RAuxAF

[c-bert]

I'm currently considering joining the RAF reserves but am having trouble convincing my family that I won't be sent to Iraq for months on end. What are your opinions on this and the RAuxAF in general?

Thanks!

[Ops and Mops]

c-bert

The important thing to remember when joining the R Aux AF is that you will be liable for operational duty. In the current climate of the regular forces shrinking, there is more and more emphasis being placed on Reservists serving in operational theatres.

Although still seen as "Weekend Warriors", the R Aux AF has been heavily involved in most overseas deployments and theatres since Gulf War 1. Granted, many of those who went and remain in operational theatres recently volunteered or were "available" to go, however if the brown envelope with a mobilisation notice plops through your letter box, you are off (subject to certain exceptions, see www.sabre.mod.uk) without so much as a "by your leave".

The R Aux AF is no longer the "old boys club" it used to be, and it's members are an integral and professional part of the Royal Air Force.

I would suggest that you firstly consider whether you are happy with possible mobilisation, and then be honest with your family. It may also help for you to request a meeting with the OC or Executive Officer of the squadron you want to join, and take your family along. This should help to answer many of the questions that you and your family may have regarding the operational role you will be expected to undertake.

If you do decide to join, try and involve your family in the whole recruitment process, and perhaps arrange to take your partner/wife/parents along to your attestation ceremony. This may help them to understand what you are commiting to when they hear you take your Oath of Allegience/Affirmation.

Your basic and professional training will normaly take at least a couple of years to complete depending on how much time you put into it, so if you do join in the near future, you most probably won't be winging your way to an operational theatre straight away.

Feel free to PM me if you want any further info etc.:ok:

[rivetjoint]

Look very closely at what you want to get out of it too. A few quid for a weekend's work, some hands on tasks to keep you active or actually a bit more than that. Ask to meet people who have been on the squadron for some time, ask them how many times they could've been mobilised AND whether their role in theatre would've been the trade they'd worked hard to qualify in. It's highly likely you'll get send out of area but if you do wouldn't you want it to be something you joined up to do?

Ask to spend a weekend with them on a normal training weekend, see if the pace of life suits you, would you leave on a Sunday evening feeling as though you'd achieved something or would you rather have been at home sorting out the shed?

[airborne_artist]

TA/RAuxAF/RNR all fine if you are single and have a fairly straightforward job. I know, as I've been there and done it.

Add wife, job with travel/other complications and it gets hard to manage.

Add mortgage etc. and a six month operational deployment could get expensive if you have an above average salary but a less well-paid military rank. There is some facility for compensation, but it's worth checking how it would affect you.

Add kids and I'm not sure Mrs. C-Bert would be too entertained if you took a 180 day trip to the sandpit!

PM me for more info.

[eagerbeaver]

do they have reserve pilots? i know that a few guys stay on after their comission, but could i do my day job then when required fly something for HM Forces.

[Jimlad]

The RNR has a large (400ish) airbranch which is over 10% of RNR strength. It has everything from ground crew to pilots - the only thing being is that the branch is open to ex regular WAFU's only.
Dont know about RAUXAF - try www.reserveforces.co.uk

[Wycombe]

Did it (RAuxAF) for 16 years, gave it up 2.5 years ago....definately miss some aspects (but have a young family and more demanding job now so wouldn't go back).

The financial aspects really do need to be considered. Prior to 1991, few of us seriously considered that the Russians would storm into Germany and we'd be called up (which was the only realistic scenario for a full mobilisation in those days). My only mobilisation (GW1) caught everyone out (Organisation and Staff alike). At that time, the Pay/Accounts/Personnel system in the Regular Air Force had no idea whatsover how to deal with a mobilised Reservist (they've had plenty of practice now, so hopefully things have improved a bit).

I was in the fortunate position of having an "on-side" Employer who, amongst other things, "made up" my salary while I was serving - many others were not so lucky (the self-employed seemed particularly at risk, as it seemed more difficult for them to quantify/justify what they were loosing).

The only thing that's changed for sure now is that Mobilisation is almost a given, compared to being a "remote possibility" when I signed-up in '85. As long as you've given that serious consideration and been honest with your Employer and family, then go for it.

