Irrationally scared about son joining RAF. Talk some sense into me!

[Stressedout65]

My 24 year old son is about to join the RAF. if he passes out I shall be so proud of course. But what happens after that? I'm so scared of things escalating & they get posted to somewhere dangerous, but that's the nature of the job. Having read about Russian soldiers torturing Ukraine civilians has made it worse. I also remember from the Iraq & Kuwait war in 1990 a couple of British airmen tortured, beaten up & paraded on TV by the Iraqi forces. I'm so irrationally scared I have a permanent knot in my stomach. Please talk some sense into me!

What job role is he going to do? Most RAF are so far behind the front line it's impossible they'll be in trouble. Have a read about the classic military banter - the RAF have extensive experience of hotels rather than tents.

@CornishPorsche haha that's very good. Thank you for your reply, I feel better now. I don't tell him how I feel of course, just leave him to get on with it. I forget what it is he'll be doing, but he did do very well on the gunners course & is interested in that too.

I don't think you are being irrational at all.

Hilarious and quite far from the truth, from my vast experience of being an RAF wife and daughter.

@MbwaKali again, it very much depends on the job role. My ex was an aircraft technician. Never saw a front line.

My uncle, a pilot, flew and fought in conflict zones, but the bases weren't within the areas they flew and were a LONG way away from danger. Except when he was landing on an aircraft carrier.

Plenty of variation in the types of roles and locations they'll go across the services and many who will never get close to trouble. As I'm sure you know.

Gunners course? So he's looking at RAF regiment possibly.

Honestly, he will be fine. All the RAF reg do is guard airfields. Some end up on operations and foot patrols or end up going SFSG which is more front line.

But their training is done to keep them safe, switch on and use common sense.

Weirdly if it makes you feel better he's probably got more chance of being injured in a Road Traffic Incident than anything to do with his service.

My ds joined the army a month after he turned 18. He is currently in Poland. It has certainly kept me from watching the news! But he is doing what he chose with his life. Suck it up and appreciate every call home.

Ime.

My son is about to start his paratrooper training.
Like you I'm supportive,but feeling quite alarmed deep down.
However,it's their life and dream and good on them.

More British troops die in Road traffic accidents that on the battlefield each year. I served with the RAF and apart from visiting officers messes (after a game of mess rugby) never actually saw a conflict zone. I really wouldn't worry and the opportunities they will get access to are great.

A funny bit op... Sat awaiting ds's passing out parade starting and dd starts videoing ds marching across the tarmac. All sat quiet and a bit emotional..
Younger ds announces btw that isn't db...
😝
Tbf it was like Where's Wally?

Gunners course? So he's looking at RAF regiment possibly.

Or a gunner in a helicopter.

Or a gunner in a helicopter

Seems safe enough to to me 😦

…

It really depends on the role. My friend was in air traffic control. Safe, unless you're in a war zone and then it's a target.
But overall, the opportunities are great, the risks are measured and it's an interesting lifestyle.

It depends on the role he wants to do.
My DH was in the RAF for almost thirty years before joining the Oman air force.
Two of my son's are still in.
No, they don't just guard fucking airfields and all that shit that likes to be spouted.
Feel free to DM me if you wish OP

Unless he is RAF regiment, medical air crew, or air crew he'll be too busy having 'tea and medals' 😂

RAF are quite far back from the front line in most cases. Be proud, it's a great career. I'm trying to steer mine towards RAF or Navy. I've served in both Navy and Army.

The RAF Regiments prