34 Years Ago Today

[C130 Techie]

34 years ago today, 10th January 1978, I took the Queens Shilling and joined the Royal Air Force. Following attestation at the Southampton CIO I was given an advance of pay of £3.50 and 1 days Rate 4 (95p) for travelling expenses.
The following day I took the train to Newark where a ‘shouty man’ politely invited me and a number of others to get on a bus going to Swinderby. After a haircut which cost 35p, filling in lots of forms, being used as a pin cushion and getting some new clothes, we spent the next 6 weeks learning to walk in formation, to climb ropes and jump over boxes, shoot a gun and wear a rubber face. As part of the fun we also got to spend 3 days in Sherwood Forest in the snow for which we were rewarded with a trip in a shiny (relatively) new VC10.
Off then to Halton for 13 months of Techie training before passing out as a shiny new Junior Technician, with more money that I could spend, so it seemed and a posting to St Athan.
It all seems (and was) a long time ago now. The RAF I joined has changed a little. Then, it numbered almost 120,000 people who rarely seemed to be concerned by budgets or money. Over the years we have seen a whole raft of studies, incentives, pay reviews etc, which has brought us to today’s 38,000 (and falling) with the entire focus seemingly driven by (lack of) money.
Over the years I have managed to miss every retention bonus, been ineligible for every redundancy package, had my trade name changed a couple of times and changed trade groups. 34 years has seen many highs, a few lows, some amazing experiences and camaraderie.
Today I have three and a half years to go (assuming I get the push at 55). I have reached the top of my particular tree, am still fully fit and deployable. I still thoroughly enjoy the job I am doing and the daily challenge despite the best efforts of constant change, increased beurocracy, the odd war and uncertainty to thwart that feeling.
As has been said many times it’s all about the people and I work now as I have over the years with some great characters.
Looking forward to the remaining years.

[Rossian]

.....C130 techie. There are so many miseryguts in this forum these days I sometimes wonder whether I really did enjoy my service as much as I did.
I'm well aware that many,many things have changed (and not for the better) but the grass isn't always greener outside.
I sincerely hope you do continue to enjoy the rest of your time.

The Ancient Mariner

[Seldomfitforpurpose]

Looking forward to the remaining years.

July 1974 for me and whilst I agree with everything you say with regards to the above its very difficult when you get this close, as in about 5 months to not be counting the days :E

[BEagle]

C130 Techie, I sincerely hope that the RAF will find some tangible way of rewarding you for your 34+ years of loyal, hard-working service when you finally retire. I doubt very much whether there will be many others of similar calibre able to fill your footsteps when you leave.

After joining in 1968, I stuck it out for 35 years, but left at 52 when I couldn't stand the way loyalty, effort and initiative were being sacrificed on the altar of yes-man penny-pinching. Worse still were the selfish ambitions of thrusting, sycophantic 'leaders' whose only real interest was their next promotion.

Good luck for the next 3½ years!

[NutLoose]

You can see how age diminishes ones memories, in 78 it would have been the Queens 5p :O

[Courtney Mil]

C130 Techie.

From the heart, my friend. Well said. I left, not too long ago after 30 years and you could hardly have summed up my feelings better.

I have been writing a rather poor journal about my time in the RAF (and before and beyond) and I wonder if you would mind me quoting you?

Enjoy it for now, there is nothing like it!!!

Courtney (RAF 1977-2077)

[Seldomfitforpurpose]

Courtney (RAF 1977-2077)

Cluckin bell and I thought had done quite a few years :eek:

[Courtney Mil]

SFFP,

No one else would have me!

[NutLoose]

Well if you make it to 2077, If I am around I’ll paint the Centenary artwork on you.... :E

[ExBinbrook]

I served from 1970 through 1995 as a TG2, Air Comms and then became a Sim Tech guy, left when the Berlin wall was no longer a problem and the planners decided that my trade was no longer needed in uniform.
I was fortunate to have worked for over half my RAF career in F2/F3 software development/maint and last 7yrs as AWACS data center implemetation and management.

Why was I fortunate, simple, I planned ahead, saw the opportunities and made sure I got selected..

On leaving the RAF, like many others I had limited confidence in my capabilities, boy was I wrong.
I spent a couple of yrs as an IT director in a small brewery, then got hired by a US company working in the outsourcing business in Nottm.

In 2002 they moved me to Texas, promotions kept on coming, (no dead mans shoes - its all on merit), headhunters kept on tracking me down and I moved up the tree and now live in the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix Az)

Now some 16+yrs later after leaving the RAF I am a C level executive (COO) for a innovative global US company that is going public in 2012.

