Joining the RAF

[iOversteer]

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

[iOversteer]

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?).

[iOversteer]

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 -

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]

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 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]

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]

DAKOTAstorm said:

I applied for pilot last year, failed my aptitude test by 5 points, I too had a weakness on maths but I constantly studied everything I could for about 8 month previous and found no matter how much you have done, always do more! however the experience of the whole application process left me with an awful lot of very helpful knowledge!

Be confident - But also have the correct knowledge to back up this confidence

Do not be intimidated by others - I thought my qualifications, flight experience and general knowledge of the RAF and forces life was 'weaker' than others, however once at Cranwell for the various tests it becomes clear that none of that is taken into consideration until the final interview, many I was intimidated by I found on the bus home with lower scores than me, which actually made me quite happy!

Do not mess around - I learned they like things done as specified, quickly and neatly, turned up for P2 presentation to find handed in applications thrown on floor because they were scribbled or had left blank spaces

It is competitive selection! - even though you have to be social, always remember the guy your having a laughing with has the potential to take the role you have applied for, so always make sure you are aware of this and help yourself before helping others!

Show commitment - if there is a voluntary course recommended by AFCO, do it and do as much as possible off your own back to show you want it and your willing, station visits, RAF organised air shows and all the others, they may only ever get jotted in the 'other notes' section but believe me if it comes down to a final decision on who gets the job and you have the above and the other guy doesn't....congratulations your in the RAF.

That was long winded but I enjoyed it.....p.s I am strengthening my application and reapplying

From what everyone including you have said, the RAF sounds like it would be good for me. I am a very driven person, and I absolutely love learning. Can you do courses in other things? For example, photography? Whilst training to become an engineer.

So, how long is the process before you get accepted in the RAF? Also before being accepted fully in the RAF, do you get paid? The reason I ask, is well we all have to pay the bills.

Thanks again for all the great advice guys, much appreciated
Vince

[iOversteer]

paulrhodes said:

Hi there..

RAF CIS Eng flight SAC Tech here.

As you won't have a clue what that means. I'm a techy that works on all comms equipment ground to air and all the radar equipment on an airfield.

Is it a good job? - great!
Is the RAF a good life? - depends
Is it for everyone? - No
Do you get a lot from it quals and experience wise? - Definitely!

At the end of the day, you would be joining a company that puts itself first, all the time, every time. A lot of the time your plans will have to work around the RAF. The disgruntled people are normally the people trying to do the opposite and not 'go with the flow'.

If you can accept the fact that you'll have little choice where you end up (benbecula anyone? lol) and that there is a lot of military bullpoop and hoops, then you'll reap the rewards that keeps a lot of people in the RAF.

If you've read that and turned your nose up then it possibly isn't for you.

This wasn't intended to put you off. Thousands of people love it and would never leave. You need to hear the honest opinion though.

One tip though. If you do decide to join up then get some proper phys in. It'll make your whole basic training experience far more pleasant. It's not Special Forces training certainly but the GDT phase will knacker you out. Running for 30 mins with a respirator on is not much fun. (in hindsight it was really)...

As an SAC(T) living in the block, 400 miles from my missus and doing a job I love on a camp I don't I hope I've given a fair description of RAF life.

Feel free to email me if you want any more info.

To become an engineer, is it the same process as being at college? Whereby you study for 2 years and then you gain a qualification? Do you also get hands on experience? For me personally I thrive in that sort of environment.

In terms of fitness, I am pretty fit. I do quite a lot of running, road cycling, swimming etc. So I hopefully will be ok there. But running with a respirator doesn't sound fun.

After the basic training, would I get posted in a war zone straight away?

I understand that there will be aspects of the RAF which I won't like, but you get that with any job. One thing I will have to practice is making sure everything is left tidy.

Thanks again,
Vin

[iOversteer]

Sherpa said:

I understand the curiosity.

We're a well trained, and well funded bunch, that do an interesting job (a lot of the time) and we get treated better than the Army on the whole.

I passed my Airman Selection Tests for every trade and have 3 A-levels, so I'm not the rest of the RAF's view of the typical Rockape.

Also, why not?

Rockape? What the monkeys is that?

[iOversteer]

Right well some of you lot will be happy to hear, I have an appointment with the RAF recruitment team on Thursday of this week. Throughly looking forward too it.