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

[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.

[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.

[Deluded]

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

[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.

[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.