Is It a Good Life in The Services?
Discussion
Rather than hijack the aircraft engineer thread, i thought I would as the question here.
I said WTTE
"When you are in, you can't leave until your time is up, and you have to go where you are told to go".
One contributor says-
"Well you do sign up knowing that's the case and they tell you that when you join up. It's not for everyone but people join up to go away and see the world. I've never had any dramas except maybe not going away enough and I've had plenty of warning when I do. With no active conflict they actually struggle to recruit new people.
After the 3 year point you have to do a years notice to leave taking you upto 4 years. Crap but gives you time to get your life sorted and actually comes round pretty quickly.
When I say benefits I mean the subsidised housing, at least a week off for free Adventure training a year, free or heavily subsidised sports qualifications, time off for sports and free transport, the non contributory pension, get you home pay, 6 weeks leave a year, LSA pay and free food when you go away, retention incentives, free gym and sports facilities, time off during the working day for PT, getting paid to do professional qualifications, professional body fees reimbursed, passport costs reimbursed, driving qualifications, allowances for further education, resettlement courses etc etc".
I would say, in summary, if it's such a good life why are they struggling for recruits?
I said WTTE
"When you are in, you can't leave until your time is up, and you have to go where you are told to go".
One contributor says-
"Well you do sign up knowing that's the case and they tell you that when you join up. It's not for everyone but people join up to go away and see the world. I've never had any dramas except maybe not going away enough and I've had plenty of warning when I do. With no active conflict they actually struggle to recruit new people.
After the 3 year point you have to do a years notice to leave taking you upto 4 years. Crap but gives you time to get your life sorted and actually comes round pretty quickly.
When I say benefits I mean the subsidised housing, at least a week off for free Adventure training a year, free or heavily subsidised sports qualifications, time off for sports and free transport, the non contributory pension, get you home pay, 6 weeks leave a year, LSA pay and free food when you go away, retention incentives, free gym and sports facilities, time off during the working day for PT, getting paid to do professional qualifications, professional body fees reimbursed, passport costs reimbursed, driving qualifications, allowances for further education, resettlement courses etc etc".
I would say, in summary, if it's such a good life why are they struggling for recruits?
The Army needs to look hard at retention, not just recruitment....
Quite agree
https://wavellroom.com/2019/05/07/the-army-needs-t...
Quite agree
https://wavellroom.com/2019/05/07/the-army-needs-t...
It's a good life, but it only suits a certain number of people.
I joined at 16 (RN) and there were only a few points at which you could leave, before committing to a certain length of service. Minimum for my branch was 8 years!
You've got to have a good work ethic and be able to take a lot of crap. There are some terrific upsides though. Your life is like a bunch of stag weekends abroad punctuated with intense periods of work.
When you take leave it's actually to spend a bit of time being a normal human being
I joined at 16 (RN) and there were only a few points at which you could leave, before committing to a certain length of service. Minimum for my branch was 8 years!
You've got to have a good work ethic and be able to take a lot of crap. There are some terrific upsides though. Your life is like a bunch of stag weekends abroad punctuated with intense periods of work.
When you take leave it's actually to spend a bit of time being a normal human being
The Mad Monk said:
Rather than hijack the aircraft engineer thread, i thought I would as the question here...
...I would say, in summary, if it's such a good life why are they struggling for recruits?
For every 'Frank' skiing for free for two weeks in the Austrian Tyrol from an MOD owned lodge, or skydiving in Florida, or diving off Cyprus, there are hundreds of Herberts either sitting around with their thumbs up their arses, or doing menial tasks just to maintain an appearance of being busy....I would say, in summary, if it's such a good life why are they struggling for recruits?
And neither scenario is a true, complete reflection of life in the forces. I've been abroad, I've had my share of sport, I've done exciting and interesting things at work. I got given the keys to some very impressive vehicles and let loose to "play" with them. I also spent plenty of Friday mornings sweeping the tank park in the hope that the OC might be inclined to give us an early knock-off. And in the army, both "hurry up and wait" and "on the wagon, off the wagon" are sports played at the highest professional standard.
