Joining the RAF
Discussion
Hello folks,
Well I am not sure if anyone read my last thread (fired on the spot)? If not, I was a car salesman and got fired, long story short.
Now for a while I have been very interested in joining the RAF, but never had the "balls" to do it. Well seeing as there are absolutely no jobs around which interest me (that I have found). I don't want to just join the forces because there is nothing else to do, that is not the case. I would love to be an engineer, and as I have previously studied engineering at college, I would like to think this will be in favour towards me
Is there anyone in the RAF on this forum? If so, what do you make of it? And, well I would like to know the goings on behind the fancy website, adverts etc.
Previously to this, I have never had anything to do with H.M Forces, so it will be an experience.
Thanks a lot,
Vince
Well I am not sure if anyone read my last thread (fired on the spot)? If not, I was a car salesman and got fired, long story short.
Now for a while I have been very interested in joining the RAF, but never had the "balls" to do it. Well seeing as there are absolutely no jobs around which interest me (that I have found). I don't want to just join the forces because there is nothing else to do, that is not the case. I would love to be an engineer, and as I have previously studied engineering at college, I would like to think this will be in favour towards me
Is there anyone in the RAF on this forum? If so, what do you make of it? And, well I would like to know the goings on behind the fancy website, adverts etc.
Previously to this, I have never had anything to do with H.M Forces, so it will be an experience.
Thanks a lot,
Vince
Well I work in an AFCO as a recruiter so I may be able to help.
First of all, are you eligible to join?
Asthma. No asthma or any medication for asthma for at least 4 years.
Tattoos. No visible tattoos (hands, face, wrists or neck).
No unspent criminal convictions.
No major surgery or broken bones within the last year.
If its a yes for any of the above, its bad news I'm afraid.
Get yourself practising online the AST (Airman Selection Test),as its got quite a high failure rate, not as bad ad the Navy's mind. Must be 13 years of ejucashun ejucashun ejucashun I guess
Certain jobs need certain GCSEs or A levels so read up on what you need for your chosen job.
And last of all, turn up smart and early for any appointments and FFS pick up the phone if you can't make one!
HTH
First of all, are you eligible to join?
Asthma. No asthma or any medication for asthma for at least 4 years.
Tattoos. No visible tattoos (hands, face, wrists or neck).
No unspent criminal convictions.
No major surgery or broken bones within the last year.
If its a yes for any of the above, its bad news I'm afraid.
Get yourself practising online the AST (Airman Selection Test),as its got quite a high failure rate, not as bad ad the Navy's mind. Must be 13 years of ejucashun ejucashun ejucashun I guess
Certain jobs need certain GCSEs or A levels so read up on what you need for your chosen job.
And last of all, turn up smart and early for any appointments and FFS pick up the phone if you can't make one!
HTH
That would be a no to all of the above, phew!
I have just called the RAF Careers 0845 number, of which I am having loads of information sent too me via post. As for grades, I have been looking at the qualifications for each section and I am all ok. I did quite well at school, however I do stuggle with mental arithmetic (I got a C at GCSE). So I will definitely be seeking some extra lessons on that. I want to be the best I can.
How did you find the 9 weeks of basic training? What exactly do they teach you? (daft question?).
I have just called the RAF Careers 0845 number, of which I am having loads of information sent too me via post. As for grades, I have been looking at the qualifications for each section and I am all ok. I did quite well at school, however I do stuggle with mental arithmetic (I got a C at GCSE). So I will definitely be seeking some extra lessons on that. I want to be the best I can.
How did you find the 9 weeks of basic training? What exactly do they teach you? (daft question?).
iOversteer said:
That would be a no to all of the above, phew!
I have just called the RAF Careers 0845 number, of which I am having loads of information sent too me via post. As for grades, I have been looking at the qualifications for each section and I am all ok. I did quite well at school, however I do stuggle with mental arithmetic (I got a C at GCSE). So I will definitely be seeking some extra lessons on that. I want to be the best I can.
How did you find the 9 weeks of basic training? What exactly do they teach you? (daft question?).
Well, if RAF basic is anything like Navy basic training I have just called the RAF Careers 0845 number, of which I am having loads of information sent too me via post. As for grades, I have been looking at the qualifications for each section and I am all ok. I did quite well at school, however I do stuggle with mental arithmetic (I got a C at GCSE). So I will definitely be seeking some extra lessons on that. I want to be the best I can.
How did you find the 9 weeks of basic training? What exactly do they teach you? (daft question?).
, as long as you go in with an open mind and optimistic attitude, you should be fine. Some of the younger lads struggle as it might be their first time away from mam and dad, and its usually the older trainees who seem to just get on with it.Physically, you're doing PT every weekday at least, to bring your fitness up to a decent standard. You are taught rank structures, personal hygiene and administration (preparing and ironing kit etc), history of the RAF (not much to learn there
), basic military field skills and skill-at -arms, as well as, of course, drill.Thats about as much as I can help you with as my knowledge of RAF Halton is limited.
