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Thought I'd try the STW collective for some advice. I have done a fair amount of reading elsewhere but thought I'd ask here too.
Heavily summarised;
[i]- Architect, always seen it as 'just a job', now unemployed with little prospect of work for the next couple of years given the current situation, but who knows.
- Always had an interest in the military, considered joining after first degree but got railroaded into second degree.
- Now see opportunity to pick up some new skills, minimum term as an officer is six years, so possible release in early 30's. [/i]
Anyone got any direct experience from within the RAF? could you offer up some suggestions as to a role I might take/apply for that would make the use of my current skills?
got a mate whose in the RAF, really enjoys it, but think you kinda have to have that style of life or be open to it, don't think it would suit me, but on the plus side, he got the minimum alevels to get in and was told they'd happily sponser him to do just about any further qualifications so gives a good base should he ever leave. So your exact skills might not be instantly leading you to a role but your experience may be worth its weight in gold:)
Not really what I'd see as the right motivation for the Armed Forces especially given the current high operational tempo, but...
Go and read the RAF Careers website and use the tools on there to search the career openings. Perhaps pop down to your local Armed Forces Careers Office and have a quick chat - nothing formal required - they are there to help potential applicants.
There are no specific positions for architects in the Armed Forces. Within the RAF Personnel Admin Officer Branch there is an infrastructure specialization, but only as part of the Branch.
Sooty and Jim is your man.
if you want to fold blankets that is 🙂
If you're not set just on the RAF but would consider the Army too then the Royal Engineers might be the place to go.
With your background their construction responsibilities might be of interest.
You could also end up anywhere in the world.
I personally think you have to be in your teens or early twenties to join otherwise you'll suffer- wont like being told what to do etc and find it hard to adjust as you've experienced too much freedom now?
Cheeky! I played with fuel a damn sight more than blankets.
MTT - Did you start a thread on Pprune not too long ago?
As Tootall says, you don't sound like you have the right motivation for joining the military, especially with the current operational tempo the RAF (and the Army) are experiencing at the moment. With the forces stretched as tight as they are everyone really needs to pull their weight, I'm not sure another post filling officer is really what the RAF needs or your potential airmen deserve.
As he says though, if you really do want to join the RAF to kill a few years then pop down the Armed Forces Careers Office. They are getting better a weeding out those who haven't really got their heart set on the vocation so you'd better work on that back story a little. "Got laid off, want to pick up some skills, minimum service possible" doesn't really sell you too well.
On the skills point there is a lot of potential to better yourself in the military. I joined with bare minimum qualifications and left with two degrees as well as a large amount of vocational qualifications (though none for blanket folding unfortunately).
you don't sound like you have the right motivation for joining the military
The RAF would be perfect then. Its all about living it up in Vegas these days, flying Reapers from underground bunkers on the other side of the world from where the bombs are dropping.
They always need runway sweepers ;-).
Fancy a game of pool ?
Go and see them, see if you can get a station visit and talk to some officers. My experience and all my mates in all three services is that we would not have missed it, but we all started a little younger and the being told what to do at least initially could be .........
Beamers - Try telling that to these guys.
[img] http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=25700 [/img]
Of course get yourself on a Tornado Air Display Variant fleet or the Lincoln air defence force and you're laughing. I don't believe the clothing stores at Waddo even has the NSN lists for desert kit.
😉
Some interesting reading, thanks for the feedback. I think, as suggested, the first port of call should be an AFCO, I was unsure if you could just drop in.
Regarding my motivation; the reality is that I have not ‘always’ wanted to be in the RAF, nor any part of the military, the idea initially formed as a way out of architecture. Architecture is something I see as a job, nothing more, a large chunk of architects would admit it’s not a very rewarding profession (aP might disagree?). I see myself as having a set of skills and I am interested to find out if these can be used within the forces.
[i]MTT - Did you start a thread on Pprune not too long ago?[/i]
No, this is the first time I have asked anywhere, the idea being I might get an easier ride here…
I will call by at the AFCO and report back. My mother isn’t pleased at the idea, I deployed some floral countermeasures on Sunday to smooth things over (you see what I did there!) 😉
redthunder - Make mine a double, be there in five. 😀
>The RAF would be perfect then. Its all about living it up in Vegas these days, flying Reapers from underground bunkers on the other side of the world from where the bombs are dropping.
