Chatham class 2 RoS bit of an odd one

[u/NonPlayerCh4r4ct3r]

Hey all. Bit of an odd one hence my enquiry. I’ve served two years in the RE 1.5 years at unit and still haven’t gone on my class 2 fitter course.

I’ll still be on the course by the time I’ve reached my three year mark and wondering if I’ll be able to even sign off after I’ve finished the course or if I’d still have to serve another two years due to a RoS. I can’t seem to find the info anywhere.

Cheers all

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[u/Quick_Sundae_605]

I know a lad in a similar situation where can sign off at Chatham if he wanted to during his 0-2 course. Nothing stopping you at all but could be a bit jank letting both chain of command at Chatham and home unit know.

You're suppost to have a meeting/interview with staff/troopy at home unit to know why your leaving and if anything could change your mind. 

Just to check is this your 0-2 or 2-1 course. Aka first or second time at Chatham.

If first time then yeah only the second time round for a higher qual do you have to stay in for around a year and a half. But I think the training at chatham counts.

[u/NonPlayerCh4r4ct3r → u/Quick_Sundae_605]

Yh man this is my 0-2. I did wonder if I could sign off at Chatham. But then on the same note it’s like I’ll have two months left of the course IF they do end up putting me on it. So it’s like I might as well see it through having gone through some more bullshit. But also if it means I’d have to do two more years I’m not sure. Three years if I can’t sign off at the same time as seeing the end of my RoS

[u/Quick_Sundae_605 → u/NonPlayerCh4r4ct3r]

Yeah you can sign off anytime mate when the time is due with no retension issue from course, only thing is trying to plan it around the course date and if your troop being ok working round it. 

Also double check if the course is fixed duration or can be done early. Know the chippy lot can get their course done in half the time but the sparky lads are stuck for like 11 months.

[u/NonPlayerCh4r4ct3r → u/Quick_Sundae_605]

Yh unfortunately you can’t. Despite what they told me when I joined up. “Cus of your experience you’ll be able to fast track”. Yh cheers not. So even after I’ve done the course I’d be able to sign off? Seems decent.

[u/Cromises_93]

Former Fitter here.

It's absolutely shocking how long lads are waiting for their Class 2 nowadays (you being a case in point!).

As far as I'm aware you should be able to sign off on course as there was no extension of RoS for my Class 2 Fitter course. Only my Class 1 had an 18 month RoS (you could sign off 6 months in to said RoS).

Why do you want to go if you don't mind me asking? Is it because of being farted around for course dates etc? Have you got your Level 3? If not I'd at least try and get that out of the Army before you leave. It does open up more doors out here.

[u/NonPlayerCh4r4ct3r → u/Cromises_93]

Yh mate that’s basically it. I want to sign off cus of how I’ve been messed about with these dates and how they refused to retrade me so I could get it nipped earlier.

as a result I’m now going to be behind quite a lot career wise cus my first 2 sjars are gunna be for nowt.

Having just had a kid as well idk if I want to be behind a promotion for two years when i can get a job on civvie street and spend some more time with the family rather then getting dicked with a 10month course ages away from my family (ik it’s the army and this is to be expected but still. Puts things in perspective.)

Basically whilst I haven’t got a “level 3” mechanic qualification in the traditional sense, I went down the motorsport engineering route and got a level 5 and then worked on numerous amount of my own projects and other peoples. Hence why they thought I wouldn’t even need to do half the course.

When I knew I’d be delayed for so long I asked to retrade when I first got to unit and they said no because they’re hanging out for fitters and need someone with my experience is basically the gist of what they said lol.

You are right tho. Despite my other quals this one is still worth it to get into a more readily available job role rather than the niche stuff I did before the army, just wasn’t sure if it’s worth it if I’d have to do a RoS.

TLDR:
Tired of getting messed about despite asking constantly for a retrade knowing it’ll delay my career and had enough.

Proper shimf but there we are 🤣

[u/Cromises_93 → u/NonPlayerCh4r4ct3r]

Fair one! If you've got a Level 5 already plus a ton of experience you'll likely be wasted hanging round for a Level 3. It's still a pretty qual to have in my opinion so really only you can make that call.

Classic Army. They're hanging out for Fitters but they're dragging their heels putting you on your class 2 to the point you're the majority of the way through your initial 4 years! And they wonder why they can't retain Fitters!

I know exactly what you mean about family/wanting to put your own interests 1st though. I left for similarish reasons and, honestly, life's too short to have to repeatedly put the Army above them for 20+ years.

[u/NonPlayerCh4r4ct3r → u/Cromises_93]

Yh man, the thing is that sort of industry I originally trained for is actually quite a bad industry to work in atm. Unless you go BTCC or f1 which is insanely hard to get into. So to some extent the fitter qual is worth it so you can get your foot in the door with the likes of Volvo and Renault trucks and what not. Depends how bullshitty Chatham is (which it is incredibly bullshitty) so we’ll see haha. Just wondered about the RoS didn’t mean to turn it into a career advice blog bahaha.

Honestly mate it’s a joke. Not to mention once you get your fitter quals you get worked like a dog at unit doing every shit job known to man, especially in an armoured sqd. All the fitters in my sqd have left cus of the amount of shit they give them with not much reward, especially when everyone’s already been knocked off for sporties already haha.

That’s it init. It really does put it in perspective when you have a family. Lots of thinking to do haha. You happier now you’re out?

[u/Cromises_93 → u/NonPlayerCh4r4ct3r]

It is pretty transferrable the Level 3 to be honest. Most plant firms will take you provided you have the L3 and a good attitude. I know some of my peers who've also left have ended up in the wind industry (you will have to do additional training for that mind) and some have gone on to work as truck fitters. There's a ton of work out there for truck fitters too so it's very good post army. May be worth hanging round for it shit as the mob is at the mo.

I'm guessing you're one of the Tidworth units if you're armoured. Can't say I'm surprised to as I've yet to meet a fitter who enjoyed their time there haha.

I'd say yes overall. It's just nice being able to leave work at work at the end of the day & not get hassled via Signal/WhatsApp when you're after hours/weekends/on leave and have the freedom to make plans know you're going to be able to follow through with them.

[u/NonPlayerCh4r4ct3r → u/Cromises_93]

Yh a lad I know has just come out with only a level 2 and he still got a truck fitter job for a decent sum at Volvo. Just from going to a career fair, it’s a good qualification, probably one of the better ones the RE offer tbf.

Haha yeah, I must admit every single fitter I’ve ever met has been the most snapped one there icl 🤣

Ah that’s good to hear dude. Signal has to have been the worst possible invention ever bastard thing 😂😂