Coming from Canada to join the RAF Regiment.

[RAFReghopeful]

Hello all,

Some quick background on me:

I am Canadian (25), not moving to the United Kingdom until the end of July, but I have already decided that once I get to Britain that I am going to pursue a career in the Forces. As a born and raised Canadian (Commonwealth) Citizen I am eligible, and have already been in contact with the Army about enlisting and everything seems to be in order. I had originally been set on Infantry, due to a family history in it (my Grandfather was British and served in the Infantry during the War) and because of personal interest. Recently however I was on the Royal Air Force career site and read up on the RAF Regiment. In short it has made my excitement to join the British Forces all the more potent and I have now decided that it is the path that I will attempt to take once I get to Manchester. I am very physically fit, and am not worried about that aspect of the tests at all. I was hoping that I could rebound some questions off on some of you, since as I am in Canada I am not able to call the career line or AFCOs because those numbers are not available internationally. Additionally the RAF e-mail address for questions only answers general questions and will not address my concerns specifically. So hopefully you all won’t mind.

1. I notice that unlike the Army, which has no residency requirements, the RAF says that normally you must have been a resident of the United Kingdom for 3 years preceding your application. It does mention however that in certain circumstances where the applicant comes from an area of the world where background checks can be done that this requirement can be waived. Given that I am a Canadian Citizen who has lived in Canada his whole life, and am of UK decent would anybody see any reason why they would not waive the residency requirement in my case? I am hoping that they will, especially since Gunners are ‘urgently needed’ according to the RAF careers site.

2. I notice that the education requirements for Gunners is ‘2 GCSEs/SCEs.’ This confuses me a little simply because I do not have a great understanding of UK Education equivalents in comparison to North America. In Canada I have a high school diploma, which means that following grades junior kindergarten to grade eight I completed four additional years of secondary school (grades 9-12). I also have half of what was once called grade 13 or OAC here (this grade level no longer exists in Canada). This basically was once a grade where you had to take another minimum of six courses that went towards preparation for University Studies. I have three credits of grade 13. My high school diploma here, now entitles me to apply to attend both College and University. Based on this I am assuming that my education here sounds like it would be at least the equivalent to the ‘2 GCSEs/SCEs’ needed to enlist as a Gunner?

3. How did everyone find the Airman Selection Tests? I did the Armed Forces Test here and Canada and had no issues, but I was just curious how people found this particular test? I did the sample test online, and did fine, although I will make sure and study up on basic electrical concepts.

4. How long did the application process take, or how long is it taking for you? I have heard that it can take up to 6 months to complete? I am just curious.

Thanks everybody in advance for you time in reading this and your possible replies. I am just looking for some information and to benefit from the experiences of others. I look forward in talking to all of you.

[RAFReghopeful]

One more question I forgot to mention. The Army has a requirement that with your application you submit what they call a GP Questionnaire, where your doctor fills out a form declaring all your medical history. I already have this form from the Army, as since I am coming from Canada it was more logical to have it done here in advance so when I go there I would not have to send it back here in the mail. I have already had this form filled out (no issues).

My question is does the RAF have a similar questionnaire, or is this strictly an Army thing? The only reason I ask is that if the RAF does have one, I would try and get it in advance also in order to save time.

Thanks again guys.

[pentrich]

Regarding your first point I am currently undergoing the application process myself for the RAF, not gunners but should be similar. I am South African (commonwealth) but with a British Passport and have had to wait three years to apply despite being part British. At first I questioned it as it seems harsh as I am basically British as I lived here for a few years when I was young and have given up my SA passport too. the RAF is the hardest and they require everyone from outside Britain to live out the time as far as I was led to believe.

If thats not the case I would be gutted to know as I have had to do jobs and live in places I didnt want to be in for three years. I was in constant contact with the AFCO to see if I could skip a year or two of waiting, with no luck. Anyway that my experience but good luck.

[pentrich]

Actually I can relate to your second point too. In SA we also have completely different school systems and the AFCO didnt have a clue what it converts to in UK terms so I had to do a bit of searching and found a university in the UK that had a method of converting my results so I had a better idea. To be honest if canada is anything like the US and SA you will be fine as I found the entry requirements for the RAF very low on education, and generally the UK education standards are far lower. I discovered this after dong a college course here and was shocked to see how little people of my same age knew about mathematics, and I sucked at school!

Hope this helps