48 replies to this topic

[mattdc2r]

Fatmini,
Pay is the same now, since the introduction of pay 2000. Accom is similar because of project SLAM, although this is an on going project. I've been in 12 years and a CPL, but still in a room that's about the same size as most peoples bathrooms. Maybe one day i'll get an en-suite room in SLAM accom.
Agree we do get spoken too, with a little more respect, but then promotion within the Army is much faster as you have a career over 22 years, but the RAF do up until age 55. I think the Army's way is much better, keeping a younger fighting force.

[kooky]

Hi again

I am an Aircraft technician currently serving, in fact I'm sat at work right now, I joined up in 1985 yes thats right 1985 and i've loved every minute.

We always have banter between the different Forces but in the last 5 years or so we all do roughly the same time overseas whether it be on the front line with the Infantry types or on a protected airfield in the middle of a desert.

I personally have been twice this year for 8 weeks each time and I will be going out again in March then I'm away for 4 months come September. So joining the RAF doesnt always mean an easy tour somewhere cosy just be aware its your trade and post that determines how often and where you go.

So think carefully and chose a trade that you will enjoy, I have always been interested in fixing things so the choice was easy for me. If you want to run about with guns join the army, they generally are soldiers first and tradesmen second where as the RAF are tradesmen first and soldiers second (RAF Regiment excluded)

There are a vast amount of trades in the Army and the RAF some of which are more transferable than others to civvy street, also be aware that the training involved could take you years in some cases. If you want the truth about what any particular trade actually does or if you have any burning questions PM me and I will get a answer for you.

[fatmini]

oh right im not sure whether that’s a good thing or not money wise have the army gone up to ur wage or have RAF marked time till we caught up ,forgive me for generalising obviously some people get the Sh1ty end of the stick and that’s usually me ! lol

a good point about promotion though it is slow in the RAF

8 week tours is good though rather than 6months ! with a weeks leave and then 1months post tour leave


1985!!!!!!!!!!!! ay your living the dream then ! or dreaming the nightmare !! one of the 2 !! lol

Edited by fatmini, 25 November 2008 - 07:19 PM.

[Jack Jones]

i want to join, i aim to be signed up by july
if i get sacked next month then i will get a part time job and spend alot of time down the gym if i keep my job i will finish my qualification then join
army i think

[will.i.am]

join the navy! Thats where i'm signing my life away to on feb 1st

Edited by will.i.am, 25 November 2008 - 09:20 PM.

[kooky]

1985!!!!!!!!!!!! ay your living the dream then ! or dreaming the nightmare !! one of the 2 !! lol

Living the dream.....I am the dream....

The wages were leveled out in 2000 some people in the RAF dipped out and marked time a bit mostly us techie types, but some got themselfs a nice rise like the cooks, regiment and firemen.

In all honesty its a good wage in the RAF for the job you do, there are only 2 pay bands Higher and lower, generally techies=higher, non techie = lower, though it seems more and more trades are getting the higher pay band now.

[mini turbo]

My advice would be go down your local recruiting office, they will have a chat with you answer any questions you have, give you information on jobs and army life. they will also tell you what level of fitness you need to achieve.

[fatmini]

1985!!!!!!!!!!!! ay your living the dream then ! or dreaming the nightmare !! one of the 2 !! lol

Living the dream.....I am the dream....

The wages were leveled out in 2000 some people in the RAF dipped out and marked time a bit mostly us techie types, but some got themselfs a nice rise like the cooks, regiment and firemen.

In all honesty its a good wage in the RAF for the job you do, there are only 2 pay bands Higher and lower, generally techies=higher, non techie = lower, though it seems more and more trades are getting the higher pay band now.

ha ha !

That makes things easy then having higher and lower im on 9 of 9 bands of pay at the mo its all very complicated !

so u will be leaving soon then ? what you going to do ?

[edi57]

I've been thinking about joining the forces for a few years now.

I'm 22 years old, studied Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Computing a sixth form. Decided to go into work after that. Have been working for Barclays Bank for nearly five years now. Have done a number of jobs within the bank and I'm now working for Commercial Banking looking after established businesses in the eastern region.

My interests don't really lie in banking, although I do enjoy my work a good amount of the time.

My hobbies include restoring my '65 Cooper, classic sailing dingy restoration and sailing, kayaking, mountain biking generally keeping fit and fixing/maintaining our three other minis!

I'm after a mechanical engineering job/fabricating (I enjoy welding and I consider myself pretty good at it).... something along those lines. I also want a job that will develop me mentally and physically, take me round the world a bit and something I'll generally enjoy most of the time.

