Joining the RAF

[Spawney]

Hi all,

I am currently in my second year of 6th form, studying Physics, Maths and Geography. I Intend to pass all 3 in the summer.

I am looking at becoming a pilot or a dental officer in the RAF.

Firstly, my main worry is that I dont want to be tied down to live in the RAF base. I read that you have to stay in there for the first 6 weeks, but after that you are free to leave at weekends and evenings. Is that true? Can I be a 'normal civilian' when i've left base (i.e Girlfriend, Go out, etc.)?

Secondly, on the RAF.MOD.UK Website, it doesnt say that you need a degree in the qualification. But theres something about vocational training.. I get the feeling you need a degree, but can do the vocational training in the RAF. Could anyone tell me if i need a degree for the dental officer?

Also, after training, and during a 'normal day', do you still have to do PT, and Perform drill etc?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Melchett01]

Why pilot or dental officer? The pilot part I can understand, but it's a pretty big leap from hoovering around at low level to hoovering around in someone's mouth - I'd make sure you have your answers squared away for that one.

As for do you need a degree to be a dental officer, I bloody well hope so! Remind me to check my dentist is actually qualified before she starts drilling for oil next time. I'm pretty sure that you have to be qualified before you join, but it should have told you that on the website. Incidentally, just a thought, do you not need chemistry to do medical / dental degrees? That's what I was told back in my day when I was doing A-Levels - if you want to do either of those, you need chemistry as medics and dentists are notoriously bad at teaching chemistry so they like you to have a good background to start with. Avoids embarrassing incidents like mixing up your gasses in the operating theatre because you can't tell your O2 from your NOx and wondering why the patient is going blue.

As for the rest, no you aren't tied down once you leave Cranwell, just don't expect much free time during training or if you end up on an ac type that is permanently deployed. PT, as long as you can pass your fatness test, no one will force you to do it, but it is a bit embarrassing when you end up having to walk to level 4 on the bleep test

Have a good rummage round the RAF website and use the search engine on here, plenty of good gen on careers, OASC and the like.

[Spawney]

Thanks for the speedy reply melchett.

I've just thought of another question (Sorry!). Once ive got my A-Levels, will I go in higher up than someone who went in after their GCSE's?

Also, what is daily life like as a Pilot? I take it you're not always flying, and i guess you do a lot of stuff on the ground?

Cheers again!

[UnderPowered]

Attitude Re-adjustment Required

Originally Posted by Spawney

...I dont want to be tied down to live in the RAF base....Can I be a 'normal civilian'...?

Also, after training, and during a 'normal day', do you still have to do PT, and Perform drill etc?

If you're scared of the above, whether you do it every day or not, the general, other, constant hardships will get the better of you. The above things exist, in no small part, to test the 'Per Ardua' so that we know that you'll get 'Ad Astra'.

It is not an accident that the motto of the RAF is in that order.

If you're serious about joining the RAF as anything, I suggest that you go to university first. It'll give you time to sort out who you are before you get eaten alive by the training system, if not the enemy.

[Melchett01]

Once ive got my A-Levels, will I go in higher up than someone who went in after their GCSE's?

Yes or no, it all depends whether you join on a commission or in the ranks or as NCA. If you want to join on a commission, A-levels are a must, however, that isn't to say that just because you only have GCSEs, you can't climb the greasy pole - there are plenty of people that joined up with a couple of GCSEs in sociology and woodwork and ended up with a commission from the ranks - the process is slightly different. Howeverm you should be aware, that there are plenty of SACs around that have degrees but just decided they didn't want the hassle of a commission. By the same token you could have a PhD in Nuclear Physics and still be a nugget and not meet the requirements for commissioned / aircrew service. Personal qualities rather than a long list of qualifications will get you in and promoted.

And no, you don't spend all your time flying; in fact, depending on what ac you end up on, you will probably spend most of your time on the ground, waiting for ac to become serviceable, planning or doing countless other associated and secondary duties.

[L J R]

Fly Jets, Drop bombs - cool...

(ME similar)
(RW similar) etc...

Spend lots of time planning above.
Spend lots of time getting qualified / reading about getting good / geting competent / getting good / Supervising / instructing same.....

As for the other 'free' hour in the 12 hour working day.....

