Am I too old

[mgk]

Basically, im a 25 year old graduate in Information Systems, and having failed in officer entry and taken to looking at going in at trade level. Just after some advice on whether its worth it really. I thinking of the Comms and IS specialist.

Am i too old to start at the bottom? Will i be will a load of 16-20 years olds during my training, and do people think its worth it bearing in mind ill start on a low wage, and probably still be on a fairly low wage into my 30's. Money isnt really the issue but in reality everybody needs, and i know i could earn double in civvi street.

Any sort of advice would be welcomed

thanks in advance

[Biggles1211]

Further to TJDs comments....it's not just about salary. When you factor in the very cheap living in the RAF (accomodation, food, medical, dental, sports, expeditions, indulgence flights, courses etc etc etc) you end up with a very good standard of life.

Think of it in terms of 'Disposable Income'.....

Approx Cost........RAF.............Civvy

Pay....................£13k............£26k
Rent...................£1k pa.........£600-1000 per month
Food...................£3.70 day.....£10 day
Gym...................£ free..........£30 per month
Medical...............£ free...........£10 per month (inc physio and dental)
Gas Bill...............£ free...........£30 per month
Electric Bill..........£ free............£20 per month
Transport............£ free.............£150 per month (to/from work)
Sports Team........£ free............£50 per month
Scuba Course.......£ free.............£400
Overseas Exped....£ free............£1500
Work Training.......£ free............£1000 (further qualifications/courses)


Basically, life in the RAF means that you have FAR more money to spend on the fun things in life!!!

[2nd time round]

MGK,

Just thought I'd chip my five pence worth in !, if the RAF is what you want go for it. There is no alternative in civilian life and at the end of the day, so what if there are eighteen year olds on the same course. You will have life experience to call upon.

There are many career changers nowadays in civy street going into completely new professions in their thirties, forties and even fifties. Am doing a PGCE at the moment and the group has an age range from twenty three years old to fifty one years old !.

Go for it and the best of British to you !!.

[Biggles1211]

Biggles1211, are you on a commision basis?

LOL...no, but the RAF pays me enough to drive a TVR, so I'm laughing!

[mgk]

cheers guys - that helped a lot.

the forms are on their way!!!!!!

[Calamity_Jane]

mgk.. I just wanted to say I know exactly what you are going through.. I applied for a commission, got through the four days only to be told a week later to come back in two years.. At this point I really didn't know what I wanted to do..

Having a friend who has also applied for a commission and got accepted, she helped me to see the light at the end of the tunnel and that there is still a chance of joing the Royal Air Force.. Okay so its not as an officer but having spoken to my local careers office they are really encouraging me to go for Trades, that way I know that I won't be wasting two years of my life and will be gaining all the qualities required for an officer...

So as of monday I will be going back to my careers office for yet another presentation, only this time not a P2 but a P3 and then Tuesday I will be sitting the Apptitude tests..

If all goes to plan i will be go for my basic training in August and then onto specialist training for my choosen trade (CIS Specialist). Although like yourself, Im a little bit worried that I might feel a little old (even at the young age of 23). When I was at the careers office this week, people who were interested were kids just out of school!!

Good luck with everything.. let me know how you get on...

[Flintham Block1]

My wife is a CIS instructor and let me assure you both you will in no way be to old. There are many trainees at Cosford in their late 20s both single and with families. What you will get is greater responsibillity in training ie Senior Man/woman (not definate but likely) and the instructors will appreciate having someone with a more mature/responsible outlook on life and that is likely to be reflected in their attitude towards you. If both of you have failed the commissioning board then join up non-commissioned and go for it again with 2/3 years service under your belt, you are likely to fair much better and it also displays a great level of comittment. Hope this helps!!

[chrispob]

good post you lot, very informative. im 23 myself and have been thinking exactly the same i.e. age, wage etc but biggles, you sold it to me aswel! what more of an opertunity to see the world by joining the raf?

oh... does anyone know if the selection process is starting to speed up again after all the 'moderisation'? just that ive seen loads of raf adverts on tv lately. have Avionics merged with Electrics then?

Thanks people.

[Scorg]

Seeing this post gave me a few shivers and thoughts. im 24 now, 25 in 2 months time, but I cant apply until after May next year, once ive done the bloody inter 2 maths course the afco said I had to take.
Already an Info Management graduate so ive got that sorted.
anyway, that will leave me 26 by the time I can apply
Which could mean 27 if successful first time, or 28/29 depending if they asked me to resit the board at a later time.
I know my branch is open until im 38 so there is plenty of time, and that ive said I'd do whatever it says on the letter.
But then its the thought, I would like to get the career going that comes to mind, and that Im sick of my current part time job (but wont leave it as nobody can match its pay)

[Hyperlithe]

I'll chip in here, if you don't mind...

I went through Halton at 26, the oldest guy on my intake was 31, so none of you are OLD!!!

I'm now 27, and sitting around at Cranwell waiting for my broken pelvis to heal, so it doesn't matter how old you are, as long as you make sure you are strong, healthy and fit before you embark on any training. You will probably find you have the advantage of life experience over some of the younger people on your course. It's all about attitude really....

[2nd time round]

Haven't been on for a while but having read the above thread thought I'd offer some advice on upper age limits from my experience with the RAF.

For all you youngsters worrying about age !. I am 36 and have been advised to go back next year to apply for my last time as an officer and yes the upper age limit is 38.

My local AFCO boss is nearly 40, and he said if you're under the age limt there is no problem, last year on my OASC board there was a guy on who was 37, so stop panicking all you 20 somethings !!!.

Basically, the older you are the better you have to be. Think about what you can offer the RAF. I am older and by the time I apply next year I will be dual trained therefore, I become a more attractive proposition.

Dont foget, I may be older but have life experience to call upon and remember the story of the tortoise and the hare ?.

[Biggles1211]

Basically, the older you are the better you have to be.

Older candidates certainly get less credit for 'potential' when it comes to development of weak areas.

If an 18 year old goes to OASC, but doesn't have enough confidence, then they will most likely be invited to re-apply. They will probably develop more confidence as they mature / go to Uni / get a job etc.

If a 35 year old goes to OASC, but doesn't have enough confidence, then they are seen as much more of a 'finished product'. If they aren't confident at that age, then they are unlikely to ever attain the standards required.

However, the 35 year old 'should' have much more life experience to draw upon...and thus 'should' perform better in selection. But, in my experience there are also a small number of youngsters that possess equal amounts of experience/confidence/leadership suitable for commissioning. Some of these kids are quite scary! LOL The youngsters who get Sponsorship with the RAF are typically very confident and capable - easily on a par with substantially older and more experienced officer candidates. Whilst extremely rare...there are 16 year olds who can eclipse MUCH more mature candidates!