Discussion
So for the last 2 weeks I've been doing jury service and it's got me thinking how much I really do hate my job. I'm currently an Energy Procurement Advisor, which is office based. Now this could be a good career but I'm just not happy.
However, I really don't know what I want to do in life. I'd like my own business but don't know what and I don't have any particular skills so I'm a bit stuck with that one at the moment.
One idea that has remained ever since college, where I nearly left to go in, is the RAF. Now probably the main reason why I haven't followed this is due to a long term girlfriend. What I'd like is advice from anyone who has been in this position and started a career in the forces. How will it be like for a relationship during training and after. I.e how often will I be able to see her etc.
I'm 23 with good gcse grades and A levels.
Please can anyone help?
However, I really don't know what I want to do in life. I'd like my own business but don't know what and I don't have any particular skills so I'm a bit stuck with that one at the moment.
One idea that has remained ever since college, where I nearly left to go in, is the RAF. Now probably the main reason why I haven't followed this is due to a long term girlfriend. What I'd like is advice from anyone who has been in this position and started a career in the forces. How will it be like for a relationship during training and after. I.e how often will I be able to see her etc.
I'm 23 with good gcse grades and A levels.
Please can anyone help?
Depends which trade you want? Officer training is 6 months I believe, and they get moved around a lot more after. Ground trades can have a longer training period, but you can pretty much stay where you want with a bit of careful planning, and depending on which trade you go for.
I joined nearly 12 years ago as an aircaft engineer, as a singley. Basic and Trade training was the best part of 18 months at Halton and Cosford. After that I got to Odiham working on Chinooks, I have managed to stay here all this time.
It really depends what you do, as a Chinook engineer you could get to spend your entire career at Odiham (people have), simply because no-one really wants to come here (s
t dets, Afghan, Iraq, tents, fields). Fast jets tend to get hotels (Vegas etc). But the people are amazing, and the type of engineering is completely different to keeping a sensitive fast jet in the sky. Once you get used to it it's not too bad, you get a bit more responsibility on helicopters.
Any other trade will vary greatly, working on A/C I knew I would only go to "big" camps - flying stations, but as a driver, say, you could go anywhere and more likely shorter tours being moved around a lot potentially.
Or
Get married, get a house.
I did eventually and we managed to save up for the deposit for our own house whilst paying minimal rent in a service quarter.
Hope this helps, probably not, but feel free to ask any more questions. Or pop down your local careers office.
Em.
I joined nearly 12 years ago as an aircaft engineer, as a singley. Basic and Trade training was the best part of 18 months at Halton and Cosford. After that I got to Odiham working on Chinooks, I have managed to stay here all this time.
It really depends what you do, as a Chinook engineer you could get to spend your entire career at Odiham (people have), simply because no-one really wants to come here (s
t dets, Afghan, Iraq, tents, fields). Fast jets tend to get hotels (Vegas etc). But the people are amazing, and the type of engineering is completely different to keeping a sensitive fast jet in the sky. Once you get used to it it's not too bad, you get a bit more responsibility on helicopters.Any other trade will vary greatly, working on A/C I knew I would only go to "big" camps - flying stations, but as a driver, say, you could go anywhere and more likely shorter tours being moved around a lot potentially.
Or
Get married, get a house.
I did eventually and we managed to save up for the deposit for our own house whilst paying minimal rent in a service quarter.
Hope this helps, probably not, but feel free to ask any more questions. Or pop down your local careers office.
Em.
From someone that went through a (what I thought at the time was) messy break up throughout training, If she loves you enough to let you follow your dream, then a few weeks away won't matter one bit. If she turns up the mental & you can't work through it then you've done yourself a massive, massive favour.
I say hurl. If you blow chunks and she comes back, she's yours. But if you spew and she bolts, then it was never meant to be.
I say hurl. If you blow chunks and she comes back, she's yours. But if you spew and she bolts, then it was never meant to be.
RB5Bird said:
She,
And what he said ^^.
People tend to stay at Odiham by moving between the squadron or the bays. Easy enough to do if you speak to the right people.
Trade dependent of course! And what he said ^^.
People tend to stay at Odiham by moving between the squadron or the bays. Easy enough to do if you speak to the right people.
I've been in nine years now, and have moved four times.
