Applying for the RAF?

[Deluded]

I've got to a stage in my life where I feel I have got nowhere. I left school at 16 to go to college, I started college but dropped out to start work because I was an idiot (not that I knew at the time). Since this I have had some jobs I have enjoyed and some I haven't. All have been 9-5 dead end st with no prospects. I feel I have missed out on some chances I didnt take for one reason or another which might have furthered any career too.

I recently (make that 6 months ago) got made redundant and have failed completly to get another job. I haven't even had an interview. I have applied for job after job, all of which I have experience doing or jobs that require no experience, yet I either get no responce or just a "no" template. I am at my whitts end now and see no future prospects for myself doing what I have been doing since I left school.

I have always thought about applying for the Forces but always reconsidered due to not wanting to potentially leave my partner for months at a time etc. However, having chatted with her about it, she is fully for me applying, shes all excited about it, infact.

I have always had a keen interest in mechanics, electronics and engineering (Its what I started studying at college) and were planning to return to college this year to finish the course I started back when I left school. Unfortunatly, because of various things (paying rent on our house, for one), I can't afford to do it now, and when I can, I will be getting on for 27 years old. Now, I have seen a few positions on the RAF website I am very, very interested in applying for, one being an Aeronautical engineer.

My question for this thread is how "fit" will I need to be to pass the physical? I have gone through the sample questions for the aptitude tests and had no problem atall (I have always been good with patterns and non-verbal reasoning type questions) but fear I may fall down on the fitness and physical tests. #

What will I actually be required to do? I am healthy, with no diseases or health problems I know of, I am also reletivly fit. I'm a bit overweight though. I am doing alot more exercise than I used to though and would fully prepare for the test.

Also, what sort of questions are asked in the interview?

Are there any websites I can look at for more info ?

Edited by Deluded on Wednesday 9th September 23:05

Edited by Deluded on Wednesday 9th September 23:06

[GTIR]

I'm not entirely sure but I have afeeling you will need some exams, like A levels, before they consider you.

Entry level is high as school leavers are doing the same as you as the jobs Market is poo.

Good luck though.

[strudel]

1.5 miles in under 12mins would be a good start. Decent number of situps/pressups as well.

[Deluded]

The entry requirements are suprisingly low. Well, they expect proper passes on the key GCSEs (C or above) which I have (I passed all my GCSEs). Some, such as the officer positions, require higher education but the entry level courses just require GCSEs, all training is provided etc and you come out with a full qualification.

I understand that the entry levels will be high but this is why I want to make sure I am in the best position to be considered.

[Racefan_uk]

http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/applicationzone/airm...

HTH

[Taita]

Step 1 is get down the Careers Office (IN A SUIT AND HAVE A fkING SHAVE) and have a chat.

[okgo]

I have a friend who I could run rings around (when I was at school with him) he was quite fat. And he is now in the RAF, in his words the fitness tests were a joke.

Train like you plan to join the Para's for a few months and job's a good-un

My housemate is in training to join the marines, so if you want some training tips pm me, sure I can help!

[okgo]

Nappa said:

okgo said:

I have a friend who I could run rings around (when I was at school with him) he was quite fat. And he is now in the RAF, in his words the fitness tests were a joke.

Train like you plan to join the Para's for a few months and job's a good-un

My housemate is in training to join the marines, so if you want some training tips pm me, sure I can help!

He must have done a good bit of training before he joined then? Or is just quite fit anyway? I know he may be 'quite fat' but that doesn't mean he wouldn't be fit!
I certainly pissed it, but then I joined when I was 16 (bags of energy) and played rugby 3 times a week, and also did a lot of running before I joined, so I was really quite fit.

Well thinking back, he probably wasn't unfit, I was just very in shape. But I guess whatever he had was enough. He was 18 too.

[Deluded]

Thanks for the support guys.

I've filled out my application today and should hear from them in a few days.

