Newbie here, I have a few questions about joining the RAF

[Blackhawk]

I had two legal officer wanabees on my OASC last year and they went through the whole process. So no escaping whatever branch you choose.

One thing to contemplate, the RAF is restructuring and an awful lot of bases are closing with more in the pipeline (ie, Lossiemouth next month and potentially Brize Norton to name but two). This means less bodies doing a similar job, that means your likely hood of deployment has just gone up signifcantly.

So if you fancy an all expenses paid trip to the sunny state of Iraq, you'll be ok lol.

It's Coltishall, Lyneham(2011), Boulmer, Innesworth, and St Mawgan that are closing. You were right in a way, Lossiemouth may well be closing, but not until 2015 at the earliest and nothing is set in stone. The aircraft weapons and jobs that used to be located at these bases will go to central bases. Such as Rockape mentioned, Brize Norton is intended to be the new 'super tanker base.' Coningsby is taking on the new Typhoon as well as some of the Jaguars from Coltishall. Innesworth is moving up to High Wycombe where all P&TC will be located.

[gr4pilot]

I thought they'd just closed Brize's airfield for resurfacing? i read in RAF News that the CAS has made a statement that Brize was one of the bases that was almost certainly safe for the foreseeable future???

[Blackhawk]

I thought they'd just closed Brize's airfield for resurfacing? i read in RAF News that the CAS has made a statement that Brize was one of the bases that was almost certainly safe for the foreseeable future???

You read correctly, Brize is definatly safe.

[aes69]

It makes sense when you think it's one of the few military airheads that has the length & weight capacity for every type of aircraft we use (and others if you catch my drift)

[2nd time round]

Please read my quote carefully, I did say potentially with Brize Norton.

Not to be pedantic or anything but, Lossiemouth will be left with 15 personnel after the end of this September. I agree this is not strictly closed but when you look back at the amount of personnel there prior to this, it may as well be closed.

Another piece of information on potential closures from the Professional Engineering Magazine Vol 18, Number 13 (Institute of Mechanical Engineers) 'The MoD is to switch Tornado maintenance work to RAF Marham in Norfolk, citing cost and strategic reasons. But union Amicus is furious at the move, arguing that it will decimate the St Athan facility and force it to close.

My point is that the RAF tends to paint rather a rosy picture to a lot of wannabes, unfortuntely the reality can be somewhat different.

[gr4pilot]

Sorry, what are they doing to Lossie? and what are they goining to do with the GR4 Sqns there?

[Blackhawk]

Please read my quote carefully, I did say potentially with Brize Norton.

And I pointed out there was no potentially about it.

Not to be pedantic or anything but, Lossiemouth will be left with 15 personnel after the end of this September. I agree this is not strictly closed but when you look back at the amount of personnel there prior to this, it may as well be closed.

And forgive me for being pedantic, but when someone is asking for information on the RAF in order to join the RAF, it helps if they are given the right information. Lossie is not closing next month, which is what you said. Lossie will not be left with 15 personnel, they are only centralising the deeper GR4 maintenance work; instead of both Lossie and Marham having to maintain this ability, jets will be taken to Marham for (probably) 2nd and 3rd line work. This also pulls some 3rd line work away from St Athan, hence your quote.

If Lossie's being reduced to 15 staff, you might question why 14, XV, and 617 Sqns are still operating happily with no announcement as to their relocation.

No one knows what is happening to Lossie, the fact that it may close is a big maybe. They are looking at potential bases for the JSF and Lossie has been loooked at, which means they will close alternative bases. Who knows, that is why no announcement has been made as it's all a bit up in the air, and the year 2015 has been mentioned.

[sittingstress]

Of course we mustn't forget the most important unit at Lossiemouth must we?

51 Sqn RAF Regt, a few more than 15 serving on that you peddlar of duff gen!

Regards

ss

PS

2ndTimeAround might possibly need to go round again.

[2nd time round]

Gentlemen, what can I say, looks like I am guilty as charged, but if I may offer something in my defence.

My information came from a contact who is leaving Lossiemouth very soon to join the Marham crew. This information is what they were told by their bosses. As the said person is an NCO with many years experience you would have thought they would have told them the right information.

Whats that about organising p*ss ups in brewerys ? lol.

[djmarkmclachlan]

2ndTimeAround might possibly need to go round again.

lol

[Blackhawk]

Gentlemen, what can I say, looks like I am guilty as charged, but if I may offer something in my defence.

My information came from a contact who is leaving Lossiemouth very soon to join the Marham crew. This information is what they were told by their bosses. As the said person is an NCO with many years experience you would have thought they would have told them the right information.

Whats that about organising p*ss ups in brewerys ? lol.

Ah hem, I am a lady

Don't always trust what you hear, and less of what you read.

[Biggles1211]

Selection is really tough, one guy got booted at interview at Cranwell because he didnt have enough military experience !.

Unlikely, as having military experience isn't a pre-requisite for commissioning. Chances are, he just led an inactive, unadventurous lifestyle and failed to prepare effectively for the interview. OASC will often recommend getting 'some military experience' (TA, RAF Aux etc) as it is one way a person can demonstrate they can cope with military life...but, in reality, any form of adventuous training, independant travel, leadership does this.

[2nd time round]

Many apologies for my generalisation blackhawk, I didnt mean to offend any laydees !.

[Blackhawk]

Many apologies for my generalisation blackhawk, I didnt mean to offend any laydees !.

No worries, given that this is a military forum I'm sure it's a fair assumption that most people will be male!