RAF as a short-term career?
 

Hello all!

Although, I have a career choice in mind after university, I heard that a few of the graduates of my school went into a short military career (a few years) before settling down with a job in the city.
I am currently a cadet in the RAF Cadet Force in the school and certainly been enjoying it. I was also lucky enough to get into one of those 'chipmunk trainers' at RAF Benson as a part of a RAF cadet force trip earlier and got to fly over Oxfordshire. I don't intend to pursue a life-long career in the RAF but I am very interested in seeing some kind of military service for a few years. (maybe 1-5?) I had a look at Intelligence Corps, Royal Navy and etc but I suppose I have already had a taster in the RAF through school - not to say that the school RAF is anything like the 'real deal'...

Do you think it is a good idea for me to serve in the RAF for a few years or should I not bother at all? I am interested to hear opinions.

Are you sure? We haven't used Chipmunks for AEF since 1996?

i suspect he uses the speech marks for a reason....

As someone above said, assuming you're discounting flying as a career (best guess at the moment is about a 10 year minimum, but more realistic is 12), then a couple of branches would allow you to do a relatively short career. However, as is also pointed out above, the army has generally done a better job of providing for that kind of thing.

​​​​ If I'm honest, you're more likely to get something fulfilling in that time as there's a good chance in most of the RAF branches that the first job you have will be something fairly benign to allow you to find your feet.

caveat:not a recruiter but not an old suffer either....

Good advice above. Done 2 colours of uniform and the bit about the Army is true.
If you want to fly - then make that the only thing you want to do otherwise you simply will not get through.
If you want to shoot guns,lob grenades, jump put of the side of a C130 or A400, do lots of Adv Trg, lead a group of 30 or so men (all men so far in the Inf) then do AOSB and go to RMA Sandhurst...and leave after 4 years of so when your self-confidence will be much improved and you will find a job - not necessarily the long-term career you want - easily and you can fire and manouevre forwards from there.
The RAF is a different beast - man the equiment vs equip the man/lady.
There is not a whole lot of difference between Int Corps and RAF Int.
Over to you.
(Agree about Chipmunks above - they are long gone and might just indicate that you are not serious about flying. There will be youngsters that will tell you the bore of the pistons of the Tutors because that is all they want to do. Motivation?)

I hope that your comment is an attempt at banter or fishing with a bent nail, because it could not be further from the truth.

The RAF of today will always focus on the man/lady, their attributes, capabilities, skills, education, team and leadership abilities from the outset. An applicant will no more get to handle a calculator until the required minimum standards are attained.


IG

Your moniker alone would appear to suggest that the Army would be your best answer, and it would certainly help us to know what long term "career choice" you have in mind".

Committing oneself to a military career of any length should not really be regarded as a "bother" and, although I'm obviously pleased that you had a "look" at the Royal Navy, I would seriously suggest that you look no further. You've had some very good advice from other posters, and my only other advice would be to use Gieves for uniform!:ok:

Jack

Easy - Your comment is noted and I accept that perhaps I was more than a little sensitive to what seemed to me like a poke in the ribs.

You will know that it is necessary to become an Officer first before moving on to other roles, and that was the key to my response.

I have amended my post accordingly,

IG

That description does not represent what I see on a daily basis....

Nope - absolutely typed in all seriousness and if you don't understand it then you are part of the RAF problem that sees itself as far better than it is.

Agree totally. Mon-Fri, 9-5, no PT and beards. At times, more civvy than element of HM Forces.

Five o'clock? On a Friday? Really?:E

Back to the OP: I did 8 years DE non-commissioned aircrew and I firmly believe it was the making of me as a person (imagine what I WOULD have been like!). Whilst I only did 8 though, I THOUGHT I was going to be a lifer- just didn't pan out that way. But the point was, joining and flying was the most important thing in my life at the time. It wasn't ever a CV tick. You have to decide what's driving you in that regard.

CG

What’s the return of service for an RAF pilot post OCU?

I've never been in the military, only done civil flying. But, in my view, if you want to fly give it your all. Don't dabble with it - do it properly or not at all.