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Hello I am thinking of joining the RAF regiment once I have finished my A-levels. But my friend Paul who is in the Navy (I think as a warfare officer or something) told me that you have to serve for 9 years after your training and you cannot join if you are over 6,2 because you will be too tall. He also said that I can't join because I am scared of heights. I am roughly 5,11. I also heard from a man in the RAF regiment who was about 6,2 - 6,3 said that you can join on a voluntary premature departure or something in that you only serve for 3 years after your regiment training. Can you tell me if this is true ?

Also do RAF regiments get sent to Iraq and the middle east to fight or do they just guard air bases, Fight in N.Ireland and perfrom ceremonial duties, also do all recruits under go parachute training ?

Please help me, Its only a few weeks until I finish 6th Form.

where exactly did you hear about being to tall for the Regiment? because basically they told you a load of b******s. When i was Honington there was a guy on my trianing flight who was 6.5+ looked like he should of been on a medieval battlefield or something swinging a sword around. As for being scared of heights, that wont be to much of a problem, they will soon make you not scared.

Not everyone goes through para training, only those who volunteer for 2 sqn.

Yes the RAF Regt gets deployed, there are sqns in Irag and Afhan as we speak. If your serious about the joining the Regt, go to your nearest AFCO and chat to them and apply, becuase the Regiment is currently recruiting. It can take as little as 3 months upto 6 months to start actual training but you can get the ball rolling right away. Hope this helos

Thanks alot mate, I still have one mighty job of persuading my parents. They are 100% against it, but the RAF regiments haven't had many casualities compared to Military Police and Combat Infantry in the Army. I mean look how many people get stabbed and killed in Britain every eyar and killed on civillian roads !, the RAF regiment is alot safer.I feel alot better that you can join without having to do parachute training and you can join whatever height or if your scared of heights. But by the way, If you do a premature departure can you leave 3 years after training instead of the whole 9 years ?

The advice you were given was silliness.

Why take silly advice from untrained/unqualified people when you have dedicated RAF Recruiters sat around in AFCOs across the length and breadth on the UK?!?!?!?

What exactly is inacurrate about the advice given?

I have applied and got in. I am waiting to go on a three day course to some training centre. I think its called potential gunners aquantice course or something. But I have a few problems that were not covered in the AFCO.

1.) I sometimes get hayfever and I have sensitive skin so that could be a problem, tell me is healthcare a problem in RAF ?
2.) My family are strongly against and I am scared that they will be ill when I am away or try there best to get me out of the regiment. They originally thought I would get a degree in Law and be working for the police or Interpol lol.
3.) I am scared of dying !!
4.) At this training centre, I hear the trainers and staff are very strict and can bully people who they do not find fit
5.) I don't know if this is true but ma mate in the navy said that people laugh at the size of your "wang"
6.) There is alot of bullying in the Army and Marines and with the news of one soldier in the army getting killed by exhaustion by RMP's and the commanding officer I am scared!!
7.) I do not want two years training - 20. Then 9 years of service - 29 years of age. Is there any way I can legally get out of this without being arrested by RMP's ?
8.) I wanted a premature departure after 5-6 years but the AFCO wouldn't let me.

Apart from those facts I am looking forward to life in the RAF regiment. Please can anyone be kind enough to comment on my problems and fears.

2)my parents worry too but they know its what i want to do and they will be proud of you once you get through training.

3) are you scared of dying or scared of being put in a dangerous situation? i dont think anyone particularly looks forward to death....

4) yes they will be strict, discipline is the nature of the armed forces, just give 110% effort and you'll be fine.

5) whenever ive showered with other blokes after football and at HT, we havent particularly paid much attention to that aspect, its nothing, especially if you're nackered and hungry.

if you dont mind me asking, why do you want to get out so early when you dont even know what its gonna be like yet?

5.) I don't know if this is true but ma mate in the navy said that people laugh at the size of your "wang"

Is this before or after they've had it in their mouth?

theglock17 wrote: 5.) I don't know if this is true but ma mate in the navy said that people laugh at the size of your "wang"

Its ok my friend im a 'grower' too.

theglock17, you can get killed walking the doggie across the street.
Do you know how Elvis died? Doing a number 2 in the can, and a blood vessel popped in his brain under the strain.
Having said that, the military is essentially a delivery system, moving tons of steel, men, fuel, equipment, ordnance from A to B often at high speeds.
Considering that fact, it has a very good safety record.
But your fears sound more like anxiety over major life changes than anything. Why is that, ask yourself.

To be honest, from what you've written here you don't sound at all certain that this is what you want to do. Out of interest, what are your reasons for going in, rather than your fears staying out.

I would suggest you seriously consider going on to do a degree, or some form of further education and get a little more life & confidence under your belt. The military isn't going anywhere, you can always decide to join up at a later date

A few of those things used to bother me when I was your age. Now I'm 20 (nearer 21) and I don't even think about it. If you're worried about the staff being strict or getting your knob out then I don't think you're ready at all. I know I wasn't!

You will definitely change a lot in the next few years. Whether you want to wait and see happens is up to you.

Take a few moments and think if this is really what you want.

You've mentioned alot of items that seem to me to be an over reaction (or what your parents have told you)

If you want to serve bad enough then you will tell your parents this is what I am doing. They are either behind you or against you in that aspect. In which case I think they would be with you.

I was rejected, and at this point I am not sure if I want to still join the Regiment, I can re-apply next july (christ, been 4 years already. I could be an experienced gunner by now ) But at 22 I am unsure if I want to. I know I am mature enough but I am halfway through the application process to join the Fire service and dont know if I could adapt to military life having worked in civvi street for a few years.

From my experience, ideas change once you give them some time. Have a think and if you still want to join then go for it.

Do use the other forum that is on the site, if you use the search facility first there might be some questions answered that you could look at. Or alternatively, post a thread and perhaps one of the more experienced RAF Reg members can answer a question or two.

Good Luck

Stu

Thanks guys for your help, my parents aren't so uneasy now. I am sure that they would be happier about me being a manager at morrisons but the RAF does have a good proven track record. Erm.. I know the wang point was a little embarassing but I mean everyones wang will be smaller in the cold and rain lol and people aren't going to pay much attention to the size of someones wang after a week.

I wanted to join the Regiment (and I am going to join no matter who puts me down or tries to persuade me) because I have always wanted a try at military life and want to get in some training If I ever applied for another job later on like the CNC police or one of the tactial firearms units in the regular police. The reason I want to get out a little earlier is because I maybe want to get married and have kids by the time I am 26 and that wouldn't be possible in the Regiment as I would still be in. I know I am thinking ahead a little bit but the girlfriend I was with now and have been with for four years has dumped me because I have am going in the RAF regiment.

I was scared because I would hate to get tortured by some terrorist or get my legs blown off or get maimed or disabled. This is my real fear not death itself. But the RAF regiment has not suffered many casualties in this war compared to other regiments in the Army, as I know most of my time will be protecting air assets and training not actually looking for WMD's and terrorists with hostile locals like Military Police in the Army for example and the black watch. Also I know that I will stand side by side with the best Military in the world and they won't leave me behind and do their best to help me.

I guess some of the points were a little stupid of me and petty but you guy's all answering me politely and not laughing at me has really made my motivation grow. I am heading off to this PGAQ course thing where you go for a few days and now I am not as scared. Thanks alot guys.

By the way, I am curious why do all military guys fear civvie street and civvie life so much ?

theglock17, simple fact about monsters, so to speak: they all have to sleep sometime....
And when they do, it's quite feasible to become the monster under their bed....