Edited by RacingBlue on Thursday 6th December 08:48
Been in nearly 8 years, one serious long term relationship that soured due to the distance, but hey ho I'm still young. It's not for everyone, but I'm paid well, have traveled loads, lived abroad, done some amazing things and no doubt have plenty more to do.
It will be tough at first. Would she be willing to up sticks and follow you round for your career?
It will be tough at first. Would she be willing to up sticks and follow you round for your career?
Thanks for all the comments everyone. I have been thinking about it for a few days now and I'm still concerned about the 'family life' it will give
I suppose they are opposite but there's no harm in having different ideas.
rog007 said:
iaincb1 said:
... I'd like my own business...
One idea that has remained ever since college, where I nearly left to go in, is the RAF.
Opposite ends of the spectrum here; maybe you're really somewhere else in the middle? Good luck!One idea that has remained ever since college, where I nearly left to go in, is the RAF.
ben_h100 said:
Been in nearly 8 years, one serious long term relationship that soured due to the distance, but hey ho I'm still young. It's not for everyone, but I'm paid well, have traveled loads, lived abroad, done some amazing things and no doubt have plenty more to do.
It will be tough at first. Would she be willing to up sticks and follow you round for your career?
She is a hairdresser by trade which relies on a client base, moving around wouldn't do her any favours, which highlights my fear of it not working. She says she would be happy to see me at weekends...this would be fine for the short term but I'm not so sure of a life like that.It will be tough at first. Would she be willing to up sticks and follow you round for your career?
If you end up on shifts you may only see her at weekends anyway. And don't forget the tours away, anything up to 6 months. Due to the detachment pattern here at Odiham you do a 3 month tour in Afghan, then 12 at home, then away again. Plus other random dets inbetween (Jordon, Morocco, El Centro and UK exercises)
Been in 14 years with me now wife 10, six Afgan tours from 8 weeks to 4 months. 5 Step plan
1. join up pic a trade (Not weapon's / or Mech we work like dogs) AV or work shops if i could again)
2. get qualification's HNC/D start with ONC
3. work on as many types as you can Chinook, fast jet.
4. DO NOT DO MORE THAN 12 YEARS!!!
5. Save money Leave and get a job that your not OWNED in were you can leave when you! wont.
1. join up pic a trade (Not weapon's / or Mech we work like dogs) AV or work shops if i could again)
2. get qualification's HNC/D start with ONC
3. work on as many types as you can Chinook, fast jet.
4. DO NOT DO MORE THAN 12 YEARS!!!
5. Save money Leave and get a job that your not OWNED in were you can leave when you! wont.
Without wanting to sound harsh- please forgive my forward post.
If you're joining up with the intention of spending as little time possible away from home, don't bother. You'll be miserable.
If you do decide that's what you want to do, but ignore it, call me a sceptic, but I'd put a fiver on you not being with her in 5 years anyway. By which point you'll be 28 and borderline eligible for enlistment. Ask yourself if you're really prepared to let your Girlfriend's job get in the way of YOU doing what you want with YOUR life?
I hate to say this, but you're coming off as a bit wet. You're 23 and have A levels, you're young enough to get stuck into 99% of careers, so why waste it? The World is much bigger than the Town/City/County that you grew up in. Get out there and live your life. Don't, FFS hang around because of your GF's client base as a hairdresser!
Unless of course, she's mega hot, puts out on demand & buys you fast cars and st all the time. 
If you're joining up with the intention of spending as little time possible away from home, don't bother. You'll be miserable.
If you do decide that's what you want to do, but ignore it, call me a sceptic, but I'd put a fiver on you not being with her in 5 years anyway. By which point you'll be 28 and borderline eligible for enlistment. Ask yourself if you're really prepared to let your Girlfriend's job get in the way of YOU doing what you want with YOUR life?
I hate to say this, but you're coming off as a bit wet. You're 23 and have A levels, you're young enough to get stuck into 99% of careers, so why waste it? The World is much bigger than the Town/City/County that you grew up in. Get out there and live your life. Don't, FFS hang around because of your GF's client base as a hairdresser!
Unless of course, she's mega hot, puts out on demand & buys you fast cars and s
t all the time. VidalBaboon said:
Without wanting to sound harsh- please forgive my forward post.
If you're joining up with the intention of spending as little time possible away from home, don't bother. You'll be miserable.
