour duties you might get 3hr sleep and you will be on watch for 4 hours and when you are relieved you are expected to clean toilets and other tasks like painting. The navy has a high drop out rate as well the average recruit lasting about 3 years. While the navy might seem like a career with good prospects. Its not. At the moment you will be looking at spending at least 5 years at sea where previously it was 2. The question that you should also consider is what is you take home pay. The universal social charge has effectively taken away your seagoing allowance and you end up with €370 a week to be cleaning toilets and vomit, painting, and worse of all taking dogs abuse from superiors. On his last day he had a naval officer following him around the base goading him in an effort to get him charged before he left. We all know a military life is tough I was surprised to hear the level of bullying and abuse that still continues to this day. I know a job is a job and all that but without good pay and conditions and an environment where workers know they can progress and that their contributions are valued. you will not last. The Navy fails on all counts.

goldie fish

clancyoo7 wrote: »

A friend of mine just left the navy he was an ordinary seaman for 3 years. He was telling me there were 15 other people leaving with him. Life on the boat was far from good. He was not a big drinker but when he didn't take part in the boozing sessions he was made take extra duty by superiors to cover two lads out on the piss. At one stage he had to do 3 x 24 hour shifts in a row and got no extra payment and he only rostered to perform one. When he brought this to the attention of the captain he was accused of being weak, and he explained that if he went against the wishes of his direct supervisor he would be dogged with work. If you are going to join as an ordinary seaman which is what the majority of recruits will end up doing due to the current shortage due to the amount leaving. Unfortunately you will end up a janitor on the high seas. The 24 hour duties you might get 3hr sleep and you will be on watch for 4 hours and when you are relieved you are expected to clean toilets and other tasks like painting. The navy has a high drop out rate as well the average recruit lasting about 3 years. While the navy might seem like a career with good prospects. Its not. At the moment you will be looking at spending at least 5 years at sea where previously it was 2. The question that you should also consider is what is you take home pay. The universal social charge has effectively taken away your seagoing allowance and you end up with €370 a week to be cleaning toilets and vomit, painting, and worse of all taking dogs abuse from superiors. On his last day he had a naval officer following him around the base goading him in an effort to get him charged before he left. We all know a military life is tough I was surprised to hear the level of bullying and abuse that still continues to this day. I know a job is a job and all that but without good pay and conditions and an environment where workers know they can progress and that their contributions are valued. you will not last. The Navy fails on all counts.

Your friend is being economical with the truth.

clancyoo7

goldie fish wrote: »

Your friend is being economical with the truth.

would you care to elaborate more on that. You seem to have first hand knowledge why not share on what tasks an ordinary seaman has to perform. Another issue is you cannot transfer to the army if things go pear shaped.

goldie fish

clancyoo7 wrote: »

would you care to elaborate more on that. You seem to have first hand knowledge why not share on what tasks an ordinary seaman has to perform. Another issue is you cannot transfer to the army if things go pear shaped.

If you can't hack the navy, what makes you think you'd be able to Hack the Army?

I'll elaborate later.

clancyoo7

goldie fish wrote: »

If you can't hack the navy, what makes you think you'd be able to Hack the Army?

I'll elaborate later.

that's a very interesting point you make 'hack it' so you are acknowledging a certain amount of unfavourable behaviour takes place.

rockagusroll

I'm 24 myself so really is my last chance, applied a couple times before but had no luck! Was close to joining the british army but I put it on hold in hope that I get in to the navy.. Ah the wait is a killer!

goldie fish

clancyoo7 wrote: »

that's a very interesting point you make 'hack it' so you are acknowledging a certain amount of unfavourable behaviour takes place.

You are putting words in my mouth there sir.
It strikes me that your "mate" didn't realise that being at sea is a 24 hour a day job, and decided he would prefer what he thought was the 9.30-4pm routine of the army. Going back to your original post, allow me to cut it up.

A friend of mine just left the navy he was an ordinary seaman for 3 years.

Thats the first problem, he should have stopped being an ordinary seaman after a year, max. Seems like he wasn't making the grade.

He was telling me there were 15 other people leaving with him. Life on the boat was far from good. He was not a big drinker but when he didn't take part in the boozing sessions he was made take extra duty by superiors to cover two lads out on the piss

Was this on the "Boat" or in the base?

At one stage he had to do 3 x 24 hour shifts in a row and got no extra payment and he only rostered to perform one.

Impossible. You can't dismount and be mounted for duty again. You don't do 24 hours while at sea.

When he brought this to the attention of the captain he was accused of being weak, and he explained that if he went against the wishes of his direct supervisor he would be dogged with work.

Again I call your bluff on this, ordinary seamen do not take their grevience directly to the skipper, they take it through chain of command.

If you are going to join as an ordinary seaman which is what the majority of recruits will end up doing due to the current shortage due to the amount leaving. Unfortunately you will end up a janitor on the high seas.

All recruits join as recruits, and considering it is the Navy, you WILL go to sea. If you have an issue with being at sea then the navy is not the job for you.