The RAF enabled me to be what I am today, but you need to work at it, never take anything for granted.
Guys - if I can be successful, you can too, looking back my dear mother reminds me that I failed the 11+, didn't study as a spotty teenager and only started to learn when I went to Cosford as an apprentice.

[pr00ne]

C130 Techie.

Sorry, just cannot let this statement pass:

“Then, it numbered almost 120,000 people who rarely seemed to be concerned by budgets or money.”

It is really strange how perceptions change over the years, memories dim and facts can become distorted.
The REAL Royal Air Force of 1978, as opposed to that dimly recalled through rose tinted spectacles by C 130 Techie, was:

Still reeling from 11 consecutive cuts in defence expenditure, having suffered severe financial cuts in each of the preceding five years, was in the process of reducing its strength of 103,000 (It had not been anywhere near 120,000 for a long time) by losing 18,000, of which 4,000 were compulsory redundancies, including 600 aircrew, was in the process of closing 18 stations in the UK, closing the last stations on Malta, pulling out of the Near, Middle and Far East, axing entire fleets (Britannia, Comet, Andover, Belfast) reducing others (Support Helicopter by 25%, Nimrod by 25%) disbanding squadrons, merging Commands and Groups and suffering fuel restrictions and something called a ‘moratorium’ on expenditure.

You see, it wasn’t all quite so rosy 34 years ago...........

[SRENNAPS]

C130 Techie

An absolute pleasure to read your thread at 0600 on this dark chilly morning. It has brightened up my day no end. Thank you and I wish you all the best in your remaining years. :D:D:D:D:D


PS We were at Swinderby at the same time. I was two weeks behind you:)

[Halton Brat]

My 2 Cents worth:

Halton Brat 1971-73

Sgt age 22yrs

Demob 1995 (22yr point) as a 10yr Chief (Gorbachov wrecked my career plans with his bleedin' Glasnost/Perestroika.....).

I've enjoyed a good life & career; my humble successes are built on the solid foundation of my Service experience, which, from a distance in time, I remember fondly. I'm now Maintenance & Engineering Manager for a B747 Cargo Airline.

A message for all of you guys & gals due to leave the Service in the coming months/years - don't underestimate your own value in the market; you have much to offer. Get civilian qualifications in your field, and remember, 'adapt & survive'. You will need to step out of uniform both physically & psychologically - remember your Service experience & utilise it, but you must integrate into civilian life fully - make the transition.

Being in the Service is like being at a really good house party - you've had plenty to drink, & the voice of wisdom in your head tells you it's time to go. However, the devil on your shoulder whispers in your ear that it's OK to stay a while longer & drink lots more.

Result:
You make a pass at the hostess (she's your best pal's wife).
You have a fist fight with your best pal in the garden due to the above.
The Police are summoned by neighbours & you are both arrested.
You wake up in the cells with a broken nose & black eyes (your pal also).
You then get to deal with your wife when you are released.

Moral: choose your own time to leave, & plan a graceful exit. Good luck to all!

HB

[Old Fella]

C130 Techie, thank you for a ripping yarn. My service career was with the Royal Australian Air Force (1958-1981). Enlisted to train as a technician, streamed into the aircraft engine trade. Spent time in Engine Rebuilding, Line Servicing including 3 years working with a large number of RAF techo's at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. Well remember the RAF Hastings, Britannia, Argosy and ACE Freighter Constellations (on charter to the UK MOD) transiting as well as the three V bombers being based at Edinburgh. Moved to C130's in 1968 and became a C130 FE (Air Engineer) on A-E & H's, then the B707 before leaving the RAAF. Later got a position on the L1011 with Cathay and then the B747. Things I will always remember. The training I received in the RAAF made it possible for me to join Cathay. More importantly, I had not been flying for 30 months (Had been driving buses & coaches, only way I could get a command) when I was offered a job with Cathay and had not been in a C130 for over 54 months. Had to renew my civil FE licence and, thanks to the RAAF, I was able to do so using their C130E Simulator (after "bottling up" for two weeks) and two pilots to crew for my Proficiency Test by a departmental examiner. It just proved there is no point in burning bridges when leaving an employer. Another thing I will always cherish is the memories of shared experiences with the many personnel, from the RAF, RAAF and USAF, with whom I worked over my 23 years in the RAAF.

