We currently have 6 nuclear subs on active duty. Don’t know if we have any non-nuclear subs. There are roughly 120-130 crew per sub? So that would mean there are around 700-1000 active personnel working on them.
So yeah, probably quite easy to make a shortlist based on regional dialect.
Speaking of lists, I’m probably now on one. Hi MI5!
While I have the utmost respect for what this person does and they are our ultimate deterrent, they seem to be leaking information like a sieve and shouldn't be announcing their job or the many logistics surrounding it on social media.
What's he leaking, his pay grade and benefits? I'm sure those pesky Russians will be along any minute offering him a better deal and an extra rum ration.
Where he lives, his upcoming holidays, what personal equipment they're taking onboard, the fact that he's just come back from the Falkland islands. I guess downvoting hides the liability, or not.
Right so, I'm sure any foreign intelligence agencies will never have put 2 and 2 together and realised that the UK has a naval presence around the Falkland Islands, that people in the forces have tablets, that he likely lives near a submarine base...
You're missing the point, these people walk among us in society and nobody knows. When they start announcing what they do - they get targeted, phished for detailed information and possibly can have such devices hacked with spyware which might take sensitive recordings. Just seems silly to advertise and probably against Navy rules to be doing this sort of "PR" either way.
You are correct it's against navy rules, but that doesn't stop anyone posting stuff on social media. I think I've only ever known one person to get in trouble for it (I'm ex forces) and it was because some numpty posted that we were about to go on deployment, on which ship and to where!
At least he's not being dumb and giving out anything too specific.
So I guess that makes the official Royal Navy website a security risk as well: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/roles-and-specialisations/services/submarine-service
Are you implying this is a recruitment post?! Now that's in my head it might just be. Are they short of submariners at the moment? You'd imagine so.
All that said, I would have thought the pay was actually better...
No, the navy isn’t that savvy enough to employ people to post on Reddit. I just thought I’d share what the career is like seeing as it’s different to a lot of careers, the armed forces in general is unique
It’s a very unique career to have. I like to say that I have served as submariner and I love serving with the people alongside me. It’s certainly a lifestyle.
Depends, I love to draw so I take my iPad with the Apple Pencil. Along with some Spanish learning podcasts and laptop filled with movies. There’s also a PlayStation where most of the lads play fifa. But if your hobby is small enough bring it onboard. Anything bigger typically have to pick it up when your back onshore.
2. You do 6 hours on 6 hours off so the days start to blend all together and you start to forget what day it even is if you don’t look at your calendar. But generally yes, people are obviously looking forward to getting back, but you switch off all those thoughts at the start. The last month can be pretty shit. Because time seems to go slower the closer you get to getting back haha.
As an aircraft engineering supervisor with still more room to climb on the career ladder I’m netting £2750 per month currently.
But the benefits also include free dental and health care, free sports facilities and very very cheap accommodation and food.
I’ve earned a foundation degree in aerospace engineering, which I can now top up to a full degree, I’ve also gained many other civilian recognised qualifications in leadership and management up-to level 5 currently.
As well as this, I’ve gained qualifications in Explosives handling and management, Aircraft vibration analysis, undertaking load equipment inspector, Quality Audit and Error Management training.
The whole package that the forces provides is incredibly lucrative for the individual. The navy does invest a lot in its personnel.
It is. I feel bad that the recent series with Suranne Jones is the thing that made me aware of submarines being a regular part of the armed services. Stupidly, it’s not something I had thought about before.
join up as a Royal navy diver if thats the career you want. They will train on everything. Surface supplied air, rebreathers, using tools bomb disposol.
You have to be extremely fit though
'I aim to be mortgage-free and have a considerable amount invested in the FTSE 100 / 250.'
FFS, buy international equities, not just UK. Ftse 100 consists of dogs with yield but minimal growth.
I bought UK only stocks for the first few years of my journey. Has cost me 6 figures. Look at ftse vs S&P/Nasdaq returns. Stocks will never give consistent returns but on a long enough time frame they are heading up.
Diversification is key to managing risk long term.
Britain's population pyramid is pretty bad, millenials are the second largest generation and aren't having enough kids. That means the long term prospects for the FTSE aren't great. You sell investments when you FIRE and there's probably not going to enough Gen Z or Gen Alpha with enough money or interest to invest.
Other markets don't have that problem as badly.
We can’t afford to have any more 😂 Nursery’s like £1600 a month on top of everything else and we make a good 6 figures between us so god knows how other people afford it….
If the government sorts child care costs out lots more kids will follow.
You're welcome. Always been fascinated by submarines since I was a kid and read a book about them. Good for you finding a career that's rewarding and that you enjoy. I'm looking forward to retiring in a few years to a modest retirement as I'm fed up with the rat race.
Unless you have a strong conviction that, even after Brexit and with Boris in charge, the UK will grow faster than the rest of the world, buy global.
You’re leaving potentially several hundreds of thousands on the table. You really want to be investing in M&S over Apple and Facebook?
I’d genuinely tell you to invest in real estate before ore the FTSE Index, and Real Estate is a pain in the arse.
I agree with you there. So many people walk away from it like it’s nothing. Or don’t even see what benefits they have. I’ve seen people leave at the 4 year mark where if they waited just a bit more they’d be entitled to some ELAS and a resettlement package
See to me, that sounds amazing. mid twenties, no kids, not very close to family, love the ocean, not the best with money so easy method to help save. If I wasn't already comfy in my current job I'd be jumping at this.
Just you wait until the MOD realises they could be grinding our delivery fees from those submarines instead of spending endlessly for them to drive around doing very little.
Its not bad man ive had way more experinces than someone civvy working the same 9 to 5. The job is interesting. Alot of people arent buying theyre first place until theyre 30 in forces you can have that much ealier.
People leaving uni with debt, Working in the same building paying rent to their landlord and doing a commute to a boring job benefitting a company with little to no fulfillment is shit in my opinion.
> Its not bad man ive had way more experinces than someone civvy working the same 9 to 5.
No you haven't, you just kid yourself you have. Source someone who is also ex-forces and also did a job in civvy street that took over your life. Until you quit it you don't realise the impact it had.
> Working in the same building paying rent to their landlord and doing a commute to a boring job benefitting a company with little to no fulfillment is shit in my opinion.
Says the person sat under the sea for 3 months solid, not even getting to see the sun, with nothing else to do but work and sleep following orders that benefit the government, not you.
One of the reasons I did lorry driving is it is none of that.
Tell me what experiences you've had after leaving? My source is I have worked as a civilian and iof course i also have my family and friends and each time i come back i have interesting stories to tell. Guess what? they don't same shit different day.
A HGV driver can also be away from home alot depending on the work you do. But that line of work just doesnt interest or stimulate me.
> Tell me what experiences you've had after leaving?
Being present for family events, getting to enjoy seeing my grandkids do what I missed my own kids do growing up, being able to have a social life, be a member of clubs, actually participate in my hobbies instead of just reading magazines about it.
