Would you recommend a career in the military
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Would you recommend a career in the military
I have to ask the question as I have just convinced a son of a friend that the RAF wasn't for him. He is smart and hard working and I couldn't bring myself to lie to him. I really cannot recommend a career here anymore. I was encouraged to join the RAF by a serving member and have in my long service career recommended this life to many. Just interested if this was a common occurance with impacts on recruitment? 
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Was asked the same question yesterday at a family luncheon and my answer direct to his father and the individual concerned was: Yes if its for a short-service commission but only after having secured a degree in something useful to either build on when he is in the service or to gain Fg experience to get his licenses and leave for civvy street. Otherwise the answer was a resounding NO!
Never thought I would say that when I joined over 21 years ago, in fact I wouldnt have said it 4/5 years ago.............tells a tale I suppose.
Never thought I would say that when I joined over 21 years ago, in fact I wouldnt have said it 4/5 years ago.............tells a tale I suppose.
Last edited by SaddamsLoveChild; 18th Dec 2006 at 14:27.
As to myself, left 33years ago and have unhesitatingly recommended the RAF to all enquirers. Not now though, having read the various threads on this Forum. Now I feel sadness and anger in just about equal proportions, sadness at what the service I love has been reduced to and anger against those who have contributed to its downfall.
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To join or not to join, that is the question....
It's a difficult one this. I joined 10 years ago and was lucky enough to be offered a SSC out of Uni and was only offered a PC and a juicy carrot of a job 2 months ago in a vain attempt to keep me (despite no ISS or JOCC
).
Would I do it again? Probably. I have had ball, done some things that Joe Bago'donuts on the high street would never even dream of doing and have had the privilege of working with some great people.
That said, there are downsides: higher Op tempo means more time away, less good deals, longer working hours and overstretch.
If a life behind a desk doesn't float your boat, then there are worse jobs out there, but in this day and age you would be foolish to enter without an alternative plan just in case. I have no doubt doing what we do and facing the responsibilities so early in our careers help make most of us better people.
I turned down my PC - priorities change and to be honest, the thought of doing 12 hr days 5 days a week with limted chance for leave doesn't fill me with joy, but for a fresh faced slightly less cynical young thruster it's a pretty good life charging around the blue tearing the arse out of someone else's jet... In the end, the individual must make his own decision. I have never regretted it and I don't know too many people that REALLY do (despite the grumbling
).
).Would I do it again? Probably. I have had ball, done some things that Joe Bago'donuts on the high street would never even dream of doing and have had the privilege of working with some great people.
That said, there are downsides: higher Op tempo means more time away, less good deals, longer working hours and overstretch.
If a life behind a desk doesn't float your boat, then there are worse jobs out there, but in this day and age you would be foolish to enter without an alternative plan just in case. I have no doubt doing what we do and facing the responsibilities so early in our careers help make most of us better people.
I turned down my PC - priorities change and to be honest, the thought of doing 12 hr days 5 days a week with limted chance for leave doesn't fill me with joy, but for a fresh faced slightly less cynical young thruster it's a pretty good life charging around the blue tearing the arse out of someone else's jet... In the end, the individual must make his own decision. I have never regretted it and I don't know too many people that REALLY do (despite the grumbling
).
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No.
Unless you have a burning desire to fly fast jets - then there's only one place you can do it. But best to do so on a SSC if available.
Everything else can be done outside. You can even get shot at in AfgIrak as a Journo. For more money. Much more.
And sadly the positive secondary effects are also dwindling; mess life, course/sqn spirit etc. Much of it is a sign of the times. A great proportion of it is a downward slide of service values and principles.
Unless you have a burning desire to fly fast jets - then there's only one place you can do it. But best to do so on a SSC if available.
Everything else can be done outside. You can even get shot at in AfgIrak as a Journo. For more money. Much more.
And sadly the positive secondary effects are also dwindling; mess life, course/sqn spirit etc. Much of it is a sign of the times. A great proportion of it is a downward slide of service values and principles.
