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Original poster

Son is joining the Navy

21 replies

Therunecaster · 17/02/2023 07:06

My 17 year old got his start date today for the Navy basic training. He will sit his A levels and then go. He hopes to be a submariner.

I'm so proud of him but feel a little sad. It doesn't seem 5 minutes since he was my little boy.

Any parents out there with children in the Navy have any wise words.

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 17/02/2023 07:11

You must be very proud! I have afriend whose son passed out last summer, from what she says its the lack of contact that can be hard for familes (navy wife friends say the same... I'm an army wife and we have a lot more contact)

Stock up on boot polish for him and teach him to iron now.

Original poster
Therunecaster · 17/02/2023 07:16

Thanks. I am proud, he's wanted to serve on a sub since he was 10. The lack of contact is the thing that's making me sad. We have a lovely close relationship and whilst it's natural for him to grow up and move out, it just feels sudden.

OP posts:
Throwncrumbs · 17/02/2023 07:16

My friends son joined from school, he’s done very well, travelled the world, and really enjoys what he does. She’s so proud of him. He left to do his training a skinny lad, 16 weeks later I barely recognised him ! 💪 18 years later 💪🛳🚁🛩

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17 years old
Holly60 · 17/02/2023 07:18

My friends brother joined at 17. I know she and her parents found it hard, BUT they have the most wonderful close relationship with him. He went off and saw the world with their blessing, came back a fully rounded man who appreciated his parents on an equal footing. They went on holiday all together for years and he spent every Christmas with his parents, having him and his sister to his every year.

He left the navy when he got married and settled near his parents. He looked after them so well when they became elderly.

Friend says it was the best thing he did as it made him appreciate his family more.

You will have opportunities to be involved. You will see him pass out and then you can go every time the ship goes out or comes back in.

He will always be your boy but you can be very proud of him in his uniform. You can keep in touch easily now a days

Genvonklinkerhoffen · 17/02/2023 07:40

OP, I work in a tri service training establishment and we get young ratings every 6 weeks or so, coming to learn their trade.

They do look young and vulnerable but I can tell you, there is so much effort put into their care and welfare, its brilliant to watch them thrive and then graduate in front of their families and guardians.

Hope it all goes well.

gogohmm · 17/02/2023 07:42

@Therunecaster

We are on this journey too, also submarines! First submarine deployment imminent.

Adelaide66 · 17/02/2023 07:44

I'd be so proud of your son OP. He is going to have great experiences while fully employed and will appreciate you even more for being away. Good luck to you both.

gogohmm · 17/02/2023 07:45

Apparently they can receive emails these days, hunter killers aren't under the water for as long as the deterrent ones. They are on shore far more than ever at sea we've been told though that is at officer level.

ThisWOMANWontWheesht · 17/02/2023 07:50

Aw, good for him. My son is RAF, not navy, but as a rather lost and lazy lad who dropped out of uni, the military got him into shape and gave him purpose, and he's doing well now... just bought a house. It has been the making of him.
Wishing your son success.

Campervangirl · 17/02/2023 07:52

Not a DC but my BIL served in the paras.
Great bloke, saw the world, has been in some hairy spots and tells some great stories about his career.
He says it was the making of him, he could have gone off the rails but the military instilled lifelong values in him.
You'll miss your DS but what a great opportunity for him.
Who actually gets to live in a submarine! I'm actually excited for your DS!
According to my BIL he will make some great friends, travel and learn a skill.
Congratulations, your DS sounds fab

Twizbe · 17/02/2023 07:52

My grandfather in law was a submarine captain. The submariners are such a close knit group it seemed. His funeral was heaving with people who'd served with him. All spoke so highly of the service.

I hope he enjoys it just as much

Cocochai · 17/02/2023 08:24

My uncle was in the submarines with the Royal Navy many, many years ago and always said it was the best years of his life.

navymama · 17/02/2023 09:41

Dd passes out of officer training in April, a long journey as she was sponsored through university first.

Original poster
Therunecaster · 17/02/2023 09:42

Genvonklinkerhoffen · 17/02/2023 07:40

OP, I work in a tri service training establishment and we get young ratings every 6 weeks or so, coming to learn their trade.

They do look young and vulnerable but I can tell you, there is so much effort put into their care and welfare, its brilliant to watch them thrive and then graduate in front of their families and guardians.

Hope it all goes well.

Thanks so much for sharing this x

OP posts:
Original poster
Therunecaster · 17/02/2023 09:43

gogohmm · 17/02/2023 07:42

@Therunecaster

We are on this journey too, also submarines! First submarine deployment imminent.

