What made you sign on the dotted line ?

[Muppet Leader]

Gentlemen, Ladies and other associated politically correct persons of un defind gender or sexual persuasion,

Having read the replies on another thread entitled “New RAF Recruitment Ad”,
I was wondering, what gave you the kick up the @rse to sign on the dotted line and take the Queens Shilling ?

Was it the sound of a low level FJ overhead?
Was it the thrill of seeing real aircraft at an air show and meeting the crews?
Was it for the excitement, sports, social life, as shown on advertisements?
Or does it run in the family?
Or was it apathy with civilian life, boredom and nowhere else to go?

[Little_Boy]

I like men in blue!!

[Always_broken_in_wilts]

In Farnborough circa 74:rolleyes: there was **** all on offer for a "billy f@ck wit" like wot I was/is without even a CSE to my name. Dad was a civvy driver with the Army and met some nice "Sqabbling Bleeder", apparently the RAF used to have some of them at one time, who convinced hm a life in blue was the way ahead. Joined at 16 and have never looked back, 15 years techie and 14 years as a loadie............fantastic:ok:

Made a great choice then but not so sure anyone joining today's outfit would ever be afforded the same great chances......however if you believe the current ad then who know's:mad: :mad: :mad:

all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced

[Impiger]

It looked like fun - bloody hell it has been (and still is).

[SirPeterHardingsLovechild]

My dad made me sign the dotted line.

But at age sixteen I was too young to sign, so in effect he was doing the transaction.

I wanted to join the Navy :{

[Feck]

I didn't want to go through life thinking "I could have, and didn't".

[Always_broken_in_wilts]

SPHL..........bl@@dy hell close call then:ok:

all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced

[Scud-U-Like]

I needed a bit of order and discipline in my life, so, having seen an RAF ad in the paper, decided to apply at my local CIO. It's the best decision I ever made and I still believe that, for diversity and excitement, a career in the armed forces takes a lot of beating. I have seen a great many changes during my service; from important strategic shifts, like the ending of the Cold War, to better conditions for servicemen and women, such as less unnecessary intrusion by the Service into their private lives.

Scud-U-Like
(Gentleman of defined gender and sexual persuasion)

[Pub User]

Sound of a FJ overhead? - Absolutely.

Thrill of seeing aircraft at airshows? - I will never forget the smell of fuel as the Phantom flew (very low) over Sunderland Airshow in 1981.

Excitement, sports etc? - Not a thought.

Family? - I think an Uncle did National Service in the RAF once, does that count?

Apathy? - No.

Recently 'retired' after 17 of the best years imaginable.

[insty66]

1 The single man room...........still sharing 20+ years later
2 The air experience flight in a VC10.............had far too many now can I please stop?
3 Meeting new and interesting people...........some far too interesting.
4 Money ..........spent it
5 Family......................now we're all doing it
6 Always been a bit of a percy potter...............I'm nearly cured.



I do moan & bitch a bit now but my life since I joined has been as good as I feel I have the right to have asked and have had so many experiences that I could not have possibly had in any other job and as for the people ..............................brilliant (mostly) except for two ex Vulcan crew chiefs whom I would gladly miss out of a re-run of my career

[Muppet Leader]

On a serious note,
My mother was the PA to the top bod at BAE Woodford when the Vulcan was in production.
One day she took me into the facility, when was about 14 or 15 years old.
Had the guided tour from some old bod, telling me about this and that.
At the end of the day, I was asked if I wanted to go to another factory so see some other stuff. I jumped at the chance.
The following day I was taken to this other factory, where they made the helmets for the lightning pilots.
(If any of you guys are out there, please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong on the next bit).
The helmets were made to measure for each pilot, and, owing to the complexity of the design – oxygen, anti-flash visors, coms etc, they only fitted the one person.
Apparently, a pilot was due that day for his final fitting, but had unfortunately been killed in a motorcycle accident the previous day.
Unfortunately, I do not know his name.
Thus the helmet was of no further use, and I was presented with it as a keepsake.

