To old to join up?
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Embbed in LFA 1
Age: 48
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To old to join up?
I am currently in the process of submitting my application to join up as a WSOp at the tender age of 31.
Having not done so well while I was at school, I now find my self in a position where by I am retaking some GCSEs to enable my application to progress further.
What can I expect my training to be like, and should I be successful in my application and end up on a squadron, what will the job be like.
Your thoughts and pearls of wisdom would be appreciated.
Having not done so well while I was at school, I now find my self in a position where by I am retaking some GCSEs to enable my application to progress further.
What can I expect my training to be like, and should I be successful in my application and end up on a squadron, what will the job be like.
Your thoughts and pearls of wisdom would be appreciated.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Tourist, I was not joking. I was referring to the Airman Aircrew basic training. Essentially it is so short that there is no time to get fit. You have to start fit or suffer. As a middle aged entrant he/she would be competing with potential racing snakes.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Flash, yes old man.
17-37 = 20
37-55 = 18
so yes, you are over the hump.
For youngsters aged 17 a 32 year old, almost twice their age, is positively ancient. A nephew, aged 29, was rejected by the RAF Regt as far too old. Ditto the Army although he could have been a driver in the RLC.
Me? I am over twice Old and Grey's age although not grey yet (what's left of it).
17-37 = 20
37-55 = 18
so yes, you are over the hump.
For youngsters aged 17 a 32 year old, almost twice their age, is positively ancient. A nephew, aged 29, was rejected by the RAF Regt as far too old. Ditto the Army although he could have been a driver in the RLC.
Me? I am over twice Old and Grey's age although not grey yet (what's left of it).
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To old to join up!
Thanks for the info, I am also hoping to get out and about in the summer and visit some sqns before I go up to cranners so that I have something else to chat about to the two gentlemen that will be sat opposite me in my interview! 
If anyone could point me at the right people on the sqns, that would be a bonus.
If anyone could point me at the right people on the sqns, that would be a bonus.
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Old and grey if I were you I wouldn't bother and it's got nothing to do with your age.
Do you really want to live in the desert for half a year for the foreseeable future, getting shot at in ageing aircraft, kitted out with outdated equipment, being poorly appreciated by your Seniors?
Cynical I know but someone has to tell you how it is! lots of people are leaving, ask yourself why?
The pay isn't bad but not great for the commitment we give, what benefits are you going to get from joining?
Seriously ask the people on the Sqn's that you go and visit, not just the first ones that speak to you but ask around get lots of views, you might be surprised.
GOOD LUCK whatever you decide.
Do you really want to live in the desert for half a year for the foreseeable future, getting shot at in ageing aircraft, kitted out with outdated equipment, being poorly appreciated by your Seniors?
Cynical I know but someone has to tell you how it is! lots of people are leaving, ask yourself why?
The pay isn't bad but not great for the commitment we give, what benefits are you going to get from joining?
Seriously ask the people on the Sqn's that you go and visit, not just the first ones that speak to you but ask around get lots of views, you might be surprised.
GOOD LUCK whatever you decide.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
being poorly appreciated by your Seniors
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I admire your will and energy, but the RAF is a shrinking entity and no longer a place to go if you want a career. The posters look great and what you'll read in those pamphlets are quite hypnotic and will drag you in quick. But read between the lines dude and you'll read the warnings..... don't do it!!
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Old and Grey,
You have had some honest answers on here. The truth is, you have to take the advice thats given and then make your own mind up, as I'm sure you appreciate.
Different people have had varying experiences both positive and negative. Personally, although I wouldn't swap the time I have spent as NCA, I wouldn't do it in todays world/Air Force.
Good Luck with whatever you decide.
You have had some honest answers on here. The truth is, you have to take the advice thats given and then make your own mind up, as I'm sure you appreciate.
Different people have had varying experiences both positive and negative. Personally, although I wouldn't swap the time I have spent as NCA, I wouldn't do it in todays world/Air Force.
Good Luck with whatever you decide.
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Gentlemen,
Thank you for your replies, will take on board what advice has been offered. I am still hoping to have a look around some squadrons in the summer and get some some feed back from the people I meet.
Please keep posting the advice, the more I can get the better.
Back to the studying for now!
Thank you for your replies, will take on board what advice has been offered. I am still hoping to have a look around some squadrons in the summer and get some some feed back from the people I meet.
Please keep posting the advice, the more I can get the better.
Back to the studying for now!
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You gotta do what you gotta do!
I'm 33 and i'm trying for it.
I've done some Sqn visits, just phone up and ask for a visit. All the ones i phoned were more than helpful. Good luck
I'm 33 and i'm trying for it.
I've done some Sqn visits, just phone up and ask for a visit. All the ones i phoned were more than helpful. Good luck
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It's all good advice, but ultimately your life and your decision. Personally, as well as making sure you're physically fit, you should prepare a monumentally huge sense of humour; you'll need it!