dub18 Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Just been for my interview today after doing the apptitude tests last week, basically i wasgoing in for the Raf Police but the guy told me id be selling myself out with the results i got in the test and GCSE results etc etc. So having been a mechanic for the last 3 years he suggested aGeneral Technician (mechanical) which is working on everything bar the actual planes, or aRegiment Gunner, which is basically the RAF's marines. Or i can just do the Police. So abit undecided at the moment and just looking for any info, experiences of anyone about any of these sorts of roles.Dunc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyp Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 pm r_lupo on here as he works for the red arrows so would prob help you out mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy'dup Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 navy's a better bet, they need more people, the RAF have been laying people off recently whereas the navy have got all their new gear on the way,just a thought but ask your ACLO (careers/liason officer) about a career in the navy, he might put some interesting points your way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clairey Fairy Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Welfare wise, the RAF is the best of the three services Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver! Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Regiment Gunner, which is basically the RAF's marines.No it's not. The RAF Regiment's role is defensive and they don't do amphibious warfare! Met quite a few "Rock Apes" in my time and generally are a good bunch.If you have a technical trade/background as a civilian, would you not be better making use of this in the RAF?Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dub18 Posted September 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 (edited) Just making a comparison silver i know they don't do the same job as the marines.And im not too sure i want to be working on hgv's and generators for the next decade so.I don't mind being shot at really it just depends how much and often it happens, the gunner appeals most to me really just wondering what the chances are of me actually being shot or mamed lol. Edited September 16, 2008 by dub18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver! Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Just making a comparison silver i know they don't do the same job as the marines.And im not too sure i want to be working on hgv's and generators for the next decade so.Do you not fancy upping your quals to aircraft technician? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dub18 Posted September 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Erm nah not really having the responsibility of 20 million or mores worth of plane everyday does'nt do much for me, plus being that close and never being able to be in it would probably tits me right off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_eano Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 my college lecturer started out as a tech in the raf dunc! he loved it did it for 10 years then advanced to workshop foreman sort of role... he only left due to family etc but keeps telling me if you wonna go in now would be the time whislt youve got no family to worry about looking afterill ask him more questions if you want... think he said he drove hgv's in the falklands aswell and has a few tales to tell of being shot at Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver! Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 If you're just looking for advice on wether to join up or not I'd say go for it.People always talk about the bull****, but that generally passes after training. It' gets a lot more laid back after, so you get to enjoy yourself.And the RAF is the most laid back of all the Services.I served 10.5 years and loved every minute of it and if I weren't such an old fart now, I'd do it all over again!You'll meet some of your best friends and your worst enemies.The money is pretty OK and the training and recreational facilities are second to none....and if you're really lucky you may get shot at!In my opinion I would stay away from the Police side of things whatever service, as they are hated more than the civilian police!They like to think they do, but they don't have the same power as civvy Police and you'll get no respect when facing a bunch of drunken Marines or Para's (or Rock Apes for that matter) at Brize Norton!I've seen many Military Policemen get their comeuppance, but that's another story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBR Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 RAF Regiment = Cannon FodderIf you really want to do that sort of thing, your probally better off in the Army.Join the Army, get a Trade... Leave, make a mint... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Join the Army, get a Trade... Leave, make a mint...Ha! If only that was true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver! Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 I don't really believe in the "RAF Regiment = cannon fodder" either.Their primary role is as a defensive force for the RAFs resources and as in todays modern warfare air superiority rules they have a pretty important task.They are pretty well looked after too.They may on the other hand be classed as intercontinental ballistic missile, air to surface missile, cluster bomb fodder Foxy: you need to move to Laaandaaann get a real job with loadsa money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owieprone Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 Have you seen that advert for the Raf where the aircraft tech girl is talking about her job and being proud... see what she's doing while she's talking??? THAT'S ALL YOU'LL DO... that's what they do when they can't (and invitably they can't alot) fix things, they wire it in place and hope for the best.lol nah, all my mates in the raf love it, from general tech to admin, def a better quality of life than the army. I would say be a tech cos you can work your way up in that job, if you really wanna be a snowdrop you'd better be A: hard as nails, B: have rhino skin and C: be able to kick anyones arse as you will not have any respect. and when you come out of service ...you'll be a security guard, 12 hrs of morning, afternoon, evening sir/madam, stood in one spot, patrolling for schemies and not much excitement. unless you work in aberdeen on anderson drive and watch the jumpers at the granite pit of dooom yay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigz™ Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 Did you know there are more administration clerks than Pilots and technitions combined in the RAF? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clairey Fairy Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 and when you come out of service ...you'll be a security guard, 12 hrs of morning, afternoon, evening sir/madam, stood in one spot, patrolling for schemies and not much excitement.Ahh bless MPGSProtecting me from pervs, terrorists and several unwanted delieveries since Jan 08 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny70 Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 I know a few people in the RAF they all seem to enjoy it, i also know a few people in the army, they hate it and want to get out asap. Especially the ones who have been to afghan/iraq etc.I applied for the army but didn't get in due to a lazy eye, its meant to be a brilliant career with lots of opportunities, i cant see the RAF being much different. My grandad spend 30 years in the RAF and said it was a piece of pi$$ once you can hack the dicipline side of things. Go for it, no matter what role you want you will still be respected by employers on "civvy street" and most people will employ you once you are out because they know you will never be late for work, you will always be smartly turned out, you will try your hardest at anything and most of all, your boots will be shiny as fh00k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBR Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 Ha! If only that was true.It just seems everyone i know who's ex-forces seems to be very well set... Personal experiences.I don't really believe in the "RAF Regiment = cannon fodder" either.They may on the other hand be classed as intercontinental ballistic missile, air to surface missile, cluster bomb fodder I did not know quite how to put into words.. but you seem to of hit the nail on the head there. I looked into joining the RAF as a pilot when i was 18 (I'd wanted it since i was 5 yrs old, Dad ex-RAF & MOD, Uncle ex RAF, G-dad ex-army). But back then (don't know what the situation is now) i had to sign up for 12 years. Which when your 18 seems scary to think you will be out at 30... I thought i would be nearly dead by then. 30 is old! Even though i'm 28 now... I think with the army most people don't miss it till they leave. Then they wish they could go back in. Then they go loopy it seems... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 It just seems everyone i know who's ex-forces seems to be very well set... Personal experiences. TBH im a Gas Engineer and an Electrician, but alot of people I know left with no prospects at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt~black Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 I say go for it dude when i was 17 i applied for information comunication systems specialist but then when i went to apptitude they suggested i did nc aircrew but had to do load of reading up on it for the interview and i just lost interest wish i had now trade money is **** though my mate was a sprayer until he got laid off barely cleared 850 a month you can double that in a warehouse job nc aircrew get loads more more like an officers pay package from what i remember.also while would you wanna go for the mechanic job you've already done that i'd say go for something you don't know anything about more of a challenge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dub18 Posted September 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 Guess what i'd really like to know is how dangerous being a Gunner really is, like how many of themare out in the middle east and how many of those out there have been shot,blown up mamed etc.Think that would make my decision really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 I dont think thats a good reason at all to base your decision on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz_Kez Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 Its all down to lets say fait or chance if you get shot/killed mate,Its a high risk job and if your even doubting about a career there mate imo its not for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dub18 Posted September 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 Well thats pretty much the only con for me atm, if there is a really high number of them being injured then for the money it pays its not worth risking my life, whereas ifhardly any of them have been injured/killed then i wouldnt mind doing it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz_Kez Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 (edited) well tbh mate, no amount of money is worth your life, its just weather you think you can do it and wether you'd feel comfortable being a raf gunner for your career Edited September 18, 2008 by Daz_Kez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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