WOULD YOU JOIN UP NOW
 

My next door neighbours son has just joined up and passed out of Halton. He is now onto his trade training. Although I have been out of the mob over 10 years and to be honest I only stayed the last few years because of the pension.

It made me think would I join up now. Queen and county and all that and well done on 65 years mega respect, but back in my day there were plenty of postings and bases to visit, travel, respect etc.

Things have changed, but is it still fun and not all hard work

WOULD YOU JOIN UP NOW
 

I think it's called the exuberance of youth. If I were a kid again I would be as keen as ever to join.
Just because things aren't how they were when we joined up it doesn't mean they're worse. Just different.
For the record, I'm still enjoying my job. Not completely bitter and twisted just yet!
BV

I left in 76, and yes I think I would join up again, my only overseas posting was Aden 65-66, not the best of times, but not the worst either, like all I had good times, bad times and some that where just times. But I was able to do somethings that would have cost money in civvy street, ie Diving, rock climbing and freefall. All in all I would do it again, if only I was younger and know what I know now.

Not for me.
 

Im 10 years into an 18 year contract and Im looking to leave as soon as possible. Its not the force it was 5 years ago never mind 10 years ago. So many cuts in so many places and that total lack of efficiency that has probably always been there is now causing some severe problems on a daily basis. To be 100% honest, all the good stuff like climbing/sking etc is becoming few and far between and just dosnt happen as much any more. Maybe im just at that bitter and twisted stage but I will not be pushing my son to join a bankrupt company that will never actually pull the plug.

Diglet

Yes Authur

I would do it all again. Did lots of sports and had plenty of bad times. You accepted the **** ( I can use that word as it was I the context of 1980ish ), but I was thinking more of could I work in a military with all the political correctness etc. All I knew was in my day if the SWO was screaming in my face then it was my fault for getting caught. I hear the is no more jankers. How can the mob work with out you getting a kick up the arse ( 1980's again) when you deserved it!

The saving grace for newbies is that they know no different. Most that have been around for a generation or two would not consider joining after a time wharp. In short: No, I would not join.

The one sided contract was ok when balanced by benefits unique to service life, most of which have gone. Medical, Dental and Gym facilities are not enough to balance the contemporary BS.

I'd have my time all over again, but now I'm too old to answer this question! Tho' from the youngsters that I know that are serving, they seem to be enjoying their early time in a similar way that I did - albeit with caveats imposed by H&S/PC/Budgets etc. Go for it I'd say.

The only people that can really answer this question with a balanced view are those that have completed careers in the mob and then outside.

Some of you still in think life has turned a trifle harsh...just wait until you get outside.

If you still need to hold a job down after your military careers, boy, are some of you in for shock!!

TOFO is right. Left RAF in '93. Wouldn't have rejoined any time since (I was asked to in '98). Quit second career in Civvy Street (teacher) in 2008 after that tanked. I cannot find a job that is worth doing where the company doesn't treat you like sh!t these days. Fortunately, I don't need to. I make my money on property and short term contracts. Deeply disillusioned with the way the world of work is going. Recommending to all the kids who ask me to start their own business, or be prepared to.

Next month, I start my 50th year of regular or reserve/volunteer reserve service. The changes in that half century have been amazing and in 1962/3 I could not/would not have imagined where the armed forces would be now.

I have agonised as to what the future holds for the current generation because I teach cadets and they want to know if there is a future for them. Whilst it is increasingly difficult to offer an unequivical answer, the armed forces still 'hold up' against other walks of life.

So - YES - I would join again if my life was given back to me, with what I know now. However, there are just a very few people who would get a kick in the slats if our paths crossed again!!!!

Old Duffer

I was ex TA REME and MN engineer when, at the age of 23, I left IBM to join the RAF.
Other than for pilot training I would not have joined. I was already an engineer and would probably have gone back to IBM or to a power station. The MN demonstrated the difficulties faced by navigators transferring out of their profession so, when I was asked at Biggin Hill, if I would accept nav training, the answer was a polite "No, Sir."
That's just me - then. Now, for someone else, is different. I'm not saying that you should ask "What's in it for me afterwards?" at the interview but you should have considered that before applying.

50 years service bloody crazy OLD DUFFER I wonder what the modern version of a kick in the slats is. As to other posts I have been lucky in my second career. Stuck in Gdansk with no aeroplane due to ground crew sunshine and it looks like the fog will be here for a few days. Good point that the newbies do not know any better.

