The RAF (Merged)
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The RAF
Hello all,
If your son or best mate for example was thinking about joining the RAF shortly would you advise him otherwise? I mean I know it may be their dream etc and that nothing will stop them but lets talk about whether you'd join the RAF as a pilot right now.
Its over to you!
Andy
If your son or best mate for example was thinking about joining the RAF shortly would you advise him otherwise? I mean I know it may be their dream etc and that nothing will stop them but lets talk about whether you'd join the RAF as a pilot right now.
Its over to you!
Andy
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Despite all the problems present in todays air force, most of them well documented on these forums, the RAF is still the only place that you can fulfil a dream of military flying (be it Fast Jet, rotary, Tac Hercs or whatever) so yes I would support them.
I myself am nearing the end of my PC and am looking forward to getting out next May, mainly due to the present problems and attitudes. Doesn't mean I regret joining in the first place though.
The feeling of pride that you get when your wings are pinned on for the very first time is unbeatable and shouldn't be denied anyone, if that's their ambition.
LCP
I myself am nearing the end of my PC and am looking forward to getting out next May, mainly due to the present problems and attitudes. Doesn't mean I regret joining in the first place though.
The feeling of pride that you get when your wings are pinned on for the very first time is unbeatable and shouldn't be denied anyone, if that's their ambition.
LCP
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Yes,
Have to agree with Lara's Undies!
Despite everything (and there is a lot) it is still the best 'big-boys' flying club in the world.
Its just not as good as it was, but is anything ever as good??
Kind regards to all
TSM
Have to agree with Lara's Undies!
Despite everything (and there is a lot) it is still the best 'big-boys' flying club in the world.
Its just not as good as it was, but is anything ever as good??
Kind regards to all
TSM
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Joining The RAF ?
Andy
Despite my imminent departure after 25 years, I would still recommend the Aircrew branches of the RAF as a great career for a youngster. I've had experiences that money cannot buy, seen places that I could never have afforded to visit (and of course some that I never want to see again.....) flown and worked with unique people who are like minded and truly professional. I guess the acid test would be if I had my time again, and no doubt I'd make the same mistakes, but I still wouldn't change anything. All in all, I've had a great time and there is nowhere out of uniform than can possibly give you the same range of experience.
BT
Despite my imminent departure after 25 years, I would still recommend the Aircrew branches of the RAF as a great career for a youngster. I've had experiences that money cannot buy, seen places that I could never have afforded to visit (and of course some that I never want to see again.....) flown and worked with unique people who are like minded and truly professional. I guess the acid test would be if I had my time again, and no doubt I'd make the same mistakes, but I still wouldn't change anything. All in all, I've had a great time and there is nowhere out of uniform than can possibly give you the same range of experience.
BT
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Of course "your son or best mate" should have the talk about laying down his life at the behest of the 'gentleman' currently residing at No 10 Downing St. (And of course by implication, also the White House!) That man's relationship with the concept of honesty and integrity, may form a part of any such discussion.
It's a great career. No question. But there are implications about accepting the Queen's shilling, that must be considered by anyone thinking of joining HM's "ARMED" forces!
Many too easily forget that.
It's a great career. No question. But there are implications about accepting the Queen's shilling, that must be considered by anyone thinking of joining HM's "ARMED" forces!
Many too easily forget that.
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Andy,
I had 16 extremely happy and rewarding years in the Royal Air Force and regret not a thing. I echo the thoughts and feelings of
Bats, The Swinging Monkey and Lara Croft Pants.
Regarding Tandemrotors points: One knows that before joining, viz., that one could lay down ones's life at the behest of anyone reiding at no 10 Downing street... consider how many months of 'peace' the Services have enjoyed since 1805 and whether their concepts of honour and integrity were any different.
NC43
I had 16 extremely happy and rewarding years in the Royal Air Force and regret not a thing. I echo the thoughts and feelings of
Bats, The Swinging Monkey and Lara Croft Pants.
Regarding Tandemrotors points: One knows that before joining, viz., that one could lay down ones's life at the behest of anyone reiding at no 10 Downing street... consider how many months of 'peace' the Services have enjoyed since 1805 and whether their concepts of honour and integrity were any different.
NC43
There is a tendency on pprune for topics to be revisited a number of times over a period of time, such as requests for tips on joining the RAF, passing IOT, etc. Back in Feb 2003 I started a thread entitled 'Would you encourage your child to join the military?'. It ran for over a year I think, with nearly 100 replies on 5 pages. I would suggest this might be worth a read, as little has really changed.
If I was computer literate enough I would provide you with an automatic link to it, but you should be able to find it easily enough by searching, and no doubt somebody more competent than me may help by adding the link!
If I was computer literate enough I would provide you with an automatic link to it, but you should be able to find it easily enough by searching, and no doubt somebody more competent than me may help by adding the link!
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I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
If asked about a career in the RAF the answer has to be a positive one for no other reason than the friend, mate or relative is already predisposed to join and is asking you for confirmation.
They are asking for tips and clues and not a NO.
The day Kennedy was short I went to a dinner. I, as a pilot officer, was introduced to an ex-sqn ldr aged about 35 (maybe 38) whose advice was resign. Twittered and bistered I thought and didn't. PS, in those days most sqn ldrs were pilots!
Then a year later, day one on my first operational station I met a copilot (the only aircrew on the station that day as the rest were flying) and he gave me one word of advice - resign.
Needless to say I ignored them both and never regretted it for a moment.
They are asking for tips and clues and not a NO.
The day Kennedy was short I went to a dinner. I, as a pilot officer, was introduced to an ex-sqn ldr aged about 35 (maybe 38) whose advice was resign. Twittered and bistered I thought and didn't. PS, in those days most sqn ldrs were pilots!
Then a year later, day one on my first operational station I met a copilot (the only aircrew on the station that day as the rest were flying) and he gave me one word of advice - resign.
Needless to say I ignored them both and never regretted it for a moment.
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Only Join as SNCO Aircrew or Comissioned. I did 13 years in the ranks and while I have some great memories and friends I just think if I knew then what I know now I would not have joined, even though the trade I had in the RAF was a benefit to what I do now. I cant believe the level of BS I took for so long. I now work half as much, for three times the pay, in a much better and satisfying work enviroment. And I am treated as a person and not a rank .. The question I would ask is .. what kind of a state is the RAF going to be in in say 5 to 10 years time ??
Exactly.
Exactly.
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Pontius Navigator, nutcracker43, Tandemrotor and others,
You have all made really good comments. I can fully understand them. However, the air force is not the same now as it was then is it? (As Radoper was suggesting).
My feeling is yes join if you really want to do it. But as has been witnessed here there are a few individuals that still cant see this. They would recommend join join join as they still live in the 1980's.
Cant you see that people already in are being stirred around? God knows what the newbies will be put through. . . . And if it does work in cycles then what I have suggested would be crap as the newbies would be coming in at a good time. However, the RAF is shrinking and its roles and assets have changed dramatically. Therefore in my opinion the goal posts have been moved and the situation for newbies is one that is not so positive.
What do you all think?
Andy
You have all made really good comments. I can fully understand them. However, the air force is not the same now as it was then is it? (As Radoper was suggesting).
My feeling is yes join if you really want to do it. But as has been witnessed here there are a few individuals that still cant see this. They would recommend join join join as they still live in the 1980's.
Cant you see that people already in are being stirred around? God knows what the newbies will be put through. . . . And if it does work in cycles then what I have suggested would be crap as the newbies would be coming in at a good time. However, the RAF is shrinking and its roles and assets have changed dramatically. Therefore in my opinion the goal posts have been moved and the situation for newbies is one that is not so positive.
What do you all think?
Andy
15 years from now your mates who joined in 2006 will be banging on about how it's not like the good old days when we still had Cyprus and were doing a proper job in Basra instead of keeping the 'peace' in ummm [map..finger..stab] Greenland.
Plus ca change, plus ca meme chose. As the SWO used to say.
PS.Tell 'em to join but if they don't know in what job - remember there are only two kinds of people in the world: Pilots and Pax.
Plus ca change, plus ca meme chose. As the SWO used to say.
PS.Tell 'em to join but if they don't know in what job - remember there are only two kinds of people in the world: Pilots and Pax.
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Andy,
Do you believe everything that you read in a newspaper? If yes, then believe what you like from the answers that you are receiving here. If the answer is no, then analyse what you are being told and advise your 'mate' accordingly.
Most of the responses here are from people who appear to genuinely have enjoyed their time in the RAF. Most, I suspect, are aircrew and, from your initial post, it would appear that that is also 'your mate's dream'.
Some of the people who participate in PPRuNe are cynical sods, who are content to throw stones from hyperspace! Interestingly, they are all either taking an extended Christmas break away from their computers or, in the main, have chosen not to respond to your question. If the latter, for me, that says quite a lot. Some, however, have even responded positively!
I am aircrew, I joined the RAF in Jan 1969 and flew Buccs & GR1s. After 37 years I am still serving (but not flying) and, if I could turn the clock back and become 18 again, I would do it all over again. The RAF is a brilliant career and yes it has changed in those years that I have served. There are many demands on our personnel most of which are acknowledged by those at the top; unfortunately they are not our masters and do not hold the purse. Yes, we do many more deployments than we did when I was first flying and yes they do have an influence on your personal life. But, the RAF is a warfighting organisation and these deployments are everything that the British Military is designed and required for when political and diplomatic reasoning has failed. (Please, folks, do not turn this thread into a 'Whether Iraq?' on the strength of that comment).
When a young 'mate' has a dream of joining the RAF to fly as a pilot then he has a reason for doing so. Whether it be a sense of duty or a desire for an exciting life poling FJ, helos or heavies around the skies, he will undoubtedly have considered the broader issues of what the RAF is involved in today.
