Considering join the RAF as Weapons Systems Operator

[Arrona12]

Hello everyone,

I would like some advice. I am nearing the end of my degree at University and I ave the choice of going to work in a normal office job or joining the RAF. The job of the RAF that interests me is the Weapon Systems Operator (Electronic Warfare).

However, there is one major point for me to consider before I decide - I am engaged and we intend to get married shortly after I complete my degree.

What I am looking for is some information. What is the six weeks basic training like? I've heard mixed reviews, some say its fine, some say you get treated like crap - and that is an understatement to some of the things I've heard.

Postings in different countries; are these compulsary, as in your told your going and thats it. Or do you get to turn down those offers and stay on the base your currently assigned? Asking this as I believe, if I choose this route I would be married, and I know my bride-to-be is not keen on traveling.

Final question - whats the job of an aircrew like? Fun, boring, stressful or just plain dull?

Many thanks for those that reply, and sorry if this is posted in the wrong section!.

[MrFlibble]

First off, welcome to the forum!

I myself am applying to be a WSOp, so I'll see if I can help you out. Just FYI, we have several members around who are already WSOps, WSOs and Pilots, as well as many other roles, dont feel you have to confine yourself to one role :)


However, there is one major point for me to consider before I decide - I am engaged and we intend to get married shortly after I complete my degree.

What I am looking for is some information. What is the six weeks basic training like? I've heard mixed reviews, some say its fine, some say you get treated like crap - and that is an understatement to some of the things I've heard.


Here's the process, as I understand it. Anyone else, please chip in with corrections of updates if you can!

In the beginning, God created the Air Force. :ok: To join it, you first need to go to the Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO), there's one in most major cities in the UK. After discussing your suitability (medical, qualifications, experiences, personal circumstances), you'll be invited for a P2 Briefing on the roles of the RAF, what they do, where they are, and what they're about.

A few days/weeks after this briefing, is your Filter Interview. This usually lasts around 45 minutes, and is conducted by the RAF Officer whos at the AFCO, usually a Flt Lt. They'll ask you questions like, why do you want to join, what areas are we based in, "tell me what fighter aircraft we operate" is a favourite question it seems. They'll talk about your entire educational history from secondary school onwards - expect them to focus a lot on extra-curricular activities, sports, clubs, that sort of thing - both in and outside school. Same with A-Levels, and with University.

Next, assuming you pass your Filter Interview (you'll be told at the time), you'll be recommended to attend the Officer/Aircrew Selection Centre, at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire. The OASC attendance is made up of 4 days of tests, split up into 2 sections.
Part 1 deals with basic suitability - fitness, aptitude and medical tests, and a big interview. 45 mins, similar to the Filter, but in more depth and done by 2 officers, and videotaped.

If you fail Part 1, the careers guys at Cranwell will counsel you as to other careers you may be suitable for in the RAF - or give you feedback on how to improve if you wish to apply again in 6/12 months.

If you pass Part 1, you'll be sent onto Part 2, which is made up of leadership exercises, group discussions, briefings, things like that. You wont be told at the end of Part 2 if you've passed, that'll come in the post a few weeks later.


RECRUIT TRAINING - RAF HALTON - 9 weeks

Yep, its 9 weeks not 6. Halton helps you adjust to a military way of life - discipline, fitness and drill are focused on, as well as weapons training and fieldcraft. All that cool soldier-y stuff :ok: If you complete Halton, you'll pass out as an Aircraftsman in the RAF.


LEADERSHIP TRAINING - RAF CRANWELL - 10 weeks

Now you've been trained as an Aircraftsman, you'll learn how to be a Sergeant in the RAF - the entry rank for WSOp aircrew. Be warned, though, from what I've heard this is an absolute beast - regular Aircraftsmen in the RAF take almost a decade to go through the ranks to Sergeant, this training expects you to be up to the required standard in 10 weeks. Expect to be blasted apart after this bit :ugh: - oh, you dont get the 3 stripes 'fully' until after your specialist training, later on. This just gets you ready.


