Thinkin of joining the RAF

KaHn · 4 Apr 2006 at 18:02

Hey all,

This has been playing on my mind quite a lot recently, I'm thinking of joining the RAF as an engineering officer, just wondering if any one here has went down this route?

Any help or opinions would be great, also I have a BEng in Aerospace Engineering and a MSc in Mechanical (by december this yr) as relevant qualifications.

KaHn

Big Spender · 4 Apr 2006 at 18:05

one of my close mates is in the raf as a airframe techy, and he loves it! he works on fast jets, always has an amusing story to tell when he gets home! lol im considering a career in the raf myself perhaps as RAF police.

KaHn · 4 Apr 2006 at 18:07

marcus25 said:
one of my close mates is in the raf as a airframe techy, and he loves it! he works on fast jets, always has an amusing story to tell when he gets home! lol im considering a career in the raf myself perhaps as RAF police.

Yes I know a few low level techies, but I was asking more for high up experience, what to expect etc, going to go to the careers office in Newcastle centre tomorrow.

KaHn

woodsy2k · 4 Apr 2006 at 18:08

Pretty much everyone i have spoken to in my time has said that they really like their job and enjoy the work from all parts of the RAF. If thats anything to go by, its a worthy career choice.

KaHn · 4 Apr 2006 at 18:09

woodsy2k said:
Pretty much everyone i have spoken to in my time has said that they really like their job and enjoy the work from all parts of the RAF. If thats anything to go by, its a worthy career choice.

Yeah ive been thinking more and more that I'm not cut for a 9-5 office job, I've been looking at going offshore aswell, but not sure as that would have to be for a graduate scheme.

KaHn

panthro · 4 Apr 2006 at 18:20

You should have thought about this sooner and got them to pay for your university fees.

I have a friend who will be starting this summer as an engineering officer specialising in systems. I still consider it, but it is a choice between money and job satisfaction, atm money is ruling me, but I am seriously considering changing.

The entrance tests are seriously hard for grad level eng officers. I had a link to some sample things which you will have to pass, will have to find it......

KaHn · 4 Apr 2006 at 18:29

panthro said:
You should have thought about this sooner and got them to pay for your university fees.

I have a friend who will be starting this summer as an engineering officer specialising in systems. I still consider it, but it is a choice between money and job satisfaction, atm money is ruling me, but I am seriously considering changing.

The entrance tests are seriously hard for grad level eng officers. I had a link to some sample things which you will have to pass, will have to find it......

Ok cheers, I was never one for planning and when I did talk to the RAF I wanted to become a pilot but they told me that would be impossible to do while doing an engineering degree.

KaHn

Nix · 4 Apr 2006 at 18:35

KaHn, would you be expecting a higher level of pay with your MSc? Would it be taken into high regard when you're up for commission etc?

KaHn · 4 Apr 2006 at 18:43

Nix said:
KaHn, would you be expecting a higher level of pay with your MSc? Would it be taken into high regard when you're up for commission etc?

With normal graduate jobs yes, but im not sure with the RAF, as I would be going in as an Officer and most are on the same pay.

KaHn

Nix · 4 Apr 2006 at 18:57

I recall that the Army (not sure about the RAF) take the amount of years at university and your qualifications into serious account. I think that with your MSc, if anything, it will help you climb the ladder quicker.

jaydee · 4 Apr 2006 at 20:31

KHan - as you have a degree in aerospace already you should be aware that it may well work against you if you apply to the RAF for anything other than commissioned status. The logic being that if you were non-commissioned but held a degree then you could well be more qualified than your commissioned superiors - technically. This particularly applies if you're CO rose through the ranks to commissioned status - serving officers don't necessarily have degrees. New entrant officers may well be expected to have a degree.

A tip - the RAF don't like to be referred to as the RAF if you find yourself in front of a selection board. Always refer to 'The Royal Air Force'. They also expect officer candidates to exhibit 'dash'. It's a throwback to their historic origin as a side show - The Royal Flying Corps (1914-18) - when the officers were transferee cavalry officers that wanted to train as aviators. To have 'dash' you would be considered to be erudite, well mannered and spoken, with an air of decisiveness, leadership etc. For new entrant officer selection your written english has to be pretty good - spelling, grammar etc.

If you want to see a contemporary example of someone with 'dash', check out Brendan O'Brien who hosts some show called 'Flightline' or something on Sky.

A degree in aerospace may well open some other doors. Dunno who advised you that an engineering degree would preclude you from airforce pilot training but that sounds like BS to me. Check out the pilot training thread a week or so back if you can find it, for some general tips on flight training. Upper age limit for airforce pilot-training - 23 1/2 on entry last time I checked. If you fancy a really freaky option try applying to the USAF/USN/USAAC/USM as a flight crew trainee/serviceman. For aerospace career opps check out NASA, possibly, or Boeing, Macdonnell Douglas, Bell Textron, Bombardier, De Havilland Canada, CAA, RCAF/Canadian Civil Aviation Authority, Airbus Industries, British Aerospace Military Aviation Division (Preston) etc..

In short, the sky's yer lobster...

Kitchster_uk · 4 Apr 2006 at 20:46

I am applying for the RAF at the mo, just awaiting med clearance. I can't go in as an officer (musician is the only career precluded) but do go in as 'qualified'. The AST tests are a piece of cake if you have a brain in your skull but the med can be a problem. if you've had asthma in the last 4 years then it's a straight no and almost all stomach ulcers, whether cured or not are a no-no. This is what I am trying to get around.

Having spoken to a few serving airmen, it's an excellent career - better pension than most people can dream of and good support throughout your career. Hope to see you in basic mate

iSam · 4 Apr 2006 at 20:58

My Dad was a Wing Commander in the RAF and he said that apart from the times spent with his children, they were the best days of his life and he wishes he could go back to relive some of it!

Digital Punk · 4 Apr 2006 at 22:17

jaydee said:
If you want to see a contemporary example of someone with 'dash', check out Brendan O'Brien who hosts some show called 'Flightline' or something on Sky.

Yes, just don't go for the bouffant hairstyle!