Commitment is an issue for some. And you do have to sign away a lot of freedoms you take for granted outside. You can't sign off, for instance, if you've been warned off for active service. And for the 'Gucci' courses that give you decent civilian qualifications, in most cases you'll pay for those with a minimum period of further service.
I was in for 25 years as an 'other rank'. Both my boys are physically fit enough, and easily intelligent enough to have gone to Sandhurst. Neither one of them felt the services were for them, though. Neither as an officer, nor as an NCO. Some people just don't suit the lifestyle is all. And Covid-19 aside, life in recent years has been good in general. Military recruitment climbs with unemployment, or at least it did when I joined. No jobs, no prospects, and "people like me" just didn't get signposted toward university back then. So I joined up to escape an overcrowded council house and a life on the dole while working cash-in-hand for buttons on the side. My dad said I wouldn't last beyond the first 8 weeks, but I stayed for 25 years and only left because the army withdrew a 2-year at a time extension scheme. I'd have stayed in if I could. The extension scheme was withdrawn in order to "streamline" the army for one of their periodic "restructuring" exercises. It probably won't surprise many to learn that my specialism is still undermanned. Engineer Resources Specialist (logistics) isn't very "sexy" as a trade, really...
DuraAce said:
Lack of current war fighting opportunities really hits recruitment, in particular for the army.
Start another Afghanistan and they'll be queuing up to join!
Now that there's a recession on they'll also probably see an uplift in people joining up. Start another Afghanistan and they'll be queuing up to join!
The forces are still trying to shake off the stigma of being non inclusive which puts some people off. Its still mostly white blokes but slowly others are coming through. I was initially put off when I was 17-23 by the Marines "99.9% need not apply" adverts and I'm told that it did put loads of people off. I had mates who had done it so decided to give it a go myself before I was too old.
The benefits I listed exist but even now they are not communicated effectively if at all to those joining or those still serving. I certainly wasnt told about them at the AFCO and it's difficult finding certain information or "the gen" out.
I started getting a bit bored and wanted to leave but realised I wasn't really making the most of the opportunities. 2018-19 I kicked the arse out of cycling and had about 3 weeks off on top of my annual leave and it cost me about £70 in total to do 8 races around the UK and a week long MIAS MTB leadership course in Germany. If Covid wasn't about I'd have done the same this year and also my RYA or kayak quals. It gave me a fresh outlook on things and I transfered to the RN where I currently intend to do the full potential 20 extra years they've given me.
There are hard times but if you pick the right trade in the right branch it can be cheers easy. Others admittedly are busier and have to work in worse conditions. When I was a young Marine I saw it as me having a grand a month disposable income to run 6 miles or a circuit most mornings, xbox 0930-1330 and lectures in the afternoon otherwise more xbox until they'd thin us out at 1600.
Now and again we'd have to go on exercise but I wouldn't be spending money, if it was sunny end up with an awesome tan and ultimately I joined up because I didn't want a desk job. Same when I went to Afghanistan but we had an interesting role with a decent amount of downtime instead of the FOB routine.
Your description of the benefits is possibly the most optimistic interpretation of them.
It varies massively by what you want to do in the services, but just to cast an alternative view.
Subsidised accommodation - managed by amey, notoriously bad at maintenance,stories like 3 months without hot water or having plugs cut off appliances to prevent cooking in accommodation are not uncommon.
Subsidised food - the budget per meal is less than that of people in prison. Say no more
Subsidised sport / at - this is actually pretty good, but bear in mind it's not leave and you can't /won't just put your feet up for a day if you feel like it.
Leave entitlement - less freedom in when you book it than elsewhere, and notoriously difficult to actually book and get approved. Imagine doctors receptionists but worse
It varies massively by what you want to do in the services, but just to cast an alternative view.
Subsidised accommodation - managed by amey, notoriously bad at maintenance,stories like 3 months without hot water or having plugs cut off appliances to prevent cooking in accommodation are not uncommon.
Subsidised food - the budget per meal is less than that of people in prison. Say no more
Subsidised sport / at - this is actually pretty good, but bear in mind it's not leave and you can't /won't just put your feet up for a day if you feel like it.
