Life at RAF Cosford
I've just passed PRTC and start BRTC in November. I'm applying for ICT tech so once basic is finished, I'll be at Cosford for 12 months for phase 2.
Just a little shout out to anyone currently on phase 2 training at Cosford? Don't have to be doing ICT, just a few general questions about life on that base etc.
Cheers!
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Just a little shout out to anyone currently on phase 2 training at Cosford? Don't have to be doing ICT, just a few general questions about life on that base etc.
Cheers!
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I used to live on the base.
It's in the middle of no where but does have a train stop (not station) right next to the base.
Walking distance to Albrighton (nothing there), Wolverhampton (wolves) 20 min drive away, telford also 20mins away, shrewsbury 45mins.
The base has gym, Starbucks, shop, and the museum.
It a pretty big base. Around 3,000 people usually but can go up a couple thousand depending on what courses/events are running.
It's in the middle of no where but does have a train stop (not station) right next to the base.
Walking distance to Albrighton (nothing there), Wolverhampton (wolves) 20 min drive away, telford also 20mins away, shrewsbury 45mins.
The base has gym, Starbucks, shop, and the museum.
It a pretty big base. Around 3,000 people usually but can go up a couple thousand depending on what courses/events are running.
Thank you Lauren. Did you do phase 2 training there or was you there for other reasons?
Just wondering what life during the week is like during phase 2? Once you have finished your working day for example can you leave base eg drive home? Only approximately an hour from the base.
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Just wondering what life during the week is like during phase 2? Once you have finished your working day for example can you leave base eg drive home? Only approximately an hour from the base.
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If you decide to keep going home every night, you'll really miss out on what being in the Forces is all about. These are effectively a new bunch of mates and the mates you make on something like a Phase 2 training course will be with you for a long time, wherever you get posted. When you get posted after that, you won't be so close to home and some of these lads and lasses will be the mates who move with you.
It is a balance, but don't shun life at Cosford because you happen to be an hour from home. You joined to get away from home!
It is a balance, but don't shun life at Cosford because you happen to be an hour from home. You joined to get away from home!
Thanks Prostacker. Yeah I understand all of that, it's just we've just found out my girlfriend is pregnant and I'm about to start BRTC in November.
Just trying to get an idea of what it's going to be like at Cosford when the baby is born. Eg see them every weekend, or have the opportunity to split the week and go see them on a Wednesday aswell as the weekend etc.
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Just trying to get an idea of what it's going to be like at Cosford when the baby is born. Eg see them every weekend, or have the opportunity to split the week and go see them on a Wednesday aswell as the weekend etc.
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I'm at Cosford right now and can give you most up to date information. The ICT course itself is quite intense so you would not be able to 'split the week' most of the time you would be working Monday to Friday, including some weekends when you have to do odd parade, RIAT, guard or you might have BTECs to do so it would be best to stay anyway. Are you married? If so you would be eligible for married quarters. Any more questions feel free to shoot away.
Original post by Laurren21
I used to live on the base.
It's in the middle of no where but does have a train stop (not station) right next to the base.
Walking distance to Albrighton (nothing there), Wolverhampton (wolves) 20 min drive away, telford also 20mins away, shrewsbury 45mins.
The base has gym, Starbucks, shop, and the museum.
It a pretty big base. Around 3,000 people usually but can go up a couple thousand depending on what courses/events are running.
It's in the middle of no where but does have a train stop (not station) right next to the base.
Walking distance to Albrighton (nothing there), Wolverhampton (wolves) 20 min drive away, telford also 20mins away, shrewsbury 45mins.
The base has gym, Starbucks, shop, and the museum.
It a pretty big base. Around 3,000 people usually but can go up a couple thousand depending on what courses/events are running.
Middle of nowhere? It's one of the best bases location wise and has excellent road links to loads of towns and cities.
Original post by Stobo91
Thanks Prostacker. Yeah I understand all of that, it's just we've just found out my girlfriend is pregnant and I'm about to start BRTC in November.
Just trying to get an idea of what it's going to be like at Cosford when the baby is born. Eg see them every weekend, or have the opportunity to split the week and go see them on a Wednesday aswell as the weekend etc.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Just trying to get an idea of what it's going to be like at Cosford when the baby is born. Eg see them every weekend, or have the opportunity to split the week and go see them on a Wednesday aswell as the weekend etc.
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Have you considered getting married? Even if it's a quick fix - you can have a 'proper' wedding when you are ready.
Reason I'm asking is that you will be entitled to a married quarter during phase 2 which will make life a LOT easier for you.
