Joining the RAF
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Nottinghamshire
Originally Posted by navibrator
Anyone noticed that Spawney has gone quiet?
I haven't laughed so much for ages. Clearly by the way he writes, he's a wind-up merchant.
If all he is worried about is not having some free time, not having enough money and having to do some physical exercise, he's looking at the wrong career. I suggest he becomes a dentist - one who gets paid by the taxpayer for his training and then doesn't support the NHS as a NHS Dentist.
Yes - old and bitter but then I am still waiting for JPA to come on line! - oops - wrong thread!
I haven't laughed so much for ages. Clearly by the way he writes, he's a wind-up merchant.
If all he is worried about is not having some free time, not having enough money and having to do some physical exercise, he's looking at the wrong career. I suggest he becomes a dentist - one who gets paid by the taxpayer for his training and then doesn't support the NHS as a NHS Dentist.
Yes - old and bitter but then I am still waiting for JPA to come on line! - oops - wrong thread!
I came on looking for advice, not a flaming match.
Looks like I came on the wrong site for advice.
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Mate,
Here's the thing.
Alot of the stuff that you've focussed on has been peripheral stuff - time off, money, PT, drill. When people have responded to this, with authority, in typical RAF speak, you've bitten back. If you do this at selection, or in training, you'll be had.
What you need to do on this site, given your position, is be very, very humble, and give guys a clue that you have 'the right stuff'. If you do, they'll help. We thrive on looking after each other. As long as we have mutual respect.
An 18 year old wannabe is most welcome on this site. We'll spend time with you. If we think you're worth our time. If you show potential. If you're thinking of joining any part of the RAF, you've got to be a special kind of character.
If you're not that special kind of character, then you'll be slayed. So - figure out the character issues, by heeding the advice on this thread, and then apply. And if you're good enough, you'll make it. But ALL OF THIS STARTS WITH A BIT OF HUMILITY.
I wish you all the best. I was once 18 and wanted to be a pilot. I made it. BUT - I did not make it by being inflammatory with the dudes who were already wearing the t-shirt. I'm betting that if you created yourself a new username and started a new thread with the title "Teach me, Obi Wan", you'll get a completely different response.
Once again, good luck.
Here's the thing.
Alot of the stuff that you've focussed on has been peripheral stuff - time off, money, PT, drill. When people have responded to this, with authority, in typical RAF speak, you've bitten back. If you do this at selection, or in training, you'll be had.
What you need to do on this site, given your position, is be very, very humble, and give guys a clue that you have 'the right stuff'. If you do, they'll help. We thrive on looking after each other. As long as we have mutual respect.
An 18 year old wannabe is most welcome on this site. We'll spend time with you. If we think you're worth our time. If you show potential. If you're thinking of joining any part of the RAF, you've got to be a special kind of character.
If you're not that special kind of character, then you'll be slayed. So - figure out the character issues, by heeding the advice on this thread, and then apply. And if you're good enough, you'll make it. But ALL OF THIS STARTS WITH A BIT OF HUMILITY.
I wish you all the best. I was once 18 and wanted to be a pilot. I made it. BUT - I did not make it by being inflammatory with the dudes who were already wearing the t-shirt. I'm betting that if you created yourself a new username and started a new thread with the title "Teach me, Obi Wan", you'll get a completely different response.
Once again, good luck.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Nigit
Spawney. If you're worth your salt, you'll sort the wheat from the chaff and come to your own conclusions. There's some good advice here (look carefully). You're right in saying that pay is a consideration, but they're right when saying that pay shouldn't be a driver...
If you want a bit of both, work hard, get in, work harder, earn a pittance, get out, work less hard, earn a packet. Look on it as an apprenticeship and you'll not go far wrong. For guys joining these days, the military is much more of a "job" than a " career", just don't say that at OASC and don't go around (presuming you get in) saying "I'm only doing this until I get a job with the airlines". As you have seen, this kind of approach can rub the old school up the wrong way...
Whatever you do, good luck, but don't be quite so keen to rise to the bait old boy...
If you want a bit of both, work hard, get in, work harder, earn a pittance, get out, work less hard, earn a packet. Look on it as an apprenticeship and you'll not go far wrong. For guys joining these days, the military is much more of a "job" than a " career", just don't say that at OASC and don't go around (presuming you get in) saying "I'm only doing this until I get a job with the airlines". As you have seen, this kind of approach can rub the old school up the wrong way...
Whatever you do, good luck, but don't be quite so keen to rise to the bait old boy...
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: East Midlands
Spawney,
I hope that you are still out there and reading, if not responding, to this thread.
I urge you to read again my previous post, the information therein was posted in good faith. When I worked at Cranwell on Off Trg too many very keen 18 year olds fell by the way side for lacking maturity; many of them were hurt and surprised that that was so because they had had a burning desire from a very young age to be pilots in the RAF. Some were surprised that their Air Cadet experience had been an encumbrance rather than a boon! Some came back later having 'grown up' and were highly successful. You, from your posts, have given the impression that you have 'just had a good idea'.
Take heed of the encouraging words on your thread and ignore the others. 'Underpowered' has got it right, read him again. Use the 'Search' option to find the answer to some of your questions; that might even get you in contact with others who wish to (or have recently) follow a similar path.
My last word. It's a tough road to gain the Queen's Commission let alone gain your wings. Many have tried and many have failed; it takes courage and commitment but most of all it takes maturity and a thick skin!
Once again, Good Luck!
Bloggs.
I hope that you are still out there and reading, if not responding, to this thread.
I urge you to read again my previous post, the information therein was posted in good faith. When I worked at Cranwell on Off Trg too many very keen 18 year olds fell by the way side for lacking maturity; many of them were hurt and surprised that that was so because they had had a burning desire from a very young age to be pilots in the RAF. Some were surprised that their Air Cadet experience had been an encumbrance rather than a boon! Some came back later having 'grown up' and were highly successful. You, from your posts, have given the impression that you have 'just had a good idea'.
Take heed of the encouraging words on your thread and ignore the others. 'Underpowered' has got it right, read him again. Use the 'Search' option to find the answer to some of your questions; that might even get you in contact with others who wish to (or have recently) follow a similar path.
My last word. It's a tough road to gain the Queen's Commission let alone gain your wings. Many have tried and many have failed; it takes courage and commitment but most of all it takes maturity and a thick skin!
Once again, Good Luck!
Bloggs.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Herts
Attitude
I've just been given my bursary to be a pilot, and I worked my arse off for it. The only advice I can give you spawney is that you need to convince those at OASC that you really want this. From the threads you've left I really get the impression you think it'd be cool to be a pilot, but you don't really want the !!!! that comes with it...
From everything I have been told about the Air Force, the thing I've been told most is that the RAF is a lifestyle, not just a job, and I suggest you treat it like that. That's what I intend to do when I get there.
I wish you all the best, but if you don't change your attitude then they'll pick up on it at Cranwell and you'll get nowhere.
Noonoos
From everything I have been told about the Air Force, the thing I've been told most is that the RAF is a lifestyle, not just a job, and I suggest you treat it like that. That's what I intend to do when I get there.
I wish you all the best, but if you don't change your attitude then they'll pick up on it at Cranwell and you'll get nowhere.
Noonoos
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Joined: Dec 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 16,700
Likes: 54
From: Lincolnshire
Apart from rising like a fish to the bait 
there is a notable feature about Spawney's posts.
They are actually articulate, punctuated and capitalised and avoid text speak. There is hope yet.
As for family life, we I got engaged I briefed Mrs PN that there were priorities and she was not number one. She accepted that. She wants the benefits she had to share the pain.
Sprog 2 was due, we are talking hours not days, and my crew was on its second ops sortie in a couple of days at a detached base. No contest.
After our ops sortie the crew pulled every stop (actually we pulled a few before flight too) and we flew over 18 hours in the 48 hours before the sprog arrived.
But team spirit is what it is all about.
there is a notable feature about Spawney's posts.They are actually articulate, punctuated and capitalised and avoid text speak. There is hope yet.
As for family life, we I got engaged I briefed Mrs PN that there were priorities and she was not number one. She accepted that. She wants the benefits she had to share the pain.
Sprog 2 was due, we are talking hours not days, and my crew was on its second ops sortie in a couple of days at a detached base. No contest.
After our ops sortie the crew pulled every stop (actually we pulled a few before flight too) and we flew over 18 hours in the 48 hours before the sprog arrived.
But team spirit is what it is all about.