Leave entitlement - less freedom in when you book it than elsewhere, and notoriously difficult to actually book and get approved. Imagine doctors receptionists but worse
It can be a good life, depends on your expectations, aspirations and personal circumstances I guess.
I was in the Army for six years, from the age of 17. A tiny career relatively speaking, but one anyone who joins will go through. Accommodation was decent (for my regiment at least) the training was good, and I gained NVQ's to make up for the GCSE's I screwed up at school, and I learned discipline and basically became a much better and friendlier person. The work was often hard but, interesting and fun, and the rest of the time was spent on the lash with the other guys, in the various cities I was in around the UK, sometimes abroad too. The pay was fairly good really for a previously unskilled young adult I think. Toured Afghanistan front line in 2009, hard graft, lost some mates, but we were issued the very best kit, and had brilliant leadership from troop, squadron and regimental level.
All of this was as a single lad, and if youd asked me then, I'd have told you the Army was an awesome place, I loved everyone and I'd never leave.
When I returned from Afghanistan I met a girl, had a kid with her and got married. I then found the Army, somewhere I'd previously loved become tiresome, frustrating and generally a pretty crap place to be. New NCO's and Officers were running the Squadron, and new directions army wide meant anything that wasnt directly training was mostly gotten rid of. Everything changed and it became a royal pain in the arse getting the energy for another day of rubbish. The friendships I had were still good, and the work was still okay, but trying to have a life that didnt fully revolve around the Army was nearly impossible. Examples such as being told last minute on a Friday that I was off to the back end of nowhere for a week, screwing up all plans, only to be told to "f
k off and wind your neck in" for suggesting they send my mate instead who'd volunteered to go in my place, and knowing they did so only because I'd dared to politely request otherwise, were fairly regular.
By this point I was 22, and basically I'd had enough of the instability, so after a particularly trying week including being threatened to be 'banged out' by some pissed up SGT, having to service a Challenger 2 myself because the Corprals who's job it was were off for tea and toast, and the wife threatening to leave, I handed my notice in. 9 months later I was out, but not before the wife really did leave, to put some icing on the cake.
I was told I'd not find another job, civvy life was rubbish, etc etc, but within a year of leaving I was working solid Job earning twice the wage. Dont get me wrong, I loved the Army, and wouldn't change my decision to join, as it gave me a great opportunity and work ethic, with some amazing memories, but any applicant really needs to do some research and see if it's for them.
Slight rant, but that's my experience
I was in the Army for six years, from the age of 17. A tiny career relatively speaking, but one anyone who joins will go through. Accommodation was decent (for my regiment at least) the training was good, and I gained NVQ's to make up for the GCSE's I screwed up at school, and I learned discipline and basically became a much better and friendlier person. The work was often hard but, interesting and fun, and the rest of the time was spent on the lash with the other guys, in the various cities I was in around the UK, sometimes abroad too. The pay was fairly good really for a previously unskilled young adult I think. Toured Afghanistan front line in 2009, hard graft, lost some mates, but we were issued the very best kit, and had brilliant leadership from troop, squadron and regimental level.
All of this was as a single lad, and if youd asked me then, I'd have told you the Army was an awesome place, I loved everyone and I'd never leave.
When I returned from Afghanistan I met a girl, had a kid with her and got married. I then found the Army, somewhere I'd previously loved become tiresome, frustrating and generally a pretty crap place to be. New NCO's and Officers were running the Squadron, and new directions army wide meant anything that wasnt directly training was mostly gotten rid of. Everything changed and it became a royal pain in the arse getting the energy for another day of rubbish. The friendships I had were still good, and the work was still okay, but trying to have a life that didnt fully revolve around the Army was nearly impossible. Examples such as being told last minute on a Friday that I was off to the back end of nowhere for a week, screwing up all plans, only to be told to "f
k off and wind your neck in" for suggesting they send my mate instead who'd volunteered to go in my place, and knowing they did so only because I'd dared to politely request otherwise, were fairly regular. By this point I was 22, and basically I'd had enough of the instability, so after a particularly trying week including being threatened to be 'banged out' by some pissed up SGT, having to service a Challenger 2 myself because the Corprals who's job it was were off for tea and toast, and the wife threatening to leave, I handed my notice in. 9 months later I was out, but not before the wife really did leave, to put some icing on the cake.
