**British Armed Forces Discussion Thread**
- Thread starter bakes0310
- Start date
Associate
58 pattern got binned in the 90's
Associate
I commissioned 6 years ago after 12.5 years in the ranks (last 6.5 years as a Sgt) in the RAF. I have also been a Flt Cdr at phase 1 trg, RAF Halton so know a bit about it all. I retire in 8 months.... Good career and I would recommend that you try for commissioned Service. Not easy but certainly achievable with sustained effort.
Last edited:
The RAF main mental health centre was at Brize (and is probably tri service). If no-one here has any personal links I would suggest trying to get hold of them via the communication and media biff (details at the bottom)
http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafbrizenorton/contactus.cfm
Soldato
Kiwitaff, send me a PM and I can give you some advice if able, or at least point you to someone who knows the latest info, am currently serving and an Ex Flt Cdr from Cranwell - happy to help, got a few of my lads through the process in the past.
You should also consider Flt Ops, quite a varied career path with a number of interesting jobs, numbers required are a bit light at the moment but that should change in the next couple of years.
You should also consider Flt Ops, quite a varied career path with a number of interesting jobs, numbers required are a bit light at the moment but that should change in the next couple of years.
Soldato
Flight ops? *shudder*
Soldato
HA yeah that was gone long before i joined, PLCE is a thing of the past as well now, its all about VIRTUS these days.http://www.army.mod.uk/news/27112.aspx
Went to the CAS air power confrence a few weeks ago in London. Got some pretty good exposure! Met the chief, had a quick chat with him over a cuppa in the morning of the second day! Brushed shoulders with the deputy chief of the Royal Canaidan Air Force. Met the chief of the Royal Australian Air Force, and shook hands with a few high ranks from Japan & India. Pretty decent exposure for an SAC to be honest!
Will be sitting down with the OC of the support squadron here, he's from a recruiting background so he said he will run a mock interview with me before I go through the actual recruitment process to help me out. I've been told the recruitment process can be quite quick, so i am tempted to delay it slightly untill after i have been to the Falklands. I go again in January.
Will be sitting down with the OC of the support squadron here, he's from a recruiting background so he said he will run a mock interview with me before I go through the actual recruitment process to help me out. I've been told the recruitment process can be quite quick, so i am tempted to delay it slightly untill after i have been to the Falklands. I go again in January.
Soldato
I wouldn't delay. Get the app in, if they decide to recruit you before you go to the Falklands then they'll send someone else. That is unless you really want to go to the Falklands? 
What if there are open slots for your branch choices now and then they close after the Falklands, do you have a plan B?
What if there are open slots for your branch choices now and then they close after the Falklands, do you have a plan B?
Yeah! I'm also in a bit of a pickle in regards to the whole admin side of it.
Basically..
Currently an SAC and i've been told my most recent report is pretty good and it should leave my in a good position in regards to the board. ( I was quite naughty in my first two years in the RAF ) Now, the boards sits in October.
IF i was to come off the board and was at the same time offered a place in IOT ( These are huge IF's and this is merely me speculating) and i turned down promotion. Then if i failed IOT for whatever reason, i'm guessing i would remain an SAC for atleast another 2 years due to me turning down the promotion. It leaves a few IF's and Buts in my oppinion. Which makes me want to wait it out untill i am substansive Corporal. Currently acting Corporal in my current role.
Basically..
Currently an SAC and i've been told my most recent report is pretty good and it should leave my in a good position in regards to the board. ( I was quite naughty in my first two years in the RAF ) Now, the boards sits in October.
IF i was to come off the board and was at the same time offered a place in IOT ( These are huge IF's and this is merely me speculating) and i turned down promotion. Then if i failed IOT for whatever reason, i'm guessing i would remain an SAC for atleast another 2 years due to me turning down the promotion. It leaves a few IF's and Buts in my oppinion. Which makes me want to wait it out untill i am substansive Corporal. Currently acting Corporal in my current role.
Not even cadets or recruits or anything?
Man of Honour
If cadets are still the same as when I was there they'll be grateful of whatever they can lay their hands on.
All the cadets I've seen use hideous DPM PLCE webbing monstrosities.
Recruits are getting Multicam (MTP) PLCE these days; lads on my squadron are all using Osprey and MOLLE belts.
Virtus won't be in for a while yet, we've only just been measured.
Soldato
You would be beyond stupid to turn down promotion in order to 'have a go' at IOT, take the tapes, get the courses out of the way and try it then.
Soldato
Simple, don't fail IOT
I don't quite see how you'd be expected to turn down promotion. Have A1 said this to you? Id seek further advice if I were you because it sounds like some serious career fouling to me if you were expected to do that. We're supposed to support our guys to achieve in their careers. I would have thought you'd get the promotion regardless (assuming you come off the board that is) and should you become unavailable due to commissioning, then another lucky guy down the bottom of the list gets offered their tapes.
Contact manning, email them, and seek confirmation.
Last edited:
Soldato
RAF manning last time I checked was blocked to anyone contacting them apart from line managers for exactly this point IIRC, either way you have to wait for your number to come up anyway.
IOT can wait, promotion might not get offered again, I've known people spend another 6 years in rank for turning it down
Soldato
If his query warrants an informed response then either he or his line manager should attempt to seek that response from them. IOT will not necessarily wait, like I said, vacancies in desired branches that are available now may very well not be available next year.
Soldato
Agreed but based on the board sitting in November, I doubt any release numbers will be remotely accurate at the moment, think about the amount of PVR's etc that can happen in that time, its just pure speculation.
And thats just the board sitting, not even the release.
e: should just clarify I'm not trying to put a dampener on anything, just makes more sense to me to get the security within trade before attempting commissioning. Chances of a trade reopening is probably higher than promo being offered again, and thats coming from someone who waited 3 years for the trade to open!
Last edited: