Advice needed about career in the RAF

Andr3w said:
You're not a para have you? I've seen some para's do some weird..weird....freaky...freaky weird....weird weird stuff before :(
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Nope, I'm not a pink hat, R Sigs tech :p lol. But I've done stuff with/around paras and marines and I've been told I'm pretty sick lol.
 
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Benihana said:
I'm not expecting this to be an easy career, currently I sit alone in an office, unchallenged and bored, I want a job that pushes me, something I can look back on and say was worthwhile and benefitted me as a person.
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I doubt it will be a particularly hard job as far as military jobs go. I did a tour of Iraq in an infantry unit and we had the 'combat camera team' accompany us a few times - they do shoot a fair bit of footage which then gets distributed to news outlets etc.. AFAIK - as far as I could tell they weren't exactly having a strenuous tour.

I guess you might have to go up in an aircraft and take pics but AFAIK there are other military units who are more likely to carry out that sort of surveillance work. Looks like you could equally get away with being a big fat REMF and just take pics of equipment or parades/VIP visits etc...

Go for it tbh.. you'll likely have a fun 6 years, get to visit foreign places, have a decent amount of paid leave and a skill set that provides a civilian career after - whether you go onto being some photojournalist covering conflicts around the world or just settle down and become a wedding photographer etc..
 
dowie said:
*snip*equally get away with being a big fat REMF and just take pics of equipment or parades/VIP visits etc*snip*
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Thats one thing im finding at the moment, a cr*p load of acroynms! I'm guessing REMF isn't a good thing..

Andr3w, its a path I considered, but for some reason photography seems it would be more interesting. I'm sure the reality is the opposite. Can you change your specialty during your initial 6 years? I'm guessing it wouldn't be looked on favourably?

I used to be uncertain, now im not so sure..
 
Benihana said:
Thats one thing im finding at the moment, a cr*p load of acroynms! I'm guessing REMF isn't a good thing..

Andr3w, its a path I considered, but for some reason photography seems it would be more interesting. I'm sure the reality is the opposite. Can you change your specialty during your initial 6 years? I'm guessing it wouldn't be looked on favourably?

I used to be uncertain, now im not so sure..
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You can change however its quite a long drawn out process. Not really sure how it's done.

Go to the AFCO and get some leaflets on both trades :)
 
Andr3w said:
Look on the RAF Careers website for 'ICT Tech' thats what I am.

You dont need an IT background to get in, as you get all the training you need when you are in. They bascially give you a big overview of all the systems you can work on/teach you a few things etc, then when you get posted to a base you can use the knowledge of the system combined with a lot of on the job training on that equipment to know what you are doing!

Our job role can be anything from working on an IT workshop (like I am at the moment) to setting up all comms in the middle of a field/desert. So we are talking satellite/radar/radio/telephone comms etc

I have been in just over 3 years and I am on 24k, a photographer who joined at the same time as me would be on at a guess around 21k

Sorry I don't know anything about the combat camera team - apart from its quite hard to get onto (because a lot of people want to do it!!)
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Except the majority of our trade is going civi and they don't seem to be trading very much for it the now :/

I have a few photog mates, they all seem to really enjoy their jobs and get out the office a hell of a lot more than I do.

There is also a big thread here on armed forces, loads of information of the likes of me joining up!
 
Begbie said:
There is also a big thread here on armed forces, loads of information of the likes of me joining up!
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Yeah I read through that, doenst have any specific info on a photography role, but has been interested to read through, seems like a lot of positive feedback on joining up though!

Loving the sig by the way Begbie!
 
Benihana said:
Yeah I read through that, doenst have any specific info on a photography role, but has been interested to read through, seems like a lot of positive feedback on joining up though!

Loving the sig by the way Begbie!
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I don't know a lot about what training etc they do, they are on call every so often. But you'll do that on most roles anyway. If I had to change to anything it would defiantly be a photog!
 
Begbie said:
Except the majority of our trade is going civi and they don't seem to be trading very much for it the now :/

I have a few photog mates, they all seem to really enjoy their jobs and get out the office a hell of a lot more than I do.

There is also a big thread here on armed forces, loads of information of the likes of me joining up!
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Since DII is coming in a lot of our trade is going civi. Which I welcome because helpdesks and account creations are BORING and civvies are welcome to do it!

There is still LOADS for our trade, we even have postings to work with the UAV's, and all the different stuff you do on TCW!

Where are you based/whats your job role?
 
Andr3w said:
Since DII is coming in a lot of our trade is going civi. Which I welcome because helpdesks and account creations are BORING and civvies are welcome to do it!

There is still LOADS for our trade, we even have postings to work with the UAV's, and all the different stuff you do on TCW!

Where are you based/whats your job role?
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Helpdesk, and don't get me wrong am happy I ain't going to be on it long! Its very tedious, boring and down right just not my kind of job at all. Based up at Lossiemouth, which is pretty good.

Can see this being a quick first posting mind you, although Ground Radio is also going civi and if the rumors are true by 2012. But we will wait and see with that one.

Mind you we do have TCW, but I don't particulary fancy being on TCW when am 30+. Though I do quite fancy doing it just now. Or St.Morgans, or Connigsby or Cyprus if postings ever come up for it!

Where are you based?
 
Suicide camp in norfolk :p

Keep a look on the volunteers list on the manning site, they ARE ALWAYS needing people for cyprus!

Well I've done over 2 years now so i'm ready to move on and fancy TCW!

I've done helpdesk and I understand how you feel...soooooo frustrating, it sucks even more since they banned flash games! :(
 
Andr3w said:
soooooo frustrating, it sucks even more since they banned flash games! :(
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:eek:Right photography it is! :P

I feel that ICT would be a better idea for getting a career returning to civilian life, but cant shake the gut feeling about Photography being better...hmm
 
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UPDATE

Went to the careers office and had a very nice chat with the advisor. No photography jobs till Jan next year, but he also mentioned the idea of joining the RAF photography club and doing a different role entirely which has got me thinking...

I've been looking at the Aircrew side of things, like a Weapons System Officer or similar, something that would really stretch me. Any thoughts? Along with this comes significantly more pay, which is not my main motivation, but it will be a good benefit.

He also mentioned the age limit for a new pilot is now 25 not 23, and that aircrew signs up for 12 years, and anyone else is 9.

Hmm lots to think about now..
 
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