Discussion
Am in the window for a RAF job, mid 40's so not much time left to try.
Not interested in officer, more tech roles. have lots of experience in aerospace and defence and those kind of supply industries.
Problem is they all require a science qualification these jobs, this is fine if you are 20, but surely if you are my age and have worked in manufacturing and several years in the defence industry that counts if you d not have science GCSE's? So far no-one is prepared to give me an answer!
I get why it's there, to guide kids. But am I wasting my time at my age even trying? Anyone else done something similar?
Not interested in officer, more tech roles. have lots of experience in aerospace and defence and those kind of supply industries.
Problem is they all require a science qualification these jobs, this is fine if you are 20, but surely if you are my age and have worked in manufacturing and several years in the defence industry that counts if you d not have science GCSE's? So far no-one is prepared to give me an answer!
I get why it's there, to guide kids. But am I wasting my time at my age even trying? Anyone else done something similar?
chunder27 said:
Am in the window for a RAF job, mid 40's so not much time left to try.
Not interested in officer, more tech roles. have lots of experience in aerospace and defence and those kind of supply industries.
Problem is they all require a science qualification these jobs, this is fine if you are 20, but surely if you are my age and have worked in manufacturing and several years in the defence industry that counts if you d not have science GCSE's? So far no-one is prepared to give me an answer!
I get why it's there, to guide kids. But am I wasting my time at my age even trying? Anyone else done something similar?
Unfortunately, your experience counts for nothing.Not interested in officer, more tech roles. have lots of experience in aerospace and defence and those kind of supply industries.
Problem is they all require a science qualification these jobs, this is fine if you are 20, but surely if you are my age and have worked in manufacturing and several years in the defence industry that counts if you d not have science GCSE's? So far no-one is prepared to give me an answer!
I get why it's there, to guide kids. But am I wasting my time at my age even trying? Anyone else done something similar?
Starting at the bottom in your 40’s will be hard, really hard. Potentially someone half your age will be telling you what to and you have to do it.
I was 27 when I joined, I was the oldest on my intake.
Then there’s the money side. Below is the current pay scales. Techie trades are Supplement 1. You will be starting at the bottom, then going up an increment each year.
Would I join up in my 40’s? No way, I’m in my 40’s and am happy where I am. Almost 18 years in and a Flight Sergeant, I wouldn’t want to be starting my career now.
Bit of doom mongering, but you would need to be seriously committed.
Fluid said:
Techie trades are Supplement 1.
TG1 are supp 3.Go for it OP, why not?
What sort of role? Proper (aircraft) tech? Or one of those soft stay indoors types who plays with computers?!
Just be aware your fellow trainees will be (majority) sub age 25.
Can you handle guys aged under 30 being your boss and giving you orders/instructions?
If you need to redo a gcse you can knock them out in a couple of weeks.
Edited by DuraAce on Friday 30th November 20:57
DuraAce said:
Fluid said:
Techie trades are Supplement 1.
TG1 are supp 3.Go for it OP, why not?
What sort of role? Proper (aircraft) tech? Or one of those soft stay indoors types who plays with computers?!
Just be aware your fellow trainees will be (majority) sub age 25.
Can you handle guys aged under 30 being your boss and giving you orders/instructions?
If you need to redo a gcse you can knock them out in a couple of weeks.
Edited by DuraAce on Friday 30th November 20:57
Have they upped the cutoff as it used to be 29 from what I remember when I joined.
I was the 2nd oldest in our intake at 22. I felt old even at that.
Quite frankly I couldn't think of anything more horrific than going back at the age of 39. Taking a massive pay cut to be ordered about by a bunch of people who have never seen the real world in their life.
I was the 2nd oldest in our intake at 22. I felt old even at that.
Quite frankly I couldn't think of anything more horrific than going back at the age of 39. Taking a massive pay cut to be ordered about by a bunch of people who have never seen the real world in their life.
Uggers said:
Have they upped the cutoff as it used to be 29 from what I remember when I joined.
I was the 2nd oldest in our intake at 22. I felt old even at that.
Quite frankly I couldn't think of anything more horrific than going back at the age of 39. Taking a massive pay cut to be ordered about by a bunch of people who have never seen the real world in their life.
