Anyone in/been in the RAF?

Thinking of joining as a general electrician and was hoping to hear some peoples views on life in the RAF...

Cheers

I was in 26 years ago and trained as a technician.

What sort of electrician do you want to be?

On the careers website its advertised as General Technician (electrical). They do a bit of everything.

The qualifications you get are the same as what Im already studying so it makes sense to carry on with it.

On the careers website its advertised as General Technician (electrical). They do a bit of everything.

The qualifications you get are the same as what Im already studying so it makes sense to carry on with it.

Exactly what qualifications are you taking.......how old are you........what interests to do have?

EAL lvl 3 diploma in electronics and electrical engineering. Have achieved lvl 2. Its a qualification which parallels the city and guilds qualification. Moving on to NVQ when I can get a placement.

Im 21

Interests work wise- problem solving, electrics, mechanics, maintenance

Going on that I would consider looking at starting with Aircraft Technician (Avionics).

Besides doing electrcial work you will also be involved in aircraft syatems. Thats were you will look at a system as a whole and not just the wires going into the systems. For instance the Horizonal Situation Indicator (HSI) does not work. Is it that there is no power going to the instrument, the input system to the HSI does nor work or whatever else you can think of that is associated to the system. It might be a broken wire somewhere in the loom or the actual instrument is unserviceable. Whatever it is perhaps the top technician job in the RAF so why not look at that.

My personal advice for you is to get the training done then look at going for commission, that is engineering officier.

Ok will look into those jobs.

Thanks for the advice

Was in for 12 years as an aircraft technician, and came out last year. I would definitely recommend it, great pay, job security and a great laugh. The job itself is pretty easy, once you get through all the training bullshit!! I would recommend going in as an aircraft technician (electrical) if that's your preferred line of work. It'll be the best pay as you'll be in what's called trade group 1 I believe. Myself I was mechanical, and the amount of qualifications I received was crazy. They pay for you to go to uni, they give you time off for sport, you get 6 weeks holiday a year (with an option to carry 3 over to the next) and you do get to do plenty of travelling.

There are the down sides to consider too; afghan for 4 months (which actually isn't that bad), training and some would say the ugly women! (They need loving too! ) but as a career I would seriously recommend it. Hell, due to my time in the RAF I was able to move my family out to Canada, so the sky really is the limit!!

I hope this helps mate

Yeah man you gotta share the love haha.

Thanks for the post.

Whats afghan like for a technician?

Same as pretty much any other trade really. You work as normal, cover guard and do anything you can to make the time go quicker. Oh, and keep your head down, when you hear the sirens hit the deck! Not so bad at bastion though.

I've been to afghan as a technician.


What's it like? It varies depending on what squadron/aircraft you work on.

How much combat do you get into?

cheers lads

How much combat do you get into?

cheers lads

No combat. I didn't leave camp bastion. I've been there a few times now. Not stopping for long though.

I was there a day after and a day before the invasion though. Quite lucky.

I'd say it is highly unlikely you'd see combat as a technician. All depends on where you're working though. So it's hard to say for certain.

I joined when I was 21 too.

You will love the RAF, just put your hand up and get the overseas posts, do the AT trips etc. Get the most of it, and start your resettlement the day you join. Always thought id do a couple of years and get out, but now i think the plan is to stay overseas as long as possible.