Exchange Programs
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Exchange Programs
Anyone know of the RAF's policy towards exchange programs? Are they frequent? Difficult to get into? What are the typical places (other than Canada and US)?
Any possibilities for France?
Alternatively - what is the RAF's policy towards their people getting a bit of infantry training? For example - could an RAF officer manage to get his para wings, or is this strongly discouraged (or even not allowed)?
Thanks!
Any possibilities for France?
Alternatively - what is the RAF's policy towards their people getting a bit of infantry training? For example - could an RAF officer manage to get his para wings, or is this strongly discouraged (or even not allowed)?
Thanks!
PPRuNe Engineering Dept Apprentice
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pourqoi!? pourqoi le reggub not!? As a person half-considering the military, I would be VERRY well swung over if infantry training was allowed if you joined up the RAF! A pilot who could survive behind enemy lines if shot down and cause a rucus while there? very good potential!
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silverjs
Exchange posts are normal, as for 'programs', I'm not sure what you mean.
nosefirsteverytime
In the RAF you could do some infantry training (with the army) but only after you've proved yourself as aircrew. It is, however, a shocking waste of training time. While you were doing your infantry training, you could have been learning how not to be shot down in the first place. The RAF have professional aviators, if you want to be a 'soldier first' then the Army Air Corps is the ideal route.
Exchange posts are normal, as for 'programs', I'm not sure what you mean.
nosefirsteverytime
In the RAF you could do some infantry training (with the army) but only after you've proved yourself as aircrew. It is, however, a shocking waste of training time. While you were doing your infantry training, you could have been learning how not to be shot down in the first place. The RAF have professional aviators, if you want to be a 'soldier first' then the Army Air Corps is the ideal route.
Quite so. After spending several £M on training you, HMFC would then require a substantial return on the investment. Perhaps after a couple of tours following your OCU you could volunteer to go and live in ditches. That's if you haven't lost the urge by then!
Alternatively, you could try joining the USMC if you qualify for their entry criteria. You would certainly do some time as a 'grunt' before doing your Marine Aviator traning, as I understand it.
Alternatively, you could try joining the USMC if you qualify for their entry criteria. You would certainly do some time as a 'grunt' before doing your Marine Aviator traning, as I understand it.
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Silver,
After you have learned to fly there will be nothing more alien than flinging yourself out of one of HM's aircraft (C130 or rotary) at 120kts IAS to be blasted in the slipstream, totally disorientated, wondering if your parachute has opened, and thinking whether the bloke who went out the opposite side of the aircraft is going to meet you and get entangled. Then there's the matter of the extremely short 25 seconds descent to drop your kit on the extension line, assess which way the winds going, and get ready to meet ( note meet, not land on) the ground that comes up very quickly !
Take it from one who's done it - military parachuting is v hard work and not the glamorous game that civvy jumping is. If you military job demands it ( and I mean really demands it - lots of bottlewashers and stackers out there who seem to demand it
) then do it.....But if not, once you're in the system get yourself on a civvy parachuting course run by the military at Netheravon or Bad Lipspringe in Germany and take it from there....It's a much more body-friendly way of doing it !!
G - not military parachuting today 'cos it hurts
After you have learned to fly there will be nothing more alien than flinging yourself out of one of HM's aircraft (C130 or rotary) at 120kts IAS to be blasted in the slipstream, totally disorientated, wondering if your parachute has opened, and thinking whether the bloke who went out the opposite side of the aircraft is going to meet you and get entangled. Then there's the matter of the extremely short 25 seconds descent to drop your kit on the extension line, assess which way the winds going, and get ready to meet ( note meet, not land on) the ground that comes up very quickly !
Take it from one who's done it - military parachuting is v hard work and not the glamorous game that civvy jumping is. If you military job demands it ( and I mean really demands it - lots of bottlewashers and stackers out there who seem to demand it
) then do it.....But if not, once you're in the system get yourself on a civvy parachuting course run by the military at Netheravon or Bad Lipspringe in Germany and take it from there....It's a much more body-friendly way of doing it !! G - not military parachuting today 'cos it hurts
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the idea of 'causing a rucus' behind enemy lines with the browning 9mm they give us at the moment has me in stitches.
"what are you going to do? bleed on me?" in a monty python style shriek....
"what are you going to do? bleed on me?" in a monty python style shriek....
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What's the point in an RAF officer (particularly a pilot or nav) doing the military jumps course? Not really job related is it? Albert crews mebbe, but I'm sure they'd be last to volunteer 
.
On a different note, are there any exchange postings available to airman aircrew? Not that I'm looking for a route out of Kinloss before I [hopefully] get there, just interested to know
.
.On a different note, are there any exchange postings available to airman aircrew? Not that I'm looking for a route out of Kinloss before I [hopefully] get there, just interested to know
.
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i know of RAF REGT officers doing the all arms and
P company courses,but alas no flyboys. As already said,
you could always try for an exchange with the AAC and try to
get on a course with them(a big part of the AAC is now
a big part of 16 AIR ASSAULT BRIGADE). hope that helps!
P company courses,but alas no flyboys. As already said,
you could always try for an exchange with the AAC and try to
get on a course with them(a big part of the AAC is now
a big part of 16 AIR ASSAULT BRIGADE). hope that helps!
The OC of a TACP can do the All Arms or P Company if he is assigned to that formation. In fact, I think it is expected. These men come from all branches of the RAF, generally after 8-10 years service to do a tour as a Flt Lt and then could well come back at Formation Level upon promotion. Leeming is the font of all things FAC. Know your own Service and what it has to offer!
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PB4
No, not yet! I'm going to apply to the RAF for WSOp in the next couple of weeks. Failing that, my plan is to go for Warfare Officer in the RN.
Do I know you by the way?
Cheers
Tim
No, not yet! I'm going to apply to the RAF for WSOp in the next couple of weeks. Failing that, my plan is to go for Warfare Officer in the RN.
Do I know you by the way?
Cheers
Tim
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It is possible for RAF rotary pilots to serve with the AAC on attachment. An RAF mate flew Lynx with 1 Regt while I was there in the early 90's. I don't know what the options for a secondment are like now as both the AAC and RAF are facing pilot shortages.
Joining the AAC will offer the chance to get down and dirty. As an NCO pilot you have to do a min 5 years in a ground support role and reach the rank of Cpl. If successful at OASC you have to sign an option to re-engage for a min 5 years on completion of the flying course. If you are unsuccessful you would be expected to see out the remainder of your initial engagement.
As you would deploy out into the field the Grnd Supp Flt of each sqn would be expected to recce forward operating areas and patrol the area and provide the security of the FOA. As a jnr officer you would be expected to take on a role developing their field skills and ytou would spend a proportion of your time doing the inf skills, flying, and admin/2nd duties. However, if as an officer you want a long term flying career then perhaps the AAC is not the option for you.
Joining the AAC will offer the chance to get down and dirty. As an NCO pilot you have to do a min 5 years in a ground support role and reach the rank of Cpl. If successful at OASC you have to sign an option to re-engage for a min 5 years on completion of the flying course. If you are unsuccessful you would be expected to see out the remainder of your initial engagement.
As you would deploy out into the field the Grnd Supp Flt of each sqn would be expected to recce forward operating areas and patrol the area and provide the security of the FOA. As a jnr officer you would be expected to take on a role developing their field skills and ytou would spend a proportion of your time doing the inf skills, flying, and admin/2nd duties. However, if as an officer you want a long term flying career then perhaps the AAC is not the option for you.
