Raaf Imps

[Lowspirited]

Hello i was wondering about the 11.5 years of IMPS stated on the website. What happens if the pilot for whatever reason doesn't want to fly any more but hasn't finished the 11.5 years? Thanks for the help.

Lowspirited

[Gundog01]

The ROSO (Return Of Service Obligation) is 10 years from graduation at 2FTS. Add on 2 years of training (at least) before graduation and 11.5 is probably an understatement of your commitment.

If the pilot decides they dont want to fly they get shafted to a ground job. Not always in a preffered location. Choosing not to fly is definately frowned upon, unless there is a good reason, family etc.

If your not sure about the long term flying in the RAAF dont waste your time (and the RAAFs) applying, they will pick you out a mile away.

[Lowspirited]

The part i'm unsure of is the effect of a real operation might have on me, all the training and drills are fine, but what if i'm sent on an operation and the affect seriously impede on my ability to go on in the air force? I just want to know what i'm exactly signing up for, and what might happen if i can't go on flying. I do hope i could fly for the 10-12 years without any problems, but sometimes things could happen, and 12 years is a long time for anyone to be sure of.

[Gundog01]

The part i'm unsure of is the effect of a real operation might have on me,

Im not sure exactly what you mean. Going on operation is certainly not going to impede your flying career in anyway. Guys with operational experience are what the airforce need.

but what if i'm sent on an operation and the affect seriously impede on my ability to go on in the air force?

It sounds a bit like you wanna join the RAAF to fly, but not to go to war. You are signing up to 12 years of serving your country. If that means flying in dangerous areas, so be it.

[Lowspirited]

What i actually mean is if i'm on operation and fire at something for real the first time and some psychologic problems develops. I''m not asking about finding someway to leave after training, just trying to understand what would happen if i had no choice.

Pass-A-Frozo - what do you mean by flying job?

Could you actually shift squadrons after joining? I'm sorry if my questions are a bit stupid, i don't know where i could find these kind of information. I love flying and don't mind serving my nation :}

[Inspector G.]

I must admit that as seeing I too am seriously considering a similar career path to Lowspirited, that I have many questions along similar lines (my apologies in advance - this may be a thread hijack ;))

Having talked to recruitment officers and spent a good amount of time browsing both this and the cadet forums, I still find myself cautious about going through with the whole thing. Although not worried so much about all the rigmarole to do with being in the military (ie drills, training etc), I am cautious about later life in the service. I'd quite happily sign up today knowing that as my situation changes that the service would help cater for that.. however, having read many a post on the strain military life places on individuals and their families I am starting to get the impression that flying in the RAAF might be fantastic to start with, but loses it's appeal in the latter half of ones ROSO.

Now I tend to take what the recruiters tell me with a bit of salt, no offence to them they are great guys, I just get the impression it's their job to get people through the door. So if anyone with experience in the service could assist I would be most thankfull.

I'm not so much worried about a complete mental breakdown as Lowspirited is, I have a fair idea what i'm signing up for and the tasks that this may involve. But what happens in the event that a family is sprung upon me? Accidents do happen! I understand that the reposting of aircrew is around every 2 years, making for some very annoyed 'significant others' should they have to traipse around the country behind me. How does the service react to situations like this? Are they at all lenient towards keeping you at your current posting while retaining your aircrew position, will you have to resort to a ground job to keep your posting, or will they move you around no matter what? I realise that all this is a fair way down the line, but i'm not in the business of wasting either my own or the RAAF's time so would prefer to know what im getting myself into from the beginning. Or join the RNZAF - I hear Bulls is nice this time of year.:E

And now for a slight thread hijack..

Assuming that I make it through all the entry requirements and find myself with an offer to join as a pilot, what would be my progression of postings/aircraft on the way to both the fighters or to the larger transport aircraft? Recruiters indicated a reposting every 2 years, so would this mean that once through the training stage and onto a type, that this wont be the only type I fly in my RAAF career? Or is it just a case of flying the same thing in another part of the country?

Daily life. I must watch far too many movies.. surely it's not an early start to the sound of a bugle, some running, some drills (although I hear this bit may be true :bored:), then off to fly around all day? So what is the average day in the life of RAAF aircrew?

What's the living situation? Is living on base mandatory or can you find somewhere off base to call home?

I probably have a heap more questions, just none really spring to mind right now (hence why my chats with the recruiters are often short..). But apolgies for the slight thread hijack, and thanks in advance to anyone able to shed some light on my queries.

[Gundog01]

Inspector G

The RAAF is never going to be all things to all people. It is a hard slog dragging a wife and kids around the country but where else do you get to do the sort of flying that we do, sometimes you have to make sacrifices.

I am starting to get the impression that flying in the RAAF might be fantastic to start with, but loses it's appeal in the latter half of ones ROSO.


