handbagmad

Hi

My partner has recently applied to transfer from RN to RAN - hopefully as a submariner as he is now. Are there any other submariners transferring/transferred to RAN? Any information on OZ RAN conditions/lifestyle would be appreciated.

Regards

terriefarrell

just bookmarking cos this will be interesting. X

Bluerobot

There is a series on SBS TV over here at the moment (Friday Evening) about one of the Collins class boats HMAS Rankin. Its a repeat, about 2-3 years old.
The DVD of the series is out, at Dymocks bookstore - heres the link.

http://www.dymocks.com.au/ProductDet...=9786000160968

I've watched the last 3 episodes, but missed the first part of the series, so I'm probably going to buy a copy, if I do I'll let you know. To sum up so far, they have had a lot of breakdowns, Boat seems to spend a lot of time on the roof, they are on a six month deployment - no fifth watch, the skipper is a 2 1/2 ringer, who sound like a Pom, you have to earn your dolphins all over again, as one of the crew in the series did who was ex RN. They have females in the crew (do they have females in RN boats yet?)

Lots of similarities on the Oz boats, apart from being Diesel, not nuclear powered, otherwise I might have been tempted to join. I'm an ex RN submariner, CPOMEA (Reactor Panel Operator - a real engine, not diesel semi-submersibles) on Trafalger & Swiftsure.

I can't tell you anything about the lifestyle I'm afraid. I believe the boats run out of Garden Island in WA.

handbagmad

Hi Bluerobot

Thanks for that info, it seems that the boat my Oh is on is the same - that keeps breaking down, if they did a TV series on his boat no one would join!! No, we don't have females on submarines yet - only surface ships - but give it time! I heard the base was in Perth for submarines - got to be better than Faslane. We are lucky Oh is based in Plymouth.

If you come across any other info I'd appreciate it if you would let me know.

Regards

nickyjohnt

John was a submariner 22 years before we came to Oz last year, He does tiling now !
Many times i said goodbye to him thinking i wouldn't see him again for a few months, then get a phone call saying the boat had broken down again ...

Nicky

handbagmad

I've lost count of the amount of times that has happened to us - or they haven't come back on time. Can't book any holidays until the boat is back to base - then the price has shot up on the flights!! But apart from that it's not too bad - good social do's!!!

terriefarrell

That series was shown on one of the discovery channels last year here on Sky. Very interesting it was and it did show a lot about the families and what they go through aswell. They don't operate a 5th watch thing though on subs like they do over here, or at least they didn't when th programme went out which gave the impression that whenthe boat is away...they are all away with it.

hutchy

I am an ex CRS (general service). Left the RN in Sep 03 and transferred to RAN 1 day later. I served in HMS Rankin after after joining boats but decided to return to general service because for me better promotion prospects. I left the RAN in June 07 after serving about 3 and a half years in the RAN. I am now a WA copper. Living in Rockingham. Please send me a private mail and my wife and myself can give you stacks of info. Our kids are 17 and 15.

Regards

Terry and Janice

terriefarrell

I know RAN don't have nuclear subs and was wondering if there were any problems with tiffs fitting into RAN jobs. hubby is 21 years done all on nuclear subs, will there be more of a problem with him getting in do you think?

hutchy

Should not be a problem. Would expect him to join as a ET rate, probably PO level. If he joins boats you will be based at Fleet base West, Rockingham, Perth. Get the pension and run

Regards

Terry

terriefarrell

He starts his WO2 course in November so will be qualified by the time we come out to Oz, would that mean he'd then drop down to chief or would it still be PO?

njk435

It depends on what his job offer / Posting Order says.
I would check with the overseas recruiting people and push for the upper rank. Don't be shy either - if you don't ask you won't get..

I know the Aussie Army generally drop WO2 to SGT (PO?).

terriefarrell

Thanks for that, we're quite aware that cost of living isn't as cheap in oz as it used to be so trying to make sure we aren't too much worse off by going, dropping one payscale isn't so bad, but two maybe a little hard to deal with but then he will be on his way out here having done 24 years by then so will have good pension and gratuity..

littlenick

Hi,

Just some more info on the subject. I joined RAN GS 6 weeks ago. I was a CPOWEA in the RN and they offered CPOET which is their equivalent of WO2. I'm only holding provisional rate until I attend their CCQC and sit a board. I didn't fight for the CPO job and was expecting to drop to PO (Not really a drop!). I'm based in HMAS Stirling, Perth which is where the Subs are based. I work with an Ex RN submariner of some 13 years ago who told me they a screaming out for bodies. I'd hold out for the CPO job but I think it depends what they want at the time your application goes through. Would recommend WA as I've had no problems at all.

Littlenick's Hubby

terriefarrell

Ignore my ignorance but what is WA? (sorry dh isn't here and i don't understand all the tech jargon, just some!)