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Original poster

RAF/ reserves

23 replies

Jones452 · 18/02/2019 12:21

Just looking for thoughts/ experiences really.

For background, I’m mid 30s, married, no kids. I’m looking for a career change and am considering a particular role in the RAF but I’d like to get an idea of what the reality would be. Work/ life balance, daily life etc. I’d join as an officer and live off base. DH wouldn’t want to move!

OP posts:
BettyUnderswoob · 18/02/2019 13:17

Not an expert, but my son is in the RAF. They seem to be very much a Monday to Friday organisation, weekends off, decent holidays. He sometimes has late shifts, but hours seem otherwise OK. Some live off base, DS is in base at the moment as it is cheap and he's saving up.
He's not officer class, so imagine officers have as good/better conditions.

Original poster
Jones452 · 18/02/2019 13:41

Thanks Betty.

I know they seem to advertise themselves as a Mon-Fri set up but I've seen a lot of people say that it's really more of a lifestyle thing. While I'm obviously happy to do overtime/ work late etc when required, I would be interested in largely maintaining a normal working week, so I'm pleased to hear that. Although I imagine it depends somewhat on the role.

Does your son have to move around a lot, or does he stay at the same base?

OP posts:
BettyUnderswoob · 18/02/2019 13:56

He stays at the same base, as it’s where his squadron are based, and they specialise in a certain type of aircraft (he’s in avionics). Many of his squadron have bought houses in the surrounding area.

That said, he is going off to the USA later this year for a couple of months; not entirely sure what for!

Original poster
Jones452 · 18/02/2019 14:40

That's great, thanks for your replies! I'm going to get in touch with the recruitment centre but it's good to hear about the reality.

OP posts:
Stopyourmessingaround · 18/02/2019 15:27

To join as an officer, you'd need to do the six-month officer training at Cranwell. I don't know whether it has changed but I'm pretty sure you'd then be expected to move around (you're not really going to get a choice where) unless it was a very specific role. You'd also be expected to go out of area (ie abroad) to progress through the ranks. I'd go and have a chat with the local RAF careers office.

notanothernam · 18/02/2019 15:27

Do you mean full time or reserves? If full time have you checked the age requirements? It's impossible to say what it would be like without knowing at least a trade, everyone's experiences will be different between trades and even within them at different postings.

Blobby10 · 18/02/2019 15:30

My son is in the RAF - his hours vary depending on the job and base. Currently hes on a Monday-Friday base working either earlies or lates. Previous base was a 24/7 one and he worked 12 hours on 12 off for 5 days then 4 days off (or something like that!). Facitilies at current base are horrid - old, damp, poky, no cooking facilities canteen only, very poor social area. Previous base had kitchens with full cooking facilities, laundry room etc. Really nice modern rooms with en suite loo and shower. Excellent canteen, gym, social areas.

BackforGood · 18/02/2019 15:39

I know 6 people currently in the forces, as Officers (more Army though but I can't imagine it being that different). I've known a few more over previous years.
Everyone has to move round. You might be lucky and be posted to a base you'd like to be at, but you can't really pick and choose, and you can't stay there forever. You also get posted off to places your family might not want to come with you for.
I have another friend that teaches at a school at an RAF Base. They have children that move in and out all the time, as their parent(s) are move to their next posting.

Original poster
Jones452 · 18/02/2019 15:59

Thanks for all the replies. I'm considering both full time and reserve options. I'm thinking of joining as an intelligence officer if that makes a difference.

This is the problem; the RAF recruitment info seems to push the idea of maintaining a more 'normal' working life but I'm not sure that would be the reality. I understand that I would be posted elsewhere for at times, and would be fine with that if, ultimately, I'd largely be at my 'home' base. But I guess that isn't how it works then?

I'm hopefully going to speak to them properly this week but don't want to be sucked in by their spiel if it doesn't reflect reality! Maybe the reserves would be a better bet.

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scaryteacher · 18/02/2019 16:10

Jones452 Yes, it's the RAF, and when dh gets home early we accuse him of keeping RAF hours, but it is a fighting force, and you will be expected to work as and when required by the exigencies of the Service.

There is no such thing as 'a normal working life', as we would understand it in civvy street in the Forces; at least when you are junior.

CoachBombay · 18/02/2019 16:13

Intel Officers are always busy, you get posted around quite a bit after your initial 2 years. So whilst DH may not want to move, if you end up posted up in Yorkshire and he lives down south or vice versa it could become a little complicated.

