HARERJJ (?). .In spite of A and C's slightly cynical and disparaging impression of the RAF, it is true that its training is among the very best in the world. The cocky and superior attitude is trained into fighter pilots wherever in the world they come from - Top Gun isn't entirely fictional rubbish! (Ok, it is, but you get my drift).. .. .I did 22 years in the RAF, including a very short time in the fast jet world, and had a great time. I have friends who are and were in the FAA who also enjoyed themselves, but you'll need to look closely at the Government's future plans for the Navy to see whether it's what you'd like to do.. .. .The Sea Harriers are to be retired by 2004, possibly to be partly replaced by a new (GR9) version of the RAF's Harrier, pending the (still uncertain) arrival of the JSF in, maybe, 2015. There's a good chance, in my humble opinion, that the Government will eventually decide it's all too difficult and expensive and will pass all Navy fast jet operations on to the RAF while the current carriers exist, and will bin the plans for the new carriers saying that the 'global, mobile' RAF can do it all instead. (Now when did I hear that before? About 1976, I think!). This isn't a comment about either service, rather about governments' propensity to plan and say one thing, and do another.. .. .Anyway, I'll pass your thread onto Military Aircrew, where I hope you'll get far more authoritative and informative answers than I can give as a now-civilian pilot. I shall also leave it open in Wannabes for any other potentially useful comments.. .. .PS. I wouldn't bother with elocution lessons. The services (Guards possibly excepted) stopped bothering about your accent many years ago. Make sure your written communication is up to scratch - as it would seem to be - and enjoy the leadership experience you've arranged for your self. And relax!. . . . <small>[ 21 March 2002, 09:35: Message edited by: Scroggs ]</small>