I had hoped to continue the blog during Raleigh and beyond. However, I've had several people advise me to cease posting due to security reasons. As such this page will no longer be updated.
For anyone going through the recruitment process, good luck! I can confirm that it is definately worth waiting for and although Phase One is both physically and mentally demanding, it's also very rewarding - roll on December 7th!
Friday 2 November 2007
Sunday 21 October 2007
Initial experiences
Hi all,
This is the first opportunity I've had to access a PC - it's literally been non-stop every day from 6 'til 10:30. We're all really tired but also enjoying every minute of it.
The first week was mainly death by Powerpoint. Lots of lectures/welcomes. I'm in Cornwell division, starboard class (each entry has a port and starboard class, from week 3 we each earn points for various things - drill exam, assault course, exams, etc. and there's a trophy up for grabs to the class with most points at the end of week 9).
We had several pass/fail fitness tests too, mainly the 1.5m run and swimming test. There are lots of tests throughout training which you need to pass in order to progress. Failure results in recieving "remedial" training in the evening - which eats into your spare time. I passed these without any problems.
Scran (food) isn't too bad, there's lots of choice (toast and/or cereal and/or full-english at breakfast; 4 choices of lunch and a salad-bar; 4 choices of dinner and a make-your-own omlette, followed by desert). Certainly getting a much needed high calorie intake!
The second week was more involved, we did lots of outside activities like the low ropes, some team-building excersises and more running. The lectures were more interesting and some led to extra privileges. After the "Marks of Respect" lesson we could freely move around the base without supervision. If an Officer walks past, you come to attention, salute, he'll salute back and you both carry on. It's pretty weird at first but soon becomes normal like other Naval traditions.
Next week we have our first kit muster, parade exam, ship/submarine visit and Pier Cellars (an old harbour used by Raleigh and used as a team-bonding, let-your-hair-down experience. We'll get 3 cans of beer, do a lot of orienteering and perform a Sod's Opera in the evening - basically extracting the urine out of our instructors, can't wait! Week 4
I'd go into more detail, but time is very limited at the moment
This is the first opportunity I've had to access a PC - it's literally been non-stop every day from 6 'til 10:30. We're all really tired but also enjoying every minute of it.
The first week was mainly death by Powerpoint. Lots of lectures/welcomes. I'm in Cornwell division, starboard class (each entry has a port and starboard class, from week 3 we each earn points for various things - drill exam, assault course, exams, etc. and there's a trophy up for grabs to the class with most points at the end of week 9).
We had several pass/fail fitness tests too, mainly the 1.5m run and swimming test. There are lots of tests throughout training which you need to pass in order to progress. Failure results in recieving "remedial" training in the evening - which eats into your spare time. I passed these without any problems.
Scran (food) isn't too bad, there's lots of choice (toast and/or cereal and/or full-english at breakfast; 4 choices of lunch and a salad-bar; 4 choices of dinner and a make-your-own omlette, followed by desert). Certainly getting a much needed high calorie intake!
The second week was more involved, we did lots of outside activities like the low ropes, some team-building excersises and more running. The lectures were more interesting and some led to extra privileges. After the "Marks of Respect" lesson we could freely move around the base without supervision. If an Officer walks past, you come to attention, salute, he'll salute back and you both carry on. It's pretty weird at first but soon becomes normal like other Naval traditions.
Next week we have our first kit muster, parade exam, ship/submarine visit and Pier Cellars (an old harbour used by Raleigh and used as a team-bonding, let-your-hair-down experience. We'll get 3 cans of beer, do a lot of orienteering and perform a Sod's Opera in the evening - basically extracting the urine out of our instructors, can't wait! Week 4
I'd go into more detail, but time is very limited at the moment
Thursday 14 June 2007
Waiting game
Sorry I haven't updated the blog for a while. I'll include all the updates in one post...
The fitness day was nearly disastrous. After signing in at the gym, I was asked for the "form", which - to my sudden horror - I'd completely forgotten about and had left at home. You need the form to take the test, so I was looking at a wasted journey.
The AFCO is only 5 minutes walk from the gym, so I asked for a bit of time to get another form. Thankfully (after a long wait) the AFCO coughed up another form.
All the training I'd done for the fitness test was on a road (I hate treadmills), but because the standard needs to stay constant throughout the country, the actual test has to be done on a treadmill.
It was horrible, there was no music, the "supervisor" was miserable and I had to stare at myself in a mirror. I ran the 1.5 miles in 11 minutes 30 secs, the minimum requirement is 12 minutes 20 secs. I sure was relieved when I'd finished.
Now began the waiting game.
Completely unexpected, while I was visiting a friend in Oxford about a week later, the AFCO phoned to say I had a join date!
