Fast-track cadet ship for RN OOW

[will_a]

Hi all.

I'm currently in the process of leaving the Royal Navy after only 3 years of training to be a surface warfare officer. Despite my premature departure, which can be put down to a pressing desire not to be in the military anymore amongst other things, I have still passed all my training to a high standard and will shortly be in possession of an OOW CoC and a FD in 'maritime and strategic studies'. Long story short I have decided that I would like to retrain as a deck officer, the downside to making the switch is that my OOW ticket has the caveat of being only valid on 'ships of death'. The WMA website has provided me with a flow diagram showing me exactly what exams I need to take to convert: http://www.warsashacademy.co.uk/care...ow-diagram.pdf

As you can see it looks fairly straightforward in theory, but the problem is that because I'm leaving before my return of service with the navy is technically complete I won't be entitled to the resettlement package that would traditionally pay for this conversion, hence I've either got to stump up the funds myself (unlikely) or approach a company that offers cadetships and see if it's possible to be sponsored through a fast-track course.
Having talked to some people in the know I have been told in no uncertain terms that training organisations such as SSTG wouldn't be interested, but that companies that sponsor their own cadets such as BP and Carnival might look favorably on my previous military training and young age (21).

Does anyone have any experience of this or know anything that might help me make the first step?

Kind regards, Will

Edit: I know cadetship is one word, but auto-correct knows best!

[Ducki52]

There is a guy on my course who is ex Andrew (LH submariner), BP took him on even though he didn't have GCSEs as he was able to demonstrate he was academically able to do it, and he also had watch keeping and navigation experience.

Do officers get enrolled onto the ELCAS scheme or is it just ORs? Have you actually officially signed off yet? If you haven't, it might be worth sticking around just so that you have the magic four years (or whatever) so that you are eligible for resettlement etc.

[will_a]

Cheers for the reply, although It's a case of either leave now or wait for the end of my return of service (3.5 years) by which point I would get full resettlement anyway. I think the navy would take a very dim view of me trying to leave halfway through my first job! My main reasoning behind wanting to make the switch sooner rather than later is that I joined to navigate and drive ships for a living but instead I've found myself mostly doing paperwork and managing people for a living, and I know the merchant navy is a young(er) mans game.

[Ducki52]

My main reasoning behind wanting to make the switch sooner rather than later is that I joined to navigate and drive ships for a living but instead I've found myself mostly doing paperwork and managing people for a living,

And the MoD wonder why there's a retention problem...


Another option, that might seem slightly cliched could be to see what the RFA could do for you. For gods sake though, don't sign off without a bit of paper saying that someone will train you, preferably at their cost.

[GuinnessMan]

And the MoD wonder why there's a retention problem...


Another option, that might seem slightly cliched could be to see what the RFA could do for you. For gods sake though, don't sign off without a bit of paper saying that someone will train you, preferably at their cost.

A little something an Ex. Submariner sent me...

[Lewis]

You could always do the full cadetship. Probably be an easy ride for three years with your experience.

[jj-1994]

I've found myself mostly doing paperwork and managing people for a living

Sounds like Logistics? I've just joined as a Logistics Officer (starting May)

[will_a]

You would be surprised at how many people are leaving the RN, yet there are still huge waiting lists to join!
I've got my yachtmasters and other bits and bobs so another avenue I'm exploring is going to work as a deckhand on a superyacht and keeping the OOW cert in the back pocket for when I need it. I don't fancy doing the whole 3 years again if I'm being honest, I've gotten rather too used to my salary! If I did that I would probably go engineer so that I could at least sell myself as some kind of multi-talented jack of all trades deck-cum-engineer type.

[Ducki52]

A little something an Ex. Submariner sent me...

He too saw the irony in his career decision...


@ Will, I've been saying this for a while now, but the armed forces are really struggling to hold onto decent guys at the moment, particularly within the officer corps. Most join with thoughts of glory and serving queen and country, quickly realise its utter ****e and leave as soon as their commission is up and go work in the city.

If you're worried about losing money, and haven't already done a degree, you can apply for student finance (I.e. maintenance loans/grants). On the lowliest of cadet wages this boosts your income upto about ?15k, tax free, considering your away at sea for a fair bit means you might not be as badly off as you think.

[will_a]

I hadn't actually given student finance any thought, thanks for that suggestion! I'm not too concerned about money to be honest, I would rather be in a job I enjoyed.
Ah yes, glory, the passing out parade at Dartmouth felt good, tears all round. Although somewhat regret spending ?400 having my sword refurbished now!

[Ducki52]

An interesting story about sword refurbishment:

Back in the days of the empire, Wilkinson Sword sold all their swords with a guarantee that if the sword was used and damaged abroad, they would refurbish it for free. An officer in my old regiment had his great great great grandfathers sword passed to him with all it's accompanying war stories, and learnt that it was used in the Boer War. He took it to Wilkinsons, told them the history of the sword, Wilkinson checked the serial number against their own records, verified GGG grandfathers service and refurbished the sword gratis. Said officer then dined out on this story for the rest of his career.

Moral of the story, make sure you had empire building forebears and you'll be ?400 better off.

[will_a]

My sword was passed down to me from my great grandfather too, although unfortunately not made by Wilkinson but rather some chap called Edward Thurkle. Being very much out of business now (the sword is 1850) I think a refund may be out of the question. Great story though!

[KieranRM]

Sounds like Logistics? I've just joined as a Logistics Officer (starting May)

I am sure you have joined as everything in the last couple of months

[jj-1994]

I am sure you have joined as everything in the last couple of months

Haha almost! It was SSTG then Maersk then RN. Been such a hard choice though! Tbh I never expected to get offered so many of them and I doubt I'd have been offered so many without the help from the guys on here! Anybody reading this should know that this is a fantastic site with such a helpful community. You couldn't find a better tool to help guide you towards a successful career at sea.

[Clanky]

Will_a

Contact the MCA seafarers standards branch.

I am sure there is an accelerated route to MN certification designed specifically for RN officers, I don't have the contact details to hand, but google "MCA seafarers standards" and you should get a contact number / email address.