I was told I'd not find another job, civvy life was rubbish, etc etc, but within a year of leaving I was working solid Job earning twice the wage. Dont get me wrong, I loved the Army, and wouldn't change my decision to join, as it gave me a great opportunity and work ethic, with some amazing memories, but any applicant really needs to do some research and see if it's for them.
Slight rant, but that's my experience
Edited by Pebbles167 on Wednesday 19th August 18:02
The ‘struggle’ for recruits in the military also has much to do with the high standards required. Many who attempt to join actually either fail during selection or get turned down even before they start; the eligibility criterion rule many, many folk out.
If after all that you feel you are eligible, you could do it and would enjoy doing it, then there’s opportunities aplenty.
If after all that you feel you are eligible, you could do it and would enjoy doing it, then there’s opportunities aplenty.
It's something I regret not doing.
Started the process for Royal Military Police. Lost six stone. Started running. Got my time down to under ten minutes for 1.5 miles.
Passed my BARB test or whatever its called. Retook my English GCSE to be able to apply for RMP.
Then met a girl...
I'm 30 now...so although not too old by any means, six years of being a delivery driver and being a carer for my brother for 22 years my back is fked. Caused me problems when joining the police so no chance of getting in with the army now.
I didn't consider the Navy Reserves. But back problems and family life meant it wasn't to be.
Plus I hate early mornings!
Started the process for Royal Military Police. Lost six stone. Started running. Got my time down to under ten minutes for 1.5 miles.
Passed my BARB test or whatever its called. Retook my English GCSE to be able to apply for RMP.
Then met a girl...
I'm 30 now...so although not too old by any means, six years of being a delivery driver and being a carer for my brother for 22 years my back is f
ked. Caused me problems when joining the police so no chance of getting in with the army now. I didn't consider the Navy Reserves. But back problems and family life meant it wasn't to be.
Plus I hate early mornings!
Whilst no substitute for a Regular Army, the reserves are a good place for those that don't want to sign-up to some of the more menial aspects of military life.
I think it's certainly an option for those with professional careers and limited family commitments, and those with trades that have a degree of flexibility about their work commitments.
I declined the path of reserve officer several times, it's a lot of training and yet you're still not trained for a particular role. I'd always recommend going in as a private soldier, and enjoy the great variety of people you will work alongside that otherwise you wouldn't cross paths with.
ETA you can still do skiing and AT with reserves and paid to play rugby.
I think it's certainly an option for those with professional careers and limited family commitments, and those with trades that have a degree of flexibility about their work commitments.
I declined the path of reserve officer several times, it's a lot of training and yet you're still not trained for a particular role. I'd always recommend going in as a private soldier, and enjoy the great variety of people you will work alongside that otherwise you wouldn't cross paths with.
ETA you can still do skiing and AT with reserves and paid to play rugby.
Edited by Evanivitch on Thursday 20th August 08:15
I’ve been in the RAF for 17 years as an aircraft techie.
In that time I’ve been 2nd line In an equipment bay, servicing and repairing stuff that the guys on squadrons remove from the aircraft.
I’ve done two stints on fast jet sqns servicing and repairing them, as an SAC(T), a Cpl (same squadron...promoted in post) and later a Sgt on a different Sqn.
I’ve done 2.5 years as an instructor, teaching people the job I previously did on those sqns.
When Tornado was retired I needed to find something else to do, so I applied for a move to a Sqn that requires me to have a civilian part 66 maintenance licence. I’m currently in the process of getting the licence, and will return to the Sqn for 3 years once I’ve got it.
I’ll be leaving with a pension at my 22 year point, at the age of 45.
Every job move I’ve had has been engineered by me. I spent too long in my first role waiting for promotion, so I approached my management and asked to be moved, which they agreed to.
