Career change, Armed Forces?

[Ricky_M]

Sorry, I haven't searched and I'm sure there are plenty of threads on this, but I've a few questions.

I'm 23 years old at the moment and I'm currently a Plumber/Heating Engineer and if I'm being completely honest, I'm a little fed up with it and have been for a while now.

I've been considering an engineering role in the RAF or the Army and I'm after an insight in to life in either and what roles I should consider.

The RAF, I was interested in becoming an Aircraft Technician. I studied Aircraft Engineering in college for two years when I left school and gained quite a few qualifications in this. I never pursued a career in this as I was offered a Plumbing Apprenticeship.

Am I right in saying they are making cut backs in this section of the RAF?

I've also considered REME in the Army, I know very little about this and what they do, but what I do know interests me.

Any other roles I should be considering?

I'm after as much information on both roles, as I will hopefully be arranging a trip to the Careers Offices for both and want as much info as possible.

Any info would be greatly received

[TSCfree]

Why don't you do CAT B1 or B2 licensed engineer at Barry college or study part time.

[anonymous-user]

Wouldn't really want to comment on the RAF but I'm REME. Get some basic information from your local Armed Forces careers office before making any decisions. Hopefully you will come across someone in there who is in the REME or RAF. Just beware of getting pressed into joining something you don't want to with the promise of being able to transfer at a later stage - it will not happen!!

While the forces are still recruiting at the moment the process is very slow - 2 year waiting lists for some jobs and once you're in it isn't quite as secure as it used to be. I'm guessing you're on reasonable money at the moment - can you afford a dramatic pay cut to arround £12k a year for the first year or so? (It does go up a lot after the initial couple of years depending on your job choice)

With all that said - I've never regretted it and would defo do it all again.

http://www.army.mod.uk/

There may be some stuff on there you will find useful, but like I said - don't believe all the spin you read/are told

Good luck and if you join the REME, I'll see you in training

[rog007]

Armed Forces, as ever, are recruiting strongly. Choice of roles, but if its the Forces regardless of what you do you'll have no problem. If you're specific, as mentioned above, be prepared for a wait. AFCO will have all the fine detail, but be quick; I sense a rush of applicants as a result of the downturn in traditional vocations for young men and women. Good luck!

[Ricky_M]

Thank you all for your input.

The decrease in pay is a price I'm willing to pay, providing I am happy in a job! Providing I can afford to live that is, I don't mind making sacrifices for a short while.

Are there any other engineering roles in the Forces I should consider?

I'm booking time off for next week to visit the AFCO!