Anyone on here in the RAF?

Been thinking about going in as an engineer for a while now. Decided to get some opinions on what it's like, or any of the armed forces in general. ie what's the pay like and do you have to serve a full 9 year term once you've signed up?

Been thinking about going in as an engineer for a while now. Decided to get some opinions on what it's like, or any of the armed forces in general. ie what's the pay like and do you have to serve a full 9 year term once you've signed up?

You can hand in your notice anytime but you will have to wait 18 months. Well I did.

Been thinking about going in as an engineer for a while now. Decided to get some opinions on what it's like, or any of the armed forces in general. ie what's the pay like and do you have to serve a full 9 year term once you've signed up?

You can hand in your notice anytime but you will have to wait 18 months. Well I did.

What did you do when you were there? Looking for some info on engineering, ideally electrical

Aircraft Engineering or General? Aircraft Technician, you can you Avionics(Electrical) or Mechanical.

The sign on term for Aircraft Engineering is 12 years now. You can leave earlier but you have to give a minimum return of service after you've completed training which can be 18 months to three years.

Pop into the AFCO in town.

Been thinking about going in as an engineer for a while now. Decided to get some opinions on what it's like, or any of the armed forces in general. ie what's the pay like and do you have to serve a full 9 year term once you've signed up?

You can hand in your notice anytime but you will have to wait 18 months. Well I did.

What did you do when you were there? Looking for some info on engineering, ideally electrical

I was a flight simulator engineer.

If you want to persue a career down the electrical route you will do a 10 week basic training course at a place called RAF Halton. Thats where you learn to to march, paint the grass green and do as your told. Your the shit, here is the shovel and you are expected to jump on it. After that you then go and do your trade training. I think that is done at RAF St. Athan, close to home which is good, and that course lasts about 15 months. After that you could get posted anywhere working on all sorts of equipment like radars, ground power unit and other wonderful things that look impressive.

Yea, a ground power unit doesn't look impressive. Lol

We'll I'm doing electrical engineering in college so I was looking at avionics and the electrician roles

Yea, a ground power unit doesn't look impressive. Lol

A saw a picture of one the other day with full yellow strip around it. It look impressive to me after many years not seeing one.

We'll I'm doing electrical engineering in college so I was looking at avionics and the electrician roles

If your in college why not look at going for commission.

We'll I'm doing electrical engineering in college so I was looking at avionics and the electrician roles

If your in college why not look at going for commission.

I would if I knew what that meant

We'll I'm doing electrical engineering in college so I was looking at avionics and the electrician roles

If your in college why not look at going for commission.

I would if I knew what that meant

A commission is becoming an officer where the peones have to salute you.

We'll I'm doing electrical engineering in college so I was looking at avionics and the electrician roles

If your in college why not look at going for commission.

I would if I knew what that meant

A commission is becoming an officer where the peones have to salute you.

Is that like an officer training course then? Haven't really looked into that still early days yet

What Electrical course are you doing in college ? Nothing to do with R.A.F just im a qualified sparky currently working as a Maintenance Engineer in a well known food company. Seems to be where the money is at the moment. Guessing your starting out on O.N.C ?

If you don't know what a commission is in the Armed Forces, then perhaps becoming an Officer isn't for you!

If you take commission you'll be doing a desk job but getting paid more.

Im currently in the RAF mate chuck me a PM with any questions

Just down in the Falklands at the moment for 4 months but get home in two weeks.

What Electrical course are you doing in college ? Nothing to do with R.A.F just im a qualified sparky currently working as a Maintenance Engineer in a well known food company. Seems to be where the money is at the moment. Guessing your starting out on O.N.C ?

BTEC extended diploma electrical engineering, level 3. In my second year now so just waiting for apprenticeships to start popping up

Im currently in the RAF mate chuck me a PM with any questions

Just down in the Falklands at the moment for 4 months but get home in two weeks.

One of the main things I'd like to know is what time do you spend away? Like how often are you home and for how long?

Im currently in the RAF mate chuck me a PM with any questions

Just down in the Falklands at the moment for 4 months but get home in two weeks.

One of the main things I'd like to know is what time do you spend away? Like how often are you home and for how long?

All depends on trade and rank mate. Im a supplier and our out of area turnaround is around 2/3 years.

All RAF tours are now going up to 6 monthers from January 15 to come inline with the Army and Navy.

