Hi, I haven't posted anything in a while and as my re-sit of my aptitude test is looming I figured I'd better start up again. At the moment I am quite worried about passing everything and then failing on my fitness test......So I have a few questions.........
*Are there different fitness level requirements for different trades?
*What are the actual fitness requirements for a female?
*How hard is the physical side of basic training?
It would be much appreciated if anyone could help me out with this and or offer me any kind of helpful advice.
Just make sure that you are running regularly before you go to RTS. They will quizz you about your fitness training in your final interview.
Unless you are going for PTI or Regt, you are not fitness tested until you get to RTS. It is possible to lie in the interview, but they'll suss you out as soon as you start RTS.
As a basic guide, you should be doing at least 3 runs per week. You should aim to run for 3 miles (measure the distance, don't guess) in under 24 minutes. Any less than this and you will struggle on RTS and are more likely to pick up an injury (shin splints, achilles tendonitus, knee ligaments, stress fractures etc) because you are not conditioned to run.
My best advice to you is; get the 'painful' phase of a running programme out of the way whilst you are still a civvy....it's a lot easier to cope with aching legs when you can sit around at home in the evening than it is to cope with them at RTS!!!
Thanx again chick you've been very helpful. I'm a little scared now though as I haven't done an awful lot of training at all in the past 6 months and running kills me lol!
Well at least I have the opportunity to get over the "painful" part while I can sit at home and rest etc lol
It's all starting to get a little scary now......the thought of leaving everyone behind.....leaving my boyf. behind basically giving up the lifestyle that I've known for the past 19 & 1/2 yrs Scary stuff! lol
Sarah x
Sarah i think you'll be sound, from what i heard at Halton you do only about 9 PT sessions your whole time there. Don't know if this is 100% but by the sounds of things its still enough for you to loose a stone of weight in your time there.
Again, i was the only one in our group who was going in as Gunner and he only talked about all the other trades who go to Halton and nowt about honnington. Probubly just trying to shit them up, who knows.
Oh yeah, have you been going to Middlesbrough AFCO? When did you sit your tests?
Rob
Thanx again guys......the thing is, I'm due to take my test some time in June (not sure of the exact date) which could be like next week sometime who knows, and although I was training to be a dancer my fitness level has dropped dramatically as I've gone from dancing practically everyday 9-4pm to doin nothin at all. I'm pretty sure it will come back as quick as I lost it but it just seems like a mamoth task at the mo.
So how long have u guys been in the RAF then?
Any advice or anything is more than welcome as (like i mentioned before) I'm gettin quite scared now lol
It's all starting to get a little scary now......the thought of leaving everyone behind.....leaving my boyf. behind basically giving up the lifestyle that I've known for the past 19 & 1/2 yrs Scary stuff!
Sarah, you can comfort yourself with the knowledge that everyone goes through the same process and has the same fears.
The real hurdle that you have to face is RTS. Not because it is tough, just because it is a huge change in environment and it is at this time that the 'little voice in your head' will try and convince you that you should quit. My advice is that you absolutely have to finish RTS before you give any thought to leaving...you simply cannot judge the RAF based on your experience at RTS. When you leave recruit training, things get much, much better and much more normal. This is when the fun of RAF life starts.
I do have some idea of the emotions i'll experience as my boyf. was in the navy and I stood by him when he was going through recruit training, so I have an idea of how hard it is. I guess theres only one way to find out how it will affect me lol
It's nice to know that there are people like you who are around to advise me etc. It's much appreciated chick
I'm sure if you don't hear from me before I'll let you know how my test goes.
I would'nt worry too much about the physical side of basic training, it's not that bad. You'll end up running abot 4 miles max, but the PT is progressive, so no probs there. On the cardio-endurance side of things just aim to be able to run for 20-30 mins. If your not at that level yet, just gradually build up to it. If you don't pass your fitness test on the first attempt, you do it again at the end of the course. We had one lad who failed both times but they just said he had to do it again a couple of weeks later. What is the RAF coming to
Anyway best of luck, put the effort in and you'll breeze it.
How long have you been in tha RAF then?
I'm sure you kno what its like, I'm just getting all worked up as my date gets closer! Worrying about stupid things...........It's only because I want it soooooooo much ya see.
I've heard a little rumour that they should be recruiting student staff nurses in Auguts? Is there any truth in this?
To be honest I haven't got a clue about the recruitment dates, give your AFCO a ring and they may be able to tell you.
I've been in nearly 4 months now and passed out on the 17th of April. Once you get past the basic training training, it gets tons better, so don't let Halton put you off.
If you've got any q's PM me and i'll be able to get back to you when I come home next weekend.
and running kills me lol! 