The 24 hour duties you might get 3hr sleep and you will be on watch for 4 hours and when you are relieved you are expected to clean toilets and other tasks like painting.

Again, rubbish. When you are on duty for 24 hours you do not sleep. You are then resting off for 24 hours, unless you were doing fire piquet on the base. If you are on duty on the base, you can't stand watches at sea. Watches at sea are the international system of 4 hours on, and usually 8 off.(except for dog watches, which are shorter to ensure you aren't working the same watch every day).

The navy has a high drop out rate as well the average recruit lasting about 3 years. While the navy might seem like a career with good prospects. Its not.

The only thing I can say from this is the figures don't back this up, and there is a possibility that the more recent batches realised too late what was expected of them in the NS. This possibly explains why in the current recruiting information one of the FAQs was "will I be expected to serve aboard ship". Nowhere in the same literature does it say that navy life is a cruise liner. The words "challenging" appear quite a lot. If people can find better jobs in civvy street with the same job security and career opportunities as the Naval Service then best of luck to them and I wish them well. However you will find that the specialised, exciting courses are not usually given to those who are in the NS for a wet weekend.

At the moment you will be looking at spending at least 5 years at sea where previously it was 2.

That is an issue caused by people dropping out as soon as their initial training is completed. You can't be rotated off the ship if there is nobody to replace you. Swings and roundabouts unfortunately.

The question that you should also consider is what is you take home pay. The universal social charge has effectively taken away your seagoing allowance and you end up with €370 a week to be cleaning toilets and vomit, painting, and worse of all taking dogs abuse from superiors.

The NS make no secret of the pay that a seaman will get. Its the joys of being in the public sector. And Joe duffy tells everyone we are millionaires.

On his last day he had a naval officer following him around the base goading him in an effort to get him charged before he left

I can't believe this, naval officers have better things to do. However without knowing anything about him I think your mate isn't telling you the full story.

We all know a military life is tough I was surprised to hear the level of bullying and abuse that still continues to this day.

I am surprised too, considering the measures that are in place to deal with it, which is taken very very seriously by all management in the Defence Forces. I would suggest your mate takes his issue to the Defence Forces Ombudsman if he feels his complaints were ignored. I have dealt with her personally myself and she is plain fantastic, in spite of her huge workload.

I know a job is a job and all that but without good pay and conditions and an environment where workers know they can progress and that their contributions are valued.

The Naval Service has a difficult job to do, all who join volunteer to do so, and it is assumed those who join know what to expect. It is not a charity. It owes nothing to those who join apart from a weekly wage, and the priode of serving ones country, at home and Abroad.

you will not last.

Some don't.

The Navy fails on all counts

Should read:"is not a holiday camp"

MRLAZY

Do ye think they will let us know after the current recruit class passes out, which will be the 14th april.?? Thats only two weeks notice before training starts. A lad from reserves told me he was told that today. But he the same lad who heard last week that we will be told 1st of april??

Ha the info changes every week.

Dr.Sanchez

Great post Goldie Fish!

The current class is passing out on April 7th, which is two weeks after the tests finished up. So it makes sense, as someone already mentioned we'll get word in two weeks.

We'll are hear something one way or another so it doesn't really matter when or what date...

Marlboro guy

I got a bit snooty yesterday about the shaving..... Oops....
I have to agree with GF, that guy joined with his eyes closed...
Then told a few porky pies. Just my opinion.

clancyoo7

"Thats the first problem, he should have stopped being an ordinary seaman after a year, max. Seems like he wasn't making the grade".
Due to the recruitment embargo he was unable to move on.


I stand corrected on the point about the naval officer it was another naval seaman same rank as him who worked at the base.

"The Naval Service has a difficult job to do, all who join volunteer to do so, and it is assumed those who join know what to expect. It is not a charity. It owes nothing to those who join apart from a weekly wage, and the priode of serving ones country, at home and Abroad.
Some don't.
Should read:"is not a holiday camp"
Is this straight out of the perspectus. People recruiting should print that out and have it like a prayer when things get difficult. Would it not owe them a duty of care in terms of health and safety, personal development, and career development.
I have no affiliation with the navy whatsoever or never had. I am not versed in international maritime best practices. People were looking for an insight of life on the boats that is what my friend went through. you say its impossible but why make it up. It means nothing to me as a mere civvy as you put it. The fact of the matter is people are leaving the job for whatever reason. You reckon successive recruit classes didn't know what they were getting themselves in for. I find that hard to believe.

murph226

Bullsh!t, OS to AB is an advancement, there was no ordinarys held back due to the embargo.

Exer's are good at knocking the place and making excuses as to why they left!

Whats your friends surname?

deanfitzg

All this waiting is driving me nuts!!!! :pac:

Panda General

Yea i know the wait is a killer, going bananas here:(

rockagusroll

Same as lads, hoping it'll be in the next couple of days though if they've to give us 4 weeks notice!