Original post by unruly1986
Middle of nowhere? It's one of the best bases location wise and has excellent road links to loads of towns and cities.
Yes it's in the middle of no where. I mentioned road and rail links. However it is still in the middle of the countryside.
Original post by Stobo91
Thank you Lauren. Did you do phase 2 training there or was you there for other reasons?
Just wondering what life during the week is like during phase 2? Once you have finished your working day for example can you leave base eg drive home? Only approximately an hour from the base.
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Just wondering what life during the week is like during phase 2? Once you have finished your working day for example can you leave base eg drive home? Only approximately an hour from the base.
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No, my dad was based there and we now live 25 minutes away
Original post by Laurren21
Yes it's in the middle of no where. I mentioned road and rail links. However it is still in the middle of the countryside.
As a rule, RAF bases tend to be 'in the middle of the countryside'. Cosford is better placed for getting around than most.
So what's your point?
You like to "prove" others wrong to feel superior?
It's in middle of countryside with at least 25 min travel to get anywhere by car. It has a motorway by it and a train platform. Was there need to correct and repeat what I've said? Nah not really. But you could have added to it, perhaps try working on your people skills and you'll find you'll get more from others/life.
You like to "prove" others wrong to feel superior?
It's in middle of countryside with at least 25 min travel to get anywhere by car. It has a motorway by it and a train platform. Was there need to correct and repeat what I've said? Nah not really. But you could have added to it, perhaps try working on your people skills and you'll find you'll get more from others/life.
Original post by Laurren21
So what's your point?
You like to "prove" others wrong to feel superior?
It's in middle of countryside with at least 25 min travel to get anywhere by car. It has a motorway by it and a train platform. Was there need to correct and repeat what I've said?
You like to "prove" others wrong to feel superior?
It's in middle of countryside with at least 25 min travel to get anywhere by car. It has a motorway by it and a train platform. Was there need to correct and repeat what I've said?
Yes. Because, compared to a great number of other stations, that's not even remotely close to being "in the middle of nowhere". If you create the impression that Cosford is hellishly located, then what on earth is someone going to think if they're posted to Lossiemouth? Or Marham? Or Valley? Or, if they're really unlucky, Spadeadam?
To be in the RAF is to look at life a little differently, certainly compared to the civvy world. You don't do it for the massive conurbations on your doorstep, you do live in a bubble on camp. But Cosford is among the least bubble-ish. So when you label it as in the middle of nowhere, you're comparing it unfairly and using standards that shouldn't apply.
Original post by Drewski
Yes. Because, compared to a great number of other stations, that's not even remotely close to being "in the middle of nowhere". If you create the impression that Cosford is hellishly located, then what on earth is someone going to think if they're posted to Lossiemouth? Or Marham? Or Valley? Or, if they're really unlucky, Spadeadam?
To be in the RAF is to look at life a little differently, certainly compared to the civvy world. You don't do it for the massive conurbations on your doorstep, you do live in a bubble on camp. But Cosford is among the least bubble-ish. So when you label it as in the middle of nowhere, you're comparing it unfairly and using standards that shouldn't apply.
To be in the RAF is to look at life a little differently, certainly compared to the civvy world. You don't do it for the massive conurbations on your doorstep, you do live in a bubble on camp. But Cosford is among the least bubble-ish. So when you label it as in the middle of nowhere, you're comparing it unfairly and using standards that shouldn't apply.
Or worse, RRH Benbecula if you're unlucky enough.
Original post by Laurren21
Yes it's in the middle of no where. I mentioned road and rail links. However it is still in the middle of the countryside.
To be fair, to a young person it could seem that Cosford is in the middle of nowhere. Compared to other RAF stations however, it really isn't.
To any potential RAF trainees, Cosford is a great base in a great location. Make the most of it, socialise and join a club if there's anything that takes your fancy.
It's on my list of places to be based. Good facilities, good links, a couple of nice nearby towns for food and drink (Albrighton, Shifnal), nice area (edge of the midlands - Shropshire is great), historical places nearby (Ironbridge, Shrewsbury), good shopping facilities (Wolves, Telford, Birmingham), mountain biking, gliding... The list goes on.
Listen to what Drewski has said; there are plenty of RAF bases that are remote and isolated and Cosford simply isn't one of them.
Original post by Laurren21
So what's your point?
You like to "prove" others wrong to feel superior?
It's in middle of countryside with at least 25 min travel to get anywhere by car. It has a motorway by it and a train platform. Was there need to correct and repeat what I've said? Nah not really. But you could have added to it, perhaps try working on your people skills and you'll find you'll get more from others/life.
You like to "prove" others wrong to feel superior?