It all depends on your situation. Many people are enjoy their career just as much once their ROSO has expired. It depends what motivates you. If you want to join for the money dont bother. If you want exciting and challenging flying, not to mention the best kit and best bunch of blokes to work with go for it.

I understand that the reposting of aircrew is around every 2 years,

Typical posting is 3 years for aircrew. There is a typical progression that the RAAF expects of its pilots. Be a line driver at a sqn for 3-4 years, go to QFI (flying instructors course) 2-3 years, then return to a sqn to be a QFI on an operational type 3-4 years. That basically accounts for a 10 year ROSO. However, there is any number of options. If you want a break after your first posting ther is always a ground job (which vary in quality), or you might be lucky to get an overseas exchange to US or UK, or simply change aircraft types eg: Hercs to C-17 and do another 3-4 year tour.

Are they at all lenient towards keeping you at your current posting while retaining your aircrew position,

There is scope to stay in location, however this generally comes at the expense of you career. Ie, take a ground job instead of moving and keeping flying. Anything is possible, but i wouldn't expect to stay in 1 location for a full ROSO, 2-4 moves is pretty standard.

what would be my progression of postings/aircraft

The timeline below is minimum times, expect delays between course etc.
After PC9 training those not selceted for fighters go to transport/maritime patrol straigh away.

CT4 - 6 months
PC9 - 9-10 months
Hawk 1- year
Hornet 6 months.

Daily Life
If you are lucky you will fly every day. If not your day is spent shooting the breeze in the crew room:ok:, doin secondary duties (social club, etc):{, study for upcoming flights, SLJs (****ey little jobs), a whole bunch of stuff. Drills for Aircrew - -i think not.........

Living on base is generally only mandatory when on training courses, unless you are already married or de-facto. Most people live off as ADF gives a bit of help with rent.

If you havent already i suggest you look at the airforce recruiting website, there is all sorts of info on there about joinging. GOOD LUCK

[Lowspirited]

I don't mind the hijack :} more info to read up on, i'm not THAT concerned about a mental breakdown, i was using it as an example, i mean if it does happen its unlikely one can continue flying. Are there specific performance measures on the PC9 that determine if the pilot will be joining the fighters?

[Inspector G.]

Thank you very much for the reply Gundog, that has cleared up a lot of worries I had and set them to rest. I will most definitely give the RAAF some serious consideration between now and graduation next may.

[Arm out the window]

Whilst not wanting to sound too old and crusty, this thread makes me feel that the people expressing all the misgivings about the possible downsides and negative ramifications of military aviation life have well and truly got hold of the wrong end of the stick.
Yes, there are frustrations, and yes, you may encounter situations that piss your spouse off. You may even, and let's hope not, be placed in some situation where you may suffer mental stress, be injured, or even killed.
However, if these issues are on top of your list when you think about joining, I'd be concerned about your drive and the likelihood of your success if you do happen to get in.
In my experience, most people who do well as military aircrew have a strong desire to fly in their chosen field that's priority number one, and they'll do what they have to do to make it happen, particularly as young single boggies. Family issues obviously take on greater importance later, but if these are the things uppermost in your mind when considering starting a military flying career, then I think you need to go have a long, hard look at what you really want out of life.

[Inspector G.]

Arm out the window, while your points are duly noted I must point out that these issues are by no means at the top of my priority list, rather they are the last (and only) points of uncertainty in what I would otherwise consider to be an ideal career path for me. Whilst my questions relate to a very distant future, I believe that knowing as much as I can before making any choices would be the wise thing to do. As I previously stated, I am not in the business of wasting either mine or the RAAF's time, so should I proceed with my application it will be because I accept and am prepared to deal with these issues should they arise in the future, preparation that begins with asking questions.

However, I can understand your comments should, as you say, these issues be of great concern to onself. To be honest, these problems would never have entered my mind had I not read the multitude of posts that complain of the stresses that military life places on families. Perhaps it would have been more prudent of me to realise that these comments are only from the minority, those who have the motivation to join internet forums to voice their complaints. One could be forgiven though for taking note of the points that these individuals make, afterall it is my goal to research as much as possible about the service that I wish to become a part of.

To conclude though, Gundog addressed most of my uncertainties with regard to joining the RAAF and has laid all of my worries to rest. As such, I will most likely be applying when finished my degree in May, so wish me luck!

[Arm out the window]

Well, I certainly do wish you good luck.
There are lots of ways to look at things, and it's possible to talk yourself in or out of anything if you try hard enough, but keeping a good positive focus on your goal and just plugging away until you get there is the way to go.
Awareness of the possible pitfalls and how you might avoid or deal with them is good, but don't let it distract you from your dream too much.

[Super 64]

AOTW - well said that man.

Quote:
I understand that the reposting of aircrew is around every 2 years,

IG if you want locality stability try the Navy or Army.

S64

[Inspector G.]

Thank you for your advice Arm out the window, if I'm successful and given the opportunity I will definitely make the most of it