Anyway, good look shipmate!
V88Dicky said:
Tattoos. No visible tattoos (hands, face, wrists or neck).
This always makes me chuckle as I enlisted & served 15 years in the RAF despite having very visible tattoos on my hands. Obviously you're correct with what you say, (I think the rule was/is "none above the collar or below the wrists"), and it used to drive Discips nuts when they tried to fizz me for it with my reply of "but I had them when I joined up".I can only assume the recruiter was having a laugh when he signed me up
Buggles said:
I'm in the RAF, have been since I was 16. What is you want to know mate?
The long and short of it is, your experience in the RAF, can very much depend on whether you are a rupert, or not and very much what trade you sign up for.
Some trades you will only ever work in a small section of lads, (some trades seem to attract more nutters than others) and in other trades you will have a huge section, piss ups all the time e.t.c.
Travel is also very dependant on trade. If you are on a squadron, you will go where the jets go. If you are a Base Support Trade, the chances of you going away are much slimmer, generally. In this case, you will do your DWR or 4/6 month detachment once every 3 years ish.
It's not a job for life anymore, all the SAC's I work with are being refused there sign-on to 12 years and binned after 9. Many of the trades are also being civilianised/cut right back so promotion prospects are taking a hit.
AT and staff ride budgets are being bumped about as well, so you aren't going to get as many jollies as were once available.
That said, there are many, many things you CAN still do, I'm just not sure how long they are going to be around before they are pulled as a waste of money.
Well I have quite a few questions - The long and short of it is, your experience in the RAF, can very much depend on whether you are a rupert, or not and very much what trade you sign up for.
Some trades you will only ever work in a small section of lads, (some trades seem to attract more nutters than others) and in other trades you will have a huge section, piss ups all the time e.t.c.
Travel is also very dependant on trade. If you are on a squadron, you will go where the jets go. If you are a Base Support Trade, the chances of you going away are much slimmer, generally. In this case, you will do your DWR or 4/6 month detachment once every 3 years ish.
It's not a job for life anymore, all the SAC's I work with are being refused there sign-on to 12 years and binned after 9. Many of the trades are also being civilianised/cut right back so promotion prospects are taking a hit.
AT and staff ride budgets are being bumped about as well, so you aren't going to get as many jollies as were once available.
That said, there are many, many things you CAN still do, I'm just not sure how long they are going to be around before they are pulled as a waste of money.
As an engineer, would I be posted where ever I was needed?
After the basic training, do you get a choice to where you will be posted?
Daft but PH question, can you keep a car on base? I am guessing so
What would you say is the most exciting role in the RAF?
You mention that the RAF is no longer a role for life, is that because of the cut backs?
On topic of cut backs, would this effect the engineering role?
When you sign on, what are the options?
As for traveling, do you just go to bases? Or do you get out and meet people, experience the culture etc?
I think that will do for now
iOversteer said:
Hello folks,
Well I am not sure if anyone read my last thread (fired on the spot)? If not, I was a car salesman and got fired, long story short.
Now for a while I have been very interested in joining the RAF, but never had the "balls" to do it. Well seeing as there are absolutely no jobs around which interest me (that I have found). I don't want to just join the forces because there is nothing else to do, that is not the case. I would love to be an engineer, and as I have previously studied engineering at college, I would like to think this will be in favour towards me
Is there anyone in the RAF on this forum? If so, what do you make of it? And, well I would like to know the goings on behind the fancy website, adverts etc.
Previously to this, I have never had anything to do with H.M Forces, so it will be an experience.
Thanks a lot,
Vince
DO IT - DO IT - DO ITWell I am not sure if anyone read my last thread (fired on the spot)? If not, I was a car salesman and got fired, long story short.
Now for a while I have been very interested in joining the RAF, but never had the "balls" to do it. Well seeing as there are absolutely no jobs around which interest me (that I have found). I don't want to just join the forces because there is nothing else to do, that is not the case. I would love to be an engineer, and as I have previously studied engineering at college, I would like to think this will be in favour towards me
Is there anyone in the RAF on this forum? If so, what do you make of it? And, well I would like to know the goings on behind the fancy website, adverts etc.
Previously to this, I have never had anything to do with H.M Forces, so it will be an experience.
Thanks a lot,
Vince
I passed all selection exams back in 1979 and elected to train as an accountant. The one decision in my life I have always regretted (and I think I've had a pretty good life)!!
nevgroom said:
DO IT - DO IT - DO IT
I passed all selection exams back in 1979 and elected to train as an accountant. The one decision in my life I have always regretted (and I think I've had a pretty good life)!!