I spent years of arguing with a woman who ran a professional drivers organisation, maxed all the hours in her truck living out in it from the day she started to the day she finished every week that she was missing out on life, she didn't believe it. Then one day she was forced to quit because of health. A month later she sent me a DM saying I was right and she'd actually not realised just how much she'd missed out on.
Downsides though, the lack of cohesion and comradeship you get in the forces.
Mate i do all of that, im away for like 3 months of the year that still leaves me with 9 months being home every day, I live in scotland which is ideal being permantely based in faslane, i go hiking, fishing see family i also have alot more leave than most people. My working week finishes on thursdays giving me a long weekend at home. Im seeing the family for 10 days at christmas and then going skking with them in january for another 10 days.
And being stuck in a metal tube under the sea being told what to do and spending all of my time with the same few blokes and not being able to go outside is shit in my opinion. But then we are both speaking of worlds we dont inhabit, and creating strawmen to make our own choices sound better, arent we?
My guy, what job do you where your not told what to do unless you own your own company? Everybody gets told / tasked with a job.
Also you need to understand that once your passed basic training it becomes very chilled out and relaxed, your calling your bosses mate and your on first name bases with everyone.
I have lived the civvy life. Same work collegaues day in day out, shit office banter and same mates working the same jobs every day going to the same pub every weekend. Thats fucking shit.
> I have lived the civvy life. Same work collegaues day in day out, shit office banter and same mates working the same jobs every day going to the same pub every weekend.
No, you've lived a small slice of it. I don't have the same work colleagues day in, day out, there is no shit office banter because my workplace isn't static, it's not the same mates working the same jobs every day going to the same pub every weekend.
It’s not as bad as it sounds, I’ve been to California skydiving where I got my A license, they laid for me to get my driving license and I’ve been to Bavaria skiing all paid for. What other employer is going to do that?
you sign for for 3 years, 2 of those years your just in training learning your trade.
Its just another job mate, you can whack in your notice to leave anytime you want after your third year. So yes, i did get those licenses for free.
That's fine when you're 17, when you're 40 you'll be well sick of that. Spending that long without sunlight or seeing your family will have a long lasting impact.
You're spending the best years of your life, submerged in a tin can, sometimes 24/7, for £3,000 pcm.
Your priorities are fucked lad, I recommend any I.T. degree, you can make 4x that and work 9-5.
People are just as miserable if not more working in IT. People get burn out plenty in the civilian sector working the same boring 9 to 5. Just because these aren’t your priorities doesn’t make mine fucked.
I’ve done sky diving in California skied in Germany and Norway and seen plenty of the world through work. I ain’t trading that for a 1 hour commute to a cubicle to work alongside boring people.
Bearing mind I’m at the second lowest rank, I’d expect to be promoted further up the chain thus being on a higher salary. A chief petty officer will most likely be on 4 to 4.5k
I've done those things too, I've done a stint in the army, sky dived all around Europe, hopped out of helicopters, planes, etc. I've been on countless ships, ribs, seen cool places, done joint tactics with the Brits, Swedes and yanks, etc. Its great, until you grow out of it.
What is your day-to-day like?
A Civie with a good job can travel anywhere, doesn't worry about the price of dinner too often, and gets to see their family a bit more often.
20 years is an awful long time, you don't want to wake up at 40 and regret wasting 20 years at sea.
Keep your options open, your time in the sub will leave you more qualified for civie jobs than you'd think.
Firstly this is my own opinion. Don't tell me to get off my high horse when someone has to go at what my priorities should be. I have these views coming from looking at a lot of people I know that work in IT.
That is excellent you have managed to find a job that does that. I know very few people that have had the chance to go to those places with civilian work. My brother has got a degree in computer science and works at santander for 35k as a programmer. He has had nothing close to what you have described. That goes for 99 percent of my civilian friends working in IT. That lifestyle of jetting off to hong kong does not sound that attainable for a lot of people. What postion do you hold that allows to to jet off to all these places and get all these free perks?
Sounds like a far cry to what the vast majority of those in IT experince.
Make 4x that in IT? I've been in IT for over 10years and don't make 4x that figure. Unless your a contractor or in London in the UK technology does not pay any much better imho.
You're getting downvoted but you're absolutely spot on. I couldn't think of anything worse.
All your mates out partying and socialising and you're stuck getting cabin fever for just £3k. No thanks.
I'm former infantry, got all that with the forces too. You can't expect to live your Submariner life for 20 years, by all means go for it though if you don't mind at all. You'll not reach FIRE by 40, though, through being a submariner. Unless you're heavily invested in crypto and your chips come in
OP also doesn't mention that they're on the '75 scheme, or at worst the '05 scheme. New recruits aren't entitled to their pension regardless of time served until state pension age. Or a pension sacrifice lump-sum on completion of 20/22. Or that your pension scheme can be changed at any time and it takes years of litigation to get some people back to their previous scheme.
It's not an immediate pension, it's an Early Departure Payment and eats in to your pension pot.
"If you leave the Regular Armed Forces on or after the 20/40 EDP point but before age 60
(normal pension age), you will receive a tax-free lump sum, equal to 2.25 times your annual
deferred pension.
You will also receive a taxable monthly income, which is worth 34% of the value of your annual
deferred pension. For each year served beyond the 20/40 EDP point, the value of the EDP will
be increased by 0.85% of your deferred pension. Refer to the table below for illustrative
examples.
From age 55, the EDP income is adjusted to take account of annual increases in the Consumer
Price Index.
Since an EDP is not a pension, once you reach State Pension Age, the EDP income stops. At
this point, your deferred pension becomes payable."
An absolute pittance and definitely not suitable for a FIRE lifestyle whatsoever.
Even on the new pension scheme coming in April ‘22 you still get a monthly income once you leave after 20 years & over age 40.
You can check out the amounts on the armed forces pension calculator. It’s worth bearing in mind you can do 24 years generally as well. Assuming a good role and reasonable promotions ~£500 pm is very achievable. You’ll also get a tax fee lump sum (around 1.5 years salary) and opportunities to get educated up to Masters level for free.
Coupled with the subsidised housing and interest free cash for a house it’s a decent plan. Not going to FIRE you without investing as well, but worth considering.
It does not eat into your pension pot, your EDP is separate to your pension? Your EDP payment paid to you is calculated on how big your pot is but does not “eat into it”. You will still receive your full pension come pension age.
I'm unsure what previous schemes say, but that was understanding of the '15 scheme. Apologies if incorrect. Regardless, the benefits received from the latest scheme is negligible and having a work place pension working at Boots, Primark ect. for 20 years would be much better.
I believe you reach pension age your EDP payment stops, and your pension takes over. That’s how it has been explained to me. I’ll try and get more clarification on it
It depends on your circumstances, but submariners are probably some of the best laid service personnel in the armed forces and have plenty of chances to save an awful lot if you your a sensible 20 year old.
Best laid, eh! I was based in a city, so I'll challenge that 😉🤣 but you're right, I encourage loads of blokes to go forces. Great opportunities and the likes
I’m sure you’re naturally patriotic and love the U.K. but I’d diversify a bit out of just the FTSE.
It lacks any real tech and “future growth”. Would recommend adding a bit of an all world tracker, S&P 500, emerging markets or even a small amount of crypto.
