Career in the Forces? (IT Related)
- Thread starter Blackhawk47
- Start date
I'm still stuck in a rut, with no career direction...
Maybe the forces are the way to go eh.
What are most doing here by the way? RAF mainly with a couple Navy? Or is it all three.
I am RAF, I work a lot with all three daily though.
As far as I have experienced:
Army get the bum deal when it comes to treatment but progression through the ranks can be relatively fast (this can be a bit of a gripe though as a Sgt of 20 years in the RAF gets no respect from Army types when on deployment).
RAF seems to be full of a lot of fatties but the new fitness requirements bring us in line with the Army thankfully. Job responsibilities can be quite high despite low rank. Expect cussing from the other services along the lines of "Civvies in uniform" and "Crabs that sidestep every problem"
Navy lads always seem quite laid back and cheery. Senior service meaning they're the guys with the nukes. Expect a few long trips round the world on a big boat and to be ridiculed as a poncey sailor. Fitness seems to be lacking somewhat there though too
I'm still stuck in a rut, with no career direction...
Maybe the forces are the way to go eh.
What are most doing here by the way? RAF mainly with a couple Navy? Or is it all three.
Going for RAF - ICT.
Sorry for the confusion Captin Planet - yeah I passed
All seeming more real now, should be getting my dates at the end of next week.
Altough the fitness test, altough I have been training for it. Really made me think that I need to get my fitness through the roof, so it will be gym every other day and running every other day.
When do you start peetee?
this is exactly the point i was trying to make in page 1
I've seen people on civvie street routinely turn up to wake late, not do any work, and generally try and make 5pm come as quickly as possible.
They arent liked by their boss' but unless they can come up with a reason for a disciplinary, they get away with murder. As a result, although they are employed, they dont work.
This type of person wont last 5 minutes in the army, and wont take kindly at being shouted at to march.
Anyway, glad you're enjoying it zefan.
Soldato
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Hey guys, right now I haven't read the entire thread but I'm job hunting right now and I'm wondering what extra options a degree gives you? Does it mater that it's a 2:2?
IT sounds ok, but I'm pretty sick of it tbh... I'd rather do things with electronics if possible plus I'm good at soldering.
IT sounds ok, but I'm pretty sick of it tbh... I'd rather do things with electronics if possible plus I'm good at soldering.
Hey guys, right now I haven't read the entire thread but I'm job hunting right now and I'm wondering what extra options a degree gives you? Does it mater that it's a 2:2?
IT sounds ok, but I'm pretty sick of it tbh... I'd rather do things with electronics if possible plus I'm good at soldering.
most likely they couldnt give a hoot about your degree classification.
Navy didnt care about mine - I wasnt going for officer though, although that was because my degree wasnt an engineering degree so I couldnt for what I wanted to do, as far as other things that require ANY degree im sure they still couldnt give a hoot, as the selection and interviewing would weed out anyone who they wouldnt find suitable instead.
I was wondering what kind of duties do these ICT roles have? Someone asked the question about Microsoft and Cisco certifications, presumably the forces have their own secure networks etc but is this maintained by platoons of soldiers or outsourced to external companies? There is an obvious appeal in the lifestyle for some people but I'm just wondering how technical the IT work can get?
How long is a bit of string? It's all dependant on who you serve with, where you're serving and the specific policy at the individual units. Not much help I'm afraid, but it's the way it is.
As for qualifications, this time next year I'll have MCSE 2003, SQL Server 2005 and a few others all paid for by HMG.
Hey guys, right now I haven't read the entire thread but I'm job hunting right now and I'm wondering what extra options a degree gives you? Does it mater that it's a 2:2?
IT sounds ok, but I'm pretty sick of it tbh... I'd rather do things with electronics if possible plus I'm good at soldering.
As Peetee suggests it depends on what you're looking to go for. Usually if you intend to join as officer you are most likely to know very well what you want to do and how to do it before you even step foot through the AFCO doors (of course this is not always strictly the case). Regardless of grade, a degree shall put you in good steed for a commissioned role as it displays you have intellectual ability and determination above others but it certainly wont end at that point. Selection is laborious. As for non-commissioned roles, no a degree is insignificant regardless of grade achieved.
The MoD uses numerous different systems, including off the shelf products like Microsoft. This is the problem though, especially as half of the systems don't interface. At the moment Defence Information Infrastructure (DII) is intended to replace all the IT systems but, as expected, it ran into lots of problems. Read more here . IT work can be very technical because there are so many varied roles, it isn't an area I am particularly expert in though.
I'm an expert in that field 
a lot of the very 'simple' ICT stuff is going civi now, such as helpdesk etc. However there will always be a need for somebody to set up the various types of networks and computer systems 'in the field'. The military obviously use windows, however we do use a slightly different version to what you get in the shops. I can't get into the types of systems due to obvious reasons, however to answer your question in short the ict work can get technical (as i have been finding out recently...dam laptops *grumble grumble*).
a lot of the very 'simple' ICT stuff is going civi now, such as helpdesk etc. However there will always be a need for somebody to set up the various types of networks and computer systems 'in the field'. The military obviously use windows, however we do use a slightly different version to what you get in the shops. I can't get into the types of systems due to obvious reasons, however to answer your question in short the ict work can get technical (as i have been finding out recently...dam laptops *grumble grumble*).
Soldato
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I asked previously about the lack of Cisco / MS qualifications mentioned on the RAF careers site.
In terms of these qualifications, which force is the best to approach to gain them?
RAF or Navy?
Also, the wage, £16k, not really fantastic is it? Will it rise under it's own accord or do you have to apply for promotions etc?
Thanks.
In terms of these qualifications, which force is the best to approach to gain them?
RAF or Navy?
Also, the wage, £16k, not really fantastic is it? Will it rise under it's own accord or do you have to apply for promotions etc?
Thanks.
That goes up to £23kish under it's own steam over the course of a few years.
edit: I'm not sure, but I think ICT counts as a 'techy' trade, and as such you could be on a parallel higher pay grade than I've quoted. But don't quote me on that.
edit: I'm not sure, but I think ICT counts as a 'techy' trade, and as such you could be on a parallel higher pay grade than I've quoted. But don't quote me on that.
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As far as I am aware the course you are intially put through is Cisco/MS sponsored.
The wages go up, as a pay review every year. Basically the harder you work, the better you get paid.
The, supposedly, independant Armed Forces Pay Review Body sits yearly. Pay does increase, but so do all related charges including food and accommodation. In real terms most people will be a few bob better off, but not that much.
Pay is not performance related at all (some do get extra cash for specialisations) so nothing extra for working harder, unfortunately.
Ah right what is the RAF pay grades for then?
Just got my dates 4/11 and 21/01.
Still going to be there Zefan?
although the pay is 'low' after all my food/living bills are taken out i have about £1000 to play with.
this is a very good site, on the left hand side you can see your pay scales
http://rafcom.co.uk/
The ICT trade is currently on the lower payband until CPL, HOWEVER the SAC's have just come under review to see if we are to get pushed to the higher pay band (which we should)
this is a very good site, on the left hand side you can see your pay scales
http://rafcom.co.uk/
The ICT trade is currently on the lower payband until CPL, HOWEVER the SAC's have just come under review to see if we are to get pushed to the higher pay band (which we should)