Beamers, haven't you just been on a forces jolly in Canada ? 😉
MTT - Well if you feel its the right course for you then good luck.
Interestingly I applied to join both the Army (RGJ's) and the RAF at the same time, its just that the RAF interview process was quicker.
My Dad was happy that I got into the RAF as he believed I'd spend less time in dodgy places than if I had gone into the Army, how wrong he was.
Too much dangling tin to avoid getting spoken to on parades from too much time away from my family (I was on the top rate of Longer Separated Service Allowance when I left by a fair margin) and a few bad dets made my leaving after 12 years an easy decision.
That said though when I was young and single I used to volunteer (they say never to) for every det or operation I could get away on. 6 years spent on arguably the most cabbagy and green part of the RAF (Tactical Supply Wing) working alongside the Army, rather than for them as most of the blue RAF does, alongside some great lads and lasses in some interesting places were probably my happiest years in the RAF. If I had stayed single I would have taken the promotion I was offered and gone back onto TSW, but sometimes you need to think about people other than yourself as I did about my wife and daughter.
Good luck whatever you do and if you do end up in the RAF as an officer don't forget, your airmen/airwomen are what make you a success in your job so always look after them.
I did 13 years in the RAF as a aircraft electrician and loved it
I should not of left but my ex wife wanted me out 👿
When I left Uni, I did toy with the idea of joining the RAF. Being the most ethnically under-represented of the armed forces, and indeed of just about any public sector employer, they were desperate to sing up a healthy young brown person, with qualifications. The package they offered me was ridiculous at the time (£36k after the training, in 1998!), and they were really inertested in having me as a sort of PR spokesperson, to try and recruit more people from ethnic minorities. I had 2 initial interviews, and at the second, they revealed that it was pretty much a formality, as they were desperate to get someone like me, and that the entry process would be little more than a formality. Obviously, I wooduv had to pass the physical stuff, mental suitability etc etc, but they basically hinted that it would be a lot easier than if I were White.
Very tempting.
But, I coon't ignore the poor record regarding the experiences of people like myself, in the armed forces, and had been very critical of the first Gulf War. I weighed things up, and considered it weren't for me. The 9 years minimum contract put me off a lot, too.
By now, I cooduv risen through the ranks, and possibly be pretty comfortable.
Or I could be dead.
One thing is certain, I wooduv been involved in an immoral war, to which I am completely opposed. And I wooduv had no choice.
I am completely happy I made the right decision.
But being a member of the armed forces is a very responsible and potentially rewarding job. But be under no illusion: you will be part of a killing machine. Part of the Gears of War.
And once yer in, yer in. There's no getting out, if you decide you don't like it.
Rubeboy (soft lad)
Good to see a positive attitude there 😕
The truth of the matter is the armed forces are there to finnish off the arguments that politicions loose it has always been that way, have a look its called history
Also more people die on the british roads than on active duty
And once yer in, yer in. There's no getting out, if you decide you don't like it
A little knowledge is a bad thing PVR = premature volentary release
You pay up and leave simple realy
Oh, ok. I thought you had to be discharged in some way? And that it was not necessarily that good a thing?
Sorry, not trying to be negative, just expressing my honest opinions.
The role on offer to me was exciting, I have to say. I doubt I wooduv done a lot of flying, but I wooduv been dealing with promotion and PR, not too dissimilar to what I do now, really! And you certainly can't beat having 'RAF' on yer CV!
No, no regrets for me. I won't go into the politics or ethics of it, but I know I made the right decision for me. The OP needs to think about things, and do the same for themselves.
When I left Uni, I did toy with the idea of joining the RAF. Being the most ethnically under-represented of the armed forces, and indeed of just about any public sector employer, they were desperate to sing up a healthy young brown person, with qualifications. The package they offered me was ridiculous at the time (£36k after the training, in 1998!), and they were really inertested in having me as a sort of PR spokesperson, to try and recruit more people from ethnic minorities. I had 2 initial interviews, and at the second, they revealed that it was pretty much a formality, as they were desperate to get someone like me, and that the entry process would be little more than a formality. Obviously, I wooduv had to pass the physical stuff, mental suitability etc etc, but they basically hinted that it would be a lot easier than if I were White.Very tempting.
But, I coon't ignore the poor record regarding the experiences of people like myself, in the armed forces, and had been very critical of the first Gulf War. I weighed things up, and considered it weren't for me. The 9 years minimum contract put me off a lot, too.