Have you been in the RAF for 32 years? If so I passed all selection exams back in 1979 and elected to train as an accountant. The one decision in my life I have always regretted (and I think I've had a pretty good life)!!
that is pretty amazing. So many people have said "do it" and I am really getting to that point of just going for it.
My dad wants me to become an officer, so another question.. Officer training, what is involved? Do you get much respect from the other guys, as you have jumped the gun (so to speak)?
iOversteer said:
Have you been in the RAF for 32 years? If so that is pretty amazing.
So many people have said "do it" and I am really getting to that point of just going for it.
My dad wants me to become an officer, so another question.. Officer training, what is involved? Do you get much respect from the other guys, as you have jumped the gun (so to speak)?
Errr no - Not in RAF - Elected to train as an accountant instead (hence a decision I regretted. I wanted to be in RAF since the age of 4/5. Did all the stuff through cadets, passed exams at Biggin and then went and chose a career as an accountant for a large IT company (Duh!). that is pretty amazing. So many people have said "do it" and I am really getting to that point of just going for it.
My dad wants me to become an officer, so another question.. Officer training, what is involved? Do you get much respect from the other guys, as you have jumped the gun (so to speak)?
nevgroom said:
Errr no - Not in RAF - Elected to train as an accountant instead (hence a decision I regretted. I wanted to be in RAF since the age of 4/5. Did all the stuff through cadets, passed exams at Biggin and then went and chose a career as an accountant for a large IT company (Duh!).
I thought you meant that you trained to be an accountant in the RAF, after passing your exams. My mistake.As for the exams, I am sure they have changed slightly. But what did they involve?
iOversteer said:
Do you get much respect from the other guys, as you have jumped the gun (so to speak)?
Depends if you are a good officer or not, respect is earnt, not free.You will not have jumped the gun in anyway, most officers start as officers. There is also an underlying attitude between those that joined looking down on those that came up through th e ranks.
However the rankers usually hold more respect the officer that was 'once one of them'.
There are good officers and bad, just as in all walks of life.
iOversteer said:
Well I have quite a few questions -
As an engineer, would I be posted where ever I was needed? Yes, to any of the flying stations
After the basic training, do you get a choice to where you will be posted? You get a choice but no guarantee. I've always got my choices so far
Daft but PH question, can you keep a car on base? I am guessing so yes
What would you say is the most exciting role in the RAF? Pilot, not easy and not much recruitment at the moment. Strict age/quals/health criteria etc
You mention that the RAF is no longer a role for life, is that because of the cut backs? You can make it a job for life, if you want to. I'm on for 22 years and I love it
On topic of cut backs, would this effect the engineering role? Yes, to a point. New aircraft are being introduced though, A400, KC10 etc so new people will always be required
When you sign on, what are the options? Airman is 9 years, then opportunity for 12,15,22+ depending on RAF requirements and your promotion. Officer - different depending on your trade/commision
As for traveling, do you just go to bases? Or do you get out and meet people, experience the culture etc? depends on your job and aircraft platform, I've been 'outside the wire' a few times in Afghanistan and Iraq. On dets to non-hostile areas then there plenty of chances to get out and about
I think that will do for now
As an engineer, would I be posted where ever I was needed? Yes, to any of the flying stations
After the basic training, do you get a choice to where you will be posted? You get a choice but no guarantee. I've always got my choices so far
Daft but PH question, can you keep a car on base? I am guessing so yes
What would you say is the most exciting role in the RAF? Pilot, not easy and not much recruitment at the moment. Strict age/quals/health criteria etc
You mention that the RAF is no longer a role for life, is that because of the cut backs? You can make it a job for life, if you want to. I'm on for 22 years and I love it
On topic of cut backs, would this effect the engineering role? Yes, to a point. New aircraft are being introduced though, A400, KC10 etc so new people will always be required
When you sign on, what are the options? Airman is 9 years, then opportunity for 12,15,22+ depending on RAF requirements and your promotion. Officer - different depending on your trade/commision
As for traveling, do you just go to bases? Or do you get out and meet people, experience the culture etc? depends on your job and aircraft platform, I've been 'outside the wire' a few times in Afghanistan and Iraq. On dets to non-hostile areas then there plenty of chances to get out and about
I think that will do for now
I know it's not exactly what you want to apply for, but I finished basic training for the RAF Regiment in July, been on my Squadron for about 6 months now.
I'm only an airman not an officer, but I went through the recruitment process fairly recently so should be able to help you out a bit with that side of things.
Any questions, just ask.
I'm only an airman not an officer, but I went through the recruitment process fairly recently so should be able to help you out a bit with that side of things.
Any questions, just ask.
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