I joined at just shy of 26. My mantra had to be "you'll always be led by people younger than you and with less real life experience" but looking back if I didn't want that then I should have joined younger, and more often than not most people deserve the positions they are promoted into. I was the 2nd oldest in our intake at 22. I felt old even at that.
Quite frankly I couldn't think of anything more horrific than going back at the age of 39. Taking a massive pay cut to be ordered about by a bunch of people who have never seen the real world in their life.
I've really enjoyed my time.....
No problem being led by folk younger than me, plenty of younger folk more competent and better at leading than me.
It's just folk who live in the RAF bubble that they have existed in since the age of 16. Many promoted through time served as opposed to merit or competence.
I'd already served an engineering apprenticeship before joining and found it difficult to get used to military life. Joining mid 40's I'd imagine would be hellish after spending so long in civilian life.
It's just folk who live in the RAF bubble that they have existed in since the age of 16. Many promoted through time served as opposed to merit or competence.
I'd already served an engineering apprenticeship before joining and found it difficult to get used to military life. Joining mid 40's I'd imagine would be hellish after spending so long in civilian life.
Uggers said:
No problem being led by folk younger than me, plenty of younger folk more competent and better at leading than me.
It's just folk who live in the RAF bubble that they have existed in since the age of 16. Many promoted through time served as opposed to merit or competence.
I'd already served an engineering apprenticeship before joining and found it difficult to get used to military life. Joining mid 40's I'd imagine would be hellish after spending so long in civilian life.
I agree about the bubble - but not everyone gets sucked into it. However, not sure I see time served promotion (much) in my trade; if anything there is a shelf life after when you get caught up and overtaken by lads and lasses much more junior.It's just folk who live in the RAF bubble that they have existed in since the age of 16. Many promoted through time served as opposed to merit or competence.
I'd already served an engineering apprenticeship before joining and found it difficult to get used to military life. Joining mid 40's I'd imagine would be hellish after spending so long in civilian life.
I have done college courses when I am the oldest, or older than tutors. But I see the point about being bossed about by people who never seen the outside world.
I have never been highly paid really, and the benefits of cheap accommodation and food are good, though the salary is poor yes.
I can not understand why they do not value experience, surely building missile seeker heads, parts for radar systems, electrics, engines is potentially useful?
Unless they just want weak minded people who cant think for themselves?
I am going to speak to the careers guys, but I think I already know the answer, and it will be no science GCSE no tech work. Which to me is incredibly narrow minded.
There are other roles I could apply for obviously, but the tech stuff appeals more in my mind due to that experience, unless they simply do not want that.
I have never been highly paid really, and the benefits of cheap accommodation and food are good, though the salary is poor yes.
I can not understand why they do not value experience, surely building missile seeker heads, parts for radar systems, electrics, engines is potentially useful?
Unless they just want weak minded people who cant think for themselves?
I am going to speak to the careers guys, but I think I already know the answer, and it will be no science GCSE no tech work. Which to me is incredibly narrow minded.
There are other roles I could apply for obviously, but the tech stuff appeals more in my mind due to that experience, unless they simply do not want that.
chunder27 said:
I have done college courses when I am the oldest, or older than tutors. But I see the point about being bossed about by people who never seen the outside world.
I have never been highly paid really, and the benefits of cheap accommodation and food are good, though the salary is poor yes.
I can not understand why they do not value experience, surely building missile seeker heads, parts for radar systems, electrics, engines is potentially useful?
Unless they just want weak minded people who cant think for themselves?
I am going to speak to the careers guys, but I think I already know the answer, and it will be no science GCSE no tech work. Which to me is incredibly narrow minded.
There are other roles I could apply for obviously, but the tech stuff appeals more in my mind due to that experience, unless they simply do not want that.
Please forgive me but:I have never been highly paid really, and the benefits of cheap accommodation and food are good, though the salary is poor yes.
I can not understand why they do not value experience, surely building missile seeker heads, parts for radar systems, electrics, engines is potentially useful?
Unless they just want weak minded people who cant think for themselves?
I am going to speak to the careers guys, but I think I already know the answer, and it will be no science GCSE no tech work. Which to me is incredibly narrow minded.
There are other roles I could apply for obviously, but the tech stuff appeals more in my mind due to that experience, unless they simply do not want that.