[cornish-stormrider]

Sage words from HB and others - I love to hear WIWAL etc, but not in the job interview. Make your experiences relevant to the civvy world and you will piss on all the other candidates - emphasise your ability to learn quickly, adapt and display talents for similar things.......

I.E. I say have you ever worked on xyz?

You say, no, but i have worked on zxy which is quite similar and I don't forsee any problems in the transition....

Also realise civvy street needs people who understand that the business needs to ake a profit (duh) and that it will expect its staff to work on if needed and step up......

Fly safe now
CS

[NutLoose]

Wish mine was so rose tinted.
Mine was arrived Swinderby May 76 to be met by the coach with a Corporal in number ones and a leg in plaster...
Arrive at the station to be issued a v neck jumper to wear with Civi's as the clothing store was closed..
Also the Barbers was closed, so it wasn't until the second day that we could get a really terrible haircut and then pay for the privilege, seemed to remember feeling like a sheep and thinking this guy must be on piece rates...

So first day consisted getting the p*ss exctracted in the Naaf 1 with our long hair and civi dress with a temporary jumper on.

Camping was done at the bottom of the Airfield for one night only due to AOC's parade, which we got extra drill for...
Supposed flight was cancelled, so we could do more drill for the AOC's parade...

Ahh and the Muskets for the parades, both AOC's and Passing out were old .303's that had been mucked about with to make them look like SLR'S..

Guy on a flight before us was standing by one of those gas heated water boilers when camping, that were 45 gallon drums on the side, when the Gas tank exploded, he had both arms seriously burnt and they were bandaged and strapped to his body, he had to go to the medical centre to be fed, washed, dressed and erm a male nurse would hold his tadger whilst he went for a leak... ohh and wiped his erm butt...... we all felt sorry for him as he was continually being backflighted whilst he healed up, was still there when I left. He wasn't exactly popular at the medical section either amongst the male staff.

[C130 Techie]

Pr00ne - So I got my figures wrong! What do the odd 17,000 people matter anyway. Very little to today's goverment it seems. Anyway my point was meant to be simplistic and light in line with the rest of my post. As a 17 year old up for the challenge of a new life and career the woes you list meant little then (and my memory is just fine thanks). I was aware that all was not sweet and rosy as my father had just left the Army somewhat disillusioned after serving 22 years. Through my young and naive rose tinted glasses it wasn't all about money back then even though to those making the decisions in reality it probably was. Today with experience and a small part in the decision making process money clearly is significant.

I am pleased that most read my post with the sentiment intended and I am grateful for the kind words, the advice given and the shared experiences. The prospect of a future beyond the blue suit after so many years seems a little scary as I am sure many will agree. But then many have done it and survived the experience. Good luck SFFP:ok:

Nutloose - You must have had the 'Friday afternoon' model experience.:eek:

Courtney Mil - If any comments are worthy of use feel free.

Srennaps - Thanks. 2 weeks behind at Swinderby eh? To quote the 70s Sitcom, Get Some In!!:p:}

[Courtney Mil]

C130 Techie,

Thank you. Very worthy. I shall credit you a C130 Techie unless you prefer anything else.

Pr00ne will always pick you up on everything. Smart guy, I think, but tending towards the harsh. No offence, pr00ne.

Courtney

[Seldomfitforpurpose]

C130,

Take absolutely no notice of Proone, he is rarely anything but controversial and is talking about an RAF that you and I as very young men indeed would have had no real knowledge of.

I joined as a Nav Inst Mech before reaching Sgt as L Tech FS before swapping my overalls for a flying suit, some would still say they are both overalls :p

From my younger days there was never a sense of cost and it was nearly always rosy as a rosy thing.

As a shift worker on 10 line at Bzn I worked 3 days 3 nights then had 6 days off so only 6 months at work and that was before you used any leave.

Duty supper for one and all and free for the bean stealer's

More MT vehicles that you could shake a stick at, I remember as a 17 year old driving a huge cherry picker as part of a multi vehicle convoy to the Airman's mess for 3am breakfast and double parking just to annoy the scuffers.

A fitters course and a brief spell in the hell hole that was Sealand was followed by a tour in Germany in the bay at Bruggen, tax free car, petrol coupons, cheap booze, skiing, inter section sport, Deci with 31 Sqn, European holidays, nights out in Roermond, Wine Fest's, Rhine in Flames, Beer calls. The only down side was the almost monthly mini/max/Taceval but a few days of pain for all that fun, fair exchange methinks.

