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RAF lifestyle

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Old 10th Jul 2007, 12:52
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RAF lifestyle

Hey.

In my previous topic's I've recieved posts about how bad the RAF life is, and how badly the RAF treats you.

What is so bad about it?

(please mention if you are a RAF member or not in your posts, thanks)
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Old 10th Jul 2007, 12:56
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Would you like our names ranks and service numbers as well.................

Fuc@in trolls, should be taken out and shot
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Old 10th Jul 2007, 13:17
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I'm in the RAF and I love my job!

Who wouldn't like more pay and a nicer gaff to crash in, but I head to work every morning with a smile on my face, and I don't know how many of my civvie mates can honestly say that!
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Old 10th Jul 2007, 13:18
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Give him a break....

Looking at his previous posts, I don't think he is a troll, just someone who wants to join the mob and is rightly a little concerned about the general feeling of serving personnel.

ML I left a year ago so am a little out of touch. Things changed a lot in my 13 years, but then again when I joined you had people telling you ' it's not the same as when I joined'

If you really want to do it, then do it. Get through training then make the most of it.

Best wishes for the future

DL
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Old 10th Jul 2007, 13:41
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Angry

Servicemen like moaning and there is a good healthy dose of dark humour in most of our characters. The fact is, many of us couldn't bear the thought of civilian life (plenty of my mates have re-joined after leaving in fact). We do get particularly pi**ed off though when a lot of the rubbish that we joined the military to avoid is forced on us. For example: management plans and associated management BS, budgetary nonsense (false economies), red tape such as belts and braces health and safety regulations (no substitute for common sense), erosion of personal and professional standards, 'holier than thou' attitudes from senior people who should no better, interference from the Treasury, politicians with no military experience, Defence Secretaries (and PMs come to think of it) with no wish to understand defence, hypocrites in public life (and senior officers that won't admit that we are under-resourced), irresponsible (not all) journalists after a good story and witch hunts, crap kit etc - I could go on.

Bottom line - we like being in the Service, we are different to civilians and would like to be recognised as such. we are proud of our individual services. Is there another public sector that delivers as well as we do? I don't think so.
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Old 10th Jul 2007, 13:41
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Matt,

Generally life is alright! Everyone whinges but as a great man once said, worry about the soldiers when they stop complaining......

Really, tis not a bad job, so long as you're a flexible person who doesn't mind the odd bit of niff naff & triv.
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Old 10th Jul 2007, 15:23
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ML,

I'm in (trainee aircrew) and thoroughly enjoy it. Sure, I grumble from time to time but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Blunty
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Old 10th Jul 2007, 15:37
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Seldomfitforpurpose
Fuc@in trolls, should be taken out and shot
This guy mattd.lewis couldn't be related to the samuraiprat per chance ?
Just a thought.
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Old 10th Jul 2007, 15:49
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> we are different to civilians

Oh yes, because obviously, all civilians are exactly alike.
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Old 10th Jul 2007, 16:04
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> we are different to civilians
Oh yes, because obviously, all civilians are exactly alike.
Sorry ??????? Was that in response to any particular post ?
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Old 10th Jul 2007, 16:35
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Re-read #5 by Inspector Dreyfuss, Mr Echo. Does he think he'll never be a civvie? The only ones that don't make it are under the ground!
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Old 10th Jul 2007, 16:54
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For gods sake!

Either join up and find out, or let it go!

WM
 
Old 10th Jul 2007, 17:34
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Matt, how did you get on with your enquiry/application? PM me if you wish.
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Old 10th Jul 2007, 18:14
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Matt

I have been in for 25 years, seen the world, had some great times and some (what seemed at the time, but on reflection were not so bad) bad times. If I had a chance to change anything major........I would not, and would gladly repeat the whole experience. I think that many do not really appreciate their lot until they leave. Should you join, I guarantee that you will never lack a 'story' to tell your civvy mates in a bar, you will never meet a nicer bunch of people (some notable exceptions) and you will never be alone for a gripe and whinge at the System.