You don't have the qualifications yet say you're not interested in an officer role, no s
t, you won't get one. then go on to say you think because you used to work in an industry building missiles they should take that in to account.You find it attractive having cheap food and lodgings in your 40s rather than standing on your own two feet.
Have you considered prison?
chunder27 said:
I can not understand why they do not value experience, surely building missile seeker heads, parts for radar systems, electrics, engines is potentially useful?
Unless they just want weak minded people who cant think for themselves?
I am going to speak to the careers guys, but I think I already know the answer, and it will be no science GCSE no tech work. Which to me is incredibly narrow minded
. .
If you came into the careers office with that attitude I'd show you the door! Unless they just want weak minded people who cant think for themselves?
I am going to speak to the careers guys, but I think I already know the answer, and it will be no science GCSE no tech work. Which to me is incredibly narrow minded
. .
Of course they value experience but the gcse is a 'line in the sand ' that measures your academic ability and demonstrates your learning capability etc.... It shows you'll be ok with academic side of your course (don't know which specific trade you want to be? Aircraft tech? Computers? Radar? ). It's just a pre requisite filter.
If you really want the job then get the gcse sorted. Can easily be done in a couple of weeks at minimal cost..... Doing this at age 40 would demonstrate to me that you were deadly serious and really wanted the job.
Doing nothing and bleating about it says you aren't really that bothered.
Time is against you so move quickly if you really want it. What you gonna do?!
Edited by DuraAce on Saturday 1st December 00:27
chunder27 said:
I have done college courses when I am the oldest, or older than tutors. But I see the point about being bossed about by people who never seen the outside world.
I have never been highly paid really, and the benefits of cheap accommodation and food are good, though the salary is poor yes.
I can not understand why they do not value experience, surely building missile seeker heads, parts for radar systems, electrics, engines is potentially useful?
Unless they just want weak minded people who cant think for themselves?
I am going to speak to the careers guys, but I think I already know the answer, and it will be no science GCSE no tech work. Which to me is incredibly narrow minded.
There are other roles I could apply for obviously, but the tech stuff appeals more in my mind due to that experience, unless they simply do not want that.
TBH, if an SAC turning up in my office on his first day of work had that poor attitude, they’d be in for a long and tiresome three years.I have never been highly paid really, and the benefits of cheap accommodation and food are good, though the salary is poor yes.
I can not understand why they do not value experience, surely building missile seeker heads, parts for radar systems, electrics, engines is potentially useful?
Unless they just want weak minded people who cant think for themselves?
I am going to speak to the careers guys, but I think I already know the answer, and it will be no science GCSE no tech work. Which to me is incredibly narrow minded.
There are other roles I could apply for obviously, but the tech stuff appeals more in my mind due to that experience, unless they simply do not want that.
Weak minded people, who can’t think for themselves. Quite the opposite. It soon becomes apparent who will go far. It’s those that can think for themselves, not those that shy away and have decision made for them.
Take some advice from those that have been there and done it. Maybe the military isn’t for you.
Ex-AFCO here, although army rather than RAF.
To be brutally honest, from your posting history on here and general negativity you have none of the personal qualities and values that the forces are looking for. You would not be a good fit and I wouldn’t advise using your time to apply.
I joined at 18; I would imagine joining at 40 in any trade would be a huge culture shock and you would need high levels of resilience and motivation to get though phase one.
Maybe bring your experience to the reserves and see how that works.
To be brutally honest, from your posting history on here and general negativity you have none of the personal qualities and values that the forces are looking for. You would not be a good fit and I wouldn’t advise using your time to apply.
I joined at 18; I would imagine joining at 40 in any trade would be a huge culture shock and you would need high levels of resilience and motivation to get though phase one.
Maybe bring your experience to the reserves and see how that works.
In my experience of going through a military training experience one of the things the instructors/trainers etc will not want to hear is someone saying they have done it all before, or "when I learnt this we did it that way" I have seen this all go very wrong. You will just have to go right back to basics and accept it.
How good is your drill? left wheel right wheel ... aghh.
So, tell me why experience counts for nothing? Surely it means that applicant would be able to get up to speed, learn quicker, use that experience to guide others?
Do the services not look at experience like that? Is it simply, you know nothing until we have trained you?
I am not daft and realise applying at an older age is probably not likely, even to pass the entry thing.
I am presuming it is because the whole thing is geared for youth, who are easy to mould.
