Terry Tibbs

Basically am thinking about joining up as I've found something I would like to do within the RAF.

I've ordered more information on the courses etc. but have not gone to the AFCO yet.

Really am wondering what is the life like in the RAF. I do not mean just pilots and other officers but the general workforce also?

Cheers.

Charlie Chalk

iTrader: (1)

Its good mate, what trade are you wanting to come in as?

Ive done 4 years

big_wig_074

yes matey,not too bad! what trade u wanna be in?
rad (freddymercurymagic) is a painter,im an airframe tech, what you lookin at?

Terry Tibbs

Engineer (mechanics)

Kinda thought to myself, why piss about with cars/vans/lorries for the rest of my life and be semi happy when I can work on real power/engines and things I'm interested in.

Been interested in planes since I was little but always thought it was pilots and that is it.. don't really know why. I don't have the qualities (and qualifications ) to be a pilot, so thought I'd do the engineering side, that way i'm hands on with the aircraft still.



Really thinking of going down the AFCO.. do they have set recruitment days? like college almost? or is it; if you're accepted they will take you?

Charlie Chalk

iTrader: (1)

in lame man terms, were bums

Terry Tibbs

I was looking into the painting too, just another general idea as i wanted to do that with cars. Aircraft are more fun though

big_wig_074

what you wanna work on? engines? avionics? electrics? or airframes?
nicknames,left to right: sooties,fairies,dog fuckers,riggers!
guess which the real men do? lol!
seriously,just go into the careers advice place,say "hi i want to join the RAF!" then tell the navy guy to sit down cos the other forces will try to get you too!STAY AWAY from them! RAF is easy street!
youll get an interview,general talk etc...then a date for another interview,THAN youll be given a date to go to basic training for 2 months,THEN for riggers,sooties etc youll spend about 14mths at cosford (near wolverhapton,good night out!) training,then into the real world,ask for a squadron for a better life!

Charlie Chalk

iTrader: (1)

Dont go for the painting trade mate, I doubt very much that i'll stay in past my 9 year point as they want to get rid of the trade, so it'll be civvie street for me again


SO im making the most of it while i can, I have a parachute course coming soon thats all paid for, ive raced karts for the RAF

Met some of my best mates, and the life is EASY!

Anonymous

i knew it

Charlie Chalk

iTrader: (1)

big_wig_074

Terry Tibbs

Christ, sounds right up my street.

Think I'll go and have a look in the next couple of days.

at the nicknames..

Grandad was in the navy.. said never ever ever join up. dunno why.

Definately sounds like what i want to do.

Think I want to work on engines really.. electronics make me want to rip my dick off so definately not that.. we'll see. cheers

big_wig_074

all those except riggers get a relatively easy life mate,very little to do compared to riggers!

Charlie Chalk

iTrader: (1)

Painters have it easy

Terry Tibbs

Aslong as i'm enjoying what I'm doing I doubt I'll care whether its hard work or not.. love working on engines and seeing them work at full chat..

Gonna go to my local in the next few days.. time to get sorted

Chipperx2

Yeah mate, I'm in the same position as you, if a bit further down the line, I applied for Aircraft technician, just go into the AFCO speak to the guy fill out the first application and then they'll book you in for an interview and apptitude test and so long as you pass that then you either get another interview booked there, or if the trade isn't open you get put in a waiting and you just keep phoning and checking in untill the trade opens and then you get another interview and hopefully accepted

I'm currently waiting for my trade to open, It opened once for like a week and the they closed it and I missed out But I phone twice a week to check

RS-Leigh

iTrader: (2)

Nowt wrong with the Navy!!

Whats the problem???

so we leave our wives and kids and go on deployment for seven months, sailing round in a tin can, with another 200 blokes

mmm.....Does sound a bit odd when I think about it

Chipperx2

How old are you out of interest?

Terry Tibbs

18

Aptitude test hard?

Terry Tibbs

Chipperx2

Nah mate, not if you have some inteligence, I scored well enough to get into Aircrew But I'm lazy and I can't be arsed with that. oh aye and don't worry they're designed so that you can't answer all the questions in most of teh sections I think, so that they can narrow down your skills in certain areas. Only thing is the RAF apparently have been having budget cut and recruitment is not as much as before But they still are, and it might be a bit of a wait like 6 months in between trades opening sometimes I was told. I have been tempted to go for the navy or something, but I've heard that the RAF is much better

I'd say just be genuin with them tell them your situation whatever it is and don't sound like your rushing in or they'll have doubts I think they want to know you've thought it through properly etc etc.

Terry Tibbs

I'm not rushing really, it might come across like that because I actually do not go to college, just work in a boring job.

I'll just tell them how it is, always been a passion of mine and hopefully i can make it a reality

Cheers everyone

CosRush

Did 8 years as a Sooty (Big engines ).......

I would recommend it, good pay, pretty easy life really (especially those painters )......although there is always a pile of BullS**t with your name on it waiting for you.......its just a case of hoping it doesn't land on you

Just dont be swayed by anything they might tell you at a careers office, they are like anyone else, and will try to convince you to go for whatever trades they are short of.......

Dont forget too, with all the redundancies of late, its not quite as secure as it used to be.

but worth it IMO........

Terry Tibbs

What do you mean by that mate?

RST

iTrader: (3)

Yer mate it would be the best thing u could do my uncle is 2 second from the top in Engineering he is staying in for 3 more year and when he comes out he get Ł100000K he said it is hard for the first 3months or so
he wants me to go in but i want to start my garage up before im 21
RST

CosRush

You know the crappy stuff.........

i did 2 years on Guard of Honour, in my No.1 uniform, funerals etc, in the puring rain and cold, practising for weeks on end, then doing parades etc on weekends........

plus all the NBC crap (I dont miss that).....Nuclear Biological and Chemical warfare for those who dont know.....

Special exercises, in full gear at night etc. etc.......

usually someone has to get picked to do it from different sections and every so often it'll be you..........


Thats all......

Terry Tibbs

Don't sound that bad.. ish.

Funerals wouldn't bother me.. done loads of them with my dad

Sounds like an experience.

Definately gonna give it a shot.

Cheers

CosRush

Who is he??? I might know him.....

Charlie Chalk

iTrader: (1)

I enjoy these

CosRush

I thought i'd gave up that cr*p when i left the Royal Marines

Charlie Chalk

iTrader: (1)

I was going to go for the Marines before i chose the RAF

Just didnt have it in me