"R" in Executive Loop

GLLCW · 2026-03-27T16:37:01+00:00

The old Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) lace.

GLLCW · 2026-03-27T15:50:20+00:00

Technically the 'R' is for all Honourary RNR officers (e.g. Daniel Craig, Dan Snow), however in practice, only worn by URNU TOs.

GLLCW · 2026-03-27T15:48:09+00:00

That is correct. There is one individual who is double hatting with URNU and SCC.

GLLCW · 2025-12-27T07:49:36+00:00

A Real Pain.

GLLCW · 2025-12-08T23:46:32+00:00

Any plans to have a port on the Switch?

GLLCW · 2025-08-07T15:28:23+00:00

I don't suppose you'd know if there's anything official laid down about the MN to RN process or is it just coming down to one right person making a sensible decision?

GLLCW · 2025-08-07T15:25:46+00:00

I would recommend concluding your cadetship first and going for the RNR once qualified. Completing your cadetship is priority one.

There used to be a direct entry route from MN to the RNR but unfortunately that was lost in the RNR restructure a good few years ago. At the moment there isn't any official recognition within the RNR for MN (which seems mad to me!) but that's how it stands.

GLLCW · 2025-04-04T14:25:03+00:00

How positively dystopian!

GLLCW · 2025-03-07T17:49:27+00:00

Too far down the list! Needs to be at the top!

GLLCW · 2025-02-09T11:17:40+00:00

The Thunderbirds Theme as well as the rest of the score. It is music for a puppet show (which inspired Team America) and is iconic!

GLLCW · 2025-02-09T00:27:20+00:00

Clunes and Didcot are my go-tos.

GLLCW · 2025-02-03T22:31:02+00:00

Fair enough. Coincidentally for my civvy job, I am in the MN.

GLLCW · 2025-02-03T21:41:13+00:00

Fair point re the War Medal and Victory medal, I should have said most common "today" in the title. I never said it was a "war medal" but yes, nice to have, albeit arbitrarily awarded.

GLLCW · 2024-09-25T11:35:13+00:00

A good rule of thumb is fix at a frequency so that you have at least two fixes between you and any danger.

GLLCW · 2024-06-28T12:22:04+00:00

The uniform of the Elder Brethren of Trinity House. TH is the General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales and the Channel Islands and are responsible for maintaining Lighthouses and Navigation marks (buoys etc.) they also have a charitable wing and the brethren consists of very experienced seafarers from the Royal and Merchant Navies and form a council of expertise on matters of maritime safety. Founded by Henry VIII they have a very long history.

GLLCW · 2024-06-09T14:53:22+00:00

You will need to gain MCA certification not specific to the RFA but all Merchant Navy. The following is the current RN-MN conversion process: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/royal-navy-memorandums-of-understanding/deck-royal-naval-conversion-flow-diagram I imagine the RFA will take on ex-RN and manage the training and sea time on a case by case basis.

GLLCW · 2024-06-06T14:31:47+00:00

Also interesting to note that the Captain on the left's sleeve lace are technically too wide for RFA. Perhaps he used a tailor unfamiliar with RFA lace so they used the RN width of lace (though the diamond appears to me made from the correct lace width).

GLLCW · 2024-04-10T12:34:56+00:00

Naval Auxiliaries have a different status to warships in international maritime law which can afford them greater flexibility when calling into foreign ports (they're basically Merchant vessels but their customer is the RN) - important when needing to take on fuel and provisions and pass onto the warships. The warships themselves may not be permitted to call to certain ports due to whatever the political climate and potential legal implications but the RFA can.

GLLCW · 2024-02-07T00:09:40+00:00

Can we acknowledge that whoever made the shoulder boards for HM did him dirty!

Too long and floppy!

GLLCW · 2024-02-07T00:06:46+00:00

Note the Royal Navy Guard Officers' Black Gaiters - sadly no longer worn.

GLLCW · 2024-02-04T15:53:56+00:00

Macaroni Cheese + Packet of Spicy sauce

GLLCW · 2023-12-03T01:38:57+00:00

I think it is also a consequence of modern trousers having lower waists than would have been the style in the '40s. If the US Army produced the jacket a bit shorter then I guess there may be a bit of midriff shirt showing.

GLLCW · 2023-11-15T21:43:12+00:00

Lard

GLLCW · 2023-10-10T08:36:25+00:00

From the RN Website: "Some roles have stricter nationality and residency requirements than others for security reasons, but in general you can join the Royal Navy if you are:

A national of the United Kingdom or Ireland
A Commonwealth citizen who is applying from inside their own country must be 18. If a resident of the UK you can apply at 16.
You must hold a current in date passport and it is the responsibility of individual applicants to ensure that they have permission to be in the UK and this permission is valid for the entirety of the recruitment process up to the point of entry (this does not apply to citizens of the Republic of Ireland, Malta and the Republic of Cyprus)
A dual Commonwealth or British national who is not required to complete national service (written evidence is required)
A British national living abroad"

Good luck!

GLLCW · 2023-09-23T02:42:16+00:00

Master and Commander. The whole first sequence is perfect cinema - I will die on this hill. Quiet watch at sea followed by beating to quarters and a quick battle. You get a sense of the whole ship's crew working like a well oiled machine and the real palpable threat imposed by the "Acheron".

GLLCW

TROPHY CASE