Parent of people going to, or at RAF Halton RTS

To those parents like me who have a son or daughter going to RAF Halton RTS I would offer this thread as a contact if you need any help or guidance in advance of them going, or if your child is already there and you are concerned and just need somebody to bounce thoughts off. Let me know via this thread. Whilst this is a student room those that are back home worrying themselves stupid about our student child could do with an avenue for talking. Give me a shout if you need to, I might not know the answer but if we get a few of us on here we can muck through between us.

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Reply 1

BlackHawk

Good idea

I know a lot of people tend to watch, rather than post but I have seen a few families posting over the years.

Reply 2

Icemanuk

certainly a good idea for the parents of younger candidates

Reply 3

Griffinr

I'm with you on this one. My son is currently at RAF Halton, just completing Blue Warrior today. Mine is one of the youngest recruits so feel free to ask any one of us if you have concerns

Reply 4

Father of RTS

Griffinr

I'm with you on this one. My son is currently at RAF Halton, just completing Blue Warrior today. Mine is one of the youngest recruits so feel free to ask any one of us if you have concerns

How did your son get on? My son starts Blue Warrior next week. Any feedback or tips that can be passed on to future generations.

Reply 5

Griffinr

He did very well, thanks. Managed to pass and he thoroughly enjoyed it despite the msigivings expressed by others. My advise would be to ensure your son goes into it without any pre-conceived ideas. Make sure he knows his weapons drills and that he shows plenty of urgency in everything he does on exercise. One things guaranteed, he won't get much sleep! Mine got 2.5 hours first night & 1.5 2nd!!! I think 3 failed all for not following correct drills! So wish him the best of luck...plenty of urgency, enthusiasm & REMEMBER THE DRILLS!! He will be fine!

Reply 6

Father of RTS

Thanks for that I will pass it on. Sleep does seem to be an issue when he comes home he will have a beer chat for a while and then he goes out like a light and will sleep for at least twelve hours. What does your son think of the food especialy breakfast?

Reply 7

Griffinr

Yes, my lad is the same, although on "Blues" phase they get a little longer in bed!
Food vrdict is not bad, but no variety! I don't know what he eats for breakfast short of some cereal. I think he's pretty careful what he eats especially if PT is on the daily menu. He doesn't fancy throwing it all up in front of the PTIs!!!

Reply 8

Father of RTS

Did your son need to get a stack of zip top plastic bag for blue warrior? Just had the call for 30 of them of different sizes!

Reply 9

Griffinr

Yes. Got him about 25 or so large freezer bags. They're for their kit in case everything gets wet! Hopefully,you willget this message before he goes. Also he took some tea towels for wiping off cutlery & we got him some make up wipes since the cam cream is a bugger to get off...apparently. They are a lot bette than wet wipes! He seemed to think that it helped a lot. If your lad gets a chance tell to speak with Matt Griffin in 10 Flight. He won't give him any bull about the exercise, just his experience of it!

Reply 10

sexysax

My brother joined at Halton last week :biggrin:

. In 4 Flight.

Reply 11

Father of RTS

I wish him well. He will need his family when he gets home on his first leave so don't go planning to be out..;-)

Reply 12

Boysrgm

Hi has anyone travelled from Northern Ireland. Trying to work out the logistics of ironing boards, irons etc

Reply 13

Sheridanmh

Hi my son has just completed and passed Blue Warrior so is almost there. I cannot find any information on what happens on graduation day and wonder if you can enlighten us?

Reply 14

Drewski

Original post by Sheridanmh

Hi my son has just completed and passed Blue Warrior so is almost there. I cannot find any information on what happens on graduation day and wonder if you can enlighten us?

When they know that they'll graduate, they'll be given all the instructions for you. Until then, I know it's not that helpful for planning, but there's not a lot you can really do.

Reply 15

Sheridanmh

Original post by Drewski

When they know that they'll graduate, they'll be given all the instructions for you. Until then, I know it's not that helpful for planning, but there's not a lot you can really do.

Thank you. Does it usually take place in the afternoon? - trying to decide if we should book into a hotel the night before.

Reply 16

niallsilk

can you please tell me what happens to parents on attestation day?Thanks

Reply 17

RAF_Nurse!

As a 19 year RAF veteran who completed basic at RTS in ‘97 and went back 17 years later as a Flt Cdr I can tell you...... don’t worry. The staff will look after you on grad day. You will be informed about everything and politely instructed Re/ movements around the site.

Your son/daughter/relative/friend/partner may be having a tough time but it isn’t meant to be easy, is it? This is not the US Military where we give out medals for doing well on basic trg. Just offer a listening ear and tell them to keep going, it gets better when they get to phase 2 and then again after that. Trust me, it’ll be fine. Life on basic is nothing like life after phase 1 and 2 trg.