[BEN_H100]

I also do this job, any qs give me a shout.

[Begby04]

Hi i am hopefully joining up as an ICT specialist in the near future could anyone tell me if the training is heavily maths based and will we have to pass any maths based exams on trade training? Thanks

[Naigan]

I'm also considering joining as an ict specialist, if there is anyone here in that trade who would be willing to answer a few questions and have a chat over msn, please let me know.

[Naigan]

Well then, apparently not!

[ProStacker]

you could always ask your questions - they might be general enough for us to answer.

[chilleyd]

yeah there is a fair bit of maths involved but nothing to taxing x

[Naigan]

I did A-Level maths, that's not a problem. I was just hoping I could have some form of contacting and chatting regularly with an ICT Specialist, so I can ask questions as they come to me, as well as ask about the different kind of things they've done within the role.

[jordan_2k1]

I've fancied the RAF for a few years but decided to go to uni first.
I'm graduating in July with a degree in Computer Networks and fancy the ICT work in the RAF. What route could I take?

I just got my skydive A license too and it's a massive new passion of mine. Any chance of combining the two in the forces??

Thanks, Jordan

[MrHowlett]

With your degree I recomend that you join as an officer,you will be paid more,have more perks and in your job will have more day to day responsibility and accountability. In essence you will be a Manager and not one of the "workers" If you go down the CE route then you will more than likely be managing a team of ICT specialists and all equipment available to your particular unit. However if you want to do some more hands on technician work then I suggest joining as an ICT specialist however you will have to take into consideration that the pay, responsibilites and employability upon leaving the forces will be much lower.
With regards to your new skydiving hobby,Yes I believe there is oppurtunitys to pursue your sport within the forces at little or no cost to yourself.

[jordan_2k1]

Thanks a lot, lots of great information there.

Please excuse my ignorance, my research has only just started. Is is possible to join the paratroopers as an ICT officer?
What jobs are available in the paratroopers regiments?

Thanks again.

[MrHowlett]

As a CE engineer officer in the RAF that will be your job,engineering management however there will be the opportunity to do the parachute course,the same as what the paratroopers and RAF Regiment have to do however you will not be in the paratroopers and do not expect parachuting to be part of your job. As an engineer officer you are more likely to do parachuting as a recreational activity not in your job on a day to day basis. Also the Parachute Regiment is part of the army, it is one regiment in the infantry division of the army, this is completely seperate to the RAF and has nothing to do with engineer officer's in the RAF. The jobs available in the parachute regiment are simple; Infantry soldier and infantry officer,Soldier does what it says on the tin and officer manages and leads these men often doing the same job as them in the battlefield.

[ProStacker]

I don't know of any CE Officers who are para qualified for their job - therefore they wouldn't do the same course. They could do the Sports Parachute Course, which anyone who fits the physical requirements could do. It isn't the same as operational parachuting.

Jordan - Paras are Paras - a specialized infantry role. They have technical trades in support, but Para Officers are infantry officers.

[MrHowlett]

I believe that anybody from the armed forces can apply for the Parachute course,Just because it is not part of your job doesn't mean you can't get qualified and wear the wings, my dad knew plenty of technicians who had done this when he was in the RAF in TCW, however feel free to correct me if this information is incorrect.

[threeportdrift]

Used to be like that when the Herc force was at full serviceability and in the country. However, that hasn't been the case since about 2001 and you only get to do the para course if it is required for your job, and even then you may have to wait ages. Otherwise, its sports parachuting as Pro Stacker says.

[ProStacker]

Also - you could only wear the wings if you were part of an operational unit that has parachuting as part of its role - TACATC who are part of TCW for example - or 2 Sqn RAF Regt. You haven't, for at least 15 years (probably longer but can't check from here), ever been able to do the course or wear the wings without that. The few who did the course without the operational para role (eg the Training Officer of 1 PTS) wear the 'lightbulb' badge, signifying a course grad but non-operational.

[MrHowlett]

Oh right il take your info as being gen,sorry for my incoorect info I was just saying what Iv been told by someone who I assumed knew what he was on about,obviously not though

[Hammeh]

(Original post by Jesmond)
Oliver Gerrard

Alright Oliver, i'm off to Halton next month for RTS, then Cosford afterwards since i'll be following your footsteps as an ICT specialist i suppose! My question is, when you get given leave at Cosford is it basically the same as school holidays? Such as Christmas leave and stuff like that? Also is there anywhere i can find this information before arriving at Cosford?

Many thanks,
Chris

[ProStacker]

You will get block leave on your course - there will probably be Christmas & summer breaks - not sure on timings but do you really need it before you get there? I don't want to curse you, but if you plan something this far out, sods law says you'll get back coursed and all your timings would change. I've seen it happen too many times before.

[Hammeh]

(Original post by ProStacker)
You will get block leave on your course - there will probably be Christmas & summer breaks - not sure on timings but do you really need it before you get there? I don't want to curse you, but if you plan something this far out, sods law says you'll get back coursed and all your timings would change. I've seen it happen too many times before.

Nope i don't need it It's just i would like to see what the blocks are like The only dates i really need are christmas dates as a friends interested in coming over and unless im on guard duty, its all good!

[nearlythere]

As an ICT Tech you don't do guard anymore (I know this because my course was the last to do it...joys!). You'll definitely be off over Christmas so don't worry about that and i'd say about 90% of weekends too (providing your kit is up to scratch).

Block wise you'll be in a four man room although because the number of people signing up is at a high they're considering turning these into 6 man rooms. As there are hardly any girls joining in this trade then for us lasses it's not really a problem. Compared to Halton the blocks are amazing but realistically they have everything you'll need in there.