Need some help please ?

[TopGear^]

Hi everyone,

I was hoping with the help of the people in this forum i would be able to clear up any queries i have about the RAF or joining it, since the last time i got geared up for my local AFCO the RAF section was shut until the day after, which unfortuneatley i had to be at work for.

Thanks in advance for any help and info given.

1. (Qualifications ?) - if i dont have enough A-C GCSE's to get into the job role i would like, can i use my (Int GNVQ) 4 GCSE's A-C equivalent to enrole, since it does say or the equivalent of 4 GCSE's grade A-C in the job requirements ? (Bit of a silly question but i had 2 know since i could mean the outcome of whether or not i join the RAF)

Job Pref- Aircraft avionics or Aircraft Mechanics.

2. What are the fitness requirements for joining the RAF, and is it different for a trade as appossed to gunner for example ?
I.E - 44 pushups, 50 situps ETC.

3. Where is my basic training most likely to be ?
Does it depend on where u live or what trade you are learning ?

4. Roughly how long is the basic training for the above job roles?

5. Assuming i make it in and my basic training is up, would i be able to based in Basingstoke or Alton and still work on the aircraft, or would it require me going further up the country for these jobs ?

6. I live in Portsmouth, and as far as i am aware the above are my most local bases, please inform me otherwise.

7. Traveling on average for these job roles, how often would i be traveling away (Cyprus, Canada ETC) ?
* Roughly How long per trip, I.E - 3 months ?
* And what places do you actually travel to other than the above ?

* What are the actual starting salary's for - Aircraft Avionics.
- Aircarft Mechanic.
- RAF Photographer.

(This has also been stated elsewhere in the RAF info packs, but i know how things can be a bit miss leading in this world)

8. What sports are offered by the RAF - H2H combat ?
- Martial arts ? ETC. ETC.

9. Roughly How much are single living quaters, and what are the requirements for them I.E single parent with kid ?

10. Last but not least, Job opportunities after the raf as - Aircraft avionics
- Aircraft Mechanic
- RAF Photographer


P.S I appreciate any help people are willing to give, but please no sarcasm since this is my life we are talking about and i wouldn't be asking the questions if i didn't think they had to be asked, Thanks again.

Matt, 22yrs old, Portsmouth.

[RAF Reginald]

2. What are the fitness requirements for joining the RAF, and is it different for a trade as appossed to gunner for example ?

Splutter, piss, w*nk!! Just a little! Don't worry about the phys' in a techy trade, unless of course you require the aid of a care worker to get out of bed and dislike fatty foods! As for the qualification stuff, sorry, you lost me mid-way through that sentence.

[Doc]

P.S I appreciate any help people are willing to give, but please no sarcasm since this is my life we are talking about and i wouldn't be asking the questions if i didn't think they had to be asked, Thanks again

.




WHY NOT!!!!!!



on the other hand you have bored the shite out me fair play (that was sarcasm, not to be taken literally!!!)

[rawli]

P.S I appreciate any help people are willing to give, but please no sarcasm since this is my life we are talking about and i wouldn't be asking the questions if i didn't think they had to be asked, Thanks again.

Just a little word of advice, the guys and gals on these forums have a lot of experience and will always be willing to help (if it is sensible) so please don't make demands, especially as a newbie! If you hadn't noticed this is a fun forum so lighten up and let the good times roll!

Now to the question.......!

1. Yes the RAF will look at all your qualifications then give you either a yes/no answer. The AFCO will be able to tell you this.

2. Fitness won't be a problem in the RAF unless you're going for a commission or the Rocks. As long as you arn't a fat knacker who can haul himself out of bed in the morning then you should be fine. The AFCO will have the exact standards.

3. Basic training will be 9 weeks at Halton then specialist training at Cosford. Engineers are now being pushed to become AMMs which is basically a person that can do two jobs ie Airframes and Propulsions.

4. Basically you will have to go where you are told. The RAF have aircraft all over the world and you will basically get sent where you are needed. There are certain compassionate cases which can be looked at but if you are expecting to stay at home then you may wish to consider another career.

5. What bases do we have at Basingstoke and Alton?!

6. It depends entirely on your aircraft type and job. In the SH force you can expect to be away for at least 2 months every year, usually in hot sandy places. There are oppurtunities to go to Canada, USA, Belize, Falklands, Germany, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, Norway etc etc.

7. Hand-to-Hand is not taught during training at Halton. There are Martial Arts Clubs normally run by the RAFMAA

[SamW]

Hi - I had many of these questions when I first started and I think they're all answered in the information booklets etc that are handed to you when you go to the AFCO first time or to the presentation.

I live in Southampton so I also go to the Pompy AFCO and they definitely have all the information there. I find the Corporal .....* there very helpful.


*edited for persec by Doc

[TopGear^]

thanks guys, i didnt mean to seem like i was making demands, more of a request really.

Im an easy going guy and can take a good laugh, i was just trying to prevent people from saying "why are you asking this question or that question" if you get what im saying

Thanks again and anyone who can further this information for me would be much appreciated, most of the Q?'s have been answered but there are some fine details here and there missing, not to worry though i should be getting down the AFCO this weekend.

[TopGear^]

could some1 tell me what the closest bases to portsmouth are ?

[Fwd 5]

You were correct in your original post, there is a secret helicopter base between Alton and Basingstoke. Those select few who know of its existance sometimes call it Odiham!

[TopGear^]

ok thanx m8

[Wholley]

Stop with the text speak.
Won't do you any good here or if you join the RAF.
Speak English
You know it makes sense.