My criteria point me in the direction of the forces... but does anyone have any suggestions of what job/s within the forces would suit me well?

After reading all the other posts I think I'll be getting myself down to the recruitment office asap to have a good chat.

Ed

[the.stroker]

im in the raf,and whoever said " i check in,not dig in " clearly has never worked for JHC and helicopters,in my 12 years i have stayed in a hotel once,when my aircraft returning from afghanistan was diverted to prestwick due to bad weather at brize norton,if you want the hotel life dont work with helicopters,or just become commisioned aircrew{pink and fluffy}

[kooky]

im in the raf,and whoever said " i check in,not dig in " clearly has never worked for JHC and helicopters,in my 12 years i have stayed in a hotel once,when my aircraft returning from afghanistan was diverted to prestwick due to bad weather at brize norton,if you want the hotel life dont work with helicopters,or just become commisioned aircrew{pink and fluffy}

There's always one !!! I was fishing for a bite of our Army bretheren but there is always one gun-ho chopper 33 ra ra ra types you can rely on to take the bate.

If you had read the full post I explained how many times I had been away this year alone, and obviously its not in hotels. I do know where you stay when JHC people go down route because its my lot that normally take you there. In the mid nineties HeleOps did do more digging in/ living in rubbish places than most but in the last 10 years or so we are all staying in similar places.

At least in the Helecopter world you are looked after and have most of the right gear.

edi57: I'm afraid the RAF has just got rid of most of there workshops/general engineering jobs to civvy contractors, there is still aircraft engineering but no welding and only a little fabrication involved in this.
Your hobbies and interests would be very well catered for, there are kayaking, cycling/mountain biking and sailing clubs on just about every base as well as well equiped gyms and car clubs ideal for practicing your welding skills.
My base alone has 8 people interested in minis that I know alone, but i'm sure there are more.

I no expert on the Army but i'm sure they still have general engineering types, try googling the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) or the Royal Engineers.

Good luck

[Mr Duck]

im in the raf,and whoever said " i check in,not dig in " clearly has never worked for JHC and helicopters,in my 12 years i have stayed in a hotel once,when my aircraft returning from afghanistan was diverted to prestwick due to bad weather at brize norton,if you want the hotel life dont work with helicopters,or just become commisioned aircrew{pink and fluffy}

Hoo-aah!

Well, I'M a RAF techie in JHC on Chinny's and we once stayed in a hotel in Nice as we were coming back from Cyprus when it all kicked off in Lebanon 2yrs ago. When I say hotel, I really mean a 5* place that literally faced the Mediterranean. I could see it as I lay back in the roof-top pool sipping a beer that the waiter brought me from the roof-top bar.

Anyway - that has happened ONCE and I'll probably never see it happen again in my career!

[fatmini]

I've been thinking about joining the forces for a few years now.

I'm 22 years old, studied Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Computing a sixth form. Decided to go into work after that. Have been working for Barclays Bank for nearly five years now. Have done a number of jobs within the bank and I'm now working for Commercial Banking looking after established businesses in the eastern region.

My interests don't really lie in banking, although I do enjoy my work a good amount of the time.

My hobbies include restoring my '65 Cooper, classic sailing dingy restoration and sailing, kayaking, mountain biking generally keeping fit and fixing/maintaining our three other minis!

I'm after a mechanical engineering job/fabricating (I enjoy welding and I consider myself pretty good at it).... something along those lines. I also want a job that will develop me mentally and physically, take me round the world a bit and something I'll generally enjoy most of the time.

My criteria point me in the direction of the forces... but does anyone have any suggestions of what job/s within the forces would suit me well?

After reading all the other posts I think I'll be getting myself down to the recruitment office asap to have a good chat.

Ed

I would suggest the REME as well mate ! i think its time to put the banking behind you !



I to have stayed in a 5* hotel at tax payers expense ,but no sea view tho !

[Grimmy@JHE]

just got the RAF to send me a pack thingy so i can go see them and have a chat.

in my last year of BENG in Autosport Technology. wouldnt mind doing some fabrication fixing things. nothing electrical though if it can be helped...

anyone point me in the right direction?

thanks guys in advance...

[fatmini]

Ground service mechanics or somthing similar not sure if they still have the gen/mech/gse trade in the RAF anymore my mate was ? one of the others will know

REME only stands for the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers it doesnt mean you have to do anything electrical if you dont wont to !

its just a group of people with either or both skills