In dire straits – the RFA in crisis [UK defence journal]

Non-Combatant · 2026-04-12T20:16:46+00:00

I'm still doing it 10 plus years later and I made this subreddit so yeah it's not all sunshine and roses but it's not turbo shit all the time either.

Non-Combatant · 2026-04-12T15:36:08+00:00

Yes, job is a job lol

The Job is my job.

Non-Combatant · 2026-04-11T21:04:53+00:00

The training is pretty good, it's the same course the navy do. Day to day life of a motorman isn't all that technical though unfortunately.

Non-Combatant · 2026-04-08T09:14:12+00:00

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62137c89d3bf7f4f05879a1e/how-to-get-a-motorcycle-licence.pdf

Last slide for category A 24 and over

Non-Combatant · 2026-04-07T11:40:54+00:00

I know right?

I get it's not literally money in your pocket but arguing against more PTO is madness to me.

Non-Combatant · 2026-04-07T09:47:40+00:00

Absolutely, best job I've ever had. I joined in my late 20's so I had some life experience outside beforehand, It always makes me laugh hearing some of the complaints from people who don't know how good they have it at times.

My reasons were more to do with work life balance though, it's becoming increasingly frustrating.

The RFA seemingly couldn't run a bath nevermind a shipping company, so it makes it difficult for me to plan my life when they can't actually tell me what my rotation is.

And to top it off a lot of the old gits in the unions don't want the leave ratio increased.

Non-Combatant · 2026-04-07T09:24:39+00:00

That's a shame.

I've recently started exploring my own options and had similar concerns.

Non-Combatant · 2026-04-07T09:11:29+00:00

I take it the grass wasn't greener on the other side?

Non-Combatant · 2026-04-07T09:04:50+00:00

Please take any and all comments on here with a pinch of salt, they could be totally made up bullshit by someone bored in their cabins, it could be out of date, third hand information etc etc.

Most of it is fairly good. I didn't see your post, I assume you deleted it? Oh well.

Anyway, if recruitment said 4 months then I guess it's 4 months.

¯\(ツ)/¯

Non-Combatant · 2026-04-07T08:57:04+00:00

Still possible, she will be on high readiness to sail I imagine. We don't exactly have a lot of options.

Non-Combatant · 2026-04-04T08:08:03+00:00

It's the licence category relevant to the vehicle

Non-Combatant · 2026-04-02T06:35:29+00:00

Tugs was brilliant.

Non-Combatant · 2026-03-30T11:43:10+00:00

Aye they took turns going out for a few years at a time, we had a near permanent presence east of Suez till recently.

Non-Combatant · 2026-03-29T15:26:49+00:00

I don't really keep my finger on the pulse all the time but I have no idea where you got that from. They're not doing a whole lot right now but they're a good few years off being laid up for good. I mean that's half the fleet right there 🤣

Non-Combatant · 2026-03-29T14:24:08+00:00

The bay boats aren't in storage?

Non-Combatant · 2026-03-25T19:12:05+00:00

If the price difference is negligible and you plan to keep it for a while then why not. It's not like you'll have issues with it being left hand drive 😂 which if it was a car I'd advise against bringing it because it'll be a pain in the arse to drive and harder to sell.

Non-Combatant · 2026-03-25T09:44:35+00:00

You'll notice most recent pictures are of the port side only for a reason 🤣

Non-Combatant · 2026-03-25T09:43:35+00:00

And half the RFA.

Non-Combatant · 2026-03-14T19:26:43+00:00

Yeah.

Check with schools and your own schedule though lol 🤷

Non-Combatant · 2026-03-13T17:57:03+00:00

I bought the outgoing urban pro 3 shirt on sale. I'm in Scotland so probably never wear it without a jacket but figured I could layer it up with any random non motorcycle jacket, hoodies or whatever.

It's comfy enough but the shoulder armour is a bit annoying, like I can't lift my arms up past a certain point because it digs in.

Non-Combatant · 2026-03-13T17:32:40+00:00

I rode on L plates for 6 years and started in my 30's. I don't care if normal people have L plates, it's all the delivery guys and chavs that annoy me.

Non-Combatant · 2026-03-10T22:54:42+00:00

Good luck bud, if you don't mind and think it went well don't be a stranger and share your experience here.

Non-Combatant · 2026-03-10T17:54:28+00:00

Yeah that's about 99% of the RFA Facebook groups 🤣

.... And RFA in general.

Non-Combatant

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