Wouldn't go any where near the military if I had my chance again. So much more to go, do and see without ridiculous restrictions, petty rules and a totally outdated and outmoded approach to life.

Amazed that anybody wants to do so these days.

One of my juniors at work put his papers for the RAF Reserve in today - good for him; he's 25 now and could have 25 very interesting years. But I can't speak for the Regulars.

S41

Of course we could never apply that to the UK legal profession, could we?

Would I do it all again? Yes, if I was joining the RAF I joined (but I would try to make one or two changes to my career path).
Would I recommend it to someone joining today? Not so sure, but on balance probably yes; with the advice - don't expect any loyalty from the top, get as much as you can from it (it is still pretty good training), have an exit plan up your sleeve and enjoy it whilst you can.

Wot Proone sez.

So much more outside - and without rank-bound restriction too.

WOULD YOU JOIN UP NOW
 

Proone and Rigga.
Maybe you shouldn't have joined in the first place. It's not for everyone after all.
BV

Would I join what I joined in 1968? Yes!

Would I join the RAF of today? Emphatically NO! Too much has been lost or thrown away - and no-one seems to consider anything except wasting people, money and effort in a futile war against peasants in the North-West Frontier.

RANK BOUND RESTRICTIONS
 

Just a comment on ranks, restrictions etc.

On leaving regular service, I worked for a business consultancy and was frequently mocked - in a jovial way - about the whole rank business and things like saluting.

On saluting, I pointed out why it was done and also would comment that in civilian clothes and wearing a hat, I would toff my hat to a lady or a gent such as the vicar or whoever. It was for me that and saluting were common courtesies and I never got uptight about it; saluting was a visible demonstration that I was a servant of the crown.

Regarding rank structures, I pointed out that the company had a very well defined hierarchy and this manifested itself in many ways, including who had the private offices, the personal secretaries etc. I also reminded them that whenever somebody I didn't know phoned or spoke with me, the conversation would start on the lines of: 'I'm Joe Bloggs, an associate partner in the Process stream' or 'My managing partner, Penny Buggins, has told me she wants you to ....'. Again this didn't bother me.

I agree that the armed forces is not for everybody and although I have had my fair share of being messed about, my attitude has allowed me to ride with the punches. Two days ago, I was told that there was good news and bad news. The good news is that I have been 'signed on' as a volunteer reservist until I'm 70 (14 months time); the other news is - not a day more!!

Old Duffer

A repeat of 1963 - yes. Now - probably (providing I didn't have a memory of the experiences when the RAF was at its post-war peak).

And I wouldn't believe those bastards at Biggin who told me that I would never make a pilot.

No, no ...no.... No and er no

Do they take on 75 year old Boy Entrant's? :cool:

In a flash. The chance to visit the USA, Canada, Middle East, Europe, South Atlantic, all the adventures of Boy's Own.

A tour in Aden? Same as a tour in India before the First World War, relatively speaking.

Javelin, Valiant? Same as the the Bleriot.

There's 2 million unemployed, and the under 25s are disproportionaly represented in that group. Kids don't have the service track record for informed whingeing yet- they will- but not yet. The training will likely be better than most other places, and they will have an employment record after even the shortest stint (3yrs?).

They might get killed. But probably not.

CG

Only if I could pass flying training next time round!:rolleyes:

Yes.

It isn't the place it was, but it will still give you a bunch of standards, respect for those higher up the chain and personal confidence that you CAN cope no matter what gets thrown at you.

It can also give you a new perspective from which to base the rest of your life: Seeing others maimed really does help you to see what matters and what is 'niff-naff'.

Personally I'm now working for a great employer, with a career path I manage and far more opportunities than the current Air Force provides. The pay is very good and the benefits definitely worth having. I certainly feel valued.

I certainly wouldn't go back, but I am very glad I experienced everything I did over the 23 years I served.

Unfortunately, according to the Torygraph, 1 million of the under 25s don't have a single GCSE and 84,000 have but one.

With the downsizing of the armed forces the recruiting pool is looking vanishingly small too.

Fair point PN, but for a school leaver with 5 GCSEs with Maths and English, who doesn't fancy BTech in Underwater Basket Weaving, it is a good opportunity.