By now, I cooduv risen through the ranks, and possibly be pretty comfortable.
Bull. Utter bull. Complete and fabricated rubbish of the highest order. I'm sure your selective memory is clear, or you are stirring, but that is the biggest load of rot you've tried to pass off as fact on here yet. Yes - I'm calling you out on that utter tosh - you should still be banned.
I guess I was beening diplomatic realy
TooTall bang on
Interesting reading, I have a son who is coming up for 18 that has mentioned he's sort of thinking about joining the RAF. Need to get him down to the AFCO, it sounds like it could be a good option for him.
Rudeboy, what is it with you and the silly spelling? It's not even textspeak abbreviations, "was not" uses more characters than "wasn't" so why???
Because I jolly well have not got to use an apostrophe.
Let's not let this deteriorate as it usually does. Thanks for [b]Everyone's[/b] input. AFCO on Weds.
Just don't go on a Wednesday afternoon - sports afternoon 'lol'.
Or after 1400 on a Friday.
(well maybe not in a AFCO, but in the rest of the forces world)
I work with the RAF day-in, day-out.
They can be a bit of a civil service dragging their heels at times, depending on which area of course, but on the whole i'd love to join up if my GF situation would allow it & if the money were a bit more (have too many commitments now).
Bull. Utter bull. Complete and fabricated rubbish of the highest order.
Really not worth responding to.
An apology for calling me a liar would be a start.
I have a [i]'personal agenda against you'[/i],
but I think you know that, now clear off. 😉
i'll bet recruitment is soaring right now, with people worried about jobs.
<edit> ive now been back and read the rudeboy post. ah ha ha ha ha ha hahaaa
oh yeah, and now tell us about that time nelson whatsis name in south africa called you up to sort out the racism issues in his country.
or the one where you gave up your place to neil armstrong, because his daddy was going to cry and anyway you didnt really see the point in pretending to land on the moon, cos thats all that it was.....
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
MTT; you're not of any consequence to me, to worry one way or another. I've offered my views, in order that you can have a range of opinions to help inform your choice.
I did mean it to be helpful in some way.
Grow up you girl. I am appreciative your opinion, regardless of what I think of it, its others who are more informed than me who take exception. Get off your high horse you big lass.
Are you looking at my bra?
<leaves>
Ok then, for the stupid:
41. Ethnic Minorities. We are determined that the Armed Forces should better reflect the ethnic composition of the British population. Currently some 6% of the general population are from ethnic minority backgrounds, but they make up just 1% of the Services. This must not continue. We have set a goal of attracting 2% of new recruits this year from ethnic minority communities for each Service. We want that goal to increase by 1% each year so that, eventually, the composition of our Armed Forces reflects that of the population as a whole
[/url]
The RAF were looking to recruit graduates like myself, as part of a drive to 'better reflect the ethnic composition of the British Population'. As a graduate, I would be eligible to go straight into an officer training program.
I will forgive TooTall's little rant, as they clearly weren't there, or have any idea of the conversations that took place between myself and the recruiting bods.
I'd still like an apology.
You can shove your desire for an apology where the sun does not shine. The Armed Forces has worked to an Enthnic Diversity Recruiting Programme for some years now and it does not and never has excluded any applicant from any part of the recruiting process. To do so would be illegal and open to criticism and abuse. You would have been eligible to [b]apply[/b] to go into officer training - you would not have been given automatic passes or fast tracks to anything. Your comments here do nothing to further the cause of those from other ethnic backgrounds who have entered the Armed Forces on equal terms and done well in their own right.
I still think you should have remained banned from this forum.
I still think you should have remained banned from this forum.
I think that's more your problem, than my actual post. You need to get a sense of perspective. Some people say things that you don't agree with. Get over it. It's part of life.
You've called me a liar. I'd really like to know what you think is untrue, about anything I've posted.
Ok so. I was told, at the second interview, by an RAF officer and another military bloke, that the RAF were actively seeking to recruit graduates that they felt represented Britain's ethnic minorities. To address the under-representation of such people within Britain's Armed forces. Therefore, they were actively using a policy of Positive Discrimination, in accordance with employment law, to recruit such people. And what they desperately needed, according the the military feller (MOD?), were people like myself, who could then be trained to become officers, who would then be able to represent the RAF, and be a 'PR face' to try and help recruit more people of ethnic minorities to the RAF. Both men were pretty honest and open about this, and I appreciated the need for the RAF to pursue such a policy. And it mustuv worked, because recruitment amongst ethnic minorities, to Britain's armed forces, has risen.
