Not another Gunner post.

[Christophe]

Hi all,

I’m new to the forum so please be nice lol.

I’m interested in joining the forces as an RAF Regiment Gunner. Obviously I understand that you have to pass basic training before becoming a Gunner, but I would really appreciate it if any serving or past serving Gunners could answer the following for me please?

• What specific tasks would I perform in the RAF Regiment?
• What are the primary results an individual would be expected to achieve during their career?
• What challenges and opportunities are associated with the Regiment?
• Once basic training is complete, does the regiment have formal training programs, or do graduating recruits receive on-the-job training?
• How does the regiment measure performance? How often are performance reviews given?
• Can you describe the regiment culture?
• What is the job environment likely to be?
• How much contact and exposure to higher ranks is there?
• What follow on careers are available after the Regiment?

Kind regards
Chris

[Guardian of The Wall]

Best thing to do is to get down to your AFCO and ask them the questions. This is a mainly army dominated forum.

[harry hackedoff]

This is a mainly army dominated forum.

no it isn`t

Christophe there are a couple of RAF Regt geezers but they are away at the moment.
Since your questions were so well put, one of the non-regt types might be able to help, if she isn`t busy with an arab
and welcome aboard

[Guardian of The Wall]

This is a mainly army dominated forum.

There are a couple of RAF Regt geezers but they are away at the moment.

Oh right.....sorry.

[wannabe_bootneck]

OK, sorry it's been quiet, but everyone is on or getting ready for ops! I'm just back from Afghan. here goes...
• What specific tasks would I perform in the RAF Regiment? How long is a piece of string, primarily you'll train as an infantryman and if succesful will be posted to your first squadron where you'll carry out continuation training and pre-deployment ready to go on ops where you'll probably be lumbered with the minimi all tour! you will do all sorts on ops ground domination via vehicle, foot, heli borne patrols, eagle vcps, support to special forces, prisoner snatches, house raids, OPs a lot of different jobs will pop up when away. Specialisation wise, you can go machine guns, mortars, snipes, sigs etc. on squadron or go and do 1 of the corps many other jobs e.g. CSAR, SFSG, TACP, GDT for guins etc. etc.
• What are the primary results an individual would be expected to achieve during their career? You'll have to continue to pass fitness tests throughout career as well s shooting assesments on different wepons nd just generally keep your skills required to do your job up to scratch.
• What challenges and opportunities are associated with the Regiment? Too many to list, passing out to start with! then if life is becoming stale, you can go for snipers, go airborne, go to 16 AA bde. all sorts
• Once basic training is complete, does the regiment have formal training programs, or do graduating recruits receive on-the-job training? It has both. cntralised courses e.g. sniper course and unit un courses known as cadres e.g. guns cadre
• How does the regiment measure performance? How often are performance reviews given? In annual reports known as F6000s which will be discussed with you, that's the big formal one, if you're not upto scratch you will be made aware of it immeditely, don't worry!
• Can you describe the regiment culture? work hard, play hard, you may be shocked by behaviour, mainly when on lash maybe not depends on what you done on civvi street, but it is good crack, you will always have people asking f you wanna do something when your in the block.
• What is the job environment likely to be? hard work, head spinningly fast at times, mind numbingly slow and seemingly pointless at others
• How much contact and exposure to higher ranks is there? daily, up to squadron commander level, above that is not so much, only if lord farquhar fancies a jolly will you see them.
• What follow on careers are available after the Regiment? it doesn't qualify you for anything really, infantry skills are non transferrble really except to private security!

[Long Timer]

This is a mainly army dominated forum.

no it isn`t

Christophe there are a couple of RAF Regt geezers but they are away at the moment.

Not all of them are.

Christophe, I assume you have looked at these RAF Regt Web pages? - http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/jobs/rafr ... gunner.cfm
http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafregiment/

Some 'unnoficial' ones

http://www.rafregt.com/
http://www.rafregiment.net/

Have a look at these, them come back and ask some more if you wish.

LT

[harry hackedoff]

Cheers LT
Informed opinion is always preferable to "wot I got told" hey mate

[Holger Danske]

Sorry..

What does gunner mean when you are in the RAF. Force protection troops, door-gunner in a helikopter, weapon-operator in a jet/helicopter.??

[_chris]

They're force protection I guess they'ld come under; the RAFs infantry unit responsible for protecting RAF equipment and people. Look through the links above.

[Holger Danske]

They're force protection I guess they'ld come under; the RAFs infantry unit responsible for protecting RAF equipment and people. Look through the links above.

Thank you. I googlede some and found some info. myself. A RAF-gunner were killed in Kandahar, that´s how i found out..

[wannabe_bootneck]

yeah one of my mates off my squadron RIP troop I will be having a wet for you and my mate Martin Beard off of 1. We will remember them.

[Tartan_Terrier]

Sorry..

What does gunner mean when you are in the RAF. Force protection troops, door-gunner in a helikopter, weapon-operator in a jet/helicopter.??

Hej Holger Danske

I've heard that it's because the troops who originally provided protection for the airfields during WWII, and who provided the cadre for the fledgling RAF Regiment were from the Royal Artillery.

I suppose the name just stuck.

Mvh
T_T

[harry hackedoff]

Naw mate, it means they are all Arsenal fans

[varsity]

Naw mate, it means they are all Arsenal fans

Wont go down well be being a Hammers fan then.

Oh well, im sure they will be glad to have a real man in their ranks for once

[Heffernan]

OK, sorry it's been quiet, but everyone is on or getting ready for ops! I'm just back from Afghan. here goes...
• What specific tasks would I perform in the RAF Regiment? How long is a piece of string, primarily you'll train as an infantryman and if succesful will be posted to your first squadron where you'll carry out continuation training and pre-deployment ready to go on ops where you'll probably be lumbered with the minimi all tour! you will do all sorts on ops ground domination via vehicle, foot, heli borne patrols, eagle vcps, support to special forces, prisoner snatches, house raids, OPs a lot of different jobs will pop up when away. Specialisation wise, you can go machine guns, mortars, snipes, sigs etc. on squadron or go and do 1 of the corps many other jobs e.g. CSAR, SFSG, TACP, GDT for guins etc. etc.
• What are the primary results an individual would be expected to achieve during their career? You'll have to continue to pass fitness tests throughout career as well s shooting assesments on different wepons nd just generally keep your skills required to do your job up to scratch.
• What challenges and opportunities are associated with the Regiment? Too many to list, passing out to start with! then if life is becoming stale, you can go for snipers, go airborne, go to 16 AA bde. all sorts
• Once basic training is complete, does the regiment have formal training programs, or do graduating recruits receive on-the-job training? It has both. cntralised courses e.g. sniper course and unit un courses known as cadres e.g. guns cadre
• How does the regiment measure performance? How often are performance reviews given? In annual reports known as F6000s which will be discussed with you, that's the big formal one, if you're not upto scratch you will be made aware of it immeditely, don't worry!
• Can you describe the regiment culture? work hard, play hard, you may be shocked by behaviour, mainly when on lash maybe not depends on what you done on civvi street, but it is good crack, you will always have people asking f you wanna do something when your in the block.
• What is the job environment likely to be? hard work, head spinningly fast at times, mind numbingly slow and seemingly pointless at others
• How much contact and exposure to higher ranks is there? daily, up to squadron commander level, above that is not so much, only if lord farquhar fancies a jolly will you see them.
• What follow on careers are available after the Regiment? it doesn't qualify you for anything really, infantry skills are non transferrble really except to private security!

This post wasnt for me but..it's answered like most of my questions hehe