Royal Navy Application Help? Criminal Convictions.?
Question by Barry Bush: Royal Navy Application Help? Criminal Convictions.?
I’m applying for the British Navy next year, and I’ve came across a section of legislation which doesn’t seem to make any sense at all.
Basically I have 2 cautions for possession of Cannabis. Both “SPENT” under the Rehabilitation of offenders act.
Now I’ve done a little research into where this leaves me standing in regard to applying for the Navy.
Basically the Navys booklet on Eligibility states;
Candidates Who Are Not Eligible for Entry
a. Candidates are not eligible for entry into the Naval Service and are not to be
processed with any of the following “UNSPENT” convictions:
(1) Hospital Order.
(2) Sexual offences (including those listed on the Sex Offenders Register).
(3) Offences involving loss of life.
(4) Arson.
(5) Misuse of Drugs:
(a) Any offence relating to Trafficking or Supply of drugs.
(b) Any offence relating to the use of Class A drugs.
(c) More than one conviction for “possession for personal use” of a Class
B or C drug. (See drugs classifications)
(6) Three or more offences against persons, property, dishonesty or serious
motoring offences.
As you can gather from reading, any offences relating to 2 “CONVICTIONS” for possession and personal use of a class B or C drug can not be processes unless the convictions are “SPENT”.
Now reading through a Naval Forum I came accross this;
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty’s Government:
What restrictions are imposed by the Armed Forces on past offenders who wish to join up; and where potential recruits can access this information on the internet. [HL5360]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence & Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (Lord Drayson): Applicants with the following convictions are not to be considered for the Armed Forces:
hospital order;offences involving loss of life;sexual offences (including all those listed on the sex offenders register);arson;misuse of drugs—any offence relating to trafficking or supply of drugs; any offence relating to the use of class A drugs; and more than one conviction for “possession for personal use” of a class B or C drug; and .three or more offences against persons, property, or dishonesty.
This is basically somebody asking the government who is elegible into the armed forces. Whoever answered, has put it across that any of these conviction are an instant bar and you will not even be considered if you have these “SPENT” or “UNSPENT”.
Which one would you regard as the main legislation for employment into the Royal Navy. The actual Elegibilty booklet or the answer from a government body?
Best answer:
Answer by Beechnut
I`d go with the booklet, because it seems plain to me that the Governement answer is just a reading and restatement of the booklet itself.
Plus….(It`s a long time ago, but I`m former RN myself)…I think you`ll find there is a little more discretion in these things than apear on the surface. They will take into account many other factors in the application, and strengths elsewhere may mean more flexibility.
Although not to do with convictions, there were two problems with my own intake…both papered over as otherwise I was an exemplary recruit.
Good Luck,
Beechnut.
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