Yes, times are harder now than 25 years ago. Yes, it often seems like our lords and masters do not care as much as they should. Yes, the politicos overuse us. Yes, JPA is still a farce......I could go on but, on balance, it is still a hoot.

Go do it.....or at least try......

Happy to help more if you have any further questions.
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Old 10th Jul 2007, 19:39
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Some of the posters in the Mil Section don't do the Royal Air Force, their rank or themselves any favours. Once they get a sniff of blood, they're off on a feeding frenzy. I saw one guy hounded from this section, he then posted his request for information in AH & N, only to be pursued by one of the Mils intent on humiliating him. He subsequently pulled his posts and left. A sad reflection, it really is.
It's very easy to hide behind a psuedonym and hurl insults. If you are in a position of responsibility, would you do it to your subordinates? Probably not. And if you do, you don't deserve your rank anyway.
Matt - I've been out of the RAF for many years and it's obviously not the same as it was back in the seventies so I can't give any advice other than to ignore the puerile snipes that you'll come across on here; thankfully they're in the minority.
Good luck with whatever you decide on.
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Old 10th Jul 2007, 19:58
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Matt,

I've been in 18 years as NCA and have very much enjoyed my time.
Yes, there have been hard times and at the moment the sand pit is getting wearing for many but there are a lot worse ways to spend your life.
The job is interesting and no two days are the same, I've seen much of the world in my time that I would not of otherwise and the rate of pay isn't bad.
We've always had moaners just like any other profession but the grass isn't always greener.
If I had my time again, with the knowledge I have now would I still sign up?...............Damn right I would - no regrets
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Old 10th Jul 2007, 21:10
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Matt,

As many have said, join young, enjoy what you can with a smile on your face.

I've had a great 30 + years, just a crap last one taking the shine off.
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Old 11th Jul 2007, 06:54
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I think the remark about civilians was taken out of context.

We were civilians, we live among civilians, we retire and become civilians. Also, as Phil said, civilians are not exactly alike and that is the nub.

Once in the military we are in a uniformed service. It is us who are alike. It is us who are different. Later we may become civilians but we retain military ethos.

"Where you a navigator" No, I am a navigator I am simply not flying at the moment.

Or as retaled by th eman himself

"Hey, weren't you Brian Rix" Well a last time I looked I think I am still Brian Rix.
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Old 11th Jul 2007, 09:12
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Later we may become civilians but we retain military ethos.
How true that is. I've worked with a few ex-forces people over the years, they're generally the ones who get on with the job and then moan about it aftewards (if at all), while the rest of us are still checking our conditions to see if they can (a) make us do it and (b) if they can, how much we can screw it for overtime. They were generally a lot better turned out than us too.

Stuart (Lifelong civvie who wishes he'd been less of a coward at 18...)
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Old 11th Jul 2007, 11:55
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Once in the military we are in a uniformed service. It is us who are alike. It is us who are different. Later we may become civilians but we retain military ethos.
Two good posts from both PN and StuartP.

It has been well documented on various threads within this Forum that many people are now looking to leave the Services mainly because of the F@ck factor and I can fully empathize with them. Spending so much time away from family and loved ones must be very difficult and stressful.

However, the grass is not always greener on the other side. I was lucky after leaving the RAF as I went to work in the Magic Kingdom alongside a 99% ex services work force so I didn't experience the culture shock immediately.

It wasn't until I returned to UK and civvy street proper that I found out what civilian life was really like.

StuartP summed it up nicely
I've worked with a few ex-forces people over the years, they're generally the ones who get on with the job and then moan about it aftewards (if at all), while the rest of us are still checking our conditions to see if they can (a) make us do it and (b) if they can, how much we can screw it for overtime. They were generally a lot better turned out than us too.
How true.
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