You normally equally divide your time doing:

Times Officer
Categorisation Officer
Mess Committee Member
Standardisation Officer
ATC liaison Officer
Snack Bar Officer
Social Club Officer
Entertainment Officer
DETCO planning
Deputy Flight Commander
Unit History Officer
Publications Officer
Navigation Officer
Auth Desk
DAO
CCS
Bleep Test
Swimming Test
Annual Dental
Annual Medical
Pistol Shoot
Study for ATPL (Oh I forgot, you are only 18 and haven't even joined yet - sorry)


...and other duties as assigned

You then get to do some personal admin (when JPA online!)

Finally, you are occasionally seen in crew room where you banter other squadrons.

Then it is time to go home........

Kiss wife, kick dog (make sure you get this one in the correct order), go to sleep and wake to .... (see above).






.....and that is while you are waiting for next det to somewhere sandy and soon to be ooohhh so familiar. (You have seen groundhog day right??)

[Spawney]

Ahh right, That sounds quite cool. I'm not put off by any of the above tasks.

Apart from 1!

I CAN swim, but not very far! - I feel that with practice I will swim a lot better, I guess theres a certain distance you have to be able to swim?

[UnderPowered]

Better

Originally Posted by Spawney

I'm not put off by any of the above tasks.

Now THAT'S the spirit.

The swim test is not a drama. If you need to practice, then do so, and all will be well. As I recall (it was a while ago) you only do it once and its valid for life. Its only for aircrew, it was 6 lengths (any stroke) followed by a couple of mins treading water, and, I think, a minute or 2 treading water without arms (simulating ejection injuries). Worth the pain to be a pilot. Actually, being a pilot in the RAF is worth going through a whole world of pain.

PS Watch out for the Dunker if you go Helos. Some kind of upside down trapped in a helicopter underwater. Never done it but the helo mates have, so it can't be impossible.

[Spawney]

Ahh right, the 'Dunker' seems quite a daunting task... But im sure I will get through it.

Final Question (Honest!)

On the RAF website, it says you start off on £30k once youve passed training, but on a seperate part of the website it said

-Pilot Officer £21,250

Just wondering on the pay scales.

I'm looking forward to applying for the RAF, it all sounds good, and cant wait to join you lot there!

[L J R]

'cos unfortunately your training is rarely complete as a PLTOFF / FLGOFF. Most are FLTLT by time they COMMENCE OCU and have held for over 2 years between IOT / EFT / 1FTS / 4FTS etc....

[Spawney]

Aha, ok. So basically its going to be 2-3 years before I see the £30k then?

Thank you for all your help by the way

[Norwester]

Don't join the RAF for money! It definitely won't make you rich!
You have to think of it as a lifestyle choice above all else and really want it.

[Spawney]

Yeah, dont get me wrong, I would LOVE to fly in the RAF... I just dont want to be on a base salary for the rest of Life... It would be nice to see the £50k mark... What are the chances of that?

[eagle 86]

I really don't think you are cut out for service life.
GAGS E86

[Spawney]

Originally Posted by eagle 86

I really don't think you are cut out for service life.
GAGS E86

OK. And your reason being?

[plans123]

You must realise its not a job in the city, its not 9-5, you do lots of things you don't really want to and go places that you don't really want to and its not because you want to earn 50K. You're coming across as materialistic and If you're thinking like that - then I wouldn't want you with me on det.

[Dan Winterland]

A life in the military is not just a job - it's as I described. Your life. This may sound drastic, but it does not give you the freedom to do live the way you would in a civilian job. This is not necessarily a negative, lots of people enjoy it. But you have to give yourself to the job and make lots of concessions to enjoy the rewards it can bring.

Your comment about 'not going home for the first 6 weeks' makes me think you have little idea of what it entails. It's true, you won't get home in the first 6 weeks, but if you think your life will return to what you were used to - think again! You will be on frequent deployemnts - my record was 8 months away in one year.

I'm not trying to put you off, but it appears you need to do more research and decide whether it's for you. The competition for pilot is very fierce, you will need to be very well prepared to stand a chance of selection. And don't join for the money!

The RAF only recruits qualified dentists so you will have to qualify and get some practice experience if you are serious.

[Safety_Helmut]

Spawney, are you really 18, or 8 ?

[Stringy]

God, I know when I finish IOT (on IOT in July) I'm not going to be caring about the money! £21k will be more money then I've ever had before, I'm not going to be saying "Damn, I can't wait til I reach Flt Lt so I can start earning £30k+".

If you want to earn megabucks go fly an airliner.

[ProfessionalStudent]

No reason why, as a Flt Lt you can't earn £50K+. At all.

Not a King's Ransom, but quite enough thank you very much.

If you want to be rich, marry a rich bloke's daughter...