Changing trades

[Gryllzy]

Hi, I was just wondering..........

If you sign up to Join the RAF as e.g a chef, then once your'e in the RAF can you change your trade to something else?
Anyone please reply ASAP.

Thanx Sarah xx

[MikeB]

i presume you can but why not join your first choice rather than transfering?

[Gryllzy]

My first choice was Student Staff Nurse, unfortunately I didnt score high enough on my AST. I've since accepted a place as and Air steward. Whats the chances of changing from air steward to S.S.N once I'm in the RAF?

[minimac]

Air steward?

What does that entail?

This will sound like I'm taking the pi*s but I'm curious.

Sounds like you serve tea and medals to me. People on BA etc are called stewardesses so there is the link I made. I'm not trying to take the mickey.

MM

[Biggles1211]

There is virtually NO CHANCE of changing trades once you've joined the RAF. This will be explained to you when you do your pre-RTS paperwork at the AFCO.

Most people wanting to change trades have to re-muster. This entails leaving the RAF and then re-joining in the other trade. They have to go through selection again....and normally get asked some pretty direct questions about why they wasted tax payers money in their first application.....

Also, your AST scores still stand when you join the RAF. If you think you can circumvent a test failure for your desired branch by changing when you're in the RAF, you can think again!

[RAF Mancunian]

I know people who have changed trades but that is because they failed on element of their trade course, but they had a good attitude to training so they were allowed. However if you change trade you can only chose a trade that requires a lower score on the aptitude test, so you would'nt be able to move from air steward to s.s.t. Can you not re-sit your test?

[Gryllzy]

Sorry its been a while lol, I can't re-sit my AST because you only ever get to sit the test twice and I was a few points off both times. Although I do have the required amount of GCSE's and A levels. Never mind x

[sublime_envy]

heard of pilots changing but they need a damn good reason to.

[Biggles1211]

On the VERY rare occasions that people are allowed to change trades after entering RTS - the choice of trades available to them will still be dictated by their AFCO test scores and academic qualifications (where applicable).

Unfortunately, there is no way to short-cut the requirements at the AFCO.

[RobT]

Surely you can change if your found to be not sutible for trade, think this is for Trainee Gunners mind but surely for guin trades too?

[tonylott]

It really depends on the trade you are and the trade you want to be. If you join a trade that is under-manned (a priority recruiting trade) then it is extreemely difficult to re-trade.

As a rule of thunb, do NOT join the RAF as one trade expecting to change to another. I promise it will end in tears. Also, don't let the AFCO talk you into doing this, if they try they are just trying to meet their quota's for the priority trades.

[Biggles1211]

Also, don't let the AFCO talk you into doing this, if they try they are just trying to meet their quota's for the priority trades.

Sorry to ruin the myth, but AFCOs don't have quotas.

Yes you can, if you fail in your training and provided you remain suitable for training in another trade you may be reselected (but no promises though).

Worth adding - it depends WHY you fail in your trade training! If you fail through bad attitude or lack of effort, then I doubt they'll even look for a different trade for you. If you fail for other (genuine) reasons, then they will - but they will be restricted by vacancies...and the scores you attained at your AFCO. With RAF Regt, there is a greater chance that people fail due to physical factors and/or injury - so they do sometimes re-muster people.

[tonylott]

[/quote]Sorry to ruin the myth, but AFCOs don't have quotas.