Any Advice on trying to join the RAF ?

Yeah take what the AFCO tell you with a pinch of salt sometimes, told boy in our room to join up and when he has passed basic training he can re-trade to be a PTI (couldn't at the time due to age restrictions). He soon found out that wasn't true.

Edit - We also have a guy in our room thats 28, going through TG4 (ICT) training just now and he gets on ok. 29 is not too old.
 
I knew guys in their 30's in training.

If you're older you usually get an easier time (people your age usually already know how to wash and iron a shirt :p ).
 
Hi all so glad this thread has more information :)

Last night i rang the RAF Help line listed on the website, spoke to a chap that was really helpfull i rang saying are there jobs in Logistics Movers + Suppliers available he said not right now

Movers - April
Suppliers - October

I was just about to put the phone down, but he kept me talking for about 20mins more was really helpfull i registered for the Movers in the end (sorry eddie) they are going to ring / email me an application when a position becomes available

He said did i have a GCSE in maths above G.......since when has G been a pass? but ok thats fine no problems there

He also said i would have to read up on the RAF as i would be asked questions at an interview (any one got any good sources? for raf history / information)

So it seems i now have untill April to get fit, swat up on stuff that i will need and try and get my brain in gear


one big question tho which im a little worried, Logistics - Movers is a last age of 29 (im going to be 30 in may)

would this drop me from the application as i didnt realise untill after the phone call

Thanks for all the information so far an thats my update was really happy after the phone call :)
 
I received an email from an AFCO Recruitment guy, and he said:

"Thank you for your e-mail regarding interest in a Royal Air Force career.

On reviewing your qualifications, you are eligible for RAF Officer entry. Branches with the least waiting time for processing are:

Pilot
Weapons Systems Officer
Air Traffic Control officer
Air Battle Manager

My advice is to conduct research into these jobs then visit the Armed Forces Careers for an informal chat."

I have no interest in becoming a Pilot, and the other 3 are interesting but not what I was originally drawn to the RAF to do. I do have a question about Officers, however: I notice that "Air Traffic Control Officer" has a similar career "Air Traffic Controller", but obviously not for Officers. It doesn't really say what the difference is, yet the non-officer position receives more salary, which is strange(?).

Anyway, I'm not that interested in becoming an officer either :/ I'd rather join without being an Officer.

Regards
 
From what I can tell the 'Air Traffic Controller' is somebody who has been an air traffic assistant (sub specialisation of Flight Ops Assistant) and has done the Air Traffic Control course to become a Sergeant. Not entirely sure why they list it separately, as I'm pretty sure you can't join up specifically to be an ATC Sergeant.
 
Stringy said:
From what I can tell the 'Air Traffic Controller' is somebody who has been an air traffic assistant (sub specialisation of Flight Ops Assistant) and has done the Air Traffic Control course to become a Sergeant. Not entirely sure why they list it separately, as I'm pretty sure you can't join up specifically to be an ATC Sergeant.
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Pretty much nail on head there.

Air Traffic Control Officer will be on less money to start with, but when they go up the ranks they will quickly overtake them on the pay scale.
 
I've been in the RAF almost a year now (My year point is March 4th and I joined as an Avionics Technician), I left Cosford Feb 2nd and I'm now on my first squadron. :D

I've really enjoyed it so far, but it has had its ups and downs. Almost 4 months on holding flight at Cosford was a drag. :/

I swotted up loads on the recruitment process when I was applying and I still remember quite abit and still have a lot of my paperwork and stuff. So if anyone needs any help with anything drop me an email which is in my trust.
 
Mad_Jay said:
I've been in the RAF almost a year now (My year point is March 4th and I joined as an Avionics Technician), I left Cosford Feb 2nd and I'm now on my first squadron. :D

I've really enjoyed it so far, but it has had its ups and downs. Almost 4 months on holding flight at Cosford was a drag. :/

I swotted up loads on the recruitment process when I was applying and I still remember quite abit and still have a lot of my paperwork and stuff. So if anyone needs any help with anything drop me an email which is in my trust.
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You must be an AMM i feel for you...... :D
 
I am indeed :p

I noticed at your location your at Brize, Loads of lads off my flight have been posted to Brize, afew got 216, some got 101 and a lucky guy got 99!

I'm happy with my posting though :p the best an AMM could hope for!
 
Mad_Jay said:
I am indeed :p

I noticed at your location your at Brize, Loads of lads off my flight have been posted to Brize, afew got 216, some got 101 and a lucky guy got 99!

I'm happy with my posting though :p the best an AMM could hope for!
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I,m 101 the mighty Vc-10 Last few years of its life now before the nice shiny new replacement arrives. I,m also an Avionics Tech or Now an A Tech AV as have been multiskilled to be a Leccy as well. I have also worked on Nimrods and most of my career on Pumas. In my last couple of years now 15 will be enough for me need to do something different. Enjoyed my time although its a different Air force now still plenty of good times to be had..

Bet your looking forward to your fitters course anouther 18 or so months back at lovely Cosford....:( Are you on Typhoon..?
 
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I'm at RAF Scampton on the Red Arrows :cool: I didn't even apply to come here, I applied for Rotary. I was suprised when I got it, I was told when I got here they cherry pick there AMM's. Not sure if thats true or not or if it was something they said to make me feel good. :p

Really enjoyed it so far, was abit apprehensive with coming here as I have afew friends on 28 sqn which is why I wanted to go there, But this place is growing on me and the things I'm going to be up to over the next 18 months - 2 years is going to be fantastic.

I've almost finished my line course and got all my TAT's done and will be having a nice meeting with the Sengo this week whom will hand me my SAC tabs. :D
 
You can be a direct entry ATC Sergeant now.

And also, that example of taking a "G" as a pass is by no means an isolated case. Even with that in mind, I was still in training with people who vastly undercut the requirements, as in had no GCSE in maths at all - let alone a G! Now we have an enormous backlog of people wanting to join but are being told to wait a year, despite having well above the required qualifications. It stinks.
 
After applying as an RAF officer last year i can give you a hand if you have any specific questions!
As others have mentioned get down to your AFCO and start asking questions, you normally don't need an appointment if they are quiet but it may be best to phone ahead just to be sure. There is more useful info over on The Student Room under the Armed Forces sub-forum.
As i'm sure you have heard there are huge military budget cuts going on but i remember when I was applying last year there were some jobs in huge demand and others that were extremely over subscribed for. Again your AFCO will be able to tell you which jobs.
 
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