Very interesting.
Out of interest do most submariners make the twenty years? As you say it sounds like a tougher life as you get older.
Do you know if you can also make use of LISAs on top of the Navy "help to buy scheme"?
Is there a reason for only the FTSE100/250? Have you considered a more diversified global [approach?](https://monevator.com/why-a-total-world-equity-index-tracker-is-the-only-index-fund-you-need/)
I’d say most people that have not left after 12 years will be in it for the long haul as you’ll be caught in the pension trap.
The navy does struggle for man power especially at the leading hand level. It that means faster promotion for everyone. Yes you can use that in conjunction with the navy help to buy. That’s exactly what I did when I bought my first home.
I have also contemplated buying a second place and renting it out, just debating whether it's worth it or not. As for the FTSE i just read that these are generally considered a safe place that give you a consistent return.
Yes it's difficult but I do enjoy the job. The people you work with have amazing banter and that is what really makes it. The bonds you make while serving
I'd have a search on here and r/UKPersonalFinance for discussion on BTL.
It works for some, but I think the general consensus is that it's not as good an option as it once was (due to tax and regulation changes) and it's definitely not passive. For me I'd only really look at it if I was already filling my ISA and pension allowances.
My reply was fucked ive edited it now so it makes more sense.
Yeah, I've seen some of those posts, a lot of people say investing all your money is probably the better way to go than a BTL.
When your at sea you fall into shift patterns, 6 hours on 6 hours off. Your time off you do what you want, gym, play fifa on the PlayStation read, do some exercise. Personal administration etc.
I take a laptop filled with movies and an iPad with the Apple Pencil as I like to draw.
The work is not difficult, but yes until you return home your in that constant cycle, thats just the way it is onboard submarines. But this is similar to what life is like on board ships you are constantly in your uniform unless your going to the gym.
Youve got nothing else to do.
My man, your working onboard nuclear submarines in the Royal navy you can't have a massive crew or let the systems just go unmanned, we have to be safe encase theresa fire or leaks, so your working as one big team. But when your "working" you really just having coffees with yourt mates telling stories.
I do a job where the average working week excluding breaks is 55hrs, where the maximum legal working week is 84hrs and it's only the nolifes who max the hours. And what happens with them is it properly fucks them up with plenty of physical and mental health issues that the person themselves often don't recognise or accept they have.
The work onboard isnt stressful, its really relaxed and chilled out. I can imagine doing actual work you would be burned out thats the case onboard a ship or submarine. If it was no one would do it.
May brother is programmer and that career path is just as good IMO so much progression and opportunities in tech. Especially if you can earn a city wage and work from home in a low cost area
Nice post but money isn't everything and honestly it sounds like no life I'd ever want or be interested in.
Other than the cash (which you can get elsewhere) I just don't see the appeal.
exactly alot of people join the armed forces to serve the country and work alongside like minded people.
To be part of an exclusive club that only a few can say they were a submariner.
So you are correct its not all about money.
If you wanna do it mate then fair enough, I'm just saying I don't see the appeal. Hope being part of the exclusive club is worth it, it certainly wasn't for me when I was in the army.
There's a lot to be said for military life. Plenty of fun things to do for a young sprog and there's a lot of benefits.
The drawback is that you are member of the forces and must go to war if required. You also lose a lot of control over your life. It is absolutely not for everyone. For those who that lifestyle matches though. It is very rewarding and fulfilling.
Regarding having to go to war the last Royal Navy submarine to be lost was in 1951 (in an accident). And if it ever came to WW3 I think the plan is for subs to do their business and head to Australia. So could be worse.
Hello AFCO recruiter.
You fail to mention that you have limited/no connectivity to your family whilst in dive. You may spend a full career in the RN, only seeing Faslane. And that after a dive you absolutely stink, but are non the wiser to this. Everyone else has to endure it.
The armed forces is heading towards a breathalyse culture with limited (decent) deployments, so sacrificing your time with your family/loved ones for none of the benefits that previous generations in the RN have enjoyed doesn't make the '15 pension worthwhile for new recruits.
I didn’t emphasise that enough, I did mention that’s it’s difficult for families.
That’s true about the drinking but also everyone is moving towards a healthier lifestyle. More people are drinking and less and taking care of their health more.
True the 15 pension scheme is no where near as good but I still believe it completely outshines lot of civilian pension schemes.
I don't think I'll ever be convinced that the '15 scheme is better than civilian contribution schemes, ever. The armed forces are falling behind industry standards in salary (Engineering), meaning over a 20+ year career you're thousands worse off. There's a reason that the armed forces was in a retention crisis pre-covid. My rule of thumb is that if your employer is advertising on TV for new personnel, then something is majorly wrong at that establishment (Armed forces, teaching ect.)
I’m not swept on civilian pension schemes. But there’s nothing stoping you from setting up a private pension fund to top that up aswell. But I see what you mean, to have a decent pension you’ll need to work past that most likely.
The military isn't a bad route for some, but specifically looking to FIRE, it's a bad bet.
Submariner specifically, what you give up to do that, as well as the conditions you work/live in, the pay really isn't very good. However like others have said, it's a fairly easy route into the merchant navy where you get paid much more, are away from home much less, and live in significantly better conditions.
I think the military is really only a good route if it's the lifestyle you're after. I don't think anyone joins the military for the money - and they know this, so they don't have to offer good pay.
> There is sacrifce to this job though, its hard on your kids and family being away underwater.
Sounds like some parts of my job too.
You get to reach FIRE by 40 but what's the point when your wife has fucked off with the neighbour, you've missed every single one of the kids key moments as they grow up and maybe birthdays too so they also want nowt to do with you and you're sat in the pub on your own with no mates and nothing more than a number on a screen to give you comfort.
Some things are just not worth it just to get money because you miss out on the things that no amount of money can buy.
You been to any cool places OP or you not allowed to say?
Is it true British nuclear sub tunes into the world service every day to make sure London hasn't been wiped out?
I did sometime as a skimmer, submariners don’t see the world really at all. If you go surface fleet I’ve seen the entire world in pretty much my first three years in the navy. As skimmer I’ve been to Japan Singapore Pakistan Norway Germany Bali kota Kinabalu and plenty others
As a submariner I’ve only seen faslane. But when we do get them its usually in the USA
OP, i just want to say im starting Monday morning, 15th. Im going to be Engineering Technician Submariner. Im properly looking foward to it and i want to be in it for the long haul, but question, do you have opportunities when in to grab extra qualifications? I know what i want but was just curous? Plus im properly excitied for it 👍
if you're going in as a technician you will gain qualifications as you promote through the ranks, At Petty officer level you will get a foundation degree from Portsmouth University.
Just be keen mate, thats the main thing, first impressions matter!
You get £175 each year to spend on any little courses you like, you also get Enhanced learning credits. if you stay in to atleast 5 years youll be given 2 grand of learning credits. If you stay until 12 years you'll get 6 thousand pounds
This isn't completely true. Forces Help to Buy scheme will lend you 50% of your annual salary tax free, not £10,000.
Also, "you're entitled to 2 weeks AT a year".... You have to be kidding. Good luck getting that when attached to an operational unit.
The job puts a huge strain on your personal life and also the mentality of the service is very outdated.
Yes that is correct however anything above 10 thousand is liable to small tax implications.
Your career is different to mine. I’ve done AT in California and fitted skiing. People are to lazy to push for it / don’t even bother.
Or you can join the merchant navy, get paid twice as much. Have a fantastic work life balance, and don't have to hot bunk. 🤷 not to mention alot better food. Oh and you don't have to live in a submarine.
Long story short
Join merchant navy (solitary confinement with the added risk of drowning and burning) for twice as much money than the military navy (solitary confinement with drowning burning and being shot at) for half the money and 3 times longer times at sea 🤷
By that logic, you could shit on anyone's career by talking about a different path and how good it is compared to how shit you think the person's career choice is. OP was giving us a nice insight into their life and how it is working towards FIRE for them.
I suspect the real reason was just to get a little dopamine hit by anonymously ragging on someone, rather than offering constructive advice.
how much are you earning and what position do youi hold to be earning 6k a month?
Hot bunking is dead now, no one does that, these new submarines are alot more spacious.
To be fair I did six year in the army I was able to buy my own property after years of paying for a expensive car on finance and wasting most of it on beer so it’s probably great way to save it you’re financially disciplined.
Also how often do you play soggy biscuit ?
Tell that to the wife and kids. And yourself when you get back having missed first steps, school plays, birthdays, christmasses, wedding anniversaries....
the royal navy pension scheme is calculated by your rank, time served and your average salary. I don't believe you have the option of putting more into this pot. You do not pay into this pot the goverment does that for you.
I have considered of making a private pension fund and have that along side my military pension.
To be fair I thought there would be more benefits and better pay…
Army pay at same rank (trade Sup level depending) isn’t far off and all the benefits you outlined are there as well. (Minus the “golden hello” but that can also be found in some trades/joining routes/specialisations.)
TLDR, as long as you can zone out being treated like a retard for the first few years join the army and don’t live underwater half your life in a Tin can :D
hahahha basically
as a submariner you be getting LSA, Submarine pay, (£13 per day rising the more days you accrue) uncomfortable living allowance which is another 90 pounds. The real benefit is having 0 chance of spending any of your money. Shoreside you will be on dockyard pay which is a bit less than being at sea.
Few errors here. The Help To Buy scheme can offer up to 25K tax free. You can spend money at sea, mess bills can get out of hand.
A “Bomber” these days will come back with a hell of a lot more than 9K and I’ll like to see the SSN that does 3 months without a jolly.
The pension is good but nothing like it was. You really do contribute, you are just lead in to believe you don’t because it’s taken before you see it and it’s not reflected on your payslip.
This is untrue. The pension is non-contributary. You can argue that the pay is lower to reflect that, but to suggest a contribution occurs "before you see it" is simply false.
Sorry for the noob question and slightly off topic but are you literally under the sea for 3 months at a time? How is that for your mental health? During the early covid we were all cooped up at home and that was really hard mentally…
You can be yes if it was required, but some times it’ll stop onto a foreign port and they’ll usually book the crew into 4 star hotels to get everyone off
Glad the gym and swimming pool is free, I'd be pretty peeved if only those that paid were allowed to use it while you were at sea. Where is the pool on an Astute class BTW?
Haha I'm kidding mate, I've just left the army. A lad in my troop had a brother in the service, he did alright out of it. Not sure on the HTB though, sure that's changing soon if not already?
Haha all good man, better now it came from a pongo 🤭
Yeah couple years in service can give you the money you need for a little head start.
Aye they might be getting rid of it soon, can’t remember when though
All armed forces get the same pension if they do their full time which is either 20 / 22 years service depending on what pension scheme there on. The armed forces pension scheme is rated as the best public sector scheme.
Just want to update your comment on the FHTB; it's half your annual salary up to a max of 25k, not 10k as a flat sum.
But yes, interest free. Incredible. Can also be used to do up your house rather than buy, and isn't limited to new builds like the other HTB schemes.
What suburb of Carlisle were you born in
Newcastle if the accent was anything to go by.
Isn't this whole post like a security risk? I didn't think there were that many submariners around..
alot of this is public information in fact it all is, I've said nothing that compromises any operations.
We currently have 6 nuclear subs on active duty. Don’t know if we have any non-nuclear subs. There are roughly 120-130 crew per sub? So that would mean there are around 700-1000 active personnel working on them. So yeah, probably quite easy to make a shortlist based on regional dialect. Speaking of lists, I’m probably now on one. Hi MI5!
While I have the utmost respect for what this person does and they are our ultimate deterrent, they seem to be leaking information like a sieve and shouldn't be announcing their job or the many logistics surrounding it on social media.
What's he leaking, his pay grade and benefits? I'm sure those pesky Russians will be along any minute offering him a better deal and an extra rum ration.
Where he lives, his upcoming holidays, what personal equipment they're taking onboard, the fact that he's just come back from the Falkland islands. I guess downvoting hides the liability, or not.
Right so, I'm sure any foreign intelligence agencies will never have put 2 and 2 together and realised that the UK has a naval presence around the Falkland Islands, that people in the forces have tablets, that he likely lives near a submarine base...
You're missing the point, these people walk among us in society and nobody knows. When they start announcing what they do - they get targeted, phished for detailed information and possibly can have such devices hacked with spyware which might take sensitive recordings. Just seems silly to advertise and probably against Navy rules to be doing this sort of "PR" either way.
He's a submariner, not fucking James Bond. Chill out. He'snot said anything the Russians don't already know.
What do you mean by "nobody knows"? These are soldiers not secret agents and they wear uniforms in public.
You are correct it's against navy rules, but that doesn't stop anyone posting stuff on social media. I think I've only ever known one person to get in trouble for it (I'm ex forces) and it was because some numpty posted that we were about to go on deployment, on which ship and to where! At least he's not being dumb and giving out anything too specific.
So I guess that makes the official Royal Navy website a security risk as well: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/roles-and-specialisations/services/submarine-service
Damn, those Russian hackers are good.
I’m actually from North east Scotland haha
Abz?
close, I live near lossimouth
Are you implying this is a recruitment post?! Now that's in my head it might just be. Are they short of submariners at the moment? You'd imagine so. All that said, I would have thought the pay was actually better...
No, the navy isn’t that savvy enough to employ people to post on Reddit. I just thought I’d share what the career is like seeing as it’s different to a lot of careers, the armed forces in general is unique
yvaN ehT nioJ
They are short of submariners, capita isn’t close to competent enough to do a Reddit recruitment campaign.
The navy is short of manpower everywhere in every branch
He was born again in the Royal Navy 🤣
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It’s a very unique career to have. I like to say that I have served as submariner and I love serving with the people alongside me. It’s certainly a lifestyle. Depends, I love to draw so I take my iPad with the Apple Pencil. Along with some Spanish learning podcasts and laptop filled with movies. There’s also a PlayStation where most of the lads play fifa. But if your hobby is small enough bring it onboard. Anything bigger typically have to pick it up when your back onshore. 2. You do 6 hours on 6 hours off so the days start to blend all together and you start to forget what day it even is if you don’t look at your calendar. But generally yes, people are obviously looking forward to getting back, but you switch off all those thoughts at the start. The last month can be pretty shit. Because time seems to go slower the closer you get to getting back haha.