It's in middle of countryside with at least 25 min travel to get anywhere by car. It has a motorway by it and a train platform. Was there need to correct and repeat what I've said? Nah not really. But you could have added to it, perhaps try working on your people skills and you'll find you'll get more from others/life.
Others seem to have stepped up to support my point quite well.
From Cosford, Telford is 12 min, Wolverhampton is 18 min, Walsall is 24 min and Birmingham city centre is only 31min away by car.
I don't know what your point is or even whether you can drive, but my point is to ensure that Cosford is seen within the context of other RAF bases by anyone reading this forum. Coningsby and Marham are big bases that will endure and they are far more remote. Even by non-RAF standards, Cosford is well placed for access to cities and services. They might not be on the doorstep but they are very close.
I didn't compare it to another base, it's up to the reader to use comments as they wish. I cannot be held accountable for what other people think about places I've never visited.
Who is really going to compare 20mins from wolves and telford to being stuck out at a base such as the above you have all mentioned?
It is in the middle of the countryside (a selling point some would consider), and having lived here most of my life I am entitled to have that opinion. I didn't call Cosford isolated or remote, "middle of nowhere" was a colloquial comment that people attached themselves to and interpreted as Antarctica.
There is no way the times you just quoted are correct by the way. Google maps is a little optimistic on the traffic. If you would like I could time the regular journeys I make and get back to with accurate, to the minute, information.
As a side note, I can't believe how heated this point has become due to the irrelevance of whether or not people think it's the hub of activity or barren, personnel will still be posted there whether they like it or not, their/our opinion isn't going to change anything.
Who is really going to compare 20mins from wolves and telford to being stuck out at a base such as the above you have all mentioned?
It is in the middle of the countryside (a selling point some would consider), and having lived here most of my life I am entitled to have that opinion. I didn't call Cosford isolated or remote, "middle of nowhere" was a colloquial comment that people attached themselves to and interpreted as Antarctica.
There is no way the times you just quoted are correct by the way. Google maps is a little optimistic on the traffic. If you would like I could time the regular journeys I make and get back to with accurate, to the minute, information.
As a side note, I can't believe how heated this point has become due to the irrelevance of whether or not people think it's the hub of activity or barren, personnel will still be posted there whether they like it or not, their/our opinion isn't going to change anything.
Original post by Laurren21
I used to live on the base.
It's in the middle of no where but does have a train stop (not station) right next to the base.
Walking distance to Albrighton (nothing there), Wolverhampton (wolves) 20 min drive away, telford also 20mins away, shrewsbury 45mins.
The base has gym, Starbucks, shop, and the museum.
It a pretty big base. Around 3,000 people usually but can go up a couple thousand depending on what courses/events are running.
It's in the middle of no where but does have a train stop (not station) right next to the base.
Walking distance to Albrighton (nothing there), Wolverhampton (wolves) 20 min drive away, telford also 20mins away, shrewsbury 45mins.
The base has gym, Starbucks, shop, and the museum.
It a pretty big base. Around 3,000 people usually but can go up a couple thousand depending on what courses/events are running.
Telford isn't twenty minutes away, ten at best, Shrewsbury I used to travel to and from Cosford every weekend no way in hell it took my 45 minutes, twenty perhaps twenty-five with traffic, and as has been said by a previous poster if you class Cosford as a base 'in-the-middle of nowhere' then you're going to be truly shocked when you go to other camps.
By far the best linked camp i've visited and i've transited through most in the past few years.
Cosford is a great little place, Very in-active airfield, great museum (free when you're wearing uniform). Loads to do in the local area and Albrighton on a pub crawl is great for real ale fans.
Nothing against you Lauren, it's just important that people don't take things like 'middle of nowhere' out of context. Many are anxious about where they will be going. Whether or not it is 'in the middle of the countryside' or 'middle of nowhere' is entirely based upon life experiences and the more you travel round the more you might see that Cosford is pretty much an ideal blend of countryside and access to town areas.
Today was my last day at Cosford and it is honestly very well placed, I wouldn't consider with the M54 30 seconds drive away and a major A road to Wolverhampton and a station that gets you directly to Birmingham and the rest of UK the 'middle of nowhere'. Yes there are some fields surrounding the station but no where near High Wycombe standards of countryside (M40 side) I'd consider it to be the middle of a very populous region, minutes from Telford, Wolverhampton, Birmingham etc. I have no idea how that's the middle of nowhere. If I need to drive more than a few miles to buy fuel or milk, go to a post office or a coop store then I'd say THAT'S the middle of no where, whereas they're on your doorstep at Cosford.
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