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To whom this may concern.
I am a postgraduate who was wishing to go in the RAF as an officer, as this is proving harder thani thought, i am going to apply for the Ground trades. As an enginner i am applying to be a propulsion technician. I have recently passed the aptitude tests and have been told to wait early next year as the RAF are joining ground trades to save money. For example avionics is joining with the electricians. Are there anybody else who is also in this predicament in waiting and what have u been told??

Please reply as i am interested in the whole picture.

There are at the moment 4 aircaft trades. Airframes, engines, electrics and avionics. However the airframe and engine trades are going to merge, and the electrics and avionics trades are going to merge. But i know that at the moment they are recruting still for single trades. What this means is that eventually you will have to return to Cosford for cross training in airframes, but the course is only six weeks long, as many of the theories of airfames and engines and many of the systems are very similar. Depending on where you get posted after trade traing will depend on how long you will have to wait before cross traing. For example the fast jet ground crew are all going to be cross trained before they start on the transport and supply fleet. hope this helps, if you want any more info then send me a message and i'll help if i can

Falkens,

Why dont you apply for Airmen Aircrew. Ive recently passed out at Halton and am under the impression that the Air Force are crying out for them at the moment. The money is better than the ground trades and you would be at Sergant rank upon completion of training. If your AFCO is anything like the one I went to then the option of airman aircrew will not even be presented to you, but go back in and enquire. you've got nothing to lose.

Hope this helps!

Thanks dawnie, easier said than done, i have already applied for officer and aircrew selection for both positions but when i get rejected i am told i am not competitive enough. In my eyes it is cobblers. I am more than qualified as regards to qualifications and have done quite a few things in the past. I havent been to a private school and been a captain in every sport going i must admit, but i am beginning to think thats what you have to do!!
I am still awaiting for the trade to open to which i am applying to. Money is now less of an issue than getting in.

Keep on pestering the AFCO I know they are reducing the number joining but hey the recruiting adverts are still on the TV. If you know what trade you want stick with it and dont be pressured into one you dont want just to get in.

Another suggestion may be to try another AFCO as the information they are giving out varies greatly. Might be a bit of a pain to travel but its a case of howmuch do you want it.

Good luck sweetheart and dont give up, become athorn in the afco's side.

I am wondering if anybody has had their date changed for ground trade? I was supposed to go in at the end of July and it has now changed to November. I have spoken to a few people at Cranwell and Innsworth who seem reluctant to give to much away.

Ive had my start date for basic changed from June to July 21st. All i was told is that there has been a massive change in recuriting dates.

Another month to get fit but another month stuck in the office

How do you guys/gals get on when you hear that your training has been put back 1/2+ months?

I mean, if you have to give your employer a month's notice, it would be pretty embarresing to go back and ask to stay an extra period!

Or would the RAF not delay your entrance date if you were within the "notice period" countdown?

Mike

Id already handed my notice in and was on holiday when i got a phone call from the parents to tell me my date had been put back. Didnt fancy sucking up to the boss so im temping now.

i had been told by AFCO not to hand my notice in until ive had the final interview incase things changed but im planning on having 6 weeks off to focus on fitness and the interview isnt done til 4-6 weeks before your start date.

My date for the RAF has been changed back to July 21st so i guess I will see you there mate. I believe a few strings were pulled.

thats good news
Do you know of anyone else starting on the 21st. (9 weeks today )

Hoping to get a date for the final interview soon, at least then i can be sure the start dates not going to change again.

Im off on the 21st, only 9 days now!