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RAF Graduate

Hi there,

Just a few questions for any of you who might know?

I am a 21 year old graduate, looking to leave my current job and join the RAF to be an airman/pilot.

Can anyone give me any insight into the initial training, such as how long, whats involved and how often you get to see your family?

I am getting married in 5 weeks so how often I get to see my new wife is important, plus salary during the Initial training and the specialised training is important, as I will be supporting her and paying the rent back home!!!

It sounds really interesting, however I need to make sure that it is definitely right.

Also, does having a degree help in anyway in terms of progression within the RAF?

Any answers would be great!!!

Thanks.

Reply 1

Michel Foucault

I'm a little confused...do you mean you want to join as an Airman (ie in a non-commissioned trade) or as a Pilot (a commissioned branch) as the two are very different in many ways.

However, I believe info on the selection processes and training pipelines for both is available in "The Big Sticky" at the top of this forum so there would probably be your best bet to start. If you clarify what it is you're looking into as well, people will be able to offer more specific advice.

As far as having a degree goes: in certain officer branches (Engineering, Medical, Dental, Law, think that's it) it's a prerequisite for serving. However, for the vast majority of officer branches, it isn't a prerequisite but it does work to your advantage in terms of the selection process and being an indicator of academic ability, independence etc. Also, if you join as an officer with a degree you will advance to Flt Lt quicker than a non-grad.

If you're joining as an Airman with a degree, as far as I'm aware it doesn't get you through the rank structure any quicker, although you would probably get a few people asking why you hadn't joined as an officer with a degree.

Hope this helps

Reply 2

ProStacker

As said above - read the stickies - and use search - all the answers are there. You need to know that you are looking at one of the most competitive careers out there - hundreds, if not thousands, of applicants. It is something a lot of people have wanted for a long time. Start with the RAF Careers website.

Reply 3

PasserBy9

I don't think that it is a big stretch to guess that 'Aircrew' was meant instead of 'Airman'. A simple mistake to make at the beginning.

As said, salary is dependant on various things but the information is out there someone. As for one that hasn't been answered yet: how often will you get to see your new Wife? That again is dependant, but for pilot you are looking at a lot of moving around for your training (different parts of your training will be held at different Stations). After IOT you will be given quite a bit more freedom with regards to visitors/going home when you aren't needed but that isn't to say it will be easy to get time.

I suppose my main question is, what do you call home? Obviously there are married people in the forces, but there is always the question - will your Wife move around based on where your posting is, or will you live separately?
There's no such thing as a job in the Armed Forces, it's a life. You have to make sure that that life is right for your family too.

Reply 4

Wzz

If you search the forum for "salary at IOT" and look under my username, you'll find plenty of repeated posts describing salary progression for graduates through initial training. Basically, it's 19k at IOT, then about 25k for a couple of years, then 30k and incrementing slowly.

Your training will take 5-6 years, and you can end up working for lengthy periods anywhere between Lossiemouth and Kinloss on the north coast of Scotland, through Valley in north west Wales, to Marham in East Anglia and Cranwell in Lincolnshire. So it's worth thinking about your domestic arrangements a bit! You'll see your wife very little during the first 9 months while on officer training, but as soon as you're out of that and commissioned you're more than welcome to move your entire family into quarters wherever you get sent.

But, you will be moving house every 6-12 months at first, so not always fun. Get searching the site, there's bucketloads about initial training, and if you have any specific questions, fire away.

Reply 5

Jaidus

As far as I'm aware - from looking that the RAF website, you will be given married quarters only if your gonna be at that base for six months or longer.

Reply 6

Wzz

Jaidus

As far as I'm aware - from looking that the RAF website, you will be given married quarters only if your gonna be at that base for six months or longer.

Yes, that's right. You'll be doing IOT for 9 months, EFT for 6, BFJT for 10, METS for 9, Shawbs forever, FJ AFT/FJ TW for 12, and an OCU for 6-9, so it generally works out.

RAF Graduate

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