From 7th October I will board HMS Raleigh for 8 weeks of hell that I will apparently enjoy!
The fitness day was nearly disastrous. After signing in at the gym, I was asked for the "form", which - to my sudden horror - I'd completely forgotten about and had left at home. You need the form to take the test, so I was looking at a wasted journey.
The AFCO is only 5 minutes walk from the gym, so I asked for a bit of time to get another form. Thankfully (after a long wait) the AFCO coughed up another form.
All the training I'd done for the fitness test was on a road (I hate treadmills), but because the standard needs to stay constant throughout the country, the actual test has to be done on a treadmill.
It was horrible, there was no music, the "supervisor" was miserable and I had to stare at myself in a mirror. I ran the 1.5 miles in 11 minutes 30 secs, the minimum requirement is 12 minutes 20 secs. I sure was relieved when I'd finished.
Now began the waiting game.
Completely unexpected, while I was visiting a friend in Oxford about a week later, the AFCO phoned to say I had a join date!
From 7th October I will board HMS Raleigh for 8 weeks of hell that I will apparently enjoy!
Thursday 17 May 2007
Saturday 12 May 2007
It's official
Had a letter in the post:
"Dear Mr Adam,
I am pleased to inform you that you have been successful in the tests, interview and medical carried out at this office. As you are aware, the next stage of the selection process to join the Royal Navy is the Pre Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which you must pass before you can be allocated a joining date. This letter explains the process in more detail."
I need to run 1.5 miles (2.4km) on a treadmill in 12 mins 20 secs to pass the test. If successful, I'll be given a provisional offer of service!
Just need to phone the fitness centre to arrange the date which has to be within 28 days from now.
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!
"Dear Mr Adam,
I am pleased to inform you that you have been successful in the tests, interview and medical carried out at this office. As you are aware, the next stage of the selection process to join the Royal Navy is the Pre Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which you must pass before you can be allocated a joining date. This letter explains the process in more detail."
I need to run 1.5 miles (2.4km) on a treadmill in 12 mins 20 secs to pass the test. If successful, I'll be given a provisional offer of service!
Just need to phone the fitness centre to arrange the date which has to be within 28 days from now.
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Thursday 10 May 2007
Medical update
Had some good news this morning!
Got a phone call at work, it was the nurse from the medical on Tuesday, she'd spoken to the my CPO and after making a few enquiries the Navy have decided to waiver the weight issue! So I've passed the medical!
Everyone at work is trying to fatten me up now (I work in a pub kitchen), so I might not tell them they needn't bother, I'll just keep taking the food. ;-)
Next step is the fitness test which will happen in "a few weeks" according to the nurse (1.5 mile run on a treadmill in 12 minutes). At the end of the run is my ticket to Raleigh, it's all starting to move at a rapid pace now!
Got a phone call at work, it was the nurse from the medical on Tuesday, she'd spoken to the my CPO and after making a few enquiries the Navy have decided to waiver the weight issue! So I've passed the medical!
Everyone at work is trying to fatten me up now (I work in a pub kitchen), so I might not tell them they needn't bother, I'll just keep taking the food. ;-)
Next step is the fitness test which will happen in "a few weeks" according to the nurse (1.5 mile run on a treadmill in 12 minutes). At the end of the run is my ticket to Raleigh, it's all starting to move at a rapid pace now!
Tuesday 8 May 2007
Medical
While the rest of the country is trying to loose weight, I'm trying to gain it.
Had the medical today, basically I'm TMU (Temporarily Medically Unfit) for service because I'm 5kg underweight. Apparently I'm doing too much stamina-training (running, cycling, swimming, etc.) and not enough muscle training. All I need to do is pay some more visits to the gym and eat lots of protein/carbohydrates and I should easily gain the weight, according to the doc.
The rest of the medical was fine, passed everything easily. It's official - I can see, hear, walk in a straight line, see colour, breathe, my heart beats and I'm not infected with any diseases. However it's only official for 3 months, so if I take longer to put the weight on, it will all need to be rechecked, just in case I forget how to walk in a straight line. Better start stuffing those Big Macs down me.
Had the medical today, basically I'm TMU (Temporarily Medically Unfit) for service because I'm 5kg underweight. Apparently I'm doing too much stamina-training (running, cycling, swimming, etc.) and not enough muscle training. All I need to do is pay some more visits to the gym and eat lots of protein/carbohydrates and I should easily gain the weight, according to the doc.
The rest of the medical was fine, passed everything easily. It's official - I can see, hear, walk in a straight line, see colour, breathe, my heart beats and I'm not infected with any diseases. However it's only official for 3 months, so if I take longer to put the weight on, it will all need to be rechecked, just in case I forget how to walk in a straight line. Better start stuffing those Big Macs down me.
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