What Electrical course are you doing in college ? Nothing to do with R.A.F just im a qualified sparky currently working as a Maintenance Engineer in a well known food company. Seems to be where the money is at the moment. Guessing your starting out on O.N.C ?

BTEC extended diploma electrical engineering, level 3. In my second year now so just waiting for apprenticeships to start popping up

You'd be better going in as a gen tech electrical because you'd have a basic understanding of the theory. That's what I do, the 18 months trade training in st athan is a ball ache I won't lie but the job is decent mate. I spend most days going gym and getting massive you won't go away until your fully qualified but because you have the qualls can get fast tracked when you leave st athan like some of the boys on my course did. If you wanna know any more just ask mate.

We'll I'm doing electrical engineering in college so I was looking at avionics and the electrician roles

If your in college why not look at going for commission.

I would if I knew what that meant

A commission is becoming an officer where the peones have to salute you.

Is that like an officer training course then? Haven't really looked into that still early days yet

It is and its quite extensive training.

You really need to get degree qualified to go down the engineering branch though. As you are doing your ONC I would consider looking at the 18 month technical trades the RAF do, perhaps the apprentice schemes if they still do them. Get that out the way
and they look at a commission.

As mentioned a commission is a desk job but they pay is a lot better. also it is worth considering your future when you leave. I was a "techy" when I was in but was going no where so I left. I was informed I was struggle as a techy but would make a good officer. I was quite insulted by that comment but he was right.

I saw I was going no where as a techy, left the RAF and went travelling to countries where my limited ability was admired. From there I made something of my life and came home to the UK as a qualified "civvy officer". I now do a desk job earning 3 times as much as if I stayed as a techy. In fact one or two jobs I have done I have had ex RAF officers working for me.

I wish I had taken that guys advice because by now I would be comfortably retired.

We'll I'm doing electrical engineering in college so I was looking at avionics and the electrician roles

If your in college why not look at going for commission.

I would if I knew what that meant

A commission is becoming an officer where the peones have to salute you.

Is that like an officer training course then? Haven't really looked into that still early days yet

It is and its quite extensive training.

You really need to get degree qualified to go down the engineering branch though. As you are doing your ONC I would consider looking at the 18 month technical trades the RAF do, perhaps the apprentice schemes if they still do them. Get that out the way
and they look at a commission.

As mentioned a commission is a desk job but they pay is a lot better. also it is worth considering your future when you leave. I was a "techy" when I was in but was going no where so I left. I was informed I was struggle as a techy but would make a good officer. I was quite insulted by that comment but he was right.

I saw I was going no where as a techy, left the RAF and went travelling to countries where my limited ability was admired. From there I made something of my life and came home to the UK as a qualified "civvy officer". I now do a desk job earning 3 times as much as if I stayed as a techy. In fact one or two jobs I have done I have had ex RAF officers working for me.

I wish I had taken that guys advice because by now I would be comfortably retired.

Basically mate if you wanna train and work with a bunch of stuck up toffs then get a commission. It's not for everyone, mostly posh little Privately schooled English boys

We'll I'm doing electrical engineering in college so I was looking at avionics and the electrician roles

If your in college why not look at going for commission.

I would if I knew what that meant

A commission is becoming an officer where the peones have to salute you.

Is that like an officer training course then? Haven't really looked into that still early days yet

It is and its quite extensive training.

You really need to get degree qualified to go down the engineering branch though. As you are doing your ONC I would consider looking at the 18 month technical trades the RAF do, perhaps the apprentice schemes if they still do them. Get that out the way
and they look at a commission.

As mentioned a commission is a desk job but they pay is a lot better. also it is worth considering your future when you leave. I was a "techy" when I was in but was going no where so I left. I was informed I was struggle as a techy but would make a good officer. I was quite insulted by that comment but he was right.

I saw I was going no where as a techy, left the RAF and went travelling to countries where my limited ability was admired. From there I made something of my life and came home to the UK as a qualified "civvy officer". I now do a desk job earning 3 times as much as if I stayed as a techy. In fact one or two jobs I have done I have had ex RAF officers working for me.

I wish I had taken that guys advice because by now I would be comfortably retired.

Basically mate if you wanna train and work with a bunch of stuck up toffs then get a commission. It's not for everyone, mostly posh little Privately schooled English boys

Tbh my experience of the stuck up officers were those ex sncos.