Some of the comments here are fairly sad though, very nasty. I get that my points were made forcibly, that is not real life, its online, two different things.
Just shows that some people tarnish you with a book, no matter the subject. Says more about you than me really. And also that forces people still think they are beyond criticism.
Do the services not look at experience like that? Is it simply, you know nothing until we have trained you?
I am not daft and realise applying at an older age is probably not likely, even to pass the entry thing.
I am presuming it is because the whole thing is geared for youth, who are easy to mould.
Some of the comments here are fairly sad though, very nasty. I get that my points were made forcibly, that is not real life, its online, two different things.
Just shows that some people tarnish you with a book, no matter the subject. Says more about you than me really. And also that forces people still think they are beyond criticism.
chunder27 said:
So, tell me why experience counts for nothing? Surely it means that applicant would be able to get up to speed, learn quicker, use that experience to guide others?
Do the services not look at experience like that? Is it simply, you know nothing until we have trained you?
I am not daft and realise applying at an older age is probably not likely, even to pass the entry thing.
I am presuming it is because the whole thing is geared for youth, who are easy to mould.
Some of the comments here are fairly sad though, very nasty. I get that my points were made forcibly, that is not real life, its online, two different things.
Just shows that some people tarnish you with a book, no matter the subject. Says more about you than me really. And also that forces people still think they are beyond criticism.
I can't be bothered multi quoting but you couldn't be more wrong. Do the services not look at experience like that? Is it simply, you know nothing until we have trained you?
I am not daft and realise applying at an older age is probably not likely, even to pass the entry thing.
I am presuming it is because the whole thing is geared for youth, who are easy to mould.
Some of the comments here are fairly sad though, very nasty. I get that my points were made forcibly, that is not real life, its online, two different things.
Just shows that some people tarnish you with a book, no matter the subject. Says more about you than me really. And also that forces people still think they are beyond criticism.
I'm not above criticism. I don't think anyone in this thread has said that have they?
Of course experience counts (to a point) but you need that gcse. It's as simple as that.
Like I tried to explain to you above its a simple bench mark of your academic ability. It's a proven record of your ability to take in information and learn etc.
It shows the raf that you'll be upto the academic side of whatever trade you choose.
If you want the job then you'll get the gcse sorted.
What have you done about it since starting this thread? £100 to the RAF benevolent fund says you've done nothing.....
Edited by DuraAce on Sunday 2nd December 13:11
I think you’ve rather proved our point; if you can’t hack direct, honest feedback by this medium, how will you hack being shouted at by a 23 year old NCO?
Have you got 25 years experience, or have you got 1 years experience repeated 25 times?
If you are too arrogant/blinkered to go out and score an instant win by obtaining a GCSE, evidencing motivation, compliance with rules, and understanding of why those rules are in place, are you the right bloke to follow procedures you don’t see the reasoning behind?
On here, you argue constantly and moan about topics ranging from the RAF, motorsport, and bikers. Would someone want to spend six months of 14 hour days working with you, and then sleeping behind HESCO with you? Would you integrate into a small team? Would you respond with humour and lead when your team has to go out and fix someone else’s mistake?
Honestly self-evaluate, don’t blame the forces for your perception of them, and then assess whether this is the right role for you.
As someone whose previous role when recovering from an injury was selecting and placing applicants, understanding why they were joining, and assessing their skills, qualities, and values, I am telling you honestly how I would have assessed you as an applicant. Up to you whether you use it.
Have you got 25 years experience, or have you got 1 years experience repeated 25 times?
If you are too arrogant/blinkered to go out and score an instant win by obtaining a GCSE, evidencing motivation, compliance with rules, and understanding of why those rules are in place, are you the right bloke to follow procedures you don’t see the reasoning behind?
On here, you argue constantly and moan about topics ranging from the RAF, motorsport, and bikers. Would someone want to spend six months of 14 hour days working with you, and then sleeping behind HESCO with you? Would you integrate into a small team? Would you respond with humour and lead when your team has to go out and fix someone else’s mistake?
Honestly self-evaluate, don’t blame the forces for your perception of them, and then assess whether this is the right role for you.
As someone whose previous role when recovering from an injury was selecting and placing applicants, understanding why they were joining, and assessing their skills, qualities, and values, I am telling you honestly how I would have assessed you as an applicant. Up to you whether you use it.
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