RAF - 2018 guide to PRTC

After recently going on PRTC, thought I would give an insight into what happens for those about to go.

Day 1 (Wednesday)
We had to arrive between 1pm-2pm and were greeted by a Warrant Officer at the main gate. We were told to park up and then walk over, and wait for further instructions. When a few more people arrived, we were taken up to our accommodation (which, was further than I was expecting!)

When we had arrived at the accommodation, we were told to lock our stuff away, get changed into sports kit (ready for the fitness test) and be in the briefing room ready for an introduction to the PRTC course. We handed in our English/Maths certificates and names were crossed off of a register, and we had allocated seats where names cards/lanyards were waiting for us. After everyone had arrived, the Corporal gave us an insight into the next couple of days - what to do, what not to do, and were issued our coveralls and hi vis belts etc etc and we were then told it was time for the fitness test. Watches off, water bottles full and then we 'quick walked' down the gym (again, a surprisingly long ol' way!)

When we arrived at the gym, we had a brief from the medics who explained what happens with injuries at RTS, and what to do if you are currently taking medication. The PTIs then introduced themselves and we were allocated into a 'wave' to complete our fitness test. The 16/17 years and females went first (as they complete it to a lower level than the 18+ males), and then it was a long sit and wait whilst 4 or 5 other waves of people completed the bleep test. I was surprised at how many people dropped out or didn't complete it - probably 3-4 per wave.

We then had the press ups and sit ups, again these were explained fully by the PTIs. The form is very strict, but as mentioned in previous posts they do tell you what you are doing wrong and give you pointers to correct it so if you have trained correctly it shouldn't be too hard. Again, a fair few failed either the pressups/situps!

When everyone had completed them, people that had failed one (or more) parts were called forward, and told this, and I believe they were given the option to redo the fitness test on the Friday. (Even if they only missed 1 pressup they had to redo the whole bleep test, pressups and situps!)

After we had finished the fitness test, we were taken outside and walked back up to the accommodation block. We had 20 mins to shower and change, and then had to be outside ready to go for food. Everyone was ready for a meal as it had felt like hours that we'd been in a freezing cold gym.

Meal over (food mediocre tbf), we headed back to the accommodation block for another brief, and then over to the Enhanced Education Flight (EEF) to write our 'pen pictures'. Not a massive fan of having to write about myself, especially under time pressures but we got there! After this, we headed back over the accommodation block at approx 8.30pm where we were given block jobs (hoovering, mopping, cleaning sinks etc), and told we needed to be outside having completed block jobs and showered by 6.40am the next morning.

We were allowed to go to the shop if we wanted, or chill. Most people just made their beds, rang partner/parents etc. and got to know each other as quite a few people had the same BRTC start date.

Day 2 (Thursday)
Thursday morning came (we set an alarm for 5.45am!) and we were all up ready to go for the morning ahead. Block jobs completed, we headed over to breakfast. We got given more time for meals than I was necessarily expecting - this will probably change on BRTC, but it was nice to get to chat to people! After breakfast, we headed back to the block and it was time to be sized up for uniform. The tailor measured people quicker than the speed of light, and we also had a brief bedspace inspection by the Sergeant to ensure that we had actually done the block jobs.

After sizing had finished, the OC of RTS and another officer came in to have a talk to us. They were both really nice and interested in what trades/AFCOs people had been at, and we were encouraged to ask as many questions as we liked about training. They also asked us to 'rate' our AFCOs if they were particularly good or bad.

After the OC had gone, we headed back down to EEF for a long morning of assessments. We started off with various learning difficult assessments, and then progressed onto the BKSB. The BKSB are Maths/English assessments to see what level you're currently working at (even if you have FS/GCSEs you still have to do these). The maths one was slightly more challenging than I had been expecting, but they are not pass/fail apparently.

When everyone had finished the maths/english assessments, we then went over to have some lunch. After lunch we went straight back to EEF and had an introduction to an online learning portal where you can access info about BRTC (eg kit list, recruits forum) before you start. I found this really useful and will definitely be looking at it before I start!

We also had a good Q&A session during this bit, which was a great opportunity for anyone to ask any questions they had been bottling up - the flight staff kept saying there was nothing that was a stupid question so there were a lot of questions!

After this, we headed back over the accommodation block and were told that anyone that had passed their fitness test and were functional skills exempt (ie brought GCSE certificates) could leave. They gave us literally 5 minutes to change from coveralls into a civvie suits and with all our stuff, which was a little stressful but all part of the process in turning you from a civilian into a soldier!

So, all in all quite a busy couple of days but I can't wait to get started on BRTC!

What a great write up!! I’ve got PRTC next month and I was looking for an up-to-date report. Thanks!!

all part of the process in turning you from a civilian into a soldier*!

Still a soldier, regardless! But yes, airman or airwomen....

After recently going on PRTC, thought I would give an insight into what happens for those about to go.

Day 1 (Wednesday)
We had to arrive between 1pm-2pm and were greeted by a Warrant Officer at the main gate. We were told to park up and then walk over, and wait for further instructions. When a few more people arrived, we were taken up to our accommodation (which, was further than I was expecting!)