I don’t know if this sparked off any interest, however a few weeks later, the air show was staged at Woodford.
I have a very strong memory of sitting on the roof of our car, when a Lightning flew overhead at VERY low level in full reheat. My next memory was of getting up off the ground after the sonic boom had knocked me off the roof.
When I left school, I decided that the British Forces was the right thing for me.
“I know, I’ll join the Army”.
My step Father was in the 8th Army in North Africa, during the fracas with Herman.
”Oh no you bl@@dy well won’t” was the reply.
My real Dad was in the navy, as a “Captains Writer” whatever that was.
He was torpedoed twice and left the Navy after the war.
I get quite sea sick, so the Navy was a non-starter.
My Granddad (Mothers’ Father) was a navigator on Lancasters, and no sorry, I don’t know the squadron number, during the same batch of fisticuffs.
After the war he stayed on to complete fifteen years service.
“Join the Royal Air Force lad”, he told me. “Best thing for you”.
I got on the bus to our local CIO, and never looked back.

:ok:

[reynoldsno1]

Dad didn't want to pay back the RAF Scholarship money....

[Yeller_Gait]

Soon after dropping out of college after two years wasted, I decided that I was going to join the army ... after having been in the bar for a couple of hours.

Went to the local CIO, only to find a sign on the Army Careers office saying "Back in 5 minutes". So I went next door to the RAF Careers Office, and the rest they say, is history.

Can't say that I have any regrets

[BEagle]

Grew up - or rather, 'got older' - with Meteors and Vampires landing half-a-mile away. Then Canberras, Wyverns, Sea Venoms, Seahawks. Family friend had flown reece Spits over Germany and was a typical '50s Hunter chap. My mother had been a radar WAAF in WW2...

Merryfield and Yeovilton Air Shows, lots of military jets over our part of Somerset....another family friend (boss of 892) wangled me a trip in the coal-hole of a Sea Vixen - at the age of 15!

There was never any doubt really.

Would I do it again? Probably not - because the RAF of today isn't anything like the one I joined. Underfunded, not enough aerodromes, aircraft, people or prospects. Too many sticks and too few carrots, far too much triv - and the 'I hear what you say (but will do bug.ger all about it as it could affect my career prospects if I dare to rock the boat)' culture which is more concerned about Performance Indicators :yuk: than training for excellence...

[5Uniform]

Good Morning,

I am 21 years old and signed the dotted line when I was only just 18. The debate for me about whether to join the air force or not never really took place as it is what i've wanted to do as long as I can remember. My initial interest in flying was spawned from speaking to airline pilots on holiday flights...who all told me to join the RAF.
So from about the age of 13, I set my sights on it and got it and to be honest, I was so focused I would have been shafted if I didn't get in!!
I obviously can't comment on the 'old RAF' but to be quite honest, im having the time of my life here. I love the flying and the people I have met have been great (apart from a couple of dozen civvies but thats another topic!)I suppose ive not been in long enough to get a balanced opinion and the holds are getting longer again (now 9 months for valley).
I start valley in April and can't wait. I love what I do and I know there are people who would give their right arm to do what we do every day so I am very lucky.

regards

[Roghead]

Failed to get into the London Fire Brigade-too small they said.However still believed there was something more exciting than working from a City office and was seduced by a weekend colour supp in the Times offering £1500 pa within two years, as a RAF fighter pilot.
I applied, despite the laughs of my biker mates,and drifted through OASC Biggin Hill not really understanding what was going on and to the surprise of all my family(except my dad-God bless him) received my travel instructions and details to report to RAF South Cerney on 5 Jan 1964.
It changed my life,for the better,and would do it all again despite the "it's not like it was in my day" attitude which all grumpy old men,myself included,proclaim too loudly at times.
I admire todays young servicemen and women and feel proud to be associated with them.

Keep smiling.

:ok: :ok: :ok:

[FEBA]

when I left school I got a job as an assistant manager at a printing works when after the first week I realised that printing wasn't for me. I wanted some real adventure and decided to join the Foreign Legion, but being dyslexci I ended up in the British Legion where I met an avuncular WO2 from the Sherwood Foresters.
He led me to another building across the road which had lots of pictures of smiling and happy people in a brown uniform. I was told that I would find P company a doddle and that I could fly helicopters if I wanted. I didn't believe him but left the building with a bible (not sure if there was any money in it) and a warrant to Sutton Coldfield.
I wish I never left.
Oh the stories we could tell eh!

[Flytest]

I joined the Navy.. Young impressionable 17 year old.. saw "Top Gun" too many times and decided a life of world travel, pretty girls and beer was just what I needed.

Did I find them? yes indeedy .

