Career in the Forces? (IT Related)

Begbie said:
1st weekend off! And because of the snow we aint allowed off base. Altough we did just have a massive snowball fight on parde square. And n6 marching about.

Its pretty good now, getting more sleep and bit more relaxed with us.

Start reg on friday :)
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Cool cool :)

I just had my date for my 2 days changed. Its now going to be March 12th
 
Quick question to any RAF chappies on here : Whats the difference between an Air Traffic Control officer and a SNCO Air Traffic Controller. They both seem to be officer level but on the SNCO variant you don't need the usual A Levels ( which i dont have), just good GCSE's which i do have.

My first intention was to apply for the engineering side but got a D in Science not a C (ARGH). This is even stopping me going for general electrical technician :(
 
I thought this would also be an appropriate place to also point out the MoD policy on armed forces personnel using the internet and social networking sites such as facebook. As FB and such related sites are a recent internet phenomena the MoD hasn't really been quite hot on this until now.

Reportedly 80% of all intelligence about a particular person is generated from open source such as the internet. This means groups are actively trawling the internet for about information about YOU. Not only could you become a target but so could family and friends. The MoD can't ban you from using such sites (I think) but they outline that you must retain your anonymity. I know one or two people who like to stick photos of themselves suited and booted, or even kitted up with armour and rifles but I've rejected their friends requests because I don't want to be associated with them over a freely accessed network. I'd strongly advise you not to do the same, despite how good it might make you look to the ladies. If you were to be caught by the wrong person then the least that would happen would you'd be stood to attention infront of your boss's desk, at worst you'd be knelt down in an orange suit with a bag over you head ;)

Most importantly, don't broadcast on sites who you are, what you are doing, where you are based, what regiment/squadron/wing/etc.

You'll be briefed a whole lot more about this once you start training and I know this all sounds a bit serious but you never know who's watching eh.

links:
Report into the Loss of MOD Personal Data
BBC News MoD 'Facebook generation' warning.
MoD laptop thefts blamed on 'Facebook generation'
 
ninjabib said:
My first intention was to apply for the engineering side but got a D in Science not a C (ARGH). This is even stopping me going for general electrical technician :(
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This should not be the case, I only got a D in maths (Needed a C for avionics technician, missed a C by only afew marks though)

I had to apply as an unqualified applicant even though I had the rest and had a Btec in electrical engineering.

I can't see how general electrical technician can be different. Best to ask the afco though.

Hedge, I owe you an arm wrestle! :p

*Edit*

Just noticed Touge starts basic on April 15th also. Will be nice to meet you!
 
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ninjabib said:
Quick question to any RAF chappies on here : Whats the difference between an Air Traffic Control officer and a SNCO Air Traffic Controller. They both seem to be officer level but on the SNCO variant you don't need the usual A Levels ( which i dont have), just good GCSE's which i do have.

My first intention was to apply for the engineering side but got a D in Science not a C (ARGH). This is even stopping me going for general electrical technician :(
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You've answered your own question. An ATC Officer is commissioned, a ATC SNCO is non-commissioned. Both jobs attract huge responsibilty, but the officer will be more highly trained and therefore more qualified.

Terms of service will differ also.
 
Mad_Jay said:
This should not be the case, I only got a D in maths (Needed a C for avionics technician, missed a C by only afew marks though)

I had to apply as an unqualified applicant even though I had the rest and had a Btec in electrical engineering.

I can't see how general electrical technician can be different. Best to ask the afco though.

Hedge, I owe you an arm wrestle! :p

*Edit*

Just noticed Touge starts basic on April 15th also. Will be nice to meet you!
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Yep my basic starts on April 15th too! Nice to know a fellow ocuker will be there. I just got info about my flights today for flying down on the 25th of this month to start my PRTC on the 26th, it had the names of 2 others who will be flying down with me so I'll be keeping my eyes open looking for them at the airport :p

I'm really looking forward to it but I've not had any info about my PRTC, should I be getting a kit list etc before I go?
 
touge said:
I'm really looking forward to it but I've not had any info about my PRTC, should I be getting a kit list etc before I go?
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Take a look at http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=96 and search for PRTC, should find a lot of good accounts of what to expect.