When we had arrived at the accommodation, we were told to lock our stuff away, get changed into sports kit (ready for the fitness test) and be in the briefing room ready for an introduction to the PRTC course. We handed in our English/Maths certificates and names were crossed off of a register, and we had allocated seats where names cards/lanyards were waiting for us. After everyone had arrived, the Corporal gave us an insight into the next couple of days - what to do, what not to do, and were issued our coveralls and hi vis belts etc etc and we were then told it was time for the fitness test. Watches off, water bottles full and then we 'quick walked' down the gym (again, a surprisingly long ol' way!)

When we arrived at the gym, we had a brief from the medics who explained what happens with injuries at RTS, and what to do if you are currently taking medication. The PTIs then introduced themselves and we were allocated into a 'wave' to complete our fitness test. The 16/17 years and females went first (as they complete it to a lower level than the 18+ males), and then it was a long sit and wait whilst 4 or 5 other waves of people completed the bleep test. I was surprised at how many people dropped out or didn't complete it - probably 3-4 per wave.

We then had the press ups and sit ups, again these were explained fully by the PTIs. The form is very strict, but as mentioned in previous posts they do tell you what you are doing wrong and give you pointers to correct it so if you have trained correctly it shouldn't be too hard. Again, a fair few failed either the pressups/situps!

When everyone had completed them, people that had failed one (or more) parts were called forward, and told this, and I believe they were given the option to redo the fitness test on the Friday. (Even if they only missed 1 pressup they had to redo the whole bleep test, pressups and situps!)

After we had finished the fitness test, we were taken outside and walked back up to the accommodation block. We had 20 mins to shower and change, and then had to be outside ready to go for food. Everyone was ready for a meal as it had felt like hours that we'd been in a freezing cold gym.

Meal over (food mediocre tbf), we headed back to the accommodation block for another brief, and then over to the Enhanced Education Flight (EEF) to write our 'pen pictures'. Not a massive fan of having to write about myself, especially under time pressures but we got there! After this, we headed back over the accommodation block at approx 8.30pm where we were given block jobs (hoovering, mopping, cleaning sinks etc), and told we needed to be outside having completed block jobs and showered by 6.40am the next morning.

We were allowed to go to the shop if we wanted, or chill. Most people just made their beds, rang partner/parents etc. and got to know each other as quite a few people had the same BRTC start date.

Day 2 (Thursday)
Thursday morning came (we set an alarm for 5.45am!) and we were all up ready to go for the morning ahead. Block jobs completed, we headed over to breakfast. We got given more time for meals than I was necessarily expecting - this will probably change on BRTC, but it was nice to get to chat to people! After breakfast, we headed back to the block and it was time to be sized up for uniform. The tailor measured people quicker than the speed of light, and we also had a brief bedspace inspection by the Sergeant to ensure that we had actually done the block jobs.

After sizing had finished, the OC of RTS and another officer came in to have a talk to us. They were both really nice and interested in what trades/AFCOs people had been at, and we were encouraged to ask as many questions as we liked about training. They also asked us to 'rate' our AFCOs if they were particularly good or bad.

After the OC had gone, we headed back down to EEF for a long morning of assessments. We started off with various learning difficult assessments, and then progressed onto the BKSB. The BKSB are Maths/English assessments to see what level you're currently working at (even if you have FS/GCSEs you still have to do these). The maths one was slightly more challenging than I had been expecting, but they are not pass/fail apparently.

When everyone had finished the maths/english assessments, we then went over to have some lunch. After lunch we went straight back to EEF and had an introduction to an online learning portal where you can access info about BRTC (eg kit list, recruits forum) before you start. I found this really useful and will definitely be looking at it before I start!

We also had a good Q&A session during this bit, which was a great opportunity for anyone to ask any questions they had been bottling up - the flight staff kept saying there was nothing that was a stupid question so there were a lot of questions!

After this, we headed back over the accommodation block and were told that anyone that had passed their fitness test and were functional skills exempt (ie brought GCSE certificates) could leave. They gave us literally 5 minutes to change from coveralls into a civvie suits and with all our stuff, which was a little stressful but all part of the process in turning you from a civilian into a soldier!

So, all in all quite a busy couple of days but I can't wait to get started on BRTC!

Thanks for the insight, I was just wondering is the fitness test do they stop you when you reach the required level or keep you going?

very nice insight into my next stage, quick question how long was it from your last fitness test or specialist interview were you given the date for PRTC?

Hi, Did you have to do a presentation? If so, how many people was it infront of ?

No problem, thought it might be useful! Enjoy PRTC...

Hi just read your thread on PRTC and was just wondering about tie fitness! What exactly is correct form regarding press ups as I've read and been told so many things! Hope All is going well with the RAF thank you!

Hi, I’ve just got off of PRTC, it will tell you in your joining instructions about the correct form, generally for press ups just make sure your arms go to a 90 degreee angle then up and lock them, sit ups you need your fingers on your temple and shoulders need to touch the floor then you go up until your elbows are above your knees

After the OC had gone, we headed back down to EEF for a long morning of assessments. We started off with various learning difficult assessments, and then progressed onto the BKSB. The BKSB are Maths/English assessments to see what level you're currently working at (even if you have FS/GCSEs you still have to do these). The maths one was slightly more challenging than I had been expecting, but they are not pass/fail apparently.

3) Do you NEED to maintain the same level of fitness to stay in the RAF or can you dial the maintenance of the training of back some?

3) Do you NEED to maintain the same level of fitness to stay in the RAF?