After one failed marriage and two children by two different girls, financial trouble, alcohol trouble, car crashes and numerous airshow parties, would I change any of it, or do I regret it... NO CHANCE :E

That said.. now I'm mature and respectable.. we all have our skeletons eh fellas??????:cool:

[Mr C Hinecap]

Convinced I was going to fail my A Levels, I headed to the Army Careers Office (no - I don't understand the logic either - I was in a 'different place'). Went for aptitude, medical etc. Was told by RCB I was a bit green (and they were correct) and to come back after doing something.
Had a couple of mates who joined the RAF as Airmen. Seemed to be getting looked after and appeared a bit more common sense that the Army. Tried to join as Techie, Options For Change hit, went for ALM (too short sighted) then got brain & spine removed via Sleaford Tech.
didn't want a 'job' - wanted a bit more. Not bad so far. Still rather do this than anything else. Don't think any adverts made a difference - those cr@ppy Careers Offices with the grey net curtains took any glamour away from the process!

[keithl]

Wanted to fly since (age 6) being shown over Lancaster in London "Festival Gardens" following Festival of Britain. Originally wanted to fly civvie, but while I was doing Flying Scholarship at Luton met a friendly airline pilot who said "More fun in RAF, at least until you grow out of it". Well that didn't happen till I was 50. It was good advice.

[Vage Rot]

Was rejected by the 'Womens Auxilliary Balloon Corps!

seriously, wanted to fly since I was about 4 years old. Inspired by the sight and sound of hunters, swifts etc wazzing across my grandfather's house on the outskirts of Dartmoor.

It's still brill, love low level flying and popping a tube of nasties onto the target!!

Grrrrrrr

[Dan Winterland]

Tried to join the Navy. They told me to go away and grow up. So joined the RAF instead! :D

[Akrotiri bad boy]

It was a typical Mancunian day - wet,wet,wet. Nipped into the CIO to dry out and became engrossed in the Boys Bumper Book of Trades. Pages fell open on a picture of a Flight Line Mech shown wearing KD shorts, desert wellies, and ear defenders. FLM was waving bats at a Herc on a blisteringly hot flight line. "I'll do it!" I yelled to the sergeant.
Duly trained I spent the next three years freezing my brass ones off at Lossie. The only exposed skin was a small portion of my fizzog just visible in the depths of my snorkel parka.
Still trying to sue the mob over trades description and their failure to supply under floor heating on flight lines, (I'm a martyr to my chillblains).
But what the hell, I'd do it all again.

[Pontius Navigator]

One uncle went missing in a Beau. His brother gave me all the recognition playing cards. I could identify an Me109, Ju88, Spit, Hurri, 190 and he even had cards for Zero, Betty etc.

Every BofB weekend we would cycle to the nearest airfield. In my case Hooton Park, Meteors I think. The auxilliaries there did not have an air show but when more than 1,000 turned up they called out on RAF Common, 117.9, for any passing traffic. The one I remember was a Shackle bomber that diverted in and put on a display. We could also look across to Speke and watch what was going on there too. I guess I was about 8 or 9.

[twenty2fifty]

flash gordon

don't worry about today's airforce it may always appear as if you have worse - it is'nt - enjoy what you have! believe me you have what we didnt have.

[ZH875]

I always wanted to work on the Mighty Vulcan. Was proud to take her to war and was there at the end of her operational days.

Have I any regrets - No

Would I sign up in todays RAF - No

I have worked with some of the best people and some of the finest of British Aircraft, but todays politically based aircraft designs are not like the real thing.

[jockspice]

Wanted to fly from a young age, an ambition fuelled by all sorts of aircraft roaring low over the house on the way to and from Leuchars, mostly F-4s, Buccs and a Vulcan or 20!
Was turned away from the RAF as I wasn't "the right type they were looking for" and duly welcomed by the RN as I "wasn't the right type for the RAF".
Never looked back!!! :ok:

[John Farley]

As a young engineering apprentice I made my way into the office of Group Captain Sammy Wroath, Commandant at ETPS. He politely said that before I could join the course I would have to learn to fly first. No problem I thought - the RAF can teach me that.

[Jobza Guddun]

"6 Always been a bit of a percy potter..............."

Oh really, that's useful to know...........

Cometh the Leaving-do, cometh the man

:}

For me, never wanted to do owt else, and seeing as I couldn't fly as I couldn't see (!) took the next best thing, engineering (tradesman that is not chairwarming), and have never really regretted it 15 years later, even in the bad times.

