9yrs in the RAF.... now what?
Discussion
Police maybe? Your dog handling skills might get you a bit of a leg up over other applicants. Fire service might also be an obvious option?
You might consider something in Broadcast (I know of one or two companies that might be of interest). Ex Military guys seem to get on alright, as it's less of a culture shock than for people coming from either college/uni, or from a 9-5 mon-fri job. If you're of a technical bent, there are some broadcast facilities companies (basically live TV), where you might be able to get in as a rigger/driver, or as a trainee, although to be fair, many of them prefer people who've done a relevant course beforehand.
For Broadcast, PM me if it's something you want to know more about.
Otherwise, there's demand for people in the heady world of logistics, again, it's not 9-5, but is fast-paced, and if you're interested in vehicles, the transport divisions (rather than warehousing) might be worth looking at. If you're not tied to a location, that'll help.
You might consider something in Broadcast (I know of one or two companies that might be of interest). Ex Military guys seem to get on alright, as it's less of a culture shock than for people coming from either college/uni, or from a 9-5 mon-fri job. If you're of a technical bent, there are some broadcast facilities companies (basically live TV), where you might be able to get in as a rigger/driver, or as a trainee, although to be fair, many of them prefer people who've done a relevant course beforehand.
For Broadcast, PM me if it's something you want to know more about.
Otherwise, there's demand for people in the heady world of logistics, again, it's not 9-5, but is fast-paced, and if you're interested in vehicles, the transport divisions (rather than warehousing) might be worth looking at. If you're not tied to a location, that'll help.
karl922 said:
Hi guys, im coming upto 9 years in the Royal Air Force and im not liking the way things seem to be going (getting a tour every 18months with 6 months pre deployment before hand).
Basically what is out there for me?
I only have basic GCSE's couple of grade C's the rest D's, most of my qualifications ive gained in the RAF arent worth the paper they are writen on in the big bad world.
Im 26, currently an AES Arms Explosive Search Dog Handler (searching for IEDS, weapons etc in Afghanistan and all over the world). Now in Civvi street there isnt much of a market for this as you can imagine....
So if i get out, will i be stacking shelves in tesco? Im obviously interested in cars but im no mechanic, Am i destined for the dole or cheap factory labour?
Snap!, I'm in the same boat as you, 26 Also, I've been in the RN since i was 17, I've been over the world and have seen plenty. I know how you feel about 'the way things are going' its the same for us, Deploy for 6 months, then after some leave you find your doing a couple of weeks at sea here, then back the weekend, then off again, then pre-deployment training then deploy again... basically sBasically what is out there for me?
I only have basic GCSE's couple of grade C's the rest D's, most of my qualifications ive gained in the RAF arent worth the paper they are writen on in the big bad world.
Im 26, currently an AES Arms Explosive Search Dog Handler (searching for IEDS, weapons etc in Afghanistan and all over the world). Now in Civvi street there isnt much of a market for this as you can imagine....
So if i get out, will i be stacking shelves in tesco? Im obviously interested in cars but im no mechanic, Am i destined for the dole or cheap factory labour?
te. I've been looking around for jobs, they are out there, just this whole 12 month notice makes it hard to look for jobs,
http://www.cnc.police.uk/ what about the CNC? Could be more up your street
Good job neither of you are in the Army. I'm looking at transferring to the RN to get a rest 
In seriousness though, do the RAF Police not have any kind of resettlement service? My corps holds networking meetings twice a year to introduce leavers to prospective employers - really handy in steering people in the right direction with regards to qualifications etc.
With dog handling though you're in a very niché market; however I'm sure there are plenty of opportunities in law enforcement, security and search and rescue - it's just a case of finding out where they are.
In seriousness though, do the RAF Police not have any kind of resettlement service? My corps holds networking meetings twice a year to introduce leavers to prospective employers - really handy in steering people in the right direction with regards to qualifications etc.
With dog handling though you're in a very niché market; however I'm sure there are plenty of opportunities in law enforcement, security and search and rescue - it's just a case of finding out where they are.
MikeGTi said:
Good job neither of you are in the Army. I'm looking at transferring to the RN to get a rest
In seriousness though, do the RAF Police not have any kind of resettlement service? My corps holds networking meetings twice a year to introduce leavers to prospective employers - really handy in steering people in the right direction with regards to qualifications etc.
With dog handling though you're in a very niché market; however I'm sure there are plenty of opportunities in law enforcement, security and search and rescue - it's just a case of finding out where they are.
Haha, How many years have you done? In seriousness though, do the RAF Police not have any kind of resettlement service? My corps holds networking meetings twice a year to introduce leavers to prospective employers - really handy in steering people in the right direction with regards to qualifications etc.
