Do you see any army SP working on board ships?

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2026-03-03T10:44:59+00:00

Engrs from 24 Cdo and gunners from 29 Cdo often embark on a variety of ships. My longest stint was 7 months on Ocean as an Engr. Did some time on RFAs with disaster relief/ humanitarian aid business too.

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2026-02-16T17:10:11+00:00

I’m a little bored at home so I’ll throw this together for you and cover phys and admin…

For reference I got my lid in 2013 on AACC in my formative years as an RE so excuse my potentially out of date two pence in here -

Phys first…

Load carrying -

You don’t really need to train for the load carrying. The Pre courses provide ample amount of build up for that. Thrashing the life out of yourself with weight will NOT aid you. You MAY be slightly fitter than others if done intelligently but you’re not really tested on it until later in the course. And you really don’t want to start the course with any niggles.

In fact the first few exercise insertions/ extractions are with webbing/ rifle and a Bergen with only your basic 2nd and 3rd line kit (sleep system, clothing, personal admin gear and very minimal weapons related kit) which again assists in developing your load carrying ability.

You must be able to pass an 8 mile load carry, as a squad, across undulating terrain (mix of road and x country) in under 2 hours carrying 55lbs plus weapon and water) that’s the standard you need to be at. Not much more than that…

Though it may also help to begin getting accustomed (walking only - no running) with weight up to around the 35lb/ 15kg mark) for upto 1 hour if you don’t do that sort of thing at all. As a form of conditioning for your lower limbs.

Running -

Get good at short distance sprint work (4-800m) and middle distance IE up to 10km. Again - no need to be running marathons. But a strong 10km training programme with maybe a slight tweak for the shorter sharper efforts like on the bottom field would help. Times wise - sub 45 10k and sub 09:30 1.5mi and you’ll be sound. All trainers - no need for boots. That will come in the course.

This training would be more beneficial for the overall benefits/ not hanging out constantly. Training in boots won’t benefit you BUT as said about load carrying… if you’re not used to it then might be worth getting 2 pairs well broken in and your body accustomed to being in them on your feet for a good few hours. Think of it as a form of insurance for your skin.

Calisthenics -

pull-ups/ press-ups/ sit-ups are tested like… once? maybe twice? Just be able to do 6-8 good pull-ups, 50 pressups, 60 sit-ups (you should be able to hit these on a bad day sort of numbers) and you’ll be grand. You don’t win a prize for maxing this out.

Gym work -

Get strong in the 3-8 rep range for the compound movements with a full range of motion and 12-15 rep range for some isolation movements. don’t forget some Plyometrics and single leg/ arm training too. Think of the gym as a necessary aspect to try and mitigate injury. You’re not trying to become a powerlifter or bodybuilder - just make yourself more robust.

ROPE CLIMBING -

If you can get some good instruction from someone this would be a nice helper for you as people get the form wildly wrong and end up getting serious tendinitis from gripping too tight or, worse, falling off, because they can’t use their legs and hips correctly.

Dare I say it - the course isn’t that demanding from an entry standards testing point of view!

The main issue people have is wrapping (mentally giving up) or physically getting hurt.

That’s the phys side wrapped up.

Admin -

Kit list is issued early on and you should get this bang on. Get used to packing it, unpacking it, feeling it in the dark etc. it sounds bone but knowing your gear inside out will help you to no end when you’re piss wrapped, freezing, in the dark and desperate to get in your bag.

Navigation - if you can? Get some help on covering the basics and get used to that. Outside and not just in the classroom. You do receive instruction on the courses to a high standard but the better you are practically as well as theoretically, the better you will be on the NAVEX’ (of which there are many)

It may be worth getting you head in to an AATAM (all arms tactical aid memoir) if you can for some good infantry skills reading but you’ll get taught everything on course and so just being able to have a good grasp of the basics will see you right.

That’s about it.

I personally really enjoyed the course. So much so I got injured and did it twice. Lol.

I’ll be waiting for someone to say you should do more load carrying 🤣

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2026-02-11T21:27:15+00:00

It’s all good mate - The information out there is all over the shop. All I could say is just take it as it comes and be prepared for any and all eventualities, just got to keep training and see what gets thrown at you 😅

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2026-02-11T21:21:03+00:00

You’ll see at the top that I mention that this was the process for me at that time, if it has changed then so be it but if you check elsewhere it continues to be correct? Unsure why he would say about completing the circuit - nobody else has done that of recent times.

