I joined the navy at the age of 17 as a radar/weapons operator back in 1998 and did 5 years, i had a great time and went to some great places and made some great friends.

It is hard work and involves some long hours but the p155 ups more then make up for it.

If i was going to advise anyone on joining the forces i would point them towrds the navy for the simple fact that even though you probably will end up in the gulf you wont be in the heat of the action like you would in the army or raf. And the fact the navy seem to go more places then any of the other two forces these days.

Thanks for the advice it has been really useful. Im guessing it's all the same exams and tests etc no matter which force you go in for?

Yeah i should imagine there all the same, but no matter how good or not so good academicly you may be theyll be something you can do.

become an aircraft handler in the navy, get on an aircraft carrier, my mate does it, he loads the missiles onto the air crafts and gets to pull them along with some golf cart looking thing. Plus they'll train you as a fire fighter aswell! Jobs a good un'

When i eventually got on a ship and saw what aircraft handlers did i wished i joined as one of them, it is a good job

A mate of mine is going in the RAF as an inteligence annalyst. Done a couple of tests and that and then got his final fitness test sometime soonish. I was tempted to look the RAF up but not sure if it's for me.
I also though about the Navy and I actually mentioned to my mate about what the fellas do on aircraft carriers, signalling the pilots for take off etc.

Is there a site for the Navy?

rlhttp://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/rl

cheers pal.

The entry exam are all different depending on which service. My lad , who has 13 gcse struggled to good points in the RAF exam mainly because it was tech based and his speciality was sciences. He then did the army entrance exam and absolutely flew through it.

I joined the Royal Navy in January 08 as a Naval Airman (Mainly fire-fighting i was soon to find out) Not that i was complaining.

I PVR'd (Premature voluntary released) in the last week, if i'd of completed that last week i would of been contracted to another 4 years along with a years notice of leaving the Navy.

My reason for leaving i missed home family and friends, you can take the lad out of Hull but not the Hull out of the lad.

Im glad i went in as it was an ambition of mine for many years from starting secondary school (Hull Trinity House) i learnt many valuable skills over the 6 months i did. HMS Raleigh was a peice of p*ss. Specialisation training for the trade i was going into did it for me. Living away in RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk - Largest Naval Air Station in Europe) down in Helston (Cornwall) having to get a plane home to see my family etc.

Many will judge me on what i decided and why i came home, but i've done a lot more then many in my life. And im proud and stand by my decision today.

I'd advise anyone to go in the Royal Navy as its a great life, as long as you can hack been away from home.

As for the RAF i think there all a bit bitch whipped but trust me, once you're in. Its a job for life!

Just remember... the Navy's the senior service .

I was in the RAF for 21 years. I served as a MT Technician which is a vehicle mechanic. I was medically discharged in 2005 with a neck problem. The last 9 years of my service was serving with a unit called TSW (Tactical Supply Wing) which was mainly involved in refuelling helicopters in the middle of nowhere, next to the RAF Regiment we were the closest thing to being in the Army you could get by being in the RAF. Life in the forces has changed dramatically in the last few years, you spend a lot more time away (upto 6 months a year in a war zone), one year I was lucky enough to do two 4 month stints in one twelve month period which didn't impress the wife. The forces are very undermanned at the moment which is causing a lot of stress for the troops but with Iraq being handed back it should relieve some of the strain.

On a similar note, has anyone been through officers school, in any of the Army, Navy and the RAF? Its something I'm researching at the moment but would rather have peoples opinions rather than the websites etc

Looking at the grad entry are you? Pay does seem pretty decent but on an initial 12 year commission I don't think I could commit to something like that which would take me into my 30's!

I'm currently in the RAF, second time in (so it can't be all that bad!). If you want any questions answered I'll do my best to help.

I'm in the raf, just got back from a week in vegas to play in a 7's tournament. Good times. Feel rubbish today though