RAF Situation Question(s)

[silverjs]

Hello everyone,. .. .I recently spoke to a pilot in the Canadian Forces, and he was telling me two things that seemed quite contradictory. On the one hand, he was confirming what everybody says of air forces everywhere - competition is hotter than Pamela Anderson in a boiling hot water bathtub - but that the Forces are terribly undermanned. As an example, a squadron should normally have 24 pilots, and the squadron that has the most in the CF right now has 17!! . .. .From what I have been reading on this board regarding the RAF, the situation seems to be pretty much the same in both respects. When I pointed at the contradiction, the pilot told me one of the problems (for F-18s, anyways) was lack of instructors, so that fewer students than required can go through (down to EIGHT a year right now!!). . .. .Can somebody please help me reconcile these two seemingly different realities? Because, again, I suppose the situation is the same in the RAF.. .. .I intend to join the RAF, if not as pilot, then as WSO (Tornado!!). I would like to know what kind of chances I have.. .. .I would also have one more question for you RAF folk. The pilot in question was telling me that in the CF, there is a big ongoing discussion, service-wide, regarding "quality of life". Seems some folks are displeased. =) Could you RAF members please tell me of your general experiences in the service, what you thought of it, if you'd do it again? . .. .Mind you, all I want to do is fly and I'll put up with practically ANYTHING, but I'd just like to have an idea. =). .. .Last one - What is the relationship between officers and non-coms in the RAF? Is there a camaraderie or more a climate of condescendence?

[TheSeeFarShadow]

You had better ask 'Flap62' about the comaraderie between 'Os' and SNCO in the RAF. Mind not everybody is like him (or her)

[SimonK]

JSB,. .. .Relations between officers and snco's are generally good, although the recent retention review hasn't helped.... .. .ie pilots heres loads of cash, snco's heres sod all. .. .The problem you refer to is that people aren't staying in the military for a variety of reasons. Life in the military is not what it once was... as a no timer (7 years) it has changed immeasurably even over this short period. . .. .Experienced and qualified people leave=less people.. .less people=more time away. .tony's world tour 97-?=more time away. .more time away=more people pissed off. .more people pissed off=experienced and qualified people leave. .. .Do you see the vicious circle? The Govt has realised just how good our military is....(you would be surprised given the ***** kit they give us)..and is using us to influence their position on the world stage.. .We aren't a superpower anymore, but we are being used as if we rule the sea/air/land. We don't.. .Because we are so busy and life is so unstable, morale is low and people don't stay in. The military is faced with a manpower crisis. Solution? Drop the high standards of training and selection that are the byword for the British military since time imemorial? Maybe but the military is generally speaking unwilling to do this.. .. .This is why sqn's are half full and yet as many people as ever are applying to get in.. .. .retention.