Am I the only one left?
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Am I the only one left?
Getting a little bored with all of the 'life in the RAF is crap' brigade. Am I the only one left who still enjoys it? Yes, it is not the RAF that I joined either - but you know what? That old RAF was not always the Dogs Do Dahs either. Much has changed, and will continue to change, lots of it (not all granted) for the better.
I understand that this type of thread tends to attract the more pessimistic end of the gene pool, but the vast majority of my colleagues, across the rank and age spectrum, still enjoy the life - if answering honestly.
Yes OOAs and 'over-stretch' are hurting us - but ask a few of the old boys from WWII (and for the 10+ years after it ended) how much time they spent at home.
I fully expect the same old names to reply and deride. But I for one would not change it - not too much anyway......
I understand that this type of thread tends to attract the more pessimistic end of the gene pool, but the vast majority of my colleagues, across the rank and age spectrum, still enjoy the life - if answering honestly.
Yes OOAs and 'over-stretch' are hurting us - but ask a few of the old boys from WWII (and for the 10+ years after it ended) how much time they spent at home.
I fully expect the same old names to reply and deride. But I for one would not change it - not too much anyway......
There are at least two of us then. After 17 years I still love my job. It is not without its problems and frustrations, but it sure as hell beats working for a living. I enjoy the OOA dets (just don't tell the missus) - best flying I have ever done.
Unfortunately Tonka, this thread will probably wither and die quickly - contentment doesn't make for good headlines.
Unfortunately Tonka, this thread will probably wither and die quickly - contentment doesn't make for good headlines.
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One old boy, a Chiefy in Ceylon, sadly passed away last year, related the tale of the post-war mutiny there.
As you will recall
, when the war was over in Europe it continued for some months in Asia. Then priority was given to repatriation of POWs and then long serving troops with later, in-war conscripts having to serve well into the peace. They all feared the good jobs in peacetime Britain would be gone by the time they got home.
Then, on top of all this unrest and unease, a new adjutant decided to return to the post-war peacetime traditions. Morning parades and inspecions before start work etc etc.
First day no one went on parade. After breakfast they all went to work in the hangars etc as normal. Next day the same. The adjutant jumped up and down threatened courts martial etc but still no parades.
It was decided that there was no mutiny (bad press) as they were all reporting for work. An Airship was flown in from AHQ to investigate. The adjutant was congratulated on his keeness in instilling discipline andthe troops were visited to see if they had any grievances. Apart from being there they did not. As it happened there was some essential work that needed doing and just one man with the skills and competency to do it. It was the adjutant; he had to leave immediately for this mostimportant assignment.
Now there is a moral here and there might be parallels with another active thread here too.
As you will recall
, when the war was over in Europe it continued for some months in Asia. Then priority was given to repatriation of POWs and then long serving troops with later, in-war conscripts having to serve well into the peace. They all feared the good jobs in peacetime Britain would be gone by the time they got home.Then, on top of all this unrest and unease, a new adjutant decided to return to the post-war peacetime traditions. Morning parades and inspecions before start work etc etc.
First day no one went on parade. After breakfast they all went to work in the hangars etc as normal. Next day the same. The adjutant jumped up and down threatened courts martial etc but still no parades.
It was decided that there was no mutiny (bad press) as they were all reporting for work. An Airship was flown in from AHQ to investigate. The adjutant was congratulated on his keeness in instilling discipline andthe troops were visited to see if they had any grievances. Apart from being there they did not. As it happened there was some essential work that needed doing and just one man with the skills and competency to do it. It was the adjutant; he had to leave immediately for this mostimportant assignment.
Now there is a moral here and there might be parallels with another active thread here too.
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I still enjoy elements of it, great people to work with etc, but I think being a Tonka engo ( big presumption, but hey!) your views would change pretty quickly if you were on a frontline SH or AT Sqn, and watched all your manpower get "leaned" away from you, all your experience get redundancy and see 1st hand the devestation left when the government have to be bullied into fitting ESF,only after loosing 10 lives 
.....
I think most people are upset at the fact that they are/were in a job they were very proud to do and thoroughly enjoyed doing, we all know you have to take the rough with the smooth, after all it is what we do. But the rewards seem to be less and less, and we seem to be expected to perform miracles and carry on with substandard kit, undermanned and vastly overstretched.....
People feel unnappreciated and undervalued, and morale is a HUGE factor of service life, even in armpits of the world like Basrah, Kandahar etc, if troops are happy then pretty much anything else is not a problem...
I do like my job, I work with lots of top guys, we get to travel, get cheap hobbys/ trips through organisations within the RAF, and enjoy a pretty decent shift, but all the time you can see the noose tightening around our necks, as a singly living in, I actually had a pay CUT this year, after our derisory 2.7% rise, and food and accomodation charges have increased.
.....I think most people are upset at the fact that they are/were in a job they were very proud to do and thoroughly enjoyed doing, we all know you have to take the rough with the smooth, after all it is what we do. But the rewards seem to be less and less, and we seem to be expected to perform miracles and carry on with substandard kit, undermanned and vastly overstretched.....