People make it what it is, be it because they are incredibly funny, hilariously f**k-knuckled, superb at their job, superb managers, or because they can make even the most desperate place worth being there at that time.

And because there's just something about walking into a room of complete strangers and being on great terms within hours.

:ok:

[Blacksheep]

Poverty.

Poverty drove me to it. In 1963, for a Smoggie like me, the only alternative to taking the Queen's Shilling was a craft apprenticeship as a plumber. If only I'd known how much money plumbers would be making twenty years later - my Uncle Billy retired a millionaire (true) but then he never had as much fun as I've had.

Stuff the money - aeroplanes are so fascinating. Wish I wasn't cross-eyed though - I'd rather bend them than mend them, but you can't have everything.

**************************
Through difficulties to the cinema

[jayteeto]

There was a picture in the CIO of waterskiing in Cyprus, that was for me!! Never got there and the water in N Ireland was too cold. 24 years later, my gratuity will have to take me there........

[BUMPFF]

The sight of a single Wellington making a low fly-by over our smoking, smouldering district in the wake of a blitz night in 1941. After that I could only count the days until my 18th birthday.

And the poster, "Ginger's back in the RAF!"

[Sideshow Bob]

I always wanted to be an engineer and I was always fascinated with planes, especially those of the early jet era. The logical solution seamed to be becoming a flight engineer. Unfortunately I didn't do well enough at school so let the nice man at the CIO talk me into a ground engineering job. After 12 years of hard work I finally got to be an Air Engineer. I even get to fly a comet derivative.

[European Crash]

Joined a Commonwealth Air Force - it was all I ever wanted to do. Did the ground branch thing, transferred to GD branch as rear crew (with a concomitant and spectacular loss of specialist seniority!) and had the time of my life, except that I was a crap operator!

Grounded, I transferred to the RAF and have had the time of my life. My work has felt 'important' and I see what a lot of my well-educated colleagues from Varsity have ended up doing. Although generally better off financially (though not by as much as many within the Services imagine), some have dull as ditch-water jobs, and several have quietly mentioned how they envy the 'derring do' of the RAF.

Enjoyed the sports and expeding - and although sometimes grumpy, I believe that the new entrants into the RAF remain enthusiatic, educated and personally motivated as ever. Middle Management - SNCO and Officer - need to accept that new blood is constantly dripping through any organisation.

Did recruitment campaigns have any effect on my decision. No.

Mr C Hinecap - you were green at 17? plus ca change!

Crash

[Airbedane]

I never seriously considered doing anything else.

From the first moment I can remember as a thinking being, I was going to fly aeroplanes. As I grew older, it had to be in the RAF - must have been all the war films I saw on TV in the 50's and 60's.

I had a great time, and I'd certainly do it again - but I'd do it differently. The knowledge of age and experience - if only............

[Beeayeate]

Dad was a rigger, a "Brylcreem Boy" during the war. Joining the "mob" was all I ever wanted to do, so I did, early as possible. I ventured forth from a small fishing town in Scotland near a certain "Macri" aerodrome, heading south for the metropolis of St Athan in a foreign country. Have never regretted it.

As with all the others here I certainly would do it again, but next time I'd sit the promo exams sooner.

Had a great time in the "mob". Didn't fully realise I was having a great time though, but now, sitting here at my comp, I know I should have taken more interest, more photos, more notice of people's names, more beer, more photos, more notes, more photos. . .

What do I miss? The clarity of purpose of those days and the world-beating humour of the blokes.

Feel a tad sorry for the blokes in today's "mob" having talked with a few in squdron visits etc, but then, as BEags is always saying ". . . it was a different RAF in those days!".
:\

[Zoom]

Dad was in the Army and I suppose I was heading that way too until a friend gave me an model Hurricane for my 10th birthday. That was that.

I would do it all again but, now that I know that civvy street has a higher proportion of prats than the Armed Forces do, I would stay longer next time.

[fatjockslim]

To be perfectly honest, my mother filled in the application form and sent it away without my knowledge:confused: The rest was up to me...18 years later, I have no regrets and only one posting that I didn't enjoy.

[cyclic]

Never wanted to do anything else but fly - lived near Biggin Hill. Father wanted me to join the Navy - luckily they wouldn't have me. Ended up as a radiographer for the NHS (don't quite know how) but couldn't take anymore of working with 60 women all in white dresses! Joined the RAF as a Flight Engineer (don't quite know how) and ended up as a helicopter pilot (don't quite know how). Left last year after 18 years as my first sentence no longer held true. Started civvie flying, regained my love of aviation :yuk: ;would I do it all again - most definately yes but probably not for quite so long!

