RAF lifestyle
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
er Phil, it was a fellow civvie who wrote that. Are you agreeing then?
And Phil, I believe I said civvies were not alike.
And Phil, I believe I said civvies were not alike.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
'course non-iron would not have been invented if it weren't for civvies.
Suade shoes ditto.
Mind you, Phil the Greek wore suades but then he wasn't British.
Suade shoes ditto.
Mind you, Phil the Greek wore suades but then he wasn't British.
Sorry, couldn't resist that one!
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Firstly, thanks for all your posts, specially Navigator's post and PM, and spacially "wokkameister"'s post, which made me realize how much of a p**f I'm being (I'm not being sarcastic, even though it seems so).
Secondly; all military tecnology, lifestyle, etc, comes from civilian sources.
For example; a sword came from making civilian iron objects, fighter planes come from civilian airplanes, nuclear weapons come from civilian nuclear reaction studies, etc etc.
Civilian life is the "normal" thing to do, 90% (not a precise porcentage, just a saying) of the world is civilian. A civilian can have a great job, or could be cleaning some McDonnald's toilets; Civilians are VERY different from each other.
That's the thing that military life has that really atracts me; it shows every member comun routines, information, and lifestyles. It's like a university for "life" degrees; it teaches you a way of living, that you partly never forget. Also, it takes you to places that you'll never see, teaches you things that you'll never do,... if you were a civie. Many of my favorite writers have been in the military lifestyle.
I'm going for the military life; no doubt. If the RAF reject me, I'll try the army, if they reject me, I'll try Canada (im half canadian), if not, I'll try Spain (I live in Spain).
Thank you all.
Matt D. Lewis
Secondly; all military tecnology, lifestyle, etc, comes from civilian sources.
For example; a sword came from making civilian iron objects, fighter planes come from civilian airplanes, nuclear weapons come from civilian nuclear reaction studies, etc etc.
Civilian life is the "normal" thing to do, 90% (not a precise porcentage, just a saying) of the world is civilian. A civilian can have a great job, or could be cleaning some McDonnald's toilets; Civilians are VERY different from each other.
That's the thing that military life has that really atracts me; it shows every member comun routines, information, and lifestyles. It's like a university for "life" degrees; it teaches you a way of living, that you partly never forget. Also, it takes you to places that you'll never see, teaches you things that you'll never do,... if you were a civie. Many of my favorite writers have been in the military lifestyle.
I'm going for the military life; no doubt. If the RAF reject me, I'll try the army, if they reject me, I'll try Canada (im half canadian), if not, I'll try Spain (I live in Spain).
Thank you all.
Matt D. Lewis
Last edited by coolblackcat; 11th Jul 2007 at 22:02. Reason: Adding my name at the bottom...
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Obviously, all civilians, as well as being alike, are also lazy, scruffy and rapacious.
Good luck Matt.
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Matt,
I fully concur with the likes of PN. I'm just passing my 36th year in the RAF and wouldn't trade a moment. It takes the bad times to remember the good. From what you say in your second post, you would appear ideal for military life. It is a schooling in 'life', you will undoubtedly meet people from within the services who will remain lifelong friends and whatever job you end up doing is generally rewarding. Pays pretty good too. Good luck.
I fully concur with the likes of PN. I'm just passing my 36th year in the RAF and wouldn't trade a moment. It takes the bad times to remember the good. From what you say in your second post, you would appear ideal for military life. It is a schooling in 'life', you will undoubtedly meet people from within the services who will remain lifelong friends and whatever job you end up doing is generally rewarding. Pays pretty good too. Good luck.
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Can't think of any other organisation in UK that pays good money for anyone to fly fighters.
Did it for 36 years - took some rough with the smooth - net feeling one of having had a good deal.
You'll not find me among the whingers!
Did it for 36 years - took some rough with the smooth - net feeling one of having had a good deal.
You'll not find me among the whingers!
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Matt,
As someone who's been in for about 4 years now, I'd definately say that it's worth it. The flying rocks - especially on ops, despite the obvious disadvantages of being away a lot - and I don't know of anywhere else where they pay you so well to do a hobby.
Agreed, there is an ever-increasing level of frustration at the continual erosion of the few remaining benefits (see the MQ thread on this forum for a good example) but I think that 90% of aircrew will freely admit to not being happy unless they've got something to moan about. After all, if it really was that bad then we'd all leave.
No doubt it isn't as good as it used to be when some people joined up, but then not much in the world is anymore. As long as you go into the decision with both eyes open you won't go far wrong. As people have said above, beware of people on here who have been in for 25 years and are now jaded by it all, and possibly slightly detached from the reality of being a 1st/2nd tourist shag pilot on the front line (stand by for abuse!).
Any specific questions then send me a PM,
Regards, JJJ
PS - For interest, the average time away on the SH fleet is between 4-5 months of the year - it's bad but not that bad.
As someone who's been in for about 4 years now, I'd definately say that it's worth it. The flying rocks - especially on ops, despite the obvious disadvantages of being away a lot - and I don't know of anywhere else where they pay you so well to do a hobby.