People feel unnappreciated and undervalued, and morale is a HUGE factor of service life, even in armpits of the world like Basrah, Kandahar etc, if troops are happy then pretty much anything else is not a problem...
I do like my job, I work with lots of top guys, we get to travel, get cheap hobbys/ trips through organisations within the RAF, and enjoy a pretty decent shift, but all the time you can see the noose tightening around our necks, as a singly living in, I actually had a pay CUT this year
, after our derisory 2.7% rise, and food and accomodation charges have increased.
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Well I'm trying to get back in part-time so it can't be that bad! I'd guess being up-close and personal with the niff-naff and trivia means that you forget why you joined in the first place, and some time away allows a chap to re-focus
Then again I might be talking c***
Then again I might be talking c***
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Coming up to 30 years done. Still reasonably happy despite all the changes and the money is OK.
On to age 55 with 8 years to do. Will I do the 8 years? I don't know and I stayed on the old pension scheme to allow myself the option to leave at any point should things change for the worse.
Currently OOA and having a great time despite the cold and snow (I know its only the Falklands and no one here is getting shot at but it's still 4 months away from home and of course there are people who have been in as long as I have who have never been OOA).
On to age 55 with 8 years to do. Will I do the 8 years? I don't know and I stayed on the old pension scheme to allow myself the option to leave at any point should things change for the worse.
Currently OOA and having a great time despite the cold and snow (I know its only the Falklands and no one here is getting shot at but it's still 4 months away from home and of course there are people who have been in as long as I have who have never been OOA).
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Chalk up another one. I will whinge and gripe - and as Zithro knows - not just behind closed doors. On balance I am enjoying it as much as I did 21 years ago (10 of which has been on 1st line SH).
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Well, for me (20 Yrs), It used to be Great.... then it was Good..... now it's OK. I'm not sure whether that is down to me or the Force, I'd guess a bit of both.
Change is the nature of things, but I have to say, some of the more recent changes haven't added any value in my view.
Advo
Change is the nature of things, but I have to say, some of the more recent changes haven't added any value in my view.
Advo
TonkaEngO
So you are still happy - good for you, but are your men? Another one of mine PVRed a few days ago. Are many/any of yours leaving?
I am having to make some assumptions here, based on the fact you are a TonkaEngO from Norfolk. I presume you are going OOA as a formed unit what one every 15-18 months? To a large airbase full of US assets in a country some people go on holiday to? Do you have air conditioned accommodation, 20 flavours of ice cream, showers, bowling alleys, cinema, lots of fast food, a two can rule? Do you have nobody shooting at you? Do you still get to do Red Flag once a year, maybe once every two years? NATO exercises still?
Well I believe it is currently a two tier RAF, and for some fleets, perhaps F3, E3D the training environment, life is very different from say Harrier, SH, and AT experiences. I am glad you are still enjoying your time in the RAF - I just wish I could say the same for all of my men.
I now stand by to be corrected by F3 and E3D guys (I didn't even mention Typhoon)
So you are still happy - good for you, but are your men? Another one of mine PVRed a few days ago. Are many/any of yours leaving?
I am having to make some assumptions here, based on the fact you are a TonkaEngO from Norfolk. I presume you are going OOA as a formed unit what one every 15-18 months? To a large airbase full of US assets in a country some people go on holiday to? Do you have air conditioned accommodation, 20 flavours of ice cream, showers, bowling alleys, cinema, lots of fast food, a two can rule? Do you have nobody shooting at you? Do you still get to do Red Flag once a year, maybe once every two years? NATO exercises still?
Well I believe it is currently a two tier RAF, and for some fleets, perhaps F3, E3D the training environment, life is very different from say Harrier, SH, and AT experiences. I am glad you are still enjoying your time in the RAF - I just wish I could say the same for all of my men.
I now stand by to be corrected by F3 and E3D guys (I didn't even mention Typhoon)
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Seeing a I kicked off the last major rant, I'll add this.
I do enjoy what I do, otherwise I'd go for promotion to Mister out in the real world. What gets me down is the bolleaux that people generate from time to time. It's unfortunate that the 'time to time' is becoming too often.
AA
I do enjoy what I do, otherwise I'd go for promotion to Mister out in the real world. What gets me down is the bolleaux that people generate from time to time. It's unfortunate that the 'time to time' is becoming too often.
AA
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Keng 130 & Biggus,
Not always been Tonkas or an EngO. 16 years airman service on various platforms, rotary and large stuff as well as fast jet - before (currently) 9 years 'on the dark side'. Still stand by all I said as regards 90% of the guys being happy.
And yes the air con can get a little chilly in the evenings
To all the positive replies - well I'll be blowed (if I'm lucky). Things just cant be that bad then eh! Such a pleasant change to hear from some of you that enjoy the life still - instead of the depressing 'Its not the RAF I joined' gang.
Contact wait out........
Not always been Tonkas or an EngO. 16 years airman service on various platforms, rotary and large stuff as well as fast jet - before (currently) 9 years 'on the dark side'. Still stand by all I said as regards 90% of the guys being happy.