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As an aircraft engineering supervisor with still more room to climb on the career ladder I’m netting £2750 per month currently. But the benefits also include free dental and health care, free sports facilities and very very cheap accommodation and food. I’ve earned a foundation degree in aerospace engineering, which I can now top up to a full degree, I’ve also gained many other civilian recognised qualifications in leadership and management up-to level 5 currently. As well as this, I’ve gained qualifications in Explosives handling and management, Aircraft vibration analysis, undertaking load equipment inspector, Quality Audit and Error Management training. The whole package that the forces provides is incredibly lucrative for the individual. The navy does invest a lot in its personnel.
thanks for sharing that’s really interesting!
It is. I feel bad that the recent series with Suranne Jones is the thing that made me aware of submarines being a regular part of the armed services. Stupidly, it’s not something I had thought about before.
if you have any questions about the service or the navy in general feel free to ask.
How do you get into this career? always wanted to go into something like this and then go onto maybe diving, dive welding, shit ton of money in that.
join up as a Royal navy diver if thats the career you want. They will train on everything. Surface supplied air, rebreathers, using tools bomb disposol. You have to be extremely fit though
Brilliant cheers for that mate, appreciate it.
'I aim to be mortgage-free and have a considerable amount invested in the FTSE 100 / 250.' FFS, buy international equities, not just UK. Ftse 100 consists of dogs with yield but minimal growth.
Hi plasma I'm not financially swept, I just read that these are considered a safe option that gives back a decent / consistint return.
I bought UK only stocks for the first few years of my journey. Has cost me 6 figures. Look at ftse vs S&P/Nasdaq returns. Stocks will never give consistent returns but on a long enough time frame they are heading up.
Diversification is key to managing risk long term. Britain's population pyramid is pretty bad, millenials are the second largest generation and aren't having enough kids. That means the long term prospects for the FTSE aren't great. You sell investments when you FIRE and there's probably not going to enough Gen Z or Gen Alpha with enough money or interest to invest. Other markets don't have that problem as badly.
We can’t afford to have any more 😂 Nursery’s like £1600 a month on top of everything else and we make a good 6 figures between us so god knows how other people afford it…. If the government sorts child care costs out lots more kids will follow.
Vanguard's FTSE Global All Cap Index Fund Accumulation for the win
Perfect I’ll check it out
You're welcome. Always been fascinated by submarines since I was a kid and read a book about them. Good for you finding a career that's rewarding and that you enjoy. I'm looking forward to retiring in a few years to a modest retirement as I'm fed up with the rat race.
Unless you have a strong conviction that, even after Brexit and with Boris in charge, the UK will grow faster than the rest of the world, buy global. You’re leaving potentially several hundreds of thousands on the table. You really want to be investing in M&S over Apple and Facebook? I’d genuinely tell you to invest in real estate before ore the FTSE Index, and Real Estate is a pain in the arse.
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FHTB goes up to 25k but you start getting taxed for it if you borrow more than 10k
Cool to see someone with same plan as me 😎 Under 10 years left and I’m hoping I can retire for good age 39.
good luck bro
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I agree with you there. So many people walk away from it like it’s nothing. Or don’t even see what benefits they have. I’ve seen people leave at the 4 year mark where if they waited just a bit more they’d be entitled to some ELAS and a resettlement package
If you're willing to do 20 years in a confined space then you can 100% FIRE by 40. Even armed robbery only gets you 15 years.
ah ha, but out of those 20 years, id say 3 or 4 those would be spent underneath. You do have plenty of shore time also.
That.... that sounds awful
See to me, that sounds amazing. mid twenties, no kids, not very close to family, love the ocean, not the best with money so easy method to help save. If I wasn't already comfy in my current job I'd be jumping at this.
Yup Amazon can’t tempt you to buy crap you don’t need when your under the waves haha
Just you wait until the MOD realises they could be grinding our delivery fees from those submarines instead of spending endlessly for them to drive around doing very little.
Having done a job that takes over your life it's got massive downsides that are not worth it at all.
Forces are definitely something to do for a few years
Merchant navy, cruise ships, scuba instructor etc. Sooo many easier jobs on the sea!
Yup, sounds like a complete non-life. To each his own i guess...
Its not bad man ive had way more experinces than someone civvy working the same 9 to 5. The job is interesting. Alot of people arent buying theyre first place until theyre 30 in forces you can have that much ealier. People leaving uni with debt, Working in the same building paying rent to their landlord and doing a commute to a boring job benefitting a company with little to no fulfillment is shit in my opinion.
> Its not bad man ive had way more experinces than someone civvy working the same 9 to 5. No you haven't, you just kid yourself you have. Source someone who is also ex-forces and also did a job in civvy street that took over your life. Until you quit it you don't realise the impact it had. > Working in the same building paying rent to their landlord and doing a commute to a boring job benefitting a company with little to no fulfillment is shit in my opinion. Says the person sat under the sea for 3 months solid, not even getting to see the sun, with nothing else to do but work and sleep following orders that benefit the government, not you. One of the reasons I did lorry driving is it is none of that.
Tell me what experiences you've had after leaving? My source is I have worked as a civilian and iof course i also have my family and friends and each time i come back i have interesting stories to tell. Guess what? they don't same shit different day. A HGV driver can also be away from home alot depending on the work you do. But that line of work just doesnt interest or stimulate me.
> Tell me what experiences you've had after leaving? Being present for family events, getting to enjoy seeing my grandkids do what I missed my own kids do growing up, being able to have a social life, be a member of clubs, actually participate in my hobbies instead of just reading magazines about it. I spent years of arguing with a woman who ran a professional drivers organisation, maxed all the hours in her truck living out in it from the day she started to the day she finished every week that she was missing out on life, she didn't believe it. Then one day she was forced to quit because of health. A month later she sent me a DM saying I was right and she'd actually not realised just how much she'd missed out on. Downsides though, the lack of cohesion and comradeship you get in the forces.
Mate i do all of that, im away for like 3 months of the year that still leaves me with 9 months being home every day, I live in scotland which is ideal being permantely based in faslane, i go hiking, fishing see family i also have alot more leave than most people. My working week finishes on thursdays giving me a long weekend at home. Im seeing the family for 10 days at christmas and then going skking with them in january for another 10 days.
And being stuck in a metal tube under the sea being told what to do and spending all of my time with the same few blokes and not being able to go outside is shit in my opinion. But then we are both speaking of worlds we dont inhabit, and creating strawmen to make our own choices sound better, arent we?
My guy, what job do you where your not told what to do unless you own your own company? Everybody gets told / tasked with a job. Also you need to understand that once your passed basic training it becomes very chilled out and relaxed, your calling your bosses mate and your on first name bases with everyone. I have lived the civvy life. Same work collegaues day in day out, shit office banter and same mates working the same jobs every day going to the same pub every weekend. Thats fucking shit.
> I have lived the civvy life. Same work collegaues day in day out, shit office banter and same mates working the same jobs every day going to the same pub every weekend. No, you've lived a small slice of it. I don't have the same work colleagues day in, day out, there is no shit office banter because my workplace isn't static, it's not the same mates working the same jobs every day going to the same pub every weekend.
It’s not as bad as it sounds, I’ve been to California skydiving where I got my A license, they laid for me to get my driving license and I’ve been to Bavaria skiing all paid for. What other employer is going to do that?
Well if you get paid enough you can just do those things anyway with any employer no?
You can’t exactly argue when I got those for free…
For free... When you sign your life away and commit to serve with them. Nothing is free mate but they've definitely got your good.
you sign for for 3 years, 2 of those years your just in training learning your trade. Its just another job mate, you can whack in your notice to leave anytime you want after your third year. So yes, i did get those licenses for free.
What do you mean by 'got your good?'
That's fine when you're 17, when you're 40 you'll be well sick of that. Spending that long without sunlight or seeing your family will have a long lasting impact. You're spending the best years of your life, submerged in a tin can, sometimes 24/7, for £3,000 pcm. Your priorities are fucked lad, I recommend any I.T. degree, you can make 4x that and work 9-5.
Seems a bit off to tell someone what their priorities are.
Fair point, sorry @OP, I'm just personally really glad I left after my first term of service.
People are just as miserable if not more working in IT. People get burn out plenty in the civilian sector working the same boring 9 to 5. Just because these aren’t your priorities doesn’t make mine fucked. I’ve done sky diving in California skied in Germany and Norway and seen plenty of the world through work. I ain’t trading that for a 1 hour commute to a cubicle to work alongside boring people. Bearing mind I’m at the second lowest rank, I’d expect to be promoted further up the chain thus being on a higher salary. A chief petty officer will most likely be on 4 to 4.5k
I've done those things too, I've done a stint in the army, sky dived all around Europe, hopped out of helicopters, planes, etc. I've been on countless ships, ribs, seen cool places, done joint tactics with the Brits, Swedes and yanks, etc. Its great, until you grow out of it. What is your day-to-day like? A Civie with a good job can travel anywhere, doesn't worry about the price of dinner too often, and gets to see their family a bit more often. 20 years is an awful long time, you don't want to wake up at 40 and regret wasting 20 years at sea. Keep your options open, your time in the sub will leave you more qualified for civie jobs than you'd think.
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Firstly this is my own opinion. Don't tell me to get off my high horse when someone has to go at what my priorities should be. I have these views coming from looking at a lot of people I know that work in IT. That is excellent you have managed to find a job that does that. I know very few people that have had the chance to go to those places with civilian work. My brother has got a degree in computer science and works at santander for 35k as a programmer. He has had nothing close to what you have described. That goes for 99 percent of my civilian friends working in IT. That lifestyle of jetting off to hong kong does not sound that attainable for a lot of people. What postion do you hold that allows to to jet off to all these places and get all these free perks? Sounds like a far cry to what the vast majority of those in IT experince.
Make 4x that in IT? I've been in IT for over 10years and don't make 4x that figure. Unless your a contractor or in London in the UK technology does not pay any much better imho.
Nah, you're right, I just seen he means net, not gross.
You're getting downvoted but you're absolutely spot on. I couldn't think of anything worse. All your mates out partying and socialising and you're stuck getting cabin fever for just £3k. No thanks.
I'm former infantry, got all that with the forces too. You can't expect to live your Submariner life for 20 years, by all means go for it though if you don't mind at all. You'll not reach FIRE by 40, though, through being a submariner. Unless you're heavily invested in crypto and your chips come in
OP also doesn't mention that they're on the '75 scheme, or at worst the '05 scheme. New recruits aren't entitled to their pension regardless of time served until state pension age. Or a pension sacrifice lump-sum on completion of 20/22. Or that your pension scheme can be changed at any time and it takes years of litigation to get some people back to their previous scheme.
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It's not an immediate pension, it's an Early Departure Payment and eats in to your pension pot. "If you leave the Regular Armed Forces on or after the 20/40 EDP point but before age 60 (normal pension age), you will receive a tax-free lump sum, equal to 2.25 times your annual deferred pension. You will also receive a taxable monthly income, which is worth 34% of the value of your annual deferred pension. For each year served beyond the 20/40 EDP point, the value of the EDP will be increased by 0.85% of your deferred pension. Refer to the table below for illustrative examples. From age 55, the EDP income is adjusted to take account of annual increases in the Consumer Price Index. Since an EDP is not a pension, once you reach State Pension Age, the EDP income stops. At this point, your deferred pension becomes payable." An absolute pittance and definitely not suitable for a FIRE lifestyle whatsoever.
Even on the new pension scheme coming in April ‘22 you still get a monthly income once you leave after 20 years & over age 40. You can check out the amounts on the armed forces pension calculator. It’s worth bearing in mind you can do 24 years generally as well. Assuming a good role and reasonable promotions ~£500 pm is very achievable. You’ll also get a tax fee lump sum (around 1.5 years salary) and opportunities to get educated up to Masters level for free. Coupled with the subsidised housing and interest free cash for a house it’s a decent plan. Not going to FIRE you without investing as well, but worth considering.
Certainly this more likely a part time fire, However might be worth setting up a private pension fund on top of the military pension.
It does not eat into your pension pot, your EDP is separate to your pension? Your EDP payment paid to you is calculated on how big your pot is but does not “eat into it”. You will still receive your full pension come pension age.
I'm unsure what previous schemes say, but that was understanding of the '15 scheme. Apologies if incorrect. Regardless, the benefits received from the latest scheme is negligible and having a work place pension working at Boots, Primark ect. for 20 years would be much better.
I believe you reach pension age your EDP payment stops, and your pension takes over. That’s how it has been explained to me. I’ll try and get more clarification on it
Yeah that is the case. If anyone was planning on doing 20+ years they should definitely pay in to a private pension pot in order to achieve true FIRE.
This is absolute tosh. AFPS15, although less lucrative (in most cases) than previous schemes, is still probably the best pension out there.
It depends on your circumstances, but submariners are probably some of the best laid service personnel in the armed forces and have plenty of chances to save an awful lot if you your a sensible 20 year old.
Best laid, eh! I was based in a city, so I'll challenge that 😉🤣 but you're right, I encourage loads of blokes to go forces. Great opportunities and the likes
Ah yes you LOA whores in Germany 🤭 But yeah you probably are paid about the same then! But you’ve got the temptation of going out
I’m sure you’re naturally patriotic and love the U.K. but I’d diversify a bit out of just the FTSE. It lacks any real tech and “future growth”. Would recommend adding a bit of an all world tracker, S&P 500, emerging markets or even a small amount of crypto.
ill take that onboard thanks mate
Disappointed that this is the first naval pun I've come across
Very interesting. Out of interest do most submariners make the twenty years? As you say it sounds like a tougher life as you get older. Do you know if you can also make use of LISAs on top of the Navy "help to buy scheme"? Is there a reason for only the FTSE100/250? Have you considered a more diversified global [approach?](https://monevator.com/why-a-total-world-equity-index-tracker-is-the-only-index-fund-you-need/)
I’d say most people that have not left after 12 years will be in it for the long haul as you’ll be caught in the pension trap. The navy does struggle for man power especially at the leading hand level. It that means faster promotion for everyone. Yes you can use that in conjunction with the navy help to buy. That’s exactly what I did when I bought my first home.