Funnily enough, today I also heard back from a job I applied for and have an interview on Monday. I will still go. If I pass the initial fitness training I suppose I can pack it in.

[JJCW]

Getting in isn't a quick process, so having a job while you wait would be good

[okgo]

JJCW said:

Getting in isn't a quick process, so having a job while you wait would be good

Yes, as said housemate has found out. The process is probably going to be about 10 months.

[JJCW]

okgo said:

JJCW said:

Getting in isn't a quick process, so having a job while you wait would be good

Yes, as said housemate has found out. The process is probably going to be about 10 months.

It's a real stter if you don't get in too, as finding something (far) better might mean you get stuck in some sort of boring HR type role for a year, so i've heard.

[Deluded]

Well, fingers crossed this interview on Monday goes well then!

[JJCW]

Initial interview is fairly standard.

Just remember to not lie about anything, at all.

A few people at my OASC got caught out a bit for it.

[D_T_W]

Be honest and upfront about everything, and don't tell porkie pies as you will get found out.

Any time you go to the careers office, dress smartly. Be polite, well spoken, and do plenty of research in both the RAF and general news.

I was lucky and got offered a place on the officer candidate course within 2 weeks of my inital interview, but due to work commitments I couldn't manage it. I'm now down for a course in December

You will need to be fit, fitter than you are now. I was told that whilst the limit is 1.5 miles in under 12 minutes, they are expecting you to be able to do it in less than 10 mins. Remember, lots of people are applying, which means they can pick and choose who they want, and if the difference is who managed to run the distance in less than 10 minutes, would you not rather it was you than somebody else?

Other than that, good luck!!

[Taita]

The RAF fitness requirements are a joke. Sub 12 minutes is considered good!

Just get out doing the miles, and make sure you can get to Level 12 on the beep test, then get straight into max number of pressups / situps.

[Deluded]

Taita said:

The RAF fitness requirements are a joke. Sub 12 minutes is considered good!

Just get out doing the miles, and make sure you can get to Level 12 on the beep test, then get straight into max number of pressups / situps.

The entry requirements might be a "joke" but the ammount of training and fitness stuff they do daily isn't. At my current level, I think I would manage the 12 min thing but doubt I could cope with what goes on from day to day.

[okgo]

Deluded said:

Taita said:

The RAF fitness requirements are a joke. Sub 12 minutes is considered good!

Just get out doing the miles, and make sure you can get to Level 12 on the beep test, then get straight into max number of pressups / situps.

The entry requirements might be a "joke" but the ammount of training and fitness stuff they do daily isn't. At my current level, I think I would manage the 12 min thing but doubt I could cope with what goes on from day to day.

The RAF we talking about?

They don't do that much day to day compared with other forces, not even close. And this is from the mouth of my freind who is an aircraft engineer

[Dave-Jns]

this is really useful as i am 17, doing my A-levels (maths - A, Phys - C, D+T - A, applied business - B) and want to join the RAF as a weapons systems operator.

Realistically, what are my chances of getting in assuming i apply by the end of the year?

need to get fit though im not fat but im not fit. especially when it comes to running!

any advice would be much appreciated...

[Deluded]

okgo said:

Deluded said:

Taita said:

The RAF fitness requirements are a joke. Sub 12 minutes is considered good!

Just get out doing the miles, and make sure you can get to Level 12 on the beep test, then get straight into max number of pressups / situps.

The entry requirements might be a "joke" but the ammount of training and fitness stuff they do daily isn't. At my current level, I think I would manage the 12 min thing but doubt I could cope with what goes on from day to day.

The RAF we talking about?

They don't do that much day to day compared with other forces, not even close. And this is from the mouth of my freind who is an aircraft engineer

Just assumed that they would be all the same. There's a RAF base about 10 miles away from us, and my girlfriends friends all have either partners or friends from there, they all seem to be fitness freaks and always talk about the training that goes on.