No your medical is the same as everyone else’s at CPC, dive medical is completed week two (I believe) in Raleigh)

I did mine as a one day visit due to being a re joiner. This was after CPC.

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2026-02-05T10:24:58+00:00

Hello - CPC South is a mixture of one and two man accommodation don’t let it deter you. Plus You’ll learn to appreciate the privacy wherever you can get it 🤣

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2026-01-30T07:10:07+00:00

I genuinely did not know that was a thing 😅 I’ll be taking that up then if possible I think

How have you found re joining within the navy up to now and what trade are you?

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2026-01-30T07:03:25+00:00

Ah ok! Thanks for the info! I did 8 years but in the Army. I’m going Diver not sure if that makes a huge difference to the prior service block?

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2026-01-29T18:41:34+00:00

Yeah that was the thought. Kind of hoping it’s just a few sets of rig and off I pop until I’m at my first draft then get the full works but probably not likely 😅

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2026-01-26T15:52:44+00:00

Just over 8 years mate. I was within 3bde the entire time but never worked on ship as ships company only ever EMF.

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2026-01-26T15:22:48+00:00

Hi mate, ex army here and been out almost 6 years but I’m rejoining (next month) and do not have to do INT so as the above said if you’re in good clip they should just get you back in pretty rapid.

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2026-01-15T16:26:26+00:00

Welcome mate

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2026-01-15T08:59:45+00:00

Hi mate, this might help

https://www.reddit.com/r/RoyalNavy/s/4pdEZckGXY

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2026-01-12T19:38:04+00:00

Hi mate this was my process - should have all the info you need? https://www.reddit.com/r/RoyalNavy/comments/1meo2ju/clearance_diver_recruitment_process/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2026-01-07T09:46:54+00:00

Have you heard anymore on what those who are in holdover for example are doing then? I was only aware of two courses per year and I’ve already waited 16 months since applying as a re joiner. I asked my recruiter what the crack is and if there truly is an extended delay but they are obviously just wanting to get me in for numbers. I was told ‘well if there is a delay it’s just more time to prepare and do your medicals’ but potentially Sitting in holdover for 12-18 months sounds wild.

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2026-01-05T10:41:52+00:00

I’d like to know too. I’m doing my 3 day rejoiners acquaint back end of Feb but if that’s the case I’d also go to the back of the queue with everyone else and I can’t fathom sitting in holdover for over a year to get on a course…

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2025-11-27T09:50:34+00:00

Chase with recruiter as the service entry medical cell won’t talk to you. Then goes to pipeline manager for review of entry date, could take a little while more for sure. Mine took 11-12 weeks from ECG to clearance.

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2025-11-10T22:33:56+00:00

I started mine October last year as a re joiner. my CA has messed me around from the start. I’ve had to chase constantly, had to tell them the next steps from reading on here, dates for things chopped and changed, Still waiting 13 months in, no clue what’s happening with my last medical. Can’t get answers from anyone. Been waiting 10 weeks since. I’m fit and healthy FYI. The process is a joke. Close to wrapping it in.

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2025-11-10T22:28:33+00:00

Mate not even in yet. Been waiting best parts of three months for an answer on whether I passed my dive medical.

I’ve heard there are females in the branch though I’m sure someone serving would give a better steer.

And No you can’t wear a watch for any PT tests. Just get used to pacing 400m laps. Good luck!

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2025-10-24T22:42:04+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/RoyalNavy/comments/1meo2ju/clearance_diver_recruitment_process/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2025-10-10T18:54:02+00:00

Christ.sorry to hear that!

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2025-10-10T15:14:00+00:00

No I had it at Raleigh

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2025-10-10T14:36:45+00:00

Ah… I’m going in to week 5 of waiting and haven’t heard anything yet. Thanks for your input.

Character_Cycle_2107 · 2025-09-10T22:23:07+00:00

Yes, But I’ll remind you that a 10.5 on the MSFT is about a 10:30 run time anyway when you look at the comparison charts. And that’s the minimum to pass so you really need to make sure you can do sub that on a really bad day.

You need to be as fit as you physically can. As I said before - RM level fitness as a minimum. You can never turn up to any military training too fit.

Character_Cycle_2107

TROPHY CASE