You will indeed receive a kit list.

I envy you guys a little, it'd be good to go back and have the excitement of it all again. All I can say is - enjoy it while you can!
 
Been thinking about you at Halton this week Begbie, you're going to have lots of fun on Friday when you get down to the Regiment hangar :D

Make the most of this week, week 5 is known as the worst.

For god's sake, clean your respirator, do the homework and bring your ID...

:edit: Also, if your water bottle leaks (:() then squeeze it a little when they come to inspect it so it looks like it's full.

Have fun.
 
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Zefan said:
Been thinking about you at Halton this week Begbie, you're going to have lots of fun on Friday when you get down to the Regiment hangar :D

Make the most of this week, week 5 is known as the worst.

For god's sake, clean your respirator, do the homework and bring your ID...

:edit: Also, if your water bottle leaks (:() then squeeze it a little when they come to inspect it so it looks like it's full.

Have fun.
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Was in there today. Altough our flight is crap, lost our breaks and had to speed march o its not fun.

Just finished cleaning it the now drying it is a bit tricky!

Good tip that bottle one though they were letting us off with leaky bottles today.

How fun is battle pt? :)
 
Holy ****,

Just had a call off the afco,

My start dates have been brought forward, I now have pre-rtc next week on 26th/27th feb and my start date is now march 4th.

:eek:
 
Mad_Jay said:
Holy ****,

Just had a call off the afco,

My start dates have been brought forward, I now have pre-rtc next week on 26th/27th feb and my start date is now march 4th.

:eek:
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Mines are 5 weeks apart! But you now have the same PRTC as me.

I'll probably see you there, I'm the Scottish guy called Lewis
tongue.gif
 
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Chasser said:
You've answered your own question. An ATC Officer is commissioned, a ATC SNCO is non-commissioned. Both jobs attract huge responsibilty, but the officer will be more highly trained and therefore more qualified.

Terms of service will differ also.
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The first sentence in spot on. The Officers' aren't more highly trained at ATC at all - the Joint Air Traffic Control Course which teaches basic Aerodrome and Radar Approach/Director skills is done by both Officers' and SNCOs. Similarly all those going to do Area Radar have to do the Area Radar Training Course first. Finally, both Officers' and SNCOs can become Instructors if they pass the Air Traffic Control Instructors Course.

In the field any Officer or SNCO can become fully endorsed with all the available Air Traffic endorsments. The only exceptions are Supervisor at Area Units and Local Examining Officer, both of which have to be held by an Officer.

As it stands, SNCOs tend to do longer tours of duty at Units which means the SNCO cadre is likely to be the more experienced.
 
if ATC is anything like the navy the none commisioned will also do a lot of the admin work, I know we do shoreside, but at sea its a whole different ball game, with only 1 ATC per ship barring the carriers.
You generally do the same courses, but I would imagine you wouldnt do some of the courses that commisioned officers do until you had been promoted a few times.
 
peetee said:
if ATC is anything like the navy the none commisioned will also do a lot of the admin work, I know we do shoreside, but at sea its a whole different ball game, with only 1 ATC per ship barring the carriers.
You generally do the same courses, but I would imagine you wouldnt do some of the courses that commisioned officers do until you had been promoted a few times.
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Navy Air Traffic Controllers do exactly the same courses the RAF do at Shawbury. No idea what ship-bound Controllers get up to though.
 
I've got selection on the 3rd of March... I'm well gutted, because the intake for my trade is the 3rd of March as well, and if I miss this one, I'll have to wait another 6 months before the next intake. Don't really fancy spending 6 months down in Blandford doing Guard Duty lol.
 
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