[Wingswinger]

My father was in Bomber Command during WW2 - 129 ops - and he stayed in until 1960 so you could say it was in the family.

I started in a UAS and on my first summer camp ( Coltishall ) won a ride in a Frightning T5. Sold!

I went on to fly Hunters, Bonajets and Tornado GRs.

Gave it all up for Big Airways fifteen years ago.

Do I miss it? You bet! Six months after leaving I had fogotten what made me go and remembered only the good times. :ok:

[BEagle]

Would you believe that the sorry, impecunious RAF today in addition to being unable to afford to buy its own elementary training aircraft, having to instead rely on contractor-owned Tupperware trainers, can’t even afford the cost of UAS summer camps any more.....so they no longer hold them.

Do you think you would have joined if you hadn’t had the chance of that T-bird ride?

It really is pathetic:mad:

[Impiger]

BEags

Not even the contractor owns the tupperware terrors. They owned by me old mate Fred Goodwin CEO of the Royal Bank of Jockland and leased to VT Aerospace.

Still thats not what this thread is about.

Earlier post about a recruiting poster showing water skiing in Cyprus did it for someone. Seem to remember same poster showed a comely young WRAF in a KD dress strapping God's gift to aviation into a Lightning. Didn't think much of the Lightning but the lass ..............

[Charlie Luncher]

Lived in N.Ireland wanted to make a difference to the lives of my family and friends, decided to join H.M Forces. Watched Top Gun at the tender age of 15 thought I could do that! Went to Biggin Hill found out I could not! Was convinced Maritime was for me by retired old Sqn Ldr, he was right. Had a blast but moved on, still in maritime but no freezing me nuts off on preflight any more now I just get betty swallox on preflight. I still continue to enjoy flying in maritime, it is not worse or better just different even with new toys and airforces to play with.

Charlie sends

[HercFairy]

It was cold and wet and there was 20 mins till the bus came! Ever wondered why they always put CIO's next to bus stops?!?!:hmm:

Seriously Always been fasinated in Hows things worked and air planes from as long as i Can remember, so just put the two together!

Had 5 great years seeing deserts from all over the world and fixing old albert. Wouldnt change it for the world.:D

[TheNightOwl]

I was a lazy sod as a teenager, all I wanted was to follow my Dad into the Scots Guards, preferably playing the pipes. Dad would have none of it, "...no future in it, some bastard will point a gun at you with malice aforethought," etc., etc. Since I had a penchant for dismantling things, but not always successful in putting them back together, he advised that I learn an engineering trade. Some of it might rub off and reduce the domestic repair bills!
I joined as an Instrument Fitter, pissed it up all round the world for a few years then, on my return to UK from Kenya, became a Sim Tech, I found my niche! Phantom/Harrier/Jaguar/Buccaneer, then left and emigrated to Oz, continued as a Sim Tech until airline went belly-up.

Do I miss it? Yes, but mostly the soldiering part, e.g. Taceval.
Would I join up again? I don't think so, some of the comments in these hallowed halls lead me to believe that I wouldn't enjoy the same freedom as we had twenty-odd years ago. I can sympathise with BEags, his writings strike a responsive chord in me, so I'd stay as I am. Too PC for my taste, I think!

All in all, I had a grand time, absolutely LOVED flight simulation, specialised in the cockpit and visual systems. I've never had the ungovernable urge to fly the real hardware, apart from the fact I was too bloody idle to get the necessary qualifications, but I do fly privately.

Kind regards,

TheNightOwl.:ok:

[Ya Zi]

I was walking past the CIO one day and said to my mate,

"I've half a mind to join the RAF".

All of a sudden, an arm shot out of the door, grabbed my lapel and dragged me inside while a voice said....

"That's enough - you're in!"

;)

[FEBA]

Ah it only takes half a mind to join the RAF. Those with the full cerebral compliment join the Navy or the Army.
:ok:

[insty66]

Those with the full cerebral compliment join the Navy or the Army.
Obviously!
You don't mind if I send my next few replies from the hotel do you? Only I couldn't find a "boat" or dig a hole quick enough:D

[happy eater]

Nobody else would have me and my Mum kicked me out!!!