As for the bit about it being easier for me, than a White person, to be selected, was that they had to try and fulfill certain quotas, and although I would be subject to the same entry requirements, due to the lack people from ethnic minorities actually applying for positions, that it would in fact be a bit easier for me, to get into it. This is what the two fellers told me. You have a problem with that, speak to the RAF.
Your last post shows some back-pedalling. I understand, if you don't have the balls to apologise. Fair enough.
As for my concerns over racism within the armed forces; fortunately, this has decreased significantly, as it has within all other areas of life in this country, but I din't, at the time, feel comfortable with having to face the possibility of encountering racism or prejudice. I have heard accounts from people who've been in the Forces, that this occurs. And there is factual evidence that racist abuse and prejudice have existed in our armed forces, for far too long. Only a blind Ostrich would deny this.
I feel you've seriously misinterpreted certain parts of my original post. I suspect that your obvious dislike of me (fascinating,considering that you've never had the honour of meeting me) has actually clouded your judgement somewhat, and that you've just gone and reacted angrily, rather than thinking about what I've said, propply.
Anyways up, Good Night. And sleep well.
6 years spent on arguably the most cabbagy and green part of the RAF (Tactical Supply Wing) working alongside the Army, rather than for them as most of the blue RAF does....
Really, can't seem to remember wearing much blue during my time in the RAF 🙄
ex RAF Regiment Gunner.
You can tell you are an ex-pebble monkey, you completely missed the 'blue RAF' part of my post. Obviously I wasn't including the missile monkeys, plastic paras and SRDG troops in the 'blue RAF' because as you so cleverly pointed out you chaps wear No.3 dress of various forms usually.
Can't blame you for missing that subtle piece of text though, all those years of teaching chubby techies CCS must take its toll on the mind.
;o)
Beamers, haven't you just been on a forces jolly in Canada ?
Jolly No, Canada Yes.
(My OP was a troll by the way)
Hats off to the Chinook boys and girls, they are keeping the show on the road. What puzzles me is why the RAF have Typhoon when it can't hit stuff on the ground and costs a mind blowing amount of money. Not really a fault of the RAF I suppose, more a fault of the procurement chain.
This one managed to hit something on the ground,
[img] 
[/img]
An unconventional approach I'll give you that put that runway is out of use for a while and no mistake.
;o)
To be fair, they have managed to hit stuff on the ground the correct way too,
[img] 
[/img]
see that bomb the typhoon is dropping!!! ive been playing with them as a RAF armourer for the last 11 years and i love my job.
MTT i know quite a lot of officers with a carefree attitude and a lot use the forces to get even more qualifications, who wouldnt!!!
i would steer clear of the army as someone else has rightly said , you have a bit of life experince and wouldnt appreciate getting pissed about by some jumped up pongo!!!
i would seriously advise you to go down to the afco and see what they say.
good luck and if i can give you any more info please feel free to email me on stevierenton@hotmail.com
cheers
steve
p.s sooty and jim were you based at stafford then with tiswas as i spen 2.5 years down on 5 site beofre getting posted to cyprus!!
Renton - Whats that song you bomb heads love?
A I'm an armourer, B I'm an armourer, C I'm an........
😉
erm yes i think thats how it goes!!!! 😉
MTT
Sorry, Missed the game 🙁
Here's my look on it.
Bit 13.5 years in the RAF. Always had a career in the armed forces while going through school etc. Being cabbagey , was leaning towards the Army. However , joined the local air cadets and thatled me to joining the RAF.
Trained as telecomms tech for 18 months, then got to first posting ,TCW.( tac comms wings) doing comms in the field along side the army. Like S+J was all over the place for 5 years, including the gulf etc. In 2 years 89-91, I was @ Brize the home base for approx 2 months out of 24) , otherwise constant field exs or OOA ops. Very busy time, I loved it.
Did Stornoway, for 2 years, then Cyprus for 2 and final 3 @ High Wycombe.
Came out after my 12 yr point as was starting to tire of military bullshit etc. Would do it all again tomorrow if I could have my time again. However, think long and hard why YOU want to join up....