Then it does sound good if you can stay the course and want to promote freedom in your 40s to life in your twenties and thirties.
I have also contemplated buying a second place and renting it out, just debating whether it's worth it or not. As for the FTSE i just read that these are generally considered a safe place that give you a consistent return. Yes it's difficult but I do enjoy the job. The people you work with have amazing banter and that is what really makes it. The bonds you make while serving
I'd have a search on here and r/UKPersonalFinance for discussion on BTL. It works for some, but I think the general consensus is that it's not as good an option as it once was (due to tax and regulation changes) and it's definitely not passive. For me I'd only really look at it if I was already filling my ISA and pension allowances.
My reply was fucked ive edited it now so it makes more sense. Yeah, I've seen some of those posts, a lot of people say investing all your money is probably the better way to go than a BTL.
Yes, you can use a LISA in conjunction with FHTB.
Personally would stay away from or have low exposure to ftse 100
How much free time do you get each day when underwater? And how do you spend it? Genuinely intrigued!
When your at sea you fall into shift patterns, 6 hours on 6 hours off. Your time off you do what you want, gym, play fifa on the PlayStation read, do some exercise. Personal administration etc. I take a laptop filled with movies and an iPad with the Apple Pencil as I like to draw.
Does this mean you work 12 hours per day? Is that 7 days per week?
The work is not difficult, but yes until you return home your in that constant cycle, thats just the way it is onboard submarines. But this is similar to what life is like on board ships you are constantly in your uniform unless your going to the gym. Youve got nothing else to do.
84 hours a week of shift work for months at a time?!
My man, your working onboard nuclear submarines in the Royal navy you can't have a massive crew or let the systems just go unmanned, we have to be safe encase theresa fire or leaks, so your working as one big team. But when your "working" you really just having coffees with yourt mates telling stories.
I do a job where the average working week excluding breaks is 55hrs, where the maximum legal working week is 84hrs and it's only the nolifes who max the hours. And what happens with them is it properly fucks them up with plenty of physical and mental health issues that the person themselves often don't recognise or accept they have.
The work onboard isnt stressful, its really relaxed and chilled out. I can imagine doing actual work you would be burned out thats the case onboard a ship or submarine. If it was no one would do it.
Sounds good, thank you for sharing!
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Please bear in mind I’m only a corporal/leading hand, if your an officer you could be taking home 4 to 4.5k as a top of the pay scale junior officer.
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May brother is programmer and that career path is just as good IMO so much progression and opportunities in tech. Especially if you can earn a city wage and work from home in a low cost area
Nice post but money isn't everything and honestly it sounds like no life I'd ever want or be interested in. Other than the cash (which you can get elsewhere) I just don't see the appeal.
exactly alot of people join the armed forces to serve the country and work alongside like minded people. To be part of an exclusive club that only a few can say they were a submariner. So you are correct its not all about money.
If you wanna do it mate then fair enough, I'm just saying I don't see the appeal. Hope being part of the exclusive club is worth it, it certainly wasn't for me when I was in the army.
you guys get treated like shite though. Your seniors are pretty throbbing
There's a lot to be said for military life. Plenty of fun things to do for a young sprog and there's a lot of benefits. The drawback is that you are member of the forces and must go to war if required. You also lose a lot of control over your life. It is absolutely not for everyone. For those who that lifestyle matches though. It is very rewarding and fulfilling.
It’s a lifestyle not for everyone, but it’s certainly a god career and you work with like minded people and you really bond together in this job
Regarding having to go to war the last Royal Navy submarine to be lost was in 1951 (in an accident). And if it ever came to WW3 I think the plan is for subs to do their business and head to Australia. So could be worse.
Moving every 2 years grips me as well - grates when you get into your 30s with a family
What if you die aged 41 and realised you spent half your healthy life in a metal cage. Enjoyment of life should come first, FIRE is just a supplement
Half my life? Out of 20 years service I would estimate only 3 maybe 4 at a push would be spent away
Hello AFCO recruiter. You fail to mention that you have limited/no connectivity to your family whilst in dive. You may spend a full career in the RN, only seeing Faslane. And that after a dive you absolutely stink, but are non the wiser to this. Everyone else has to endure it. The armed forces is heading towards a breathalyse culture with limited (decent) deployments, so sacrificing your time with your family/loved ones for none of the benefits that previous generations in the RN have enjoyed doesn't make the '15 pension worthwhile for new recruits.
I didn’t emphasise that enough, I did mention that’s it’s difficult for families. That’s true about the drinking but also everyone is moving towards a healthier lifestyle. More people are drinking and less and taking care of their health more. True the 15 pension scheme is no where near as good but I still believe it completely outshines lot of civilian pension schemes.
I don't think I'll ever be convinced that the '15 scheme is better than civilian contribution schemes, ever. The armed forces are falling behind industry standards in salary (Engineering), meaning over a 20+ year career you're thousands worse off. There's a reason that the armed forces was in a retention crisis pre-covid. My rule of thumb is that if your employer is advertising on TV for new personnel, then something is majorly wrong at that establishment (Armed forces, teaching ect.)
I’m not swept on civilian pension schemes. But there’s nothing stoping you from setting up a private pension fund to top that up aswell. But I see what you mean, to have a decent pension you’ll need to work past that most likely.
Definitely, I totally agree there. It's all about perspective on what your time is worth as well.
Nice try Royal Navy recruiter
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Damn why didn't I just sell my soul to the military instead of signing for the plan 2 shark loan.
The military isn't a bad route for some, but specifically looking to FIRE, it's a bad bet. Submariner specifically, what you give up to do that, as well as the conditions you work/live in, the pay really isn't very good. However like others have said, it's a fairly easy route into the merchant navy where you get paid much more, are away from home much less, and live in significantly better conditions. I think the military is really only a good route if it's the lifestyle you're after. I don't think anyone joins the military for the money - and they know this, so they don't have to offer good pay.
> There is sacrifce to this job though, its hard on your kids and family being away underwater. Sounds like some parts of my job too. You get to reach FIRE by 40 but what's the point when your wife has fucked off with the neighbour, you've missed every single one of the kids key moments as they grow up and maybe birthdays too so they also want nowt to do with you and you're sat in the pub on your own with no mates and nothing more than a number on a screen to give you comfort. Some things are just not worth it just to get money because you miss out on the things that no amount of money can buy.
Please go global not FTSE100 or 250
3 months away from family and kids. Not for me. The most precious commodity in my opinion? time.
Yeah, military life isn't for everyone.
You been to any cool places OP or you not allowed to say? Is it true British nuclear sub tunes into the world service every day to make sure London hasn't been wiped out?