AIRCREW TRAINING - All Over (I think) - 6 months

Right. Now you've done your Sergeants training course in the RAF, you've got to learn how to do the job you've signed up for. For Aircrew, there is the generic 6 month course all of us have to go through - 26 weeks on aircraft systems, survival training, comms procedures, and lots of other goodies. Once you complete this, you'll be streamed into one of 4 specialties:

WSOp (Accoustic) - 7 months -
"Wet" stuff; listening for subs, maritime work. Expect to be posted to RAF Kinloss after this :)

WSOp (Elec Warfare) - 7 months -
"Dry" stuff; RADAR, Electronic Warfare.

WSOp (Crewman) - 9 months -
Cargo/stores/passenger handling, either on fixed wing (Hercs, for example), or rotary (Pumas, Merlins, Chinooks).
Fixed Wing Crewmen do 4 months general crew training at Cranwell, then 5 months at Lyneham or Brize at the Op Conversion Unit to learn their aircraft.
Rotary Wing Crewmen do 9 months at Shawbury, then to their OCU for whatever helicopter they've been sent to.

WSOp (Linguist) - 18 months -
One for the language guys this; 18 months learning foreign languages either at Chicksands or Beaconsfield, then to Waddington to the E3-D OCU.


So, training - before you get streamed, takes about a year. From start to 'finish' - it should on average take between 18 months and 2 years to complete.

Expect to travel. A lot. All over the UK - Im not sure if you're allowed to bring the wife on bases for trade training, maybe one of the guys here can square away that one.

Thats just for training, though. If you're a crewman on a Hercules, for example, you could be sent anywhere in the world, at short notice. Its not for the timid, but from what I understand it, its one hell of a wild ride :ok:

Finally, its normal to serve around 12 years minimum as NCA.


Hope this helps! Ask the guys here, and get down to your local AFCO, and have a chat to them. Let us know how it turns out!

[Ivan Rogov]

Not bad Mr. F but you need to add a 6 month OCU on the end of the WSOp (EW and ACO) stuff at Cranwell. You may also have to wait for a place to become available on the OCU, oh and then you have about 9-12 months on a Squadron to become Combat Ready (CR) ;)

It's all worth it though, honest :\

[Pontius Navigator]

Ivan, yes, it is a good post but I would suggest that that Aronna needs to consider his priorities. If the putative Mrs A is a nookie, stay at home, build nest type, then the RAF and Mrs A will be mutually incompatible.

If Mrs A is a strong, independent type, likes dogs, walks in the hills, scotch mist (great for the complexion) then married to an NCA in th ehighlands will suit fine.

BTW, with a degree, why go for WSOp (Electronics)?

[Avtur]

I am sure that during your recruit training and leadership training you will have to live in crap communal accommodation that you will spend a lot of your time cleaning and polishing. That means as a newly married bloke/girl you wont be spending much time (19 weeks) with the new Mrs/Mr. Arrona. Not sure she/he would be too impressed. Food for thought. Good Luck.

The end is worth it, but it is a long hard road to get there.

[Pontius Navigator]

Don't forget chaps its the future Mrs A and a regular supply of oats or WSOp and wild oats wherever.

[Union Jack]

.... and don't forget to have a look at the relevant entries under "Similar Threads" at the foot of the page.

Jack

[Klingon]

Seriously Mate! If you have a partner who isn't "in" to the service way of life and can put up with the many, and lengthy, separations then I would look somewhere else for a career.

The divorce rate amongst aircrew is infamously high and the strains of the training regime will not help to consolodate your relationship. Unless she is a "mate" who understands why it's necessary to get pissed and return home with the boys in tow looking for egg banjos at 2 in the morning then forget it.

:cool:

[MightyGem]

In the beginning, God created the Air Force
No, no, no, no, no!

In the beginning God created man. Man spent many years running around on the ground beating each other up, before someone was brave enough to venture out onto the wobbly stuff that surrounded the land to continue the motion.

It was only many, many, many years later that some misguided soul decided to lump together those that wanted to fly and call them the Air Force. So, a bit of an after thought really.