The move to instructing came about because my line manager had moved there and I saw an opportunity to move there and stay at the same camp.
The second move to a Sqn was similar. The maintenance school was closing, so I approached the people responsible for manning about a job I knew was available on another Tornado Sqn.
The only move that’s really been forced on me was my current job, but even then I managed to get out of a posting to a job I really didn’t want by applying for the job I’m currently in. A healthy upside to that was the licence that should set me up for when I leave.
In those years I’ve been to college on day release to do an HNC. I could have carried on and done the HND, but it didn’t really work for me.
I’ve been on ski trips to Colorado and MTB/Kayaking expeditions. I’ve spent Wednesday afternoons cycling. I’ve had a half/ full day off every week for two years to play golf for the station. I can go to the free gym every day.
I’ve traveled to Vegas twice, Dubai, Italy, Qatar, Gibraltar, Afghanistan, Cyprus 4 times. Probably some others that I’m forgetting. Some of it was crap, but it beats sitting behind a desk writing contract tenders for commercial waste collections like my mate does.
The forceS aren’t for everyone. Sometimes you’ll be forced to take a big bite of a sh*t sandwich, and you won’t like it. My first trip to Vegas I got home Exhausted after 5 or 6 weeks away. A few days later, Gaddafi decided to start going mental and I was off to Italy for an indeterminate amount of time. I was there for 3 months.
While I was in Afghanistan, ISIS went crazy and before we even got home, we were told we were off the Cyprus when we got back. We did over 4 months in Afghan, home for 6 weeks, then 3 months in Cyprus.
It’s been hard at times, but in 5 years I’ll be leaving well qualified, with years of management experience under my belt and a st load of memories from my time. I’m not the sort to have that many friends, but I’ve got some really great mates who I’d trust with my life.
The accommodation CAN be crap. Some of it is good though. Most camps have new accommodation blocks for single lads. Married quarters can be really sketchy, but some are brand new houses that the MOD buy up.
I moved off camp after the first 16 months in my first post, and have owned my own place since 2009. There are plenty of married couples in cheap married quarters who have £80k of cars on their drive and then leave the RAF without a house deposit. I’ve been on the ladder for 11 years.
The food is crap, but it’s all pay as you dine now. Plenty of lads just feed themselves properly like anyone else. If you live in your own place, that’s not an issue.
If you can take orders, accept that sometimes things are out of your control, grin and bear it when you’re taking a big bite of the aforementioned sandwich and are prepared to graft (sometimes harder than you thought possible), it can be a great career. Promotion prospects are generally decent, but can be very trade dependent.
Alternatively, if you want to learn a trade, you can join for a few years, get paid reasonably well after the initial training, maybe get some qualifications and then leave. There will be a year or so notice period, but people use that to plan their lives. Plenty of lads do that and most of them that I know have landed decent jobs.
The engineering trades are where it’s at money wise. They get paid more, and generally speaking the prospects are greater when you leave. If you’re smart enough and can get the qualifications, you can also apply for officer selection later on. I know loads that have done that and it can be a lucrative career, with a great pension to fall back on.
There’s things I hate about it, but it’s been a good move for me.
If you’re not single, then it helps to have an understanding partner/spouse who isn’t going to freak out every time you leave the country.
In that time I’ve been 2nd line In an equipment bay, servicing and repairing stuff that the guys on squadrons remove from the aircraft.
I’ve done two stints on fast jet sqns servicing and repairing them, as an SAC(T), a Cpl (same squadron...promoted in post) and later a Sgt on a different Sqn.
I’ve done 2.5 years as an instructor, teaching people the job I previously did on those sqns.
When Tornado was retired I needed to find something else to do, so I applied for a move to a Sqn that requires me to have a civilian part 66 maintenance licence. I’m currently in the process of getting the licence, and will return to the Sqn for 3 years once I’ve got it.
I’ll be leaving with a pension at my 22 year point, at the age of 45.
Every job move I’ve had has been engineered by me. I spent too long in my first role waiting for promotion, so I approached my management and asked to be moved, which they agreed to.
