Perhaps something to look into before making an application to the RAF?

Lots of hardwork and early mornings to say the least.

It will be more than just a little hard work and early mornings mate. As vigilant pilot put it, he was very fit before he went, and still found it hard so it is no walk in the park.

From what I understand, its 3 x 10 week terms, which trains you not only in the physical side of things, but also to be an effective leader.

However, I am sure there are people here hwo know much more about IOT than myself

To Vigilant Pilot

Well I am quite sure Sandhurst is harder physically, but I am also certain some Sandhurst boys wouldnt do to well at IOT:D , simply because, as you put it, the requirements of the Army and RAF are different. Both produce quality officers:ok:

IOT
 

It is a good thing to be fit before IOT as I myself was. I actually do take fitness seriously.
The only reason someone who's fit will find it hard work is because they will spend three times the effort making up for the shortcomings of everyone else.
If you pitch up unfit you will probably have an easier time because you will get away with anything that you find difficult by whinging.
Do I sound bitter? Maybe thats because two thirds of the people on my IOT were lazy layabouts with no motivation to do anything physical. And yes it does still bug me.
Though it did mean I got to go on all the split teams during the exercises which got me away from the flight commander much more!
BV:* :}

which air force are you talking about?

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"pay is very competitive and when combined with the low cost of living"
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If you stay at home, don't attend any functions, don't live off the base, don't get married and don't have children.
However, aircrew are mainly extroverts, like to socialise, meet pretty women, get married want to live in their own house (off the base) and what's the point of having a pretty lady without having babies?

You do get to do a lot of fun things that civvies could only dream about, have responsibilities that would not happen ever with most.

The biggest turn-off is that when you are young and want to flog off round the world (me) or want to light the touch paper just aft of your bum, some silly sod says you need to be an officer and look after some inventory that should be with stores.

It may have changed a little since my time (circa someother old codger) but I bet by not much.

Tarbaby, couldn't agree more! Cost of living is pretty cheap if you restrict yourself to the mess, and don't SOUP too much... but by the time you've got yourself a few hundred thousand miles on the clock, a house and a woman (thieving gits!) then the cost of living doesn't look so rosy! But yes, all in all, as a youngster I can say it's pretty good fun still, despite the fun police trying to jump on a lot of stuff...