This has been done before, as indeed have most things on pprune....
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=82439
Started in Feb 2003, 5 pages, 86 replies, and things have only got worse!
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=82439
Started in Feb 2003, 5 pages, 86 replies, and things have only got worse!
Last edited by Biggus; 18th Dec 2006 at 21:08.
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Normally Yes.....
But not with this morally deficient and incompetent Labour Government in charge, or come to that anything remotely resembling a Government with the same individuals in it as this one...
They are not fit to lead a troop of Girl Guides much less a fine nation as the United Kingdom.
But not with this morally deficient and incompetent Labour Government in charge, or come to that anything remotely resembling a Government with the same individuals in it as this one...
They are not fit to lead a troop of Girl Guides much less a fine nation as the United Kingdom.
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A big yes. Have completed the first 16 years with another 16 to go. Loved every miniute. Away as much now as I was when I joined my first Sqn many moons ago. It is not as good as it was but older and bolder guys said that to me 16 years ago. To all potential recruits I advise you to go in with your eyes open, be prepared for hard work and time away but over all enjoy it. Yes the airships need to make some changes as I don't really want to be the one to switch the lights off.
A Merry Christmas to all.
A Merry Christmas to all.
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Would you recommend a career in the military
I have to ask the question as I have just convinced a son of a friend that the RAF wasn't for him. He is smart and hard working and I couldn't bring myself to lie to him. I really cannot recommend a career here anymore. I was encouraged to join the RAF by a serving member and have in my long service career recommended this life to many. Just interested if this was a common occurance with impacts on recruitment?
It may come as a surprise but there are other Services within the military....... did you try and sell them to the lad?
I would highly recommend a career in the military (albeit green
) but would not want to see someone miss out on a spell in the forces because they were put off by the blinkered advice of someone who thinks that 'military' stops at the RAF Careers Office
Standing by........
Merry xmas
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I have to ask the question as I have just convinced a son of a friend that the RAF wasn't for him. He is smart and hard working and I couldn't bring myself to lie to him. I really cannot recommend a career here anymore. I was encouraged to join the RAF by a serving member and have in my long service career recommended this life to many. Just interested if this was a common occurance with impacts on recruitment?
My children will make their own choices and they have said If and when we make our decision it will not be the in the Armed Forces of the UK.
Its their choice and I can understand their decision, a very sad day indeed in my view to see a family tradition end.
But I do admire their decision, they are heading South to OZ and Bon Voyage and they will be welcomed with open arms, to what ever Service they decide to join.
I could go on, but I am sure you get my drift.
Grandfathers old Regiment
Nec Aspera Terrent
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[quote=countdeblades;3026230]PVR......... scuse me for splitting hairs but your original title was about a career in the military. You then say you advised against a career in the RAF.
Thats because I'm in the RAF and can't recommend (although prepared for jointery i.e Air wing Hms Garrison afgannyraq). I wondered if other (for now) services would recommend.
Thats because I'm in the RAF and can't recommend (although prepared for jointery i.e Air wing Hms Garrison afgannyraq). I wondered if other (for now) services would recommend.
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I have to ask the question as I have just convinced a son of a friend that the RAF wasn't for him. He is smart and hard working and I couldn't bring myself to lie to him. I really cannot recommend a career here anymore. I was encouraged to join the RAF by a serving member and have in my long service career recommended this life to many. Just interested if this was a common occurance with impacts on recruitment?
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[quote=pvr not dwr;3026462]
Understood..............
but send the lad down the Army Careers Office
PVR......... scuse me for splitting hairs but your original title was about a career in the military. You then say you advised against a career in the RAF.
Thats because I'm in the RAF and can't recommend (although prepared for jointery i.e Air wing Hms Garrison afgannyraq). I wondered if other (for now) services would recommend.
Thats because I'm in the RAF and can't recommend (although prepared for jointery i.e Air wing Hms Garrison afgannyraq). I wondered if other (for now) services would recommend.
but send the lad down the Army Careers Office
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