At Valley as a newly promoted Sgt going a trip in a Wessex to Jersey as a "fuel burn" fact finding exercises which was actually 3 days golf and 3 days accom all courtesy of HMG, free golf at Royal Jersey as they were V impressed with us military types.

Going aircrew was an outstanding move, not for everyone but for me it really did work out. The 9 years I did on Puma's were some of the best days of my whole life. Two 8 week tours in Belize were just breath takingly good fun and an experience that some can only dream of.

Being tasked to fly a medical team into a jungle clearing then watching them spend a day as a mobile hospital will live with me for ever. I watched a poor young man have his foot amputated as he had ended up with gangrene, a women being sterilised and a whole host of other stuff and all carried out with a couple of stretchers and what ever else you could shoe horn into the back of a Puma.

Being tasked to take water into the jungle for a bunch of Archaeologists who were uncovering a Mayan? Temple and out of gratitude being showed round, fascinating but kin big steps springs to mind.

Being taught how to fly a Puma, outstanding.

Journey's End..................

Another posting to Germany, this time Laarbruch and this time an even better time. 7 tax free cars in 3 and a bit years, more petrol coupons, more Euro travel, more cheap booze etc etc etc.

Wangling a trip in a Harrier only to find that your pilot is one of the dads you stand on the touchline with each week cheering on each others footballing sons and as you walk he says " It's an hours GH so 30 minutes for me and 30 minutes for you", I am still smiling almost 20 years on.

My last 15 years will have been spent on the Herc. Someone told me when I started the Herc OCU to buy a world map and a tub of pins and mark everywhere you have ever been. Not as lucky as some as the furthest east I ever got was Brunei and the furthers west was Honolulu but in between, what a blast.

By the time I finish it will have been 38 and a bit years and whilst there were a coupe of bad times when I screwed up in spades and a few really really sad times when I saw some really good people lose their lives I would not have missed any of it for the world.

[crystal10]

All of that and they still want the poxy watch back.

[C130 Techie]

SFFP

Some great memories and as I said in my original post some amazing experiences. Flying and me unforunately don't get on too well so GE wasn't even an option.

Our paths must have crossed at Lyneham, I spent 15 years there and then time at the Project Team. Now pushing paper round a desk at the super transport hub in Ofordshire.

Like you I think I've seen some of the best and worst of times over Alberts life. 63 Ks at Lyneham in 1989, down to single figures now. Gotta move on though, A400M is coming (in my time??).

[ancientaviator62]

When I retired I handed over my watch to the young lady in stores. She looked at it and asked if I had taken the battery out as it was not going. I said that it was a wind up watch. The look on her face was priceless especially as she could not find it on the computer ! Same confusion over much of my kit. I too had a great time going from B/E to Spec Aircrew S/L in around 39 yrs. And yes my log book is full of places where pins would be on the world map.

[engtechp]

I spent 26 years enjoying the challenge of RAF life, Cyprus, Germany, Halton (instructing) and a tour as a VC10 GE etc.
Then one rainy night on LYN 'B Line' I was in charge of engineering. I took the handover at 1900hrs, checked the tasking for the next 18 hours and noticed that an A/C tasked for a 0430 take-off had no chance of meeting it'd slot due to a major unserviceability. I informed Eng Ops, they told me they would leave it as tasked in case 'it came up' :ugh:. I told them that even if I threw every one of the 55 engineers at it it would still not 'come up! At midnight they asked for an update, I repeated what I had told them. Every half hour they asked for an update, my story did not change.

At 0230 the crew came to pick up the A/C and where not too pleased to find out it was not and would not be ready until the following afternoon.

The next morning the SEngO came in after an O Group briefing with Eng Ops and asked me what had occurred, I told HER all the facts and then she proceeded to rollock me and told me that in future I must lie to Eng Ops and tell them we will try to fix an un-fixable problem otherwise they will think that we are not trying :mad:!!!!!

The next time on days I PVR'd. I still had a great time in the RAF but it was time to go.

[Tinribs]

left at 38/16 1983, it was time to go after an enjoyable career

I forgot to hand in the watch, an easy mistake to make

The watch still works for private flying , if I remember to wind it

[Finningley Boy]

I am pretty much a contemporary of your's C 130 Techie, I arrived at Swinderby on 31st August 1977, Silver Jubilee and all. I left in another great year, and the lat one to see a phenominal flypast, 1990, 50th Anniversary of B.O.B.