New officers are also expected to be fully immersed and committed to their new roles, you'd be expected to arrange or organise events, be duty officer on a rota basis and so forth.

Don't get me wrong a career in the RAF is highly rewarding and a fantastic work life balance, but you need everyone behind you to support you in that career role.

I'm a forces wife, my husband's career comes first. That's it really. I don't move around with him I've settled in to have a career myself and my child a stable school life, but I have to accept we come second, and I have to accept that my choice not to follow him around leads to many lonely nights. It however works for us and we respect and trust one another 100%. Make sure those who support you understand that the RAF/Army/Navy comes first. When duty calls, duty calls and that's it.

Stopyourmessingaround · 18/02/2019 16:20

If you're going down the intelligence officer route, you'll definitely be moving around then. When they say normal working hours that may be true but not normal working hours at the same base for 20years if you see what I mean. This will be the case even if you go on to have a family. You'd be expected to move around with kids (and husband) in tow unless he stays where you live now and you're happy to live away during the week and come home at weekends.

notanothernam · 18/02/2019 16:29

There's no such thing as a home base, there may not even be intelligence officers based near where you live, you are posted where needed and that becomes your assignment for however long. The trade will determine how much say you have in those postings but generally speaking the more senior, fewer posts thus less choice. My husband is in the ranks and was in the process of getting his commission but in the end pulled out because his trade as an officer would have been posted every 2 years, they're expected to move around to gain experience, yet where he is now he can do up to 5 years (he is expected to be posted after that) it's ridiculous really and a big reason they struggle to retain, but at officer level especially you need gain a variety of skills at different units.

If you submit an application one of the first stages is a 4 hour long presentation on life as an raf officer, I recommend you doing that.

Original poster
Jones452 · 18/02/2019 16:31

Husband definitely wouldn't be coming with me. He's very much based here with his career and family.

Argh! How I wish I'd considered this years ago!

OP posts:
CoachBombay · 18/02/2019 16:35

Well if you and DH are happy to live apart Monday to Friday, then go for it.

It's a rewarding career path, but sadly comes with sacrifice.

Original poster
Jones452 · 18/02/2019 16:36

If you submit an application one of the first stages is a 4 hour long presentation on life as an raf officer - that sounds useful. It would be great if you could do it before applying.

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notanothernam · 18/02/2019 16:41

@Jones452 to be honest it's an easy application to fill in and you can withdraw easy enough if you find its not for you, you may find the application process a good way to gauge whether it's for you. It takes months. Step after that is the aptitude tests, the aptitude is higher for intelligence than some trades so no harm "testing" yourself first too.

LoopyLu2019 · 18/02/2019 16:58
  1. All officers go to cranwell for initial training. This would be onsite accommodation (no partners), 7 days a week (a few weekends of visitors and leave after a certain amount of time).
  2. After initial training you would need to relocate to where they need you. Some people live on base and go home at weekends others use forces families accommodation.
  3. Plan to move every 2-3 years.
  4. Yes RAF is the most "cushy" than the other two but still one of the forces.
  5. What about mod civilian jobs?
Original poster
Jones452 · 18/02/2019 18:45

Hmm... seems like the moving around could be a bit of an issue then. I'll have to have a proper think! Tis a shame because I think it'd really bloody interesting!

Never really thought about MOD jobs, Loopy. I'll have a look at what's on offer.

OP posts:
notanothernam · 18/02/2019 18:53

As per your subject title the reserves could be an option if they have an intelligence reserve unit, will just depend how close the reservist unit (if it exists) is to you.

Courchevel · 18/02/2019 18:59

I've just left the RAF as an officer if you want any advice feel free to message me.

It depends where you live... some people never move and manage to get posted to bases near them (lincs is good for that).

Reserves may be your best bet, you wouldn't get posted around.

I'd recommend making it work and going for it though, I got so much from it and am thinking of the reserves myself when my baby is a bit bigger

littlecloudling · 03/03/2019 20:10

Hi,
My DH has been really down recently about his current role and is convinced becoming a GP in the RAF is his calling. He is already a GP. Are there any forces doctors on here who can help as I'm clueless. Want to support but can't really see how this is best for our family.

littlecloudling · 04/03/2019 10:22

And he's just found out that he has a medical condition that precludes him so RAF is out!

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