If you do decide that's what you want to do, but ignore it, call me a sceptic, but I'd put a fiver on you not being with her in 5 years anyway. By which point you'll be 28 and borderline eligible for enlistment. Ask yourself if you're really prepared to let your Girlfriend's job get in the way of YOU doing what you want with YOUR life?
I hate to say this, but you're coming off as a bit wet. You're 23 and have A levels, you're young enough to get stuck into 99% of careers, so why waste it? The World is much bigger than the Town/City/County that you grew up in. Get out there and live your life. Don't, FFS hang around because of your GF's client base as a hairdresser!
Unless of course, she's mega hot, puts out on demand & buys you fast cars and st all the time.
'Crazy little thing called love'If you're joining up with the intention of spending as little time possible away from home, don't bother. You'll be miserable.
If you do decide that's what you want to do, but ignore it, call me a sceptic, but I'd put a fiver on you not being with her in 5 years anyway. By which point you'll be 28 and borderline eligible for enlistment. Ask yourself if you're really prepared to let your Girlfriend's job get in the way of YOU doing what you want with YOUR life?
I hate to say this, but you're coming off as a bit wet. You're 23 and have A levels, you're young enough to get stuck into 99% of careers, so why waste it? The World is much bigger than the Town/City/County that you grew up in. Get out there and live your life. Don't, FFS hang around because of your GF's client base as a hairdresser!
Unless of course, she's mega hot, puts out on demand & buys you fast cars and s
t all the time. RB5Bird said:
If you end up on shifts you may only see her at weekends anyway. And don't forget the tours away, anything up to 6 months. Due to the detachment pattern here at Odiham you do a 3 month tour in Afghan, then 12 at home, then away again. Plus other random dets inbetween (Jordon, Morocco, El Centro and UK exercises)
This is a valid point that I hadn't really thought about...months away would be tough.VidalBaboon said:
Without wanting to sound harsh- please forgive my forward post.
If you're joining up with the intention of spending as little time possible away from home, don't bother. You'll be miserable.
If you do decide that's what you want to do, but ignore it, call me a sceptic, but I'd put a fiver on you not being with her in 5 years anyway. By which point you'll be 28 and borderline eligible for enlistment. Ask yourself if you're really prepared to let your Girlfriend's job get in the way of YOU doing what you want with YOUR life?
I hate to say this, but you're coming off as a bit wet. You're 23 and have A levels, you're young enough to get stuck into 99% of careers, so why waste it? The World is much bigger than the Town/City/County that you grew up in. Get out there and live your life. Don't, FFS hang around because of your GF's client base as a hairdresser!
Unless of course, she's mega hot, puts out on demand & buys you fast cars and st all the time.
This is the kind of post that is needed for someone like me and you speak sense. ThanksIf you're joining up with the intention of spending as little time possible away from home, don't bother. You'll be miserable.
If you do decide that's what you want to do, but ignore it, call me a sceptic, but I'd put a fiver on you not being with her in 5 years anyway. By which point you'll be 28 and borderline eligible for enlistment. Ask yourself if you're really prepared to let your Girlfriend's job get in the way of YOU doing what you want with YOUR life?
I hate to say this, but you're coming off as a bit wet. You're 23 and have A levels, you're young enough to get stuck into 99% of careers, so why waste it? The World is much bigger than the Town/City/County that you grew up in. Get out there and live your life. Don't, FFS hang around because of your GF's client base as a hairdresser!
Unless of course, she's mega hot, puts out on demand & buys you fast cars and s
t all the time. Chicken Chaser nailed it on the head though...
iaincb1 said:
RB5Bird said:
If you end up on shifts you may only see her at weekends anyway. And don't forget the tours away, anything up to 6 months. Due to the detachment pattern here at Odiham you do a 3 month tour in Afghan, then 12 at home, then away again. Plus other random dets inbetween (Jordon, Morocco, El Centro and UK exercises)
This is a valid point that I hadn't really thought about...months away would be tough.ben_h100 said:
DuraAce said:
Otherwise you'll end up institutionalized and pension trapped.
Looking back I wish I'd gone at 12. I've made up for it though by putting in my PVR.
Surely you would just hang on for the pension now? How long have you done?Looking back I wish I'd gone at 12. I've made up for it though by putting in my PVR.
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