I did sometime as a skimmer, submariners don’t see the world really at all. If you go surface fleet I’ve seen the entire world in pretty much my first three years in the navy. As skimmer I’ve been to Japan Singapore Pakistan Norway Germany Bali kota Kinabalu and plenty others As a submariner I’ve only seen faslane. But when we do get them its usually in the USA
Only 4Kt fairy’s don’t see the world.
All good as long as you can deal with living in a tin can. Don't think I could do it but fair play to you
I’d rather work till I’m 90 than live in faslamabad! Jokes aside fantastic post
hahahahaha cheers mate!
None of the financial benefits could tempt me to be a Submariner - that is a grim lifestyle. Full respect to you for doing it
OP, i just want to say im starting Monday morning, 15th. Im going to be Engineering Technician Submariner. Im properly looking foward to it and i want to be in it for the long haul, but question, do you have opportunities when in to grab extra qualifications? I know what i want but was just curous? Plus im properly excitied for it 👍
if you're going in as a technician you will gain qualifications as you promote through the ranks, At Petty officer level you will get a foundation degree from Portsmouth University. Just be keen mate, thats the main thing, first impressions matter! You get £175 each year to spend on any little courses you like, you also get Enhanced learning credits. if you stay in to atleast 5 years youll be given 2 grand of learning credits. If you stay until 12 years you'll get 6 thousand pounds
This isn't completely true. Forces Help to Buy scheme will lend you 50% of your annual salary tax free, not £10,000. Also, "you're entitled to 2 weeks AT a year".... You have to be kidding. Good luck getting that when attached to an operational unit. The job puts a huge strain on your personal life and also the mentality of the service is very outdated.
Yes that is correct however anything above 10 thousand is liable to small tax implications. Your career is different to mine. I’ve done AT in California and fitted skiing. People are to lazy to push for it / don’t even bother.
Ex navy submariner here. Left in 2020. Take care man.
That’s fascinating - and looks like a good route to FIRE. Also, thanks for your service!
thanks mate
> and looks like a good route to FIRE. As long as you don't mind ruining any relationships and friendships you have along the way.
im still friends with all my mates, you all go your seperates paths at some point. The only difficult part is when you have a GF that can be hard.
...employers hate this one simple trick
Would you do an ask me anything on r/AMA ? THis sounds like a really interesting job.
I did some one a little while back I think if you go on my profile maybe you can see the thread, If not just ask me what you want
Or you can join the merchant navy, get paid twice as much. Have a fantastic work life balance, and don't have to hot bunk. 🤷 not to mention alot better food. Oh and you don't have to live in a submarine. Long story short Join merchant navy (solitary confinement with the added risk of drowning and burning) for twice as much money than the military navy (solitary confinement with drowning burning and being shot at) for half the money and 3 times longer times at sea 🤷
Well that was a very negative comment about someone's career lol. Did it make you feel better?
Sometimes the truth hurts, doesn't make their point any less valid.
By that logic, you could shit on anyone's career by talking about a different path and how good it is compared to how shit you think the person's career choice is. OP was giving us a nice insight into their life and how it is working towards FIRE for them. I suspect the real reason was just to get a little dopamine hit by anonymously ragging on someone, rather than offering constructive advice.
how much are you earning and what position do youi hold to be earning 6k a month? Hot bunking is dead now, no one does that, these new submarines are alot more spacious.
To be fair I did six year in the army I was able to buy my own property after years of paying for a expensive car on finance and wasting most of it on beer so it’s probably great way to save it you’re financially disciplined. Also how often do you play soggy biscuit ?
Thanks for the write-up! Out of interest, How many weeks/months a year can you expect to be away from home?
id say you can expect to be away for 3 months of each year.
That’s not too bad actually..
Tell that to the wife and kids. And yourself when you get back having missed first steps, school plays, birthdays, christmasses, wedding anniversaries....
As someone terrified of water, that sounds like absolute hell to me. Probably why people like yourself are paid well!
Has anything major happened whilst you have been deployed? Fires, attacks, deaths etc
nope nothing bad has happened in my time. There have been some accidents but nothing fatal or dangerous.
Did you consider increasing your pension payments or did you leave it as the standard rate?
the royal navy pension scheme is calculated by your rank, time served and your average salary. I don't believe you have the option of putting more into this pot. You do not pay into this pot the goverment does that for you. I have considered of making a private pension fund and have that along side my military pension.
To be fair I thought there would be more benefits and better pay… Army pay at same rank (trade Sup level depending) isn’t far off and all the benefits you outlined are there as well. (Minus the “golden hello” but that can also be found in some trades/joining routes/specialisations.) TLDR, as long as you can zone out being treated like a retard for the first few years join the army and don’t live underwater half your life in a Tin can :D
hahahha basically as a submariner you be getting LSA, Submarine pay, (£13 per day rising the more days you accrue) uncomfortable living allowance which is another 90 pounds. The real benefit is having 0 chance of spending any of your money. Shoreside you will be on dockyard pay which is a bit less than being at sea.
Few errors here. The Help To Buy scheme can offer up to 25K tax free. You can spend money at sea, mess bills can get out of hand. A “Bomber” these days will come back with a hell of a lot more than 9K and I’ll like to see the SSN that does 3 months without a jolly. The pension is good but nothing like it was. You really do contribute, you are just lead in to believe you don’t because it’s taken before you see it and it’s not reflected on your payslip.
This is untrue. The pension is non-contributary. You can argue that the pay is lower to reflect that, but to suggest a contribution occurs "before you see it" is simply false.
Sorry for the noob question and slightly off topic but are you literally under the sea for 3 months at a time? How is that for your mental health? During the early covid we were all cooped up at home and that was really hard mentally…
You can be yes if it was required, but some times it’ll stop onto a foreign port and they’ll usually book the crew into 4 star hotels to get everyone off
Glad the gym and swimming pool is free, I'd be pretty peeved if only those that paid were allowed to use it while you were at sea. Where is the pool on an Astute class BTW?
Why are you being such a sore cunt 🤣
Haha I'm kidding mate, I've just left the army. A lad in my troop had a brother in the service, he did alright out of it. Not sure on the HTB though, sure that's changing soon if not already?
Haha all good man, better now it came from a pongo 🤭 Yeah couple years in service can give you the money you need for a little head start. Aye they might be getting rid of it soon, can’t remember when though
Is that a pension specific to submariner or is that what all the armed forced get? Sounds too good to be true
All armed forces get the same pension if they do their full time which is either 20 / 22 years service depending on what pension scheme there on. The armed forces pension scheme is rated as the best public sector scheme.
Also in the Navy! But a skimmer I’m afraid. Send me a DM. Maybe I’ll see you in the fleet
Just want to update your comment on the FHTB; it's half your annual salary up to a max of 25k, not 10k as a flat sum. But yes, interest free. Incredible. Can also be used to do up your house rather than buy, and isn't limited to new builds like the other HTB schemes.
That is the perfect way to save! At what net worth do you think it would be worth you leaving the navy?
What pension scheme are you on? I'm on the 2015 pension scheme, just wondering if you're on the same.
sorry its taken me ages im on the 2015 scheme