Navy
Help Wanted: Royal Navy Submarines In Need Of Staff
Recent defence cuts and strategic reviews appear to have left the Royal Navy struggling to fill vital posts in the so-called 'silent service'.
Staff shortages have meant the Admiralty are now looking to take engineers from other parts of the Navy to serve as a stopgap, in order to keep the current submarine fleet running.
An excerpt from a press release on the Royal Navy website reads:
"The search has begun to attract up to 40 engineers from the Royal Navy’s surface flotilla and fleet air arm to transfer over to the Submarine Service."
"Royal Navy engineers from ships, aircraft and shore establishments are being invited to consider transferring their expertise to support the UK’s Submarine Service."
Rear Admiral Submarines (RASM) John Weale pinned the blame for the shortfall in labour on the private sector:
“In part, this is a response to private industry poaching our extremely well trained engineering experts in the civil nuclear industry and beyond.”
The Navy chief did, however, stress the importance of submarines to the fleet as well as to the security of the nation as a whole:
“The importance of the submarines to the UK is crystal clear: they provide continuous at sea deterrence”
Vanguard-class submarine HMS Victorious returning home after an 88-day patrol
The group given the responsibility to replenish the ranks, namely the Sustainable Submarine Manpower Programme team, "will be touring Royal Navy ships and establishments, including Royal Marines, 8-25 February 2016 to encourage existing technical staff to cross train as Leading Hands and Petty Officer Marine or Weapons Engineers in the Submarine Service."
Those interested will be pleased to know there is also a financial incentive, with sailors who make the switch set to "receive a £5,000 ‘Golden Hello’ on achieving their ‘Dolphins’"
"Furthermore they will be entitled to an attractive submarine pay package which could equate to as much as 25% depending on rank and specialisation. This comes with it a five year return of service once they become submarine qualified."
Those interested in transferring to the Submarine Service can contact the team by phone (Military Network) 9380 28603 or email.
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
