Army Air Corps / Dog Handler Questions

[titanium_tone]

Hi guys. I have signed up on here to ask for some help about chooising a career in the Army.

I dont have the best qualifications ever, i dont have a GCSE above a grade D in any Tech or Science. But i have GCSE's above C in English and Maths and i also have 2 A Levels. The lack of Grade C or above in a Tech or a Science limits my options about what jobs i can do in the army.

I am only 19 at the moment, worked in Tesco for the past 3 years. But i am sick of it, same thing everyday. I need a job where i get a challenge and get a chance to see the world and experience stuff normal guys dont do.

I found two jobs that tickle my fancy, Air Corps Soldier being my first choice, as i have always wanted to work with helicopters. Second one being a dog handler. Any of you guys on here done these roles and can give me your feedback on them?

i know they are 2 completely different jobs, but they are two things that would appeal to me, i have a love for helicopters, and growing up with 5 dogs i have grown to have a love of training dogs.

Also are they even taking on in these positions? I know most jobs in the RAF were over applied for.

Also one thing that worries me is i have never been away from home before, never been in a helicopter or plane, so its all a big gamble to me if i apply. What i want to know is... do the army take these things in to account that us youngsters will be doing these things for the first time? or do they just absoultely rape you? haha.

thanks

[timex]

Your best bet is to get down to the AFCO and have a good chat with them, I don't know how long the list is for dog Handler but the AAC does have a waiting list although not sure how long.

For what its worth the AAC are a good career choice, you can pick from a variety of jobs including Driver, Signaller, Ground handler and also Door Gunner (this is usually something you can only apply for after a couple of yrs service).

IF you are really lucky you could get a chance to become an Air Corps Pilot, but be aware the chances are slim.


Good luck

[titanium_tone]

thanks for the reply. i am going to pop down there sometime in the next week hopefully and have a chat. how long are the average waiting lists these days? is it starting to get hard to get into the forces?

ye the main thing that attracts me to the AAC is the door gunner role. you start off as just a normal groundcrew guy though just arming and fueling the helicopters? then im guessing you specialize in one of those given roles?

this may be a bit of a stupid question, but if you are a ACC soldier do you do any fighting? or are you just stuck in a base? on the job discription it mentions defending FOB and refueling points, is that pretty much the only combat they do?

[timex]

thanks for the reply. i am going to pop down there sometime in the next week hopefully and have a chat. how long are the average waiting lists these days? is it starting to get hard to get into the forces?

All the Forces are experiencing an upsurge in recruiting, you'll need to ask.

ye the main thing that attracts me to the AAC is the door gunner role. you start off as just a normal groundcrew guy though just arming and fueling the helicopters? then im guessing you specialize in one of those given roles?

No such thing as "Normal" and grouncrew...but to answer your question, you all do the basic AAC training then you specialise. DG is a well sought after role and will normally take a couple of yrs wait. The good thing is that finally the Doorgunners are now being recognised as a proper role with its own career path.

this may be a bit of a stupid question, but if you are a ACC soldier do you do any fighting? or are you just stuck in a base? on the job discription it mentions defending FOB and refueling points, is that pretty much the only combat they do?

You wont go out looking for trouble other than clearance patrols, having said that you will be a long way from the front.. Don't forget that you can apply to go off and do "other things" as an AAC soldier.

[titanium_tone]

thanks very much for taking the time to reply.

when you say clearance patrols, is this the same sort of thing the RAF regiment do? just making sure the area around the base is secure?

i like the look of the AAC because of the technical side of things, but if theres a chance to go out on some patrols then it makes it even more attractive! dont fancy a job where i am just stuck in the base.

i am going to pop on the webchat on army jobs tomorrow, ask them how long the waiting list is. i want to make sure my bodies in good condition before i think about applying.

[timex]

thanks very much for taking the time to reply.

when you say clearance patrols, is this the same sort of thing the RAF regiment do? just making sure the area around the base is secure?

The RAF Regiment tend to be positioned around a fixed field and clear the area's around the base, your patrolling will be around FOB's (Forward Operating Bases) but again with high value asset's such as helicopters you will be covered by other Units..

i like the look of the AAC because of the technical side of things, but if theres a chance to go out on some patrols then it makes it even more attractive! dont fancy a job where i am just stuck in the base.

Patrolling isn't a big thing in the AAC as its not really your job, anything you do will just be localised.

i am going to pop on the webchat on army jobs tomorrow, ask them how long the waiting list is. i want to make sure my bodies in good condition before i think about applying.

Best thing to do, Good luck.