HM Ships
Working for NAAFI on HM Ships is an experience like no other. You’ll get to travel the world – going wherever the Navy goes, seeing places you’ve only ever dreamed of. And the travel’s only one of the benefits.
The sense of community is amazing. Each ship is like a self-contained town, and you’ll be right at the heart of life on board. You’ll provide Navy personnel with those all-important home comforts, and you’ll share sleeping and eating facilities with them too. You’ll really feel like you’re part of the team. In fact, you could even find yourself playing a non-combatant role in exercises.
All in all, it’s a unique experience.
Roles
Working with HM Ships is an experience like no other. Our retail-based roles are listed below, and they’ve all got one thing in common – the opportunity to see the world.
Ship Managers
This is your chance to run a business like it’s your own. You’ll develop and motivate your team – ensuring the delivery of excellent customer service and, of course, profits. These are varied and challenging roles, so you’ll need proven management and retail experience.
Supervisors
Setting the standards for customer focus and productivity, you’ll ensure your team are motivated, properly trained and inspired to deliver a great service. Given the variety of your role, commercial awareness, managerial experience and a firm belief in high standards of customer service will be vital.
Customer Service Assistants
Wherever you work, you’ll join a great team and give our customers the best possible service. Maximising profits and maintaining stock will be just two challenges you face. If you’re a team player with a passion for service and customer rapport, our training will give you the other skills you need.
People
So, do you want to know what it’s really like to work on HM Ships? Then the best people to listen to are our staff. They’ve sailed the seas and seen the sights already. And they’re happy to share their experiences.
Capital Ships Manager
What's your role in NAAFI?
To provide a canteen service in the form of a sea-going shop, for the Royal Navy in the front line and maintain stock levels as determined by the ship's programme.
How long have you been working for us?
Over 32 years.
What do you do day-to-day?
Supervise and train staff, ensuring safe working practices are in place. Control security and banking of cash and cheques. Maintain books and account records, and adhere to the minimum control standards, as laid down by the corporation.
What do you like about your job?
The travel, companionship, responsibility and knowing I'm in a good pension fund when I eventually retire (very important in this day and age).
What's your base like?
It's grey and floats on water!
What's the social life like?
Can be hectic, especially if you have an outgoing personality.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about joining us?
On HM Ships you must be flexible, proactive and enjoy work in a service environment. You should expect long periods of time separated from your family and friends, whilst living and socialising, in a confined space, close to your customers.
A Day in the Life
Canteen Assistant
I have been working for NAAFI as a canteen Assistant for the best part of four years. Runs ashore in foreign ports and involvement, to a degree, with Naval training exercises, mean that this is a diverse job. It’s certainly never boring. So if you’re like me and you enjoy travelling and visiting foreign countries, then this is certainly the job you want. Where else could you see the world, and get paid to do so? On the odd occasion, you get to visit really exotic locations - holiday destinations you would only dream about (unless you’re a millionaire).
If you’re a keen participant on board, then you’re in a great position to be shown all areas of interest around the ship. From my own experiences, these are well worth a visit. On one occasion I was fortunate enough to fire an anti-aircraft gun with live rounds! This was fantastic. And yes, I did manage to hit the target. It was quite large though. Well, what ocean is small?
On a more serious note, the opportunity to advance within the company is always there. Distance learning is readily available, which is ideal while at sea. Training courses for food safety/hygiene and sea survival are essential, but they’re still fun to do.
My average working day starts at 0700. I get up for the good old fry up, cooked by the Chefs; there are healthier options, but who wants that to start the day? I then normally go out on to the upper deck to get some fresh air and some sun if we are away. Sunrise in the Mediterranean is AMAZING! The shop opens at 0800 as Jack (a term for sailors) likes a bar of chocolate and a fag in the morning. We close at 0830 so we can get the stores up for the day, then reopen at 1000 for stand easy (again a navy term for a break). This is the busy period, as it’s when most of the ship has a break. We then close at 1030 and issue the beer for the day. The junior rates are allowed three tins of beer a day and they make sure they get it!
We then normally refill the vending machines and shelves until 1130, which is scran (meal) time. If I’m lucky it’s Cheesy Hammy Eggy. You won’t find this in a restaurant, but believe me it’s lovely. We open again for the lunch period, after which we close for a break and to take care of odd jobs like paperwork and cleaning. The job is always exciting. And at the end of the day our meals, accommodation and laundry are all paid for, so the money in my pay packet is mine!
Here’s some Navy terminology for you. They seem to have their own language – it’s called Jack Speak,
Matelot - Royal Navy person
Scran - Food (breakfast/lunch and dinner)
Doby - Wash/shower
Cheesy hammy eggy - A strange but delightful meal!
Runs ashore – Going out
Heads - Toilets/bathrooms
Oppo’s - Mates
Gaddafi - NAAFI Canteen
Nutty - Chocolate/sweets
Goffa - Fizzy drinks/water
Dit - Story/information.
Don’t be put off by the Jack Speak. You’ll soon pick it up and find yourself ditting on with your Oppo’s about your foreign runs ashore. You’ll also meet some amazing people and visit some amazing places.
Well, that’s it from me. I need to get some scran inside me before I open the Gaddafi.