As for Mr pr00ne's figures, I sadly have to agree. But all things are relevant I suppose. The R.A.F. then and when left, was huge compared to today, with so many things to see and do! But just 10 years before that, and its a fair bit bigger still, just 7 years before that and the number of active Fighter squadrons still to receive the benefit of the Sandys review is mind boggling and so on. I often wonder what someone joining up now will be reflecting on and saying when they reach a similar stage in life.

FB:)

[brakedwell]

I PVR'd at 37/16 in 1974. Serious down sizing began a year later, so I have never regretted the decision.

[BEagle]

The two people who did the most to ruin the dreams of Eagle-reading 1950s baby boomers:

1. Duncan Sandys.
2. Dr Beeching.

[brakedwell]

It was Duncan Sandys that did for me. Cancelled my Hunter course in 57, gave it to the Indians, so I ended up on Hastings :{

[bill2b]

C130 Techie
I beat you to swinderby I got there Nov 77 and left just before christmas.
Smalley :)
Mind you you trounced me on the career stats, I peaked at Cpl and left in 2001 (still a Cpl) :O
I have some fabulous memories of my time in, with plenty of highs and lows but none of which could have been done in civvie street.

One of our JTs at Marham used to keep a daily diary logging all he had done each day including aircraft jobs numbers etc. I laughed at the time but now I wish I had done the same, I could have written a book by now.
:D

[C130 Techie]

Oi Bill2b it's a year or two since I was last called a smalley:eek::}:}

Bit of a down to earth moment this last couple of days with the untimely death of a friend and contemporary (still serving). Puts things into perspective a little. Life is great fun but you only get the one chance.

Engtechp
Did a few shift handovers with HER. (Ex G Shift B Line) I suspect that she had a significant negative impact on numerous careers other than her own which clearly went places:yuk::yuk:

[pr00ne]

Courtney Mil,

No offence taken, I was merely picking out the phrase about budgets and money which seemed to imply that the RAF of 1978 was some financial wonderland with unlimited funds and no worries, which of course was FAR from the case. Nor, I accept, was it what C130 Techie was saying.
I have no wish to either deny or denigrate C130 Techie his sentimental memories, and he is right to point out in his reply that his post was meant to be simplistic and light in tone. No offence to C130 Techie intended.

Seldomfitforpurpose,

You can have a controversial opinion, you can have a controversial point of view, you cannot have controversial facts, and all that I posted consisted of the facts of the RAF in 1978. Just because you confess that you were were ignorant of them at the time does not render them any less factual.

Actually you too are being rather selectively sentimental. “More MT vehicles than you could shake a stick at”. Really? I recall various friends of mine at the time of the Royal Review of the RAF the previous year bemoaning the fact that if they didn’t use their own vehicles for daily routine purposes their various squadrons and units would have ground to a halt...


When I joined their were various folk at South Cerney who were bemoaning the mickey mouse Air Force that they were left with and that was before the cuts of 1968...

[Seldomfitforpurpose]

Seldomfitforpurpose,

Actually you too are being rather selectively sentimental. “More MT vehicles than you could shake a stick at”.

Proone,

I arrived at Bzn in Jan of 1975 and was posted to 10 Line and had a fantastic 2 and a bit years there. Whilst my memory is slightly clouded I clearly remember a selection of MT vehicles outside the line that included mini vans, land rovers, 1 "Toners" and a couple of cherry pickers hence going anywhere on station was courtesy of HMG.

I shared a lift to work, shared a lift home but used MT for all other needs.



You also say,

"Really? I recall various friends of mine at the time of the Royal Review of the RAF the previous year bemoaning the fact that if they didn't’t use their own vehicles for daily routine purposes their various squadrons and units would have ground to a halt...

There is absolutely no substitute for personal experience :ok:

[Al R]

C130 Techie,

Nice one. The thing that I realised, only after I had been out for a while was that my time in was a means to an end and not the end itself. I needed time and distance to realise that. When you're caught up in a military career, you just don't think about anything else because of the tempo and insularity of it all. It doesn't really matter about the detail, the politics or the funding at the time.. it was the people I knew who made it for me what it ultimately was - a very worthwhile, pleasant and enjoyable interlude. And I'm glad you also think of yours as the same and are able to leave with your sanity and some great memories.

[AR1]

C130Techie
Congratulations on your service. Same year as myself, but you lasted 18 years longer!
That so many of us come on here, just to be in touch with the Service tells you all you need to know - Its in your blood.
Enjoy.

[C130 Techie]

Pr00ne

Non taken.:ok:

and are able to leave with your sanity

I think that assertion may be open to some debate!!