With dog handling though you're in a very niché market; however I'm sure there are plenty of opportunities in law enforcement, security and search and rescue - it's just a case of finding out where they are.
I do know there are various recruitment fayres aimed at service leavers, along with the weekly Jobs available DIN that gets put out every Monday.
All I can offer is my own experience from 2008. I left the army after 22 years and thought "oh crap, banking crisis and recession, I'm screwed". However after a little digging about I became an Operations Manager in Motor Sport.
So my advice is don't be downhearted, don't listen to the doom and gloom spouted by the media and don't give up.
As an ex military man you have more marketable skills than you know (unless you are an admin case and oxygen thief).
Just get out there and impress them, a lot of your competition ain't that good and always remember you have done things that would kill a civvy!
Oh and having now recruited a few people I have also learnt that most people lie on their CV's like a NAAFI sell by date.
So my advice is don't be downhearted, don't listen to the doom and gloom spouted by the media and don't give up.
As an ex military man you have more marketable skills than you know (unless you are an admin case and oxygen thief).
Just get out there and impress them, a lot of your competition ain't that good and always remember you have done things that would kill a civvy!
Oh and having now recruited a few people I have also learnt that most people lie on their CV's like a NAAFI sell by date.
Ex Army here!Have a good think about what resettlement course to take, I did a two week Accounting and Marketing course when based in Ireland as I wanted to start a small business up (went STRAIGHT OVER MY HEAD so that idea got sacked pronto!!!) then got sent back to Battalion for my last 3 months before terminal leave, had a major flap now worrying about what I'm going to do so did what everyone does and got on a HGV course.....and failed
Got out and did a few crappy agency jobs for 6 months, came close to melt down a few times and even closer to decapitating some gobby t
t in a factory 
then decided to get into security, got a bank loan, paid for my CP course (£3.5k!) and have been in this game the last 7 years and have been lucky with work compared to a lot of friends. Not all rosy though, starting off can be a mare as your fresh to it and your right at the bottom of the pile (regardless of what unit you were in or rank....doesn't really mean a lot if you were a Private or Colour Sgt) so it takes a few small jobs to meet new mates before you get a break, its easier to get work abroad though on the hostile stuff but finding a decent UK CP job is very hard. Moneys also dropped a lot in the last couple years back here....I'm on half what I was compared to 4 years ago but works work. Still kicking myself for not doing the CP course for my resettlement but hey ho!
karl922 said:
Thanks for your ideas mate, to be honest id try my hand at anything really. I know most things will be a drop in money but youve got to start somewhere. Id like some more info on the broadcast side of things though?
Send me a PM, I'll never remember to keep checking this thread. I'll send you some info next week.karl922 said:
Some good suggestions cheers guys, I can do my Close Protection (CP) course while im still in due to my trade so i might look more into that and treat it as a freeby.
Offshore wouldnt bother me and ive heard money was fairly good also...
Can you get on the RMP Longmoor course before you get out? Saves using up your resettlement or shelling out a few grand on the course. Offshore wouldnt bother me and ive heard money was fairly good also...
Im sure someone told me the RAF Police have their own cp team? Even if you don't get on the teams it's well worth doing it just to get the course and its well regarded in the industry. I know a couple ex RMP longmoor guys/galls and they along with the SF guys always get snapped up for the better paid gigs, which is fair enough.
Some firms will only take Longmoor/SF guys........
You mentioned offshore work so how about Maritime Securiy? That's taken off in the last few years and can be a very good earner if you get in with a decent firm. You need a fair few courses here though to even get a look in, also worth doing a good medics course to give an edge over everyone else looking for work (been fancying it myself but haven't the spare cash for courses yet....spending on the car hasn't helped!)
Another one you might fancy is surveillance.
HTH dave
Hi Dave,
Yeah i can get on the CP course at longmoor pretty easily...passing it is another thing as my fitness isnt what it used to be but im not a million miles off. I suppose once ive got this and the SIA licence i could look into surveillance after that. But i always thought the market was flooded with this at the minute and getting work would be hard going.
Our career advisors are pretty pants when your getting out, ive already tried this route.
Does someone rich want me to look after their nice cars? I could happily do that ;-)
Yeah i can get on the CP course at longmoor pretty easily...passing it is another thing as my fitness isnt what it used to be but im not a million miles off. I suppose once ive got this and the SIA licence i could look into surveillance after that. But i always thought the market was flooded with this at the minute and getting work would be hard going.
Our career advisors are pretty pants when your getting out, ive already tried this route.
Does someone rich want me to look after their nice cars? I could happily do that ;-)
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