Army, RAF or Navy?

If you join the RAF you'll be in Lincolnshire for at least a year guaranteed.

The qualifications you can get are basically the same, you'll still work towards chartered engineer in the RAF, you'll have the same opportunities to develop.

But yes, you're predominantly going to be in large flat places for fairly obvious reasons.

Tbh, wanting to stay in the same place for the foreseeable future isn't really an attitude you'll find all that handy in the Forces, especially if you're ambitious. You can and will be moving around a lot. Even in the Army you'll find it a struggle to stay in one area.

Do you have a place at Uni, Jamal?

Yes for mechanical engineering starting this September

Yeah I’m aware training etc will in Lincolnshire. I just thought that there was a perception that many RAF engineer officers are based there throughout there career.

In terms of qualifications, I’ve heard that the qualifications earned in the Army are quicker to gain and more varied. Where as RAF I can’t find much on what qualifications you can gain?

Also it seems like work as REME officer or Royal Engineer officer has a lot more variety in there work compared to being an aero systems engineer officer which is what I would do if I went into the RAF

Yeah I’m aware training etc will in Lincolnshire. I just thought that there was a perception that many RAF engineer officers are based there throughout there career.

With sponsorship? Where are you going to?

Why? Sure there's a slightly higher proportion of bases there, but of the main operating bases in the RAF, all but 3 are in the South of England. It's not a perception I share.



Possibly faster, but the Army is also slightly more geared up for being in only a short period of time, whereas people generally tend to make more of a career of the RAF and RN. Is that because they look after people better? Maybe.

Well yes, by pure definition, given the breadth of activities the Army get involved in.

It more comes down to what appeals to you about engineering and what you actually want to do with your degree.

Hi

Have you read the info on the AS Eng Officer role page thoroughly? There's opportunity to go for a Masters, but also other courses you could do, there's a varied selection, especially if it's required for your role during your career.

And you're still thinking that you'll only ever be based in Lincolnshire. If you're on the multi-engine or rotary fleet you're unlikely to be anywhere much further north of Oxford.

If you are serious and want to discuss your RAF options in detail then drop me a PM and I'll give you contact details for the Engineering Liaison team.

Kind regards
Adam
RAF Recruitment.

I will be going to University of Portsmouth

It's a shame that you didn't look at Engineer Officer with the Royal Navy, then, if you are going to be in Portsmouth anyway.

You seem to have a lot of irons in the fire already with live applications to both the Army and the RAF; I've given you the links to the three RN Engineer Officer roles already, so I will just add a link to HMS King Alfred in Portsmouth; hopefully, things will work out with either the Army or the RAF, but, if not, there will be Reservist opportunities in Portsmouth.

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/kingalfred

Where as RAF qualifications are obviously usually based around aeronautical engineering.

Sorry should’ve specified my version, but I’m most likely to be stationed Midlands/North. For example I wouldn’t really want to be in Lincolnshire but many bases are based here already which is why I was looking into the army more so. Plus qualifications you gain seem more likely in the army compared to RAF.

You may need to re-evaluate your version of 'the North' ;-)

As an RAF AS Engineer Officer I never did a tour in the Midlands or Lincolnshire, but did do tours in the East and North of England, Scotland, and South of England (three).

As an RAF AS Engineer Officer I never did a tour in the Midlands or Lincolnshire, but did do tours in the East and North of England, Scotland, and South of England (three).

Whilst you can state a preference for posting, the Armed Forces will consider service need and career development and send you where required; you may not get a geographic area that you want. The REME has plenty of units in the 'North' so there's fair chance you could end up working there!

How old are you, Jamal?