New Application

[Junior]

Domdav - everyone has to go through the same process. If u work for the mod & you get sent a provisional offer of employment then u don't resign from the mod, u transfer. Assuming all the conditions of the offer are met the rfa will b in touch with your line manager to arrange the transfer. Not mod and u have to resign so u can start the course - however as honest has said your pension will carry on with no break in service. If u take a severance package, then there will be some small print about taking up further civil service jobs - read carefully.

[domdav]

Jonesy and Junior

many thanks for the reply - application form has gone in nothing else.

[Jonesy]

As I understand it you would apply externally and resign from your old dept and then join the RFA (ie the MoD) - RFA jobs are not classed at cross whitehall moves.

Redundency - would all depend on the T&C attached to your current depts severance scheme - check before signing for anything!!

The main benefit is that if you are a serving civil servant going into the RFA you are already a member of the classic/premium pension scheme and would continue with that (as you know, new entrants to the civil service get a poorer deal)

Hope this helps! (Am a current cs, looking to go into the RFA as a MM2 or Eng Cadet)

[domdav]

as a full time civil servant could I transfer into an RFA post or do i have to go through the full application? I think I know the answer but hoping that Junior could confirm? Also if I take redundancy from the civil service and then join the RFA do I have to pay the money back as I'm going back in to the civil service alebit a different department?

[Junior]

Domdav - Have you already taken your Recruitment Test? SG2 sifts generally take a fair while - i'm guessing there will be about 300-400 candidates that have applied. Interviews will probably be late Sep, Early October. You will more than likely hear by the end of the month.

In general though, small sifts (less than 50 candidates) take a short time, a few hours or so. Once you get twice as many as you can Interview it gets a little more complicated because you essentially have to sift them twice.

[domdav]

has anyone applied for the next SG11 course - I believe the sift is taking place now with interviews in September - anyone know how long the sift takes and when we might here?! Although I suppose it depends on how many apply?

[domdav]

many thanks for reply - I've been a reserve for 20 years with RM so have been f**ked around by experts - I know that like most things to do with the services there will good and bad times so am not overly concerned - "griz and bear it" is the expression I've used many times...

[Junior]

She is the Head of RFA recruitment and has been for about a year now - not to be confused with the RFA Pers Ops team on Whale Island. In answer to your questions -
1. No - you will be sent either a) where there is space to acommodate you or b) where you are needed most. As a trainee you are not really needed anywhere as you are not qualified so you'll just get random trips, when you are a qualified AB then its down to which ship needs an AB most at the time your due back.
2. Bit of both - I used to call them up about 3 weeks before my leave was up (If I hadnt heard anything). Some guys dont call at all and sometimes stay on leave longer than they should. Really if you know your time is up, the best bet is to give them a ring and see what plans they have for you. You 'may' also get a choice of trips then.....
3. No, each sift/set of interviews are for a particular course. If you are offered a position and then want to defer prepare for bad news.... There is no guarantee that the next course will run as planned - in these uncertain times for defence if you get a sniff of a job offer take it with both hands.

The RFA is a good career for most, but I think what you need to understand is that its not a perfect job - you will not always get what you want and you will be f*cked around from pillar to post from time to time. Your travel plans will sometimes change at short notice, sometimes you'll need to join early or you might get an extra week at home... its swings & roundabouts. With regard to your living in the South West - if you manage to get in it will be sods law that you'll spend all your time on Fort Boats in Scotland!!!

[domdav]

Have just sent in my application - Kate Cox at HR was very helpful. I have 3 questions assuming I'm successful:

1. are you posted to a ship which is based near where you live e.g. I live in Plymouth so would they try and post me to a ship based out of Devonport?

2. once your leave is over is it up to you to contact someone to get a new draft/ship or do they call you to tell you where you're going next and do you get a choice? also can you ask to go back to sea earlier??

3. Can you defer once you've been offered a job - the reason is that I'm about to be made redundant and may get a pay off so would rather leave with the money than without but I don't know yet when that will be - the timelines may be just right for the next SG intake (if I get selected) but no one knows when it will happen.

[Junior]

Mention your Seamanship 'O' Level, also mention anything else Nautical that you have been associated, however insignificant you may feel it is. Better in than out!!! ( I normally live by the opposite of that!).
I believe they are intaking SG2's next March/May, i'd suggest getting your app in ASAP. Regarding the fairs - drop them an email: fleet-cnrrfagroupmailbox@mod.uk and you'll be able to find out where the RFA team are out and about in the coming months. I take it you have checked the RFA website, as that is normally updated with outreach.

[domdav]

are the RFA doing any job fairs in Plymouth/Devon soon?

[domdav]

Junior

many thanks - will apply for deck rating as despite 20 odd years as a civil servant only have a handful of o levels - one of which is seamanship as I went to the London Nautical School!

Are they taking people on at the moment and is there a waiting list?

cheers

[Junior]

You get the RFA allowance from Day 1 of training, there is no kind of sea pay - you'll end up getting roughly the same regardless of whether your on leave / courses / ship etc etc.

What are you applying for? I would mention as many of the courses you have space for. Promotion timescales, tough one to answer IMO - depends on the branch for starters. Because for SG2 you need a good 4-5 years (in total) to get to SG1A (qualified AB), whereas some other branches you can be (qualified) in less than 2 years.

[domdav]

Have also just received my application pack - can I ask does the RFA allowance get paid while you're in training and is it some form of sea pay? am 47 and about to be made redundant from the civil service after 28 odd years - with the pay off I could join as a rating

Also how long do you have to wait for promotion? is it down to sea time and courses etc..

One more will my TA/Reserve courses count in any way - HGV, first aid (RN), Plant/forks licence and so on

[Junior]

Thats fine, as long as they are equivalent. The RFA will still look at mature cadets (unlike some commercial outfits) but you do need to prove you meet the criteria as set out in the Cadet career publication on the RFA website.
The UCAS points have no bearing as you can start a HND Cadetship with purely GCSE grades.