RAF Pilot Tour lengths, etc
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I'm guessing "todge" (sic) is a wind up merchant, but he has solicited some excellent replies. If he's for real, then he won't last long for all the reasons given by you good guys, not least for being so pig ignorant and not responding to the advice proffered.
However....
When I applied and was accepted for pilot training (how I got through Biggin Hill still surprises me) I had absolutely no idea what the RAF was about nor what a pilot did (except fly). I joined because it sounded more exciting than working in Insurance in the City -- (paid better too). That was in 1963. My girlfrind at the time, latterly my wife, was only concerned that I may come back speaking with a plum in my mouth. She knew that all pilots were officers....I didn't!. I eventually left 20 years later never having been seperated from my wife for longer than 4 weeks and having lived together in Singapore and Germany twice and always within 30mins of work in UK.
So... no complaints from me.
However....
When I applied and was accepted for pilot training (how I got through Biggin Hill still surprises me) I had absolutely no idea what the RAF was about nor what a pilot did (except fly). I joined because it sounded more exciting than working in Insurance in the City -- (paid better too). That was in 1963. My girlfrind at the time, latterly my wife, was only concerned that I may come back speaking with a plum in my mouth. She knew that all pilots were officers....I didn't!. I eventually left 20 years later never having been seperated from my wife for longer than 4 weeks and having lived together in Singapore and Germany twice and always within 30mins of work in UK.
So... no complaints from me.
Is this the return of Admin Guru (who, IIRC, was a collective of bored BFTS studes)? 10 years on, a few tours under their belt, now trying to liven up a dull staff tour by casting a few lines for some of the O'n'B to nibble on?
"
Favourite not-best-pleased wife story (related by wife herself):
Exchange tour to Florida, way-back-when.
Hubby completes short convex,when wife arrives. Three days later, hurricane forecast so jets all leave for California. Wife left in usual MOQ tarpaper shack, with two infants and a babe-in-arms, in path of said hurricane.
Shortly after, squadron deploys to a well known conflict on the other side of the Pacific. Of course, no RAF aircrew flew in that war, did they?
Officially
She toughed it out. Hat tip, ma'am.
Exchange tour to Florida, way-back-when.
Hubby completes short convex,when wife arrives. Three days later, hurricane forecast so jets all leave for California. Wife left in usual MOQ tarpaper shack, with two infants and a babe-in-arms, in path of said hurricane.
Shortly after, squadron deploys to a well known conflict on the other side of the Pacific. Of course, no RAF aircrew flew in that war, did they?
OfficiallyShe toughed it out. Hat tip, ma'am.
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Wow, that is a lot of advice! Thank you all for offering your experiences, I think I need to have a serious conversation with my girlfriend about what life in the RAF could mean for us. So far I've stuck with an optimistic view - I've obviously been sucked in by the bumf of the NEM - but it will be better to confront everything head on, rather than hope for the best.
In any case, leaving the RAF is 100% not an option, I'm not going back to an office job...
In any case, leaving the RAF is 100% not an option, I'm not going back to an office job...
Who knows what will happen in the next 20 years. I have flown with guys who had served muliple heavy bomber ( Lancaster through to Victor- 1942 to 1970 ) tours and never been posted further than 50 miles from Marham, and were lucky to do a month a year on detachments. 101 Squadron of the VC10 force was on continuous operational detachments of between 25% and 100% of the Squadron strength between 1990 and 2012.( But we did also get some cracking USA airshows to attend ). SH probably worse from the time at home point of view.
I suppose the main difference from the family point of view is that in my early days most wives did not have careers, so could move with their "Lord and Master " as and when the Air Ministry/MOD decreed. Also resettlement
benefits were more generous allowing you to get on the property ladder on retirement.
Assuming this is a genuine post, I hope it has given you, and your wife,
some indication that nobody knows what the future will serve up, but you will probably have great fun, a lot of frustration, and a little grief.
I did 50+ years "in blue" as a regular and reserve and 90%+ was positive. Best of luck matey.
I suppose the main difference from the family point of view is that in my early days most wives did not have careers, so could move with their "Lord and Master " as and when the Air Ministry/MOD decreed. Also resettlement
benefits were more generous allowing you to get on the property ladder on retirement.
Assuming this is a genuine post, I hope it has given you, and your wife,
some indication that nobody knows what the future will serve up, but you will probably have great fun, a lot of frustration, and a little grief.
I did 50+ years "in blue" as a regular and reserve and 90%+ was positive. Best of luck matey.
Todger,
You asked a slightly unusual question here two pages ago. You have received numerous considered replies, but you have made no acknowledgement. It may be that the requirements of your training prevent you from responding. Alternatively there may be some other, more provocative reason behind your post.
In the event that the latter may be the case then members may wish to review their responses.
If your question is genuine and you are able, it would be polite to respond - even simply a holding response.
You asked a slightly unusual question here two pages ago. You have received numerous considered replies, but you have made no acknowledgement. It may be that the requirements of your training prevent you from responding. Alternatively there may be some other, more provocative reason behind your post.
In the event that the latter may be the case then members may wish to review their responses.
If your question is genuine and you are able, it would be polite to respond - even simply a holding response.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Grab car keys and run.
Not even that. The following sequence took about one minute.
Outlaws arrive at house in Scotland.
I drive in right behind them, get out of car.
Mrs PN, at open door goes back to answer phone.
I take call, say bye, and am gone for another 12 hours.
Outlaws have gone.
Not even that. The following sequence took about one minute.
Outlaws arrive at house in Scotland.
I drive in right behind them, get out of car.
Mrs PN, at open door goes back to answer phone.
I take call, say bye, and am gone for another 12 hours.
Outlaws have gone.
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One Christmas staying with outlaws I got the Sqn to phone them and give a message to say my leave was cancelled for operational reasons. Cost me loads of beers but gosh it was worth it
So Todger, it is girlfriend not wife. Well, all is not lost and much cheaper if you go separate ways.
Still good luck.
So Todger, it is girlfriend not wife. Well, all is not lost and much cheaper if you go separate ways.
Still good luck.
This smells like a media troll...
Seriously..either OASC didn't do their job properly (these questions were just the fodder for the interview to find out what YOU knew...or you're both in for a serious surprise..or redundacy come the day of SDSR15 and further trimming of personnel!
Seriously..either OASC didn't do their job properly (these questions were just the fodder for the interview to find out what YOU knew...or you're both in for a serious surprise..or redundacy come the day of SDSR15 and further trimming of personnel!