And yes the air con can get a little chilly in the evenings
To all the positive replies - well I'll be blowed (if I'm lucky). Things just cant be that bad then eh! Such a pleasant change to hear from some of you that enjoy the life still - instead of the depressing 'Its not the RAF I joined' gang.
Contact wait out........
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TonkaEngO
You're definitely not the only one left!
Despite 3 postings in 3 years and 4 months in the sandpit last year (and a total of 5 and a half months away from family in total last year) I've never had a more satisfying job than I have in the RAF.
I also have the privilege, working on the welfare side of the Service, to see the fantastic ways in which the RAF tries to looks after it's people. Only today I was talking to someone who was seriously hurt in an accident. Both he and his family have had an exemplary level of care and support from the system - none of which he would have had if he'd been in civvy employment.
OK - there are things we can moan and complain about - but there's so much more to enjoy. It's time for more of us to see the glass as half-full instead of half-empty!
You're definitely not the only one left!
Despite 3 postings in 3 years and 4 months in the sandpit last year (and a total of 5 and a half months away from family in total last year) I've never had a more satisfying job than I have in the RAF.
I also have the privilege, working on the welfare side of the Service, to see the fantastic ways in which the RAF tries to looks after it's people. Only today I was talking to someone who was seriously hurt in an accident. Both he and his family have had an exemplary level of care and support from the system - none of which he would have had if he'd been in civvy employment.
OK - there are things we can moan and complain about - but there's so much more to enjoy. It's time for more of us to see the glass as half-full instead of half-empty!
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GOOD
1. Flying a moderately fast jet.
2. Looking after the boys on the ground when they ask for it.
3. Cheap cigars in Afghanistan.
4. 6-9 months / year away from Nagger Ops! (Absence/heart/fonder!)
5. Excellent coffee in the ‘Green Bean Café’.
6. Heavy Weapons whilst away.
7. Lots of hours whilst away.
BAD
1. Jet needs more big engines for carrier ops.
2. Odd ‘tit on the ground’ calling you utterly useless.
3. Not even 1 x beer to go with your cigar.
4. 6-9 months away from the kids (okay, and the Nagger!).
5. No Yorkshire Tea.
6. No weapons at all back here / decent dets.
7. No hours whilst at home.
However, mortgage paid every month! Enjoyment sometimes, family financially secure always. Will I stay, maybe? I will not PVR, but as an option is close I do consider a job 'outside'. Without doubt, money would help make me stay in. Quality of life has gone (IMHO) so I am frankly open to the highest bidder! I want my family to be sorted (after 20 years of following me around, CDOps has told me that is only fair) but I do enjoy the jet.
So, the answer for me is 'Yes/No/Sometimes'.
1. Flying a moderately fast jet.
2. Looking after the boys on the ground when they ask for it.
3. Cheap cigars in Afghanistan.
4. 6-9 months / year away from Nagger Ops! (Absence/heart/fonder!)
5. Excellent coffee in the ‘Green Bean Café’.
6. Heavy Weapons whilst away.
7. Lots of hours whilst away.
BAD
1. Jet needs more big engines for carrier ops.
2. Odd ‘tit on the ground’ calling you utterly useless.
3. Not even 1 x beer to go with your cigar.
4. 6-9 months away from the kids (okay, and the Nagger!).
5. No Yorkshire Tea.
6. No weapons at all back here / decent dets.
7. No hours whilst at home.
However, mortgage paid every month! Enjoyment sometimes, family financially secure always. Will I stay, maybe? I will not PVR, but as an option is close I do consider a job 'outside'. Without doubt, money would help make me stay in. Quality of life has gone (IMHO) so I am frankly open to the highest bidder! I want my family to be sorted (after 20 years of following me around, CDOps has told me that is only fair) but I do enjoy the jet.
So, the answer for me is 'Yes/No/Sometimes'.
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I'm happy too
Biggus
You are quite right that life is different for the 'D' folk. We are not involved at present and most 'D' folk are chomping at the bit to help out and get involved.
It's over 4 years since we withdrew from Telic and we've had a major turnaround in personnel. They do need training but at the same time it needs to be the right sort of trg. It's been a couple of years since the last Flag but we do get some decent exercises and we do see the good side of service life regularly. That is far less of a pain burden than most out there (JFH, SH, AH, AT, TAL) and of course not forgetting the support personnel who do a sound job too!
I for one have the utmost respect for you all but that doesn't help does it? What would help would be if we could get our little aeroplane somewhere where it could do a job too?
SA
You are quite right that life is different for the 'D' folk. We are not involved at present and most 'D' folk are chomping at the bit to help out and get involved.
It's over 4 years since we withdrew from Telic and we've had a major turnaround in personnel. They do need training but at the same time it needs to be the right sort of trg. It's been a couple of years since the last Flag but we do get some decent exercises and we do see the good side of service life regularly. That is far less of a pain burden than most out there (JFH, SH, AH, AT, TAL) and of course not forgetting the support personnel who do a sound job too!
I for one have the utmost respect for you all
but that doesn't help does it? What would help would be if we could get our little aeroplane somewhere where it could do a job too?SA
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Yes, it is not the RAF that I joined either
. Glad you are enjoying it and it makes a change to see such a thread.