I distinctly recall my early days in the RAF when we still had WW2, Korea and Suez veterans amongst our aircrew. Many were junior officers who had stayed on after National Service and often you would here the bleat that it 'wasn't like this in my day'. It wasn't and it won't ever be in the future.
The RAF is a great life if you are the man/woman for it. We who serve (or have served) should, as the majority of responses on here suggest, not stand in the way of anybody's dream.
Regards
FW
PS. If you join in the next 18 months, we might even get the chance to meet! (No, I am not at OASC or OACTU).
Do you believe everything that you read in a newspaper? If yes, then believe what you like from the answers that you are receiving here. If the answer is no, then analyse what you are being told and advise your 'mate' accordingly.
Most of the responses here are from people who appear to genuinely have enjoyed their time in the RAF. Most, I suspect, are aircrew and, from your initial post, it would appear that that is also 'your mate's dream'.
Some of the people who participate in PPRuNe are cynical sods, who are content to throw stones from hyperspace! Interestingly, they are all either taking an extended Christmas break away from their computers or, in the main, have chosen not to respond to your question. If the latter, for me, that says quite a lot. Some, however, have even responded positively!
I am aircrew, I joined the RAF in Jan 1969 and flew Buccs & GR1s. After 37 years I am still serving (but not flying) and, if I could turn the clock back and become 18 again, I would do it all over again. The RAF is a brilliant career and yes it has changed in those years that I have served. There are many demands on our personnel most of which are acknowledged by those at the top; unfortunately they are not our masters and do not hold the purse. Yes, we do many more deployments than we did when I was first flying and yes they do have an influence on your personal life. But, the RAF is a warfighting organisation and these deployments are everything that the British Military is designed and required for when political and diplomatic reasoning has failed. (Please, folks, do not turn this thread into a 'Whether Iraq?' on the strength of that comment).
When a young 'mate' has a dream of joining the RAF to fly as a pilot then he has a reason for doing so. Whether it be a sense of duty or a desire for an exciting life poling FJ, helos or heavies around the skies, he will undoubtedly have considered the broader issues of what the RAF is involved in today.
I distinctly recall my early days in the RAF when we still had WW2, Korea and Suez veterans amongst our aircrew. Many were junior officers who had stayed on after National Service and often you would here the bleat that it 'wasn't like this in my day'. It wasn't and it won't ever be in the future.
The RAF is a great life if you are the man/woman for it. We who serve (or have served) should, as the majority of responses on here suggest, not stand in the way of anybody's dream.
Regards
FW
PS. If you join in the next 18 months, we might even get the chance to meet! (No, I am not at OASC or OACTU).
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An Raf Career?
I have just recently discovered this site, and can't help but notice a lot of 'about to leave' or 'wish i was leaving' contributors. I am currently awaiting a date to attend OASC having passed my filter interview at the AFCO in the autumn. I have applied to join the RAF as NCA.
My main reasons for joining are that i seek a long and stable career away from the modern world of business, which i detest. Also a wish to serve Q & C and have a great time etc.
Am i to believe from what i read on here that the RAF is now run by policy makers and modernists at the MOD or is it still the great 'Royal' Air Force my grandfathers joined many years ago?
Any advice would be most welcome!
Ps. I would be applying to be an officer, but do not have the correct accademic qualifications as yet. Perhaps some advice on the likelyhood of achieving these once 'joined up' would be helpful.
Thanks
My main reasons for joining are that i seek a long and stable career away from the modern world of business, which i detest. Also a wish to serve Q & C and have a great time etc.
Am i to believe from what i read on here that the RAF is now run by policy makers and modernists at the MOD or is it still the great 'Royal' Air Force my grandfathers joined many years ago?
Any advice would be most welcome!
Ps. I would be applying to be an officer, but do not have the correct accademic qualifications as yet. Perhaps some advice on the likelyhood of achieving these once 'joined up' would be helpful.
Thanks
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
priestleyre
Plenty of good jobs as NCA. You can, as they said, get your GCSEs. Many stations do a ONE WEEK crash course leading to English. Maths may take a little longer but reflect just how much time you devoted to maths at school. Say 5 hours per week for about 40 weeks or 200 hours total.
Many of the NCA jobs need almost as many GCSEs as officer. What are you short of? If it is the full bag and you therefore have to go for the least academic NCA then your future commissioning opportunities will be slimmer.
Plenty of good jobs as NCA. You can, as they said, get your GCSEs. Many stations do a ONE WEEK crash course leading to English. Maths may take a little longer but reflect just how much time you devoted to maths at school. Say 5 hours per week for about 40 weeks or 200 hours total.
Many of the NCA jobs need almost as many GCSEs as officer. What are you short of? If it is the full bag and you therefore have to go for the least academic NCA then your future commissioning opportunities will be slimmer.
