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Hi there, I was hoping someone could give me a bit of advice and a few facts.

Here's the situation, my step son who is 16, just out of school and trying to figure out what to do with his life has decided he wants to join up with the RAF.

The problem is, he has, since being about 10, had his heart set on joining the Army (infantry), however he did his selection at Litchfield last week and failed, he came back with the point of view 'I cant understand why anyone would join the army, they are all robots and treat you terribly'

I don't know the exact reasons why he failed, hes not talking about it, I only know he has failed the run, he didn't do it in time.

He has returned home and him mum has recommended he joins the RAF as its a far easier option, somehow I cant imagine this is true.

They live in Coningsby and have a RAF base just minutes from their door, he likes the idea that he can work there through the day and go home at night so life wont change too much, will it work out this way? surely he will be allocated where he is needed? not automatically to the base close to home?

He doesn't want to be a pilot or a gunner (sorry I really don't know much about the options involved) he says he wants to be a linesman? he says for this job he wont need to do any major physical training, is this correct?

It seems to me he is trying to get into one of the military forces, without the hard work and determination he has learned that he would need, to get into the army.

He says the RAF are not so strict, he will get lots more free time and better money without having to go through the vigorous training required for the army.

My view is that he is planning to join up for all of the wrong reasons and that he just hasnt got all of the facts.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what is ACTUALLY involved in him joining up, what will be expected of him? will he indeed have to do the physical training? how does the selection compare with what he has already experienced with the army? what is involved in the written entrance exam? is it as simple as he is telling me it is? I am of the belief that the discipline and dedication involved will be just as high standard as the army, is this right?

Could you give me a few harsh facts to arm myself with, to allow me to put his feet firmly back on the ground before he wastes ours, his and the RAFs time.

Thankyou so much for reading this rather long post and thanks for any advice you can offer.

A concerned parent.

Been through the RAF selection myself, someone will be able to give you a better answer but heres my £0.02

Selection:
Airman Selection Tests (Aptutude Tests) cover Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehensation, Mechanical Comprehensation and Memory. Its multiple choice and you chose the correct answer A, B, C, D or E appart from the memory one where its done on a TV at the front of the test room.

Then he will be given a presentation which will cover where the RAF are in the world and doing what, what aircraft they have and what they use them for, what weapons and equipment the RAF use, basic training, trade training, tips for his interview and a few other bits an bobs. Then its a interview a few weeks later which will cover areas of the presentation and things about himself, family, spare time etc etc, it lasts about a hour, not to bad, he wont be asked anything that hasnt been available to him from either the internet, presentation or news papers (i recommend getting/ordering "RAF News" from your local newsagents )
Pass the interview phase and he will have a medical examination which i dont know to much about since i didnt get pass the interview stage , also a run on a running machine to i think.

Training, as far as im aware he will still have to do the basic military training (cant remember how many weeks it is) so i imagin that will be physicaly demanding for him so he needs to get out there and actualy do a bit of running and things or he might fail the RAF selection to.

'Not having to do any physical training' - he will have to realise that if he wants a good career in the forces he will have to put the work into it to make it happen! Maby thats something you could help him with

'Based near home' - I think there is a choice sheet where you can chose three bases you would like to be at but you dont always get what you want


Cheers,
Trooper

Thanks for that, much appreciated.

I have a bit clearer idea of what hes faced with and it certainly doesnt sound 'easier that the army'

I would be interested to know more about the physical tests and the demands of the basic training.

Thanks

I just found a sheet i was given about the recruit training, ill type a few notes up:



Recruit Training Course: 9 weeks initialy (63 days) at RAF Halton.

Day 1 to 18 - Kit issue, medicals, paper work, physical training/ assault courses, general service knowledge (GSK) lessons, daily kit inspections, more physical training, drill sessions, kit prep lessons - shown how to iron, sew, lay out his kit for inspection

Day 19 to 44 - The recruits go to train with the regiment.
Weapons training, first aid training, NBC - Nuclear, Biological & Chemical training, lots of physical training, skill at arms & post attack recovery (field craft) and consolidation of practical training (a training exercise which involves 48 hour deployment exercise to test there military skills.

Day 45 to 63 - general service knowledge lessons, physical training, kit prep lessons, drill sessions and there pass out parade. job done



Thats the basics of what it said, its three pages long (front and back!) and im not typing all that out!!! . He will be given it later on in his application.


Cheers,
Trooper

Thank you for that, I appreciate it.

Any further facts and advice will be greatfully received.

Cheers

All three services probably have the same standard of discipline. What would be the point in one service have no disciplinewhile the others do? My cadets squadron is based at RAF Halton and i did work experience there with the PTI section so if you have any queries ill see if i can answer.