Agreed, there is an ever-increasing level of frustration at the continual erosion of the few remaining benefits (see the MQ thread on this forum for a good example) but I think that 90% of aircrew will freely admit to not being happy unless they've got something to moan about. After all, if it really was that bad then we'd all leave.
No doubt it isn't as good as it used to be when some people joined up, but then not much in the world is anymore. As long as you go into the decision with both eyes open you won't go far wrong. As people have said above, beware of people on here who have been in for 25 years and are now jaded by it all, and possibly slightly detached from the reality of being a 1st/2nd tourist shag pilot on the front line (stand by for abuse!).
Any specific questions then send me a PM,
Regards, JJJ
PS - For interest, the average time away on the SH fleet is between 4-5 months of the year - it's bad but not that bad.
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Mattd
You need to set your sights on your future
Do you think you will be looking through a HUD - a periscope on a tank or submarine - or down the barrel of an Armalite, SA80, AK47 or RPG - or through rose tinted glasses?
I have to agree with you about the military teaching on living and going places you'll never see and things you would never do - if you were a civvie!
Like going to Manchester, London and Bristol for a night out, for fear of getting shot
I'll try, I'll try, I'll try - RAF, Army, Canada, Spain - such loyalty and devotion - what about the Salvation Army?
You come across as desperate to be cannon fodder so you can be like us
Are your parents supervising you whilst you are on this thread?
You need to set your sights on your future
Do you think you will be looking through a HUD - a periscope on a tank or submarine - or down the barrel of an Armalite, SA80, AK47 or RPG - or through rose tinted glasses?
I have to agree with you about the military teaching on living and going places you'll never see and things you would never do - if you were a civvie!
Like going to Manchester, London and Bristol for a night out, for fear of getting shot
I'll try, I'll try, I'll try - RAF, Army, Canada, Spain - such loyalty and devotion - what about the Salvation Army?
You come across as desperate to be cannon fodder so you can be like us
Are your parents supervising you whilst you are on this thread?
Mattd
I'm quite sad as I still love my job. Spent 15 years in another service, which was great, but saw the light and became NCA which is better. As with anything it can be a pain in the a**e at times, and sometimes it seems like some people invent more and more hoops to jump through just to get on Ops. That said, the pros outway the cons........at the moment.
I'm quite sad as I still love my job. Spent 15 years in another service, which was great, but saw the light and became NCA which is better. As with anything it can be a pain in the a**e at times, and sometimes it seems like some people invent more and more hoops to jump through just to get on Ops. That said, the pros outway the cons........at the moment.
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As a Nation the Brits are Premium whingers.
As we're a bunch of professionals, anyone in the forces is by default a Professional Whinger.
If it's too good, we'll gripe. If it aint we'll moan.
It comes with drinking tea....
As for spare time, who pays you to go: sailing/surfing/mountain biking etc etc in your spare time. And that's ontop of your day job doing the best that flying can offer you.
Sure we don't get paid spectacularly, but the airlines will expect their pound of flesh too.
As we're a bunch of professionals, anyone in the forces is by default a Professional Whinger.
If it's too good, we'll gripe. If it aint we'll moan.
It comes with drinking tea....
As for spare time, who pays you to go: sailing/surfing/mountain biking etc etc in your spare time. And that's ontop of your day job doing the best that flying can offer you.
Sure we don't get paid spectacularly, but the airlines will expect their pound of flesh too.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
PS, if you didn't guess, that includes sleep.
PPS. Years ago civilians got 2 weeks holiday per year and military officers got 7 weeks including bank holidays. Next year ALL civilians will get 6 weeks which may include bank holidays AND all servicemen will also get the same. Now that is an erosion in comparability and the AFPRB said it was entirely in the gift of the military how much leave was granted and was not part of our pay and conditions.
When we had that great leave advantage we also had a half or full days travelling time to get home. Then this was routinely 'stretched' to include all ranks. Then some beanie said it was cheating and it was stopped. More erosion.
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I wouldn't say that all mil technology started as civ stuff.
As an example...
The self-inflating life jacket was designed for military pilots and especially the neck roll that stops you ending up face down...
And the Bain co-axial anaesthetic circuit was designed to allow these things to be tested (with anaesthetised volunteers in a swimming pool).
As an example...
The self-inflating life jacket was designed for military pilots and especially the neck roll that stops you ending up face down...
And the Bain co-axial anaesthetic circuit was designed to allow these things to be tested (with anaesthetised volunteers in a swimming pool).
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PN
Not quite true:
From the DTI web site
The statutory holiday entitlement is changing. The holiday entitlement will increase to 4.8 weeks (24 days if you work a five day week) from 1 October 2007 and to 5.6 weeks (28 days if you work a five day week) from 1 April 2009, pro-rata for those working part-time.
That includes bank holidays, though most employers will give BHs as additional days off.
Not quite true:
From the DTI web site
The statutory holiday entitlement is changing. The holiday entitlement will increase to 4.8 weeks (24 days if you work a five day week) from 1 October 2007 and to 5.6 weeks (28 days if you work a five day week) from 1 April 2009, pro-rata for those working part-time.
That includes bank holidays, though most employers will give BHs as additional days off.