To old to join up?

[Oldandgrey]

I am currently in the process of submitting my application to join up as a WSOp at the tender age of 31.
Having not done so well while I was at school, I now find my self in a position where by I am retaking some GCSEs to enable my application to progress further.

What can I expect my training to be like, and should I be successful in my application and end up on a squadron, what will the job be like.

Your thoughts and pearls of wisdom would be appreciated.

[Pontius Navigator]

Hard and physically arduous. Good luck.

[Tourist]

Pontius.

Please please tell me you are not refering to any part of the training of a member of the RAF....:confused: :ooh:
....or maybe you are being facetious.:D

[airborne_artist]

You'd better crack on, as the age limit is 32.

[shandyman]

Old and Grey. Check your PM's

[Pontius Navigator]

Tourist, I was not joking. I was referring to the Airman Aircrew basic training. Essentially it is so short that there is no time to get fit. You have to start fit or suffer. As a middle aged entrant he/she would be competing with potential racing snakes.

[flash8]

Well I'm sure you are referring to "middle aged" chronologically, and not as service lifetime? If so... what am I at 37? Old age?
Youngsters today...

[Pontius Navigator]

Flash, yes old man.

17-37 = 20

37-55 = 18

so yes, you are over the hump.

For youngsters aged 17 a 32 year old, almost twice their age, is positively ancient. A nephew, aged 29, was rejected by the RAF Regt as far too old. Ditto the Army although he could have been a driver in the RLC.

Me? I am over twice Old and Grey's age although not grey yet (what's left of it).

[Oldandgrey]

Thanks for the info, I am also hoping to get out and about in the summer and visit some sqns before I go up to cranners so that I have something else to chat about to the two gentlemen that will be sat opposite me in my interview! :}

If anyone could point me at the right people on the sqns, that would be a bonus. :ok:

[Guernsey Girl II]

Old and Grey. Check your PM's

[toddbabe]

Old and grey if I were you I wouldn't bother and it's got nothing to do with your age.
Do you really want to live in the desert for half a year for the foreseeable future, getting shot at in ageing aircraft, kitted out with outdated equipment, being poorly appreciated by your Seniors?
Cynical I know but someone has to tell you how it is! lots of people are leaving, ask yourself why?
The pay isn't bad but not great for the commitment we give, what benefits are you going to get from joining?
Seriously ask the people on the Sqn's that you go and visit, not just the first ones that speak to you but ask around get lots of views, you might be surprised.
GOOD LUCK whatever you decide.

[Pontius Navigator]

being poorly appreciated by your Seniors

I don't know the demographics are on the Nimrod fleet now but a raw 34 year old sgt is certainly much less appreciated than a multi-tour 34 year old FS and they are not treated that well either.

[achtung]

I admire your will and energy, but the RAF is a shrinking entity and no longer a place to go if you want a career. The posters look great and what you'll read in those pamphlets are quite hypnotic and will drag you in quick. But read between the lines dude and you'll read the warnings..... don't do it!!

[wokkameister]

Old and Grey,

You have had some honest answers on here. The truth is, you have to take the advice thats given and then make your own mind up, as I'm sure you appreciate.
Different people have had varying experiences both positive and negative. Personally, although I wouldn't swap the time I have spent as NCA, I wouldn't do it in todays world/Air Force.

Good Luck with whatever you decide.:D

[Oldandgrey]

Gentlemen,
Thank you for your replies, will take on board what advice has been offered. I am still hoping to have a look around some squadrons in the summer and get some some feed back from the people I meet.

Please keep posting the advice, the more I can get the better. :ok:

Back to the studying for now!

[J.A.F.O.]

Would I have missed the time I had? - NO

Would I do it now? - NO

Would I start it at 31? - F**K NO

[bythebackdoor]

You gotta do what you gotta do!
I'm 33 and i'm trying for it.
I've done some Sqn visits, just phone up and ask for a visit. All the ones i phoned were more than helpful. Good luck

[Shot to the Beach]

It's 'TOO'!!!!!

[Mmmmnice]

It's all good advice, but ultimately your life and your decision. Personally, as well as making sure you're physically fit, you should prepare a monumentally huge sense of humour; you'll need it!

[lokiukuk]

Don't do it fella!!!!

[Pontius Navigator]

There was an interesting snippet about an ex-AEOp a year or two back.

He had joined the RNLI. The Cox'n said that ordinarily he was too old and unskilled as he was not a boatman. However at interview he had said he had spent many hours on SAR helping the lifeboatmen and now he wanted to become more involved.

I know a Nav and two other AEOps who were afflicted with the SAR bug. All jumped Nimrod to Sea King and passed the aptitude tests and had full and fulfilling careers.

There are opportunities there but there are also severe limitations on professional advancement at the upper age limits as many other 33 year olds will be on the down slope.

As others say if it's what you want then go for it.

A thought for the interviews:

At 33 you will be new, keen and enthusiastic. You may meet 33 year old, embittered, cynical and exhausted. You will bring your enthusiasm to the team and, with sensitivity, hope to contribute to a flagging team.

Bull**** maybe but ? ? ?