Husband thinking of applying for RAF ATC

[ScaredyKat]

Hi, I'm not really sure if this is the right place for me to post this or not, so sorry if it's in the wrong place.
My husband is currently considering applying to the RAF to do ATC, and I was wondering if anyone could give us an idea of what that would be like? My main concern would be how often he may be detached overseas (we have a 2 month old son).
Thanks

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Hi ScaredyKat. As a retired civil controller and the husband of an ex-WRAF I would earnestly advise him NOT to do it. Why on earth does he want to with a young wife and child? He could be away from you for ages in some dreadful part of the world. OK, he might end up at a UK unit but it's a hell of a risk.

If he wants to get into ATC why not go civil and try for NATS? OK, he might still be posted away from home, but if he was successful at least he'd be in the same country and within easy reach.. and you would soon be able to join him. He would also earn more money, have better conditions of service and enjoy a better standard of living.

[Charlie23]

RAF?

As an ex-RAF controller, now NATS, I would say it depends on the individuals concerned. You will get a fuller picture by visiting an RAF unit; personally, I had some great times (at home and overseas) and wouldn't change if I had my time again. If you choose the RAF you must be prepared to move. He will go away for 4 or 6 month detachments every 5 or 6 years on average, but you will also get the chance to move around (Cyprus, Scotland etc) when he is posted - if this doesn't suit, I wouldn't recommend it. These days you get a fair say where you want to go, but places overseas are not what they used to be. It's good fun when you are young but get out into civil later on if you can. A lot of my peers did exactly that and a significant number of civil (NATS and other providers) controllers are ex-RAF. Visit them both and you choose! He will still have to pass some rigorous selection testing whatever he chooses and be medically fit.

Hope this helps.

[ScaredyKat]

Thanks for the replies, that's really helpful. The opportunity to go abroad would be a positive if my son and I could also go with him, but a big negative if he was sent away for months and we were unable to go. (Am I right in thinking that we could go if it was a posting for at least 6 months, but not if it was a 'detachment'? I know nothing about these things!). He's also looking at applying for civil ATC, but the info we read online made it sound as though there is more career progression in RAF ATC - don't know if that's really true or not.

[abracadabra28]

As an exisiting RAF ATC, my personal recommendation would be NOT to join the RAF. The out of area (Basrah, Afghanistan and Falkland Isl) detachments are much more frequently than every 5 years. The RAF certainly do look after their people, and it is a great career and more specifically a great job with great people, but requires a great deal of mobility and tolerance for a life that extends far beyond the 9 to 5 working culture. The military is very much a way of life and if you want consistency and a solid foundation for a young one then I wouldn't suggest joining during todays climate.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

I've no idea how the RAF functions nowadays; my wife was in around 1966 and she was treated utterly abysmally but, hopefully, things are better. One of her room-mates married an airman and about a month later he was sent on an unaccompanied posting to Gan. The marriage collapsed...

I think you have to be a special type of person to accept military life and I'm sure a lot of people enjoy it immensely; it wasn't for me though. I spent a while with RAF ATC in Malta and there were some great characters... but I also recall some jumped-up, spotty little pilot officers doing their level best to make fools of much older NCOs who were ten times better at the job!

Regarding career progression.... is that what he wants or what YOU want? Maybe he would be happier just talking to aircraft all his life, as I did? Opportunities to progress in civil ATC are fairly plentiful and the top salaries are very good indeed considering one only works about half the year. Top salary for a working ATCO in NATS at some units is around £80K. Management types can get £100K and above.

Good luck and I do so hope that you both make the right decision...

[ScaredyKat]

Heathrow Director - thanks for the reply. The question about career progression came from my husband. Personally I couldn't care less how much he earns as long as he's doing a job he enjoys (and preferably is with me rather than on the other side of the world!). Doesn't sound like RAF is for us then.

[Charlie23]

RAF or not

I agree to a large extent, with the above. Times have changed. No, you do not get to 'go' on a detachment with your partner, but a posting is for approx three years and the move is paid for by the tax payer. Salary expectations are no where near NATS, but still quite good and seem to be backed up by the gov't due to all the commitments around the world. That said, it is, as mentioned, 'a way of life' that can suit a lot of individuals.

[whowhenwhy]

It really depends on who you are as a family.yes he will go on set for 4 to 6 months every 3 to 4 years, you'll move with the same regularity. I think that anyone who joins with a family needs to so with their eyes wide open. It might work for you. I'd suggest that you all try and get a visit to your nearest unit so that you can chat. Pm me if you want with your location I might be able to help

[abracadabra28]

The other Q is why he wants to join. If he wants to be an air traffic controller then he should try and pursue the job through other means; a civilian air traffic controller does so much actual controlling. Many mil units spend hours these days sitting around talking to very few ac (and glued to a PC doing associated duties). Plus he will be asked to do so much more than his primary role; in fact the sad thing is alot of mil air traffic controllers see the actual primary role as a necessary annoyance in which to progress up the ladder. Sad times.

[ATCO Fred]

Just be mindful ref the OOA timings - I've heard mutterings of RAF aligning with the others and going to standard 6 month OOA's

If he wants to be a controller go Civil.
If he wants to get divorced - go RAF

(Slightly tongue in cheek - but you get the jist!)