RAF
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mccarn

Original Poster:

641 posts

226 months

Tuesday 17th February 2009
quotequote all
Evening all.

I'm considering applying to join the RAF in the near future and I'm just wondering if anybody on here has any experience/information about their time in the RAF. Comments both positive and negative please.

Cheers

Badgerboy

1,794 posts

221 months

Tuesday 17th February 2009
quotequote all
Officer or Enlisted?

Bosshogg76

792 posts

212 months

Tuesday 17th February 2009
quotequote all
mccarn said:
Evening all.

I'm considering applying to join the RAF in the near future and I'm just wondering if anybody on here has any experience/information about their time in the RAF. Comments both positive and negative please.

Cheers
Currently serving been in coming up to 11 years, the RAF is nothing like it was. Whether this is good or bad is open for debate, i have my own views, which seem to be shared by a lot of others.

You could try the geeks on www.egoat.co.uk

As this forum doesn't seem to have a pm facility please as specifically what you want to know?

Is it pay conditions, what you will do when you join? questions about trades? etc etc

Crimson Tide

5,037 posts

243 months

Tuesday 17th February 2009
quotequote all
Only experience I have is CCF and OASC almost exactly 7 years ago. If it's aircrew you're interested in, the Military Aircrew section on Pprune will have some stickies that are worth a look.

Guffy

2,369 posts

294 months

Tuesday 17th February 2009
quotequote all
Bosshogg76 said:
Currently serving been in coming up to 11 years, the RAF is nothing like it was.
I was in the RAF througout the 80's and all the old sweats said the same thing, so i'm sure nothing ever changes on that score!

Bosshogg76

792 posts

212 months

Tuesday 17th February 2009
quotequote all
Guffy said:
Bosshogg76 said:
Currently serving been in coming up to 11 years, the RAF is nothing like it was.
I was in the RAF througout the 80's and all the old sweats said the same thing, so i'm sure nothing ever changes on that score!
The only thing that changes, is the reasons behind the feelings of mistrust in upper management.

raf_gti

4,253 posts

235 months

Tuesday 17th February 2009
quotequote all
Hello!

I'm currently in the RAF as an Electronics Technician and have been for seven or so years now so I havn't become too tainted by 'what it was like back in the day' syndrome..yet!

It can be as rewarding, satisfying and fulfilling as you choose to make of it.

Before you decide on a trade/branch find out as much as you can about it, don't let the AFCO force you into a job you don't want, they often have a quota to fill and the last thing you want is to regret your chosen career path.

Any questions feel free to fire away smile

BruceV8

3,325 posts

276 months

Tuesday 17th February 2009
quotequote all
mccarn said:
Evening all.

I'm considering applying to join the RAF in the near future and I'm just wondering if anybody on here has any experience/information about their time in the RAF. Comments both positive and negative please.

Cheers
Or you could just man up and join the army. Deep down, you know thats what you really want to do, don't you...

wink

Ahhh Moneypenny

4,100 posts

251 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
mccarn said:
Evening all.

I'm considering applying to join the RAF in the near future and I'm just wondering if anybody on here has any experience/information about their time in the RAF. Comments both positive and negative please.

Cheers
I was in for 5 years loved it, well recommended smile

Lord Pikey

3,257 posts

244 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
I wanted to go in as a Engineering Officer a couple of years back. Visited the Careers officer several times and watch the obligatory film. I asked the relatively simple question.

" Before i apply formally, can you tell me if Colour-blindness will prevent me from getting in"

I was met with a lot of blank faces, they made a few calls but no more inform was attained. I went for a eye exam they requested so they could see the extend of my retarded vision. Sent them the paperwork. Heard nothing. chassed them several times but each time they either had never heard of me, didnt understand what i was asking or did know what colour blindness was. In the end i gave up and applied for a job abroad.

Just my experience of the careers office, i didnt get any further than that.

LP

Tony*T3

20,911 posts

276 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
Lord Pikey said:
I wanted to go in as a Engineering Officer a couple of years back. Visited the Careers officer several times and watch the obligatory film. I asked the relatively simple question.

" Before i apply formally, can you tell me if Colour-blindness will prevent me from getting in?"

I was met with a lot of blank faces, they made a few calls but no more inform was attained. I went for a eye exam they requested so they could see the extend of my retarded vision. Sent them the paperwork. Heard nothing. chassed them several times but each time they either had never heard of me, didnt understand what i was asking or did know what colour blindness was. In the end i gave up and applied for a job abroad.

Just my experience of the careers office, i didnt get any further than that.

LP
Perhaps they couldn't understand what you were saying....? They have certain standards for their Officers don't you know.... wink

Edited by Tony*T3 for stupid spelling on Wednesday 18th February 09:20



Edited by Tony*T3 on Wednesday 18th February 09:22

AlexKP

16,484 posts

273 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
I was in the ATC when in my youth.

I was clearly told that I would not be eligible for a pilot officer application because I am very slightly colour blind (reds and greens).

I don't know if this applies only to those wanting to fly.

Tony*T3

20,911 posts

276 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Affects certian trades only. Engineering, flying, ATC all affected.

Admin clerk not affected.... wink

E31Shrew

5,963 posts

221 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
Did 6 years in the RAF back in the late 70s early 80s. Had a great time then, but from friends that are still in, I know its changed beyond recognition. All the bases then, were staffed by RAF personnel so the feeling of comraderie was high, as were the opportunities for sport and expeditions. Wifey applied locally, to go and work as a civilian a couple of years back [ Air Traffic] and said the atmosphere was very different in the tower, due to the mix of service and civilian bods. Can't help feeling its a very different proposition also with the Middle East scenario...All a bit serious compared to 'my day' when the only action was in the NAAFI

Lord Pikey

3,257 posts

244 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
Tony*T3 said:
pointed out Lord Pikey cannot type
very good point.

However, i did my best to speak in the Queen's English with 200 plums in my throat.

AlexKP

16,484 posts

273 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
Tony*T3 said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Affects certian trades only. Engineering, flying, ATC all affected.

Admin clerk not affected.... wink
My admin is st at the nest of times, as my PA will testify.

So it's probably a good thing I didn't pursue that type of career in the RAF, as I would surely have ended up ordering the wrong size wings for the Eurofighter.

Lord Pikey

3,257 posts

244 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
You would not be that worried if you ever watched the fitters hammering them on to the AC.

If you look up EPA on google, you will see that some dingus ordered a Tornado fin for the first Eurofighter smile


mccarn

Original Poster:

641 posts

226 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
Wen't to the careers office today to see about being an administration officer, as i'm currently studying admin & I.T at college so it makes sense. If I do another year at college could apply to go in as an officer so that looks like the plan.

eccles

14,363 posts

251 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
BruceV8 said:
mccarn said:
Evening all.

I'm considering applying to join the RAF in the near future and I'm just wondering if anybody on here has any experience/information about their time in the RAF. Comments both positive and negative please.

Cheers
Or you could just man up and join the army. Deep down, you know thats what you really want to do, don't you...

wink
Live in a tent wearing make-up!!! are you quite mad!