It's bittersweet isn't it. If you want to connect in real life let me know.

OP posts:
Original poster
Therunecaster · 17/02/2023 09:48

Thanks so much for all your kind words. I am proud of him. He is so excited! He hopes to make a career of it and serve in the new class of subs when they come out in 2030.

He had two obsessions when he was little, dinosaurs and Subs. I can still tell you the names of the different classes of Submarines!

He's been in the sea cadets for years, wonderful organisation who have supported him throughout his application.

I've just taken his breakfast up and giving him a hug. I will make the most of him.

OP posts:
gogohmm · 17/02/2023 10:00

@Therunecaster

Let's talk! Pm me. Been on a 6 and a half year journey

Original poster
Therunecaster · 17/02/2023 10:11

gogohmm · 17/02/2023 10:00

@Therunecaster

Let's talk! Pm me. Been on a 6 and a half year journey

Message sent shipmate!

OP posts:
wifeofasubmariner · 17/02/2023 14:04

My username is a bit of a giveaway but yeah, my DH is a submariner and has his dolphins. Dolphins being a badge you get if you are a submariner.
I've asked DH what he would say about the submarine service and he said the following:

In the Navy, subs are referred to as boats. The first submarines being launched off of ships.
It's very much a band of brothers thing. While there are still ranks, people are a lot closer than on a ship. A lot of boats have activities like Bingo where even the captain joins in. If you have a problem or need someone to listen to then there is always someone there.
If he doesn't already know, teach him how to clean, operate a washing machine, iron his clothes and minor repairs like sewing a button on or repairing a small tear. For good reasons, there are very high standards of hygiene and cleanliness on a boat. If your clothes get wrecked, then you're stuck with it.
Depending on the boat he is serving on, communication may be limited to 150 words a week. I get the kids to write a letter or draw Daddy a picture, then put them all in envelopes and label them. He then opens one a week.
You aren't allowed any aerosols/sprays/flammable toiletries at all on board. Depending on the boat (usually the smaller ones i.e. T class), strongly scented toiletries I.e. Lynx is also severely frowned upon. Ladies roll ons are surprisingly popular because they apparently aren't as strongly scented. Personal hygiene is also very quickly picked up on. As DH put it, no-one wants to smell armpits or arses 24/7

Finally- the submarine stink. When your son comes back from deployment, be prepared for his clothes to absolutely stink. Its hard to explain but think 6 months living with lots of other men in effectively a sealed can with no fresh air. Its truly vile. There is absolutely no way those clothes are going in my washing machine- I bin them instead.

If you have any more questions then please do ask.

Campervangirl · 17/02/2023 14:11

wifeofasubmariner · 17/02/2023 14:04

My username is a bit of a giveaway but yeah, my DH is a submariner and has his dolphins. Dolphins being a badge you get if you are a submariner.
I've asked DH what he would say about the submarine service and he said the following:

In the Navy, subs are referred to as boats. The first submarines being launched off of ships.
It's very much a band of brothers thing. While there are still ranks, people are a lot closer than on a ship. A lot of boats have activities like Bingo where even the captain joins in. If you have a problem or need someone to listen to then there is always someone there.
If he doesn't already know, teach him how to clean, operate a washing machine, iron his clothes and minor repairs like sewing a button on or repairing a small tear. For good reasons, there are very high standards of hygiene and cleanliness on a boat. If your clothes get wrecked, then you're stuck with it.
Depending on the boat he is serving on, communication may be limited to 150 words a week. I get the kids to write a letter or draw Daddy a picture, then put them all in envelopes and label them. He then opens one a week.
You aren't allowed any aerosols/sprays/flammable toiletries at all on board. Depending on the boat (usually the smaller ones i.e. T class), strongly scented toiletries I.e. Lynx is also severely frowned upon. Ladies roll ons are surprisingly popular because they apparently aren't as strongly scented. Personal hygiene is also very quickly picked up on. As DH put it, no-one wants to smell armpits or arses 24/7

Finally- the submarine stink. When your son comes back from deployment, be prepared for his clothes to absolutely stink. Its hard to explain but think 6 months living with lots of other men in effectively a sealed can with no fresh air. Its truly vile. There is absolutely no way those clothes are going in my washing machine- I bin them instead.

If you have any more questions then please do ask.

Absolutely fascinating, thanks for sharing that, you wouldn't even think about some of the points you mentioned, really interesting

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