[c-bert]

Thanks guys. I'm fairly realistic in respect to the possibility of call up and my employer seems OK with it. What I think is bothering my family (girlfriend and parents) is that:

a) They think I'll be patrolling the streets of Basra (rubbish)
b) They think I'll be doing all the cr*ppy jobs the regulars don't want to do (not sure about that one myself...)

I'm planning on going for flight ops assistant and then maybe going for a commision after a couple of years.

How true are (a) and to a greater extent (b)?

[airborne_artist]

TA grunts in the sandpit have complained at being given the sh*tty jobs such as camp guarding, while the regulars have been out on foot/vehicle patrol.

Some have had more interesting tasks as this article in the Telegraph shows SAS Reservists called up to serve in Afghanistan (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/12/28/nsas28.xml)

[Regie Mental]

If you join a football team you should both expect and want to play in competitive matches! It's unfair on your prospective colleagues if you only join for what can be great fun on training weekends.

Since I joined I've have had a great time. I've made good friends, learnt new skills and had experiences (good and bad) which I wouldn't have missed for anything. I've also fulfilled a desire to serve my country. When the call up came I was keen to go but without the support of my employer and family (including young kids) it would have been difficult. Acordingly you need to sort that side of things out before you join, but do it from an informed position. Speak to the unit you propose joining, they'll only be happy to give you and your partner the facts.

[Ops and Mops]

c-bert

It is true that many of the reservists that have been out in the Gulf, and at home have been given duties outwith their Trade and Branch. Although some local commanders have been taking the pi$$, you must remember that as a serviceman, you are trained in Common Core Skills so that you can be utilised for guard and ground defence duties in addition to your trade.

That said, as a result of several R Aux AF personnel (not R Aux AF Regt) having been mobilised to do nothing but man a gate to a vehicle depot etc in GW2, 1 Gp have directed that Reserve personnel should be utilised in the same way as regular personnel, as effectively they are assimilated into the RAF (under QR's) whilst undertaking operational Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS).

If you were looking to join the R Aux AF Regt, then you would quite possibly be pounding the streets of Basrah. However depending on the unit you are looking to join, and the role that their FOA's undertake, you may find yourself undertaking FTRS at home to release regulars to deploy to theatre, or you would be deployed to theatre only where FOA's were required for your specific tasking.

Again, hope this helps but if do you need more info speak to your prospective unit as they will be able to give you the relevants fact specific to their role, or PM if there is anything else you dont want to discuss "in the clear".

[Tocsin]

I was mobilised last year for Op Telic, and was one of the lucky ones - I had trained for a particular job, did it, closed down and s0dded off back home to wife and family.

Many were given the crap jobs, and to add salt in the wound saw people given the "2 hour useless" course in NBC tasks they had trained and exercised in. This was recognised at senior levels, and we have been promised it won't happen again. I tend to believe this, because the force protection organisation - RAuxAF and RAF - is changing. (I may be wrong!)

My experience is with the Ops Support Squadrons - there are specialist Squadrons, who will have a different take on both deployment and taskings.

The old experience of the RAuxAF was to have people training in both "blue" jobs, e.g. Supply, Flight Ops, and "green" jobs, e.g. guard force, NBC. The way ahead seems to be lip service to the blue, emphasis on green. Problem is, progression/promotion still depends on the blue jobs.

BTW, we had people who had done basic recruit training, and a few weekends - they too did the job required of them last year.

Specifically on Flight Ops - the work is interesting, the training lengthy, but the greatest difficulty with being an Auxiliary is finding a suitable location to qualify and be productive. If you want more in depth on this, PM or email me: tocsin at hotmail dot com

[joe2812]

There's a wee bit in the RAF News at the moment on the RAuxAF.

[c-bert]

Hi All. Sorry to resurrect this topic but I have my interview with the reserves in a couple of weeks and I was wondering what sort of things I will need to know. I have attended OASC before. Will they be epecting the same sort of depth of knowledge or will it be more relaxed?

Ta in advance for any advice.

[Regie Mental]

I think it depends which Squadron you intend joining and what you hope to do. Bear in mind that many squadrons are undermanned and so will be keen to have you aboard.

It also won't be anywhere nearly as tough as OASC, although you will end up back at Cranwell if you are going for a commisssion.