Serving/ ex UK military personnel?

Question

Is there really as big a social void between ratings and officers as my friends would have me believe?

I am hopefully joining the Navy after University. I really want to join as a rating, but feel that it would be a waste of five years' further education when I could have gone in straight from school. Therefore I feel compelled to get my commission first, even though I come from a working-class family and don't seem to mix with the posh, typical officer-types here at Uni. The pay is much better as an officer too.

So what it boils down to is, can I be an officer but still 'one of the lads', rather than a posh, snooty **** who looks down his nose at anyone of lower rank? I'd feel more at home with the boys!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Officers, generally are snooty, but there are always the down to Earth types.
I'd reccomend going for your further education, and then applying for Officer. If you don't get selected, go for Rating. When you're in as a Rating, re-apply for Officer (there's a form attatched to your annual appraisal that asks you if you want to go for Officer)

I've been in Service for 6 years so far, and I've found many Officers to be either snooty, or to have an "Us and Them" attitude. Some (Mainly ex-rankers IE used to be an airman, then became officer) were sound as a pound. My current Flight Leiutenent is an Ex Corporal and is great, My last Boss (OC of a flying Sqn) was also great. He cared for the team as a whole and not just the aircrew (He wasn't an ex-ranker), and I've got a close mate who is an Officer, who you wouldn't expect was an Officer. He's one of the lads!

I've had the other types too, my fist Squadron CO really did see it as "Us and Them" When he said "the squadron" it was clear he meant Aircrew and aircraft only, completely ignoring us groundcrew (engineers and controllers etc). We didn't like him much...

I've got some further advice for you mate. If you do go in as an Officer, the instructors will try to brainwash you into the "Us and Them" way of thinking. Play the game in training, but when you get to the real job, listen to your ratings, and socialise with them a bit (despite what your told to do, but not too much, or your peers may get annoyed). Also, don't come out of training thinking your better than any rating. You'll soon find that the senior ratings, I.E the Equivalent SGT's and higher (sorry, don't really understand the Naval ranks) know an awful lot more than you. Listen to them and take their advice on board. If you do this, you will be one of the Few officers that are liked by all ranks.

Good luck mate, Hope you make it!

Answer 2

In any armed service social interaction between Officers and other ranks is frowned upon and in many cases forbidden. There is an Officer's Mess or Wardroom and a junior Ranks mess. The Officers are addressed as Sir or Ma'am and the other ranks by their rank. Even the uniforms are different in style, cut and sometimes colour. Leadership from within the group is not a good idea even in civillian life and in the services a definite No-No. An officer leads and the other ranks follow because they respect him. How the officer gains that respect is up to his own personal; qualities rather than a popularity contest with the "Lads". You really need to lose your idea that all officers are "the Posh snooty" types and accept them for what they are and you will get on a lot better. Lastly lose your inferiority complex about your working class background.

Answer 3

Know Junior officer has automatic respect from the Ranks. Especially Soldiers/Sailors/AirCrew who have done a good length of service. Imagine being told what to do by some 18 yo Reda$$ Rupert straight out of Sandhurst when youve been in 6 years?
Although some of my officers are great" Major Clarke and Captain Beattie are Legends" who command respect as soon as they talk to you. Commisioned through the ranks they were. They know how to address the soldiers.

Answer 4

As an officer you won't get much social time with the enlisted folks as the military kinda frowns on that. On the ship it may be different.

I was enlisted and generally didn't socialise with the officers, although in Korea I did to some extent. This was due to the fact that I preformed duties that was an officer position for a limited period of time (4 months). So I ended up being treated as "one of the boys".

Although, you Britts do things a bit differently then we yanks so who knows..

Answer 5

actual, Richard S and Archie, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand have all presented their very very own variations of the Victoria pass interior the final two decades or so, that are legally break free the British one. The Australian and Canadian VCs have on no account been offered, the hot Zealand VC has been offered as quickly as, to a corporal interior the NZ SAS in Afghanistan for action in 2004 (offered in 2007). Australian and New Zealand VCs look precisely comparable to British ones, yet Canadian ones are inscribed "professional Valore" somewhat of "For Valour". The British VC has been offered 1356 situations to 1353 human beings because of the fact it replace into presented in 1856 (3 human beings have gained it two times). There are at the instant 10 living holders of the VC - 5 British, 3 Gurkhas, and a pair of Australians.

Answer 6

dont worry a few month at Britannia will knoock the being one of the lads out of you.
the problem with the navy is there is very much an us and them mentality.
what branch do u want to join, coz if you went into the mechanical or electrical branches you could join as an articifer apprentice and then fast track through the non com ranks.

Answer 7

It kind of depends on what field you choose. In US Navy special warfare, SEALs and Special Boat Units, enlisted and officers are both part of a tight knit group. There's a bit more seperation in the reg. Navy. I knew very few officers during my time (and I worked with all branches at one time or another) who acted like you describe. A good officer knows his career and sometimes life depends on his troops and he treats them with respect.

Answer 8

As an Army WO1 I spend a lot of time around Officers and other ranks and generally it is a case of keeping them as far seperate as possible

Answer 9

It depends. You can be an officer and still be one of the boys but as an officer you will never fully fit in.

Answer 10

I left 17 years ago and it was like it then bet it is still the same now