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Stepdaughter help NAVY only.. no spammers

Probably a stupid question but I'll ask it anyway. Why would you have non-specialists behind the steering wheel at times when the ability to drive properly and not hit stuff is presumably quite important? Who does the job for the rest of the time? Or is helmsman not really a skilled job and anyone can do it?

I wondered about that too, although I was on a frigate where our L/REG had been a seaman before he transferred to the regulating branch, and he claimed to have more time on the wheel than most of the dabbers.

As I remember anyone transferring into the Regulating or PT branches had to have a minimum number of hours as QM, (helmsman). If they were transferring in from a non-seaman branch, and therefore had zero time on the helm they would get drafted to a ship where they could be part of the duty watch at sea, and therefore build up the required time on the wheel. This was decades ago though - before the internet was invented, so I don´t know what the score is now. I´ve only just found out from reading this thread that the PT and Regulating branches are now direct entry.

The helmsman steers the ship in the direction that the Officer of the Watch orders him to. That isn´t to say it isn´t a skilled job, just that it´s the OOW that makes the decisions, and the QM who carries out the actions.
 
Interesting - thank you. Someone once told me that submarines are quite often driven by chefs and the like - I guess there could be grain of truth in that too.

Apologies to the OP for thread diversion.
The Stewards (and other non tech branches) used to drive the boat. I don't think the cooks were in the watch-bill, as they were too busy destroying food.

I wondered about that too, although I was on a frigate where our L/REG had been a seaman before he transferred to the regulating branch, and he claimed to have more time on the wheel than most of the dabbers.

As I remember anyone transferring into the Regulating or PT branches had to have a minimum number of hours as QM, (helmsman). If they were transferring in from a non-seaman branch, and therefore had zero time on the helm they would get drafted to a ship where they could be part of the duty watch at sea, and therefore build up the required time on the wheel. This was decades ago though - before the internet was invented, so I don´t know what the score is now. I´ve only just found out from reading this thread that the PT and Regulating branches are now direct entry.

The helmsman steers the ship in the direction that the Officer of the Watch orders him to. That isn´t to say it isn´t a skilled job, just that it´s the OOW that makes the decisions, and the QM who carries out the actions.

When I came outside, I was a submariner, CPO, Weapons Artificer. I got a job in Vosper Thornycroft Warship Trials Group. Due to shortages, I steered the Oman corvette on her sea trials! (Check the phots of the event leaving Southampton - I can be seen through the bridge windows!). However, I had been a Seaman in the Navy too, so knew not to chase the lubber line!
 
Wot they said above. One thing that occurred to me is that if your Step daughter has the potential to get a good degree then she should. She would be qualified to join as an officer but unlikely that there are direct entry PT Officers (?). So maybe her degree first and then the RN as a PTI rating initially for life experience and then continue towards Officer country later.
 
Wot they said above. One thing that occurred to me is that if your Step daughter has the potential to get a good degree then she should. She would be qualified to join as an officer but unlikely that there are direct entry PT Officers (?). So maybe her degree first and then the RN as a PTI rating initially for life experience and then continue towards Officer country later.

She would also have the possibility of joining an URNU while at university, and gaining some sea experience before joining up, but why enlist in the Navy if she has a degree?

Clubswinger officers were commissioned from the ranks when I was in. I don´t know what the situation is now. I gathered that there weren´t very many of them.
 
She would also have the possibility of joining an URNU while at university, and gaining some sea experience before joining up, but why enlist in the Navy if she has a degree?

Clubswinger officers were commissioned from the ranks when I was in. I don´t know what the situation is now. I gathered that there weren´t very many of them.

Agree regarding URNU but (my bold) really?
 
As stated upthread- one of the daily tasks, amongst other things, of a PTI (Clubswinger) onboard was the production of 'Daily orders'. Great sport could be had if- whilst the clubswinger was away checking their appearance in the mirror- some c*nt (such as I) managed to "hack" the mastercopy of daily dits, and by the time it was discovered-they had already been printed, signed off by the XO and distributed down the messdecks.

2021-01-07 17.57.27.jpg


@Ravers has a similar dit I believe.
 
Agree regarding URNU but (my bold) really?

It´s just my thinking, but after spending three or four years at university at great cost to herself, (how much is it now?), why would she then apply for a job that she would be massively overqualified for? That´s only my opinion though, and it´s up to her.

I didn´t meet very many graduates on the lower deck when I was in the mob. I can only remember two. One of them had a degree in something sporty, yet he was a radio operator. The other one had a degree in marine biology or zoology and he was planning on becoming an SD officer, but he failed Part Three training and was discharged SNLR.

I´m going back thirty years though, so I´ll understand if attitudes have changed.
 
Interesting - thank you. Someone once told me that submarines are quite often driven by chefs and the like - I guess there could be grain of truth in that too.

Apologies to the OP for thread diversion.
Caterers (senior rate ie SGT or above) yes. Cabbage slicers hell no, but stewards yes they do drive submarines.
 
It´s just my thinking, but after spending three or four years at university at great cost to herself, (how much is it now?), why would she then apply for a job that she would be massively overqualified for? That´s only my opinion though, and it´s up to her.

I didn´t meet very many graduates on the lower deck when I was in the mob. I can only remember two. One of them had a degree in something sporty, yet he was a radio operator. The other one had a degree in marine biology or zoology and he was planning on becoming an SD officer, but he failed Part Three training and was discharged SNLR.

I´m going back thirty years though, so I´ll understand if attitudes have changed.

We are probably of the same generation and I agree that a degree was something of a rarity in the lower decks but I believe that there may be more educational mobility throughout society now. The modern RN needs highly educated personnel. If the young lady studied for a worthwhile degree she increases her options. Join as a PTI (at around 21 or 22 years old), enjoy the life experience and then further down the line she is educationally qualified as an Officer (although a degree is not necessary in all disciplines) and/or move on to a civilian career having achieved her military ambitions above or below decks.
 
The RN doesn’t have PT Officers, per se, any more. Most PTIs who go Officer become Logs Officers, although some become Warfare Officers.

Frankly, the PT Branch was pretty lucky to survive the last round of inquisition, especially noting Ravers’ comments about what they do shoreside.
 
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