CG

Well that's the army catered for then :E

I left the R.A.F. in 1973, having joined in 1959. Would I have advocated any of my four children to join? I doubt it, even though back then, I had a good career. Albeit, my eldest daughter did eventually fly in the U.S. Air Force.

But I have often wondered since I left, whether I made the wrong decision to join (or rather my father, who signed me up at 15 until I was 30). Even in my early teens, I desperately wanted to be either a pilot or a film director. And a film director seemed like pie in the sky.

When I came out in 1973, I started to pursue a media career and eventually reached the dizzying heights of Director (after Cameraman, VT Editor and Producer). However, my question to myself is, had I started my media career in the early 60s instead of the 70s, would I have made it to Hollywood big time? Who knows (although I did do one Hollywood series)?

My point is, did my air force career eventually stop me achieving my full potential? Although it gave me many skills (including flying) which I otherwise would not have acquired I’ll never know; and whilst I enjoyed my time in the air force, I do often wonder what might have been.

Like others on this thread, I would pose the question, where do you go after the military now? The answer seems to be a very big question mark, especially in today’s economic climate. I would hate my children to have served in the military and now be looking for a virtually non-existent job in Civvy Street and trying to support a family. :confused::confused:

Would I join now? NO!

Would I join again if I could turn the clock back 44 years? YES!

(Best decision I ever made in my life was to join the RAF; the second best decision I made was to leave. I did enjoy most of the intervening 28 years though).

I totally concur with 1.3Vstalls views: the best thing I did in 1975 was to join the RAF, the second best thing I did was to PVR in 1999 (after signing on to age 47). I thoroughly enjoyed my time until 1995 when the changes really started and leading to the subsequent closure of RAFG. So would I join now NO. I am seeing as much of the world now working on airliners as I did in the mob so there are other options to travel with work other than joining up.However I would never dissuade anyone from giving it a go; what maketh the man or women etc etc etc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Having just been reading the DIB on NEM I am more and more convinced that I would not join up now. Any document that uses phrasiology such as:

'The NEM is not a cost cutting exercise, it is about delivering improved value for money within the same resource envelope.'

merely demonstrates the depths so which the organisation that releases it has sunk to. Trying to cut through the guff the NEM seems to say that:

1. You will pay more for your accomodation, if you can get it.
2. You will be paid more if you are Executive Stream (look out for 2nd class service from 2nd class employees)
3. You will be told you are being given stability for wifes career and childrens education, and the loss of allowances that compensate, but we won't guarantee that we won't move you anyway.

:rolleyes:

The trouble with speed reading is when you come across a phrase like this

and the brain interprets as "give you a bunch of standards, except for those higher up the chain"

And given the pecadilloes of VSOs from time immemorial seems to fit quite adequately.

On reflection probably not. However I would have tried to go to Hamble then B.O.A.C.

taffy, you joined as the '73 redundees were leaving. Same question would have elicited the same answers as now I feel.

Turboprop,no I don't think I could, I like people to say what they think, I only get up set when they don't

Just like me :E. Only I've got 7 GCSE's :8.

All seriousness though, I'd love to be able to join up tomorrow (if I could), but to be honest with the ever-growing redundancies, maybe its times to look into another career sector (If the Goverment don't keep shrinking those aswell!!).
Thankfully, I'm working within Aviation at the moment, so i'm half way there :ok:

WOULD YOU JOIN UP NOW
 

Being in for only 4 years as of april next year i have noticed quiet alot of changes since leaving my trade training units. Most of the benefits i were entitled to have been withdrawn (GYHEY, free rail/air warrants etc), conpared to what i experienced in my first two years the cameraderie and team spirit that existed in my bay has almost dissapeared, changes to my pension meaning i wont get it untill 65 once ive done 22 years instead of instant payout,more pressure to get the job done on time with lack of manpower, promotion being a case of whos backside you kiss and not how good you are at the job and feeling like your constantly going against the grain. I enjoy my job but on hindsight would i do it all again? Id have to think very carefully. Afterall if i hadnt joined i would never have met my fiance, had my child and made some great friends. all whilst earning a decent wage and having a trade under my belt.

Would I? Yes, absolutely.

Unless you can point me to somewhere else where I can fly really fast pointy things. I didn't join because I wanted to travel or be "an officer", thought most (honest) aircrew were the same?