The move to instructing came about because my line manager had moved there and I saw an opportunity to move there and stay at the same camp.
The second move to a Sqn was similar. The maintenance school was closing, so I approached the people responsible for manning about a job I knew was available on another Tornado Sqn.
The only move that’s really been forced on me was my current job, but even then I managed to get out of a posting to a job I really didn’t want by applying for the job I’m currently in. A healthy upside to that was the licence that should set me up for when I leave.
In those years I’ve been to college on day release to do an HNC. I could have carried on and done the HND, but it didn’t really work for me.
I’ve been on ski trips to Colorado and MTB/Kayaking expeditions. I’ve spent Wednesday afternoons cycling. I’ve had a half/ full day off every week for two years to play golf for the station. I can go to the free gym every day.
I’ve traveled to Vegas twice, Dubai, Italy, Qatar, Gibraltar, Afghanistan, Cyprus 4 times. Probably some others that I’m forgetting. Some of it was crap, but it beats sitting behind a desk writing contract tenders for commercial waste collections like my mate does.
The forceS aren’t for everyone. Sometimes you’ll be forced to take a big bite of a sh*t sandwich, and you won’t like it. My first trip to Vegas I got home Exhausted after 5 or 6 weeks away. A few days later, Gaddafi decided to start going mental and I was off to Italy for an indeterminate amount of time. I was there for 3 months.
While I was in Afghanistan, ISIS went crazy and before we even got home, we were told we were off the Cyprus when we got back. We did over 4 months in Afghan, home for 6 weeks, then 3 months in Cyprus.
It’s been hard at times, but in 5 years I’ll be leaving well qualified, with years of management experience under my belt and a s
t load of memories from my time. I’m not the sort to have that many friends, but I’ve got some really great mates who I’d trust with my life. The accommodation CAN be crap. Some of it is good though. Most camps have new accommodation blocks for single lads. Married quarters can be really sketchy, but some are brand new houses that the MOD buy up.
I moved off camp after the first 16 months in my first post, and have owned my own place since 2009. There are plenty of married couples in cheap married quarters who have £80k of cars on their drive and then leave the RAF without a house deposit. I’ve been on the ladder for 11 years.
The food is crap, but it’s all pay as you dine now. Plenty of lads just feed themselves properly like anyone else. If you live in your own place, that’s not an issue.
If you can take orders, accept that sometimes things are out of your control, grin and bear it when you’re taking a big bite of the aforementioned sandwich and are prepared to graft (sometimes harder than you thought possible), it can be a great career. Promotion prospects are generally decent, but can be very trade dependent.
Alternatively, if you want to learn a trade, you can join for a few years, get paid reasonably well after the initial training, maybe get some qualifications and then leave. There will be a year or so notice period, but people use that to plan their lives. Plenty of lads do that and most of them that I know have landed decent jobs.
The engineering trades are where it’s at money wise. They get paid more, and generally speaking the prospects are greater when you leave. If you’re smart enough and can get the qualifications, you can also apply for officer selection later on. I know loads that have done that and it can be a lucrative career, with a great pension to fall back on.
There’s things I hate about it, but it’s been a good move for me.
If you’re not single, then it helps to have an understanding partner/spouse who isn’t going to freak out every time you leave the country.
Edited by HaplessBoyLard on Thursday 3rd September 15:58
HaplessBoyLard said:
I’ve been in the RAF for 17 years as an aircraft techie.
Your career path sounds very similar to a close friend of mine.Edited by HaplessBoyLard on Thursday 3rd September 15:58
He has been working in the Middle East for a while now as a Contractor. I'm led to believe the money is very good and all living expenses paid. However (according to him) not may ex-RAF can stick it due to "cultural differences" (ie wanting to kick 7 bells out of the people he's meant to be training).
I wish I had done it years ago as a tech, would have seen the retirement of many planes and possibly been involved in a couple of wars.
Was never really keen on being bossed about, so might not have got on, but as it happens I have been single all my life so might have been made for it, and the rewards though not great, are better in later life, which are things I certainly have missed out on now.
Was never really keen on being bossed about, so might not have got on, but as it happens I have been single all my life so might have been made for it, and the rewards though not great, are better in later life, which are things I certainly have missed out on now.
Countdown said:
Your career path sounds very similar to a close friend of mine.
He has been working in the Middle East for a while now as a Contractor. I'm led to believe the money is very good and all living expenses paid. However (according to him) not may ex-RAF can stick it due to "cultural differences" (ie wanting to kick 7 bells out of the people he's meant to be training).
Saudis, I assume? I haven’t worked directly with them, but we did see a lot of them being trained in the UK when I was going through trade training years ago. They were difficult, to say the least, from what I heard. It’s a very different culture, for sure. He has been working in the Middle East for a while now as a Contractor. I'm led to believe the money is very good and all living expenses paid. However (according to him) not may ex-RAF can stick it due to "cultural differences" (ie wanting to kick 7 bells out of the people he's meant to be training).
I’m not sure I could take it for long out there. It would have to be a grin and bear it thing for me for a certain amount of time. Take the tax free money and run.
LukeBrown66 said:
Was never really keen on being bossed about, so might not have got on, but as it happens I have been single all my life so might have been made for it, and the rewards though not great, are better in later life, which are things I certainly have missed out on now.
The bossed about thing is overblown; certainly as a techie in the RAF. Yes...you can be given direct orders, but in my experience people (unless they’re a dick) only resort to that if you’re being a tt about something you’ve been asked to do. There’s been a few times I’ve said to people “I’ve asked you, but I can tell you if you like?”. They usually get the message.
Maybe it’s a techie thing. We tend to work OK together, and rank doesn’t come in to it much. We all just want to get home at a reasonable hour, so we muck in and get the work done. Anyone who wants to be a knob about things tend to only last a few years.
HaplessBoyLard said:
I’ve been in the RAF for 17 years as an aircraft techie.
When Tornado was retired I needed to find something else to do, so I applied for a move to a Sqn that requires me to have a civilian part 66 maintenance licence. I’m currently in the process of getting the licence, and will return to the Sqn for 3 years once I’ve got it.
Good luck! Growing up i only wanted to fly with the RAF. Unhapily when it was time, they would not consider anyone for aircrew who had asthma as a child. Not even in the back of an AWACS... Shame, but I would have wanted to be an officer. Whether they would have wanted me, of course is one of my lifes mysteries and one of my few regrets that I never found out.When Tornado was retired I needed to find something else to do, so I applied for a move to a Sqn that requires me to have a civilian part 66 maintenance licence. I’m currently in the process of getting the licence, and will return to the Sqn for 3 years once I’ve got it.
Edited by HaplessBoyLard on Thursday 3rd September 15:58
The Mad Monk said:
HaplessBoyLard said:
The food is crap, but it’s all pay as you dine now. Plenty of lads just feed themselves properly like anyone else. If you live in your own place, that’s not an issue.
How does that work? It's like a cafe? The days of the cookhouse are long gone, are they?
Whilst the food in the Sergeant’s Mess at Brize Norton is generally good. You only have to look at Fill Your Boots on Facebook, to see it’s not like that across al three services.
The Mad Monk said:
How does that work? It's like a cafe?
The days of the cookhouse are long gone, are they?
It’s not really all that different TBH, except instead of having a certain amount deducted from their pay every month and then the food is ‘free’ for the junior ranks, they just pay for what they have when they have it. When I lived on camp I’d never have breakfast, and would always go away at weekends, yet I’d still get charged for the food, so in some ways it’s better. The days of the cookhouse are long gone, are they?
There’s still some dirt cheap options, but there actually is more choice these days. You can usually get a fresh salad bowl or a sandwich made up, or there are nicer hot meals. It’s more expensive than the cheap ‘core meal’ option which tends to be cheap slop.
It can vary in quality from camp to camp, and having spent some time staying at an Army Barracks recently, I’d say Fluid is right; the RAF get a better deal generally, and most camps are OK these days. The food at the Army Barracks was horrible. I refused to eat there most of the time.
I was probably being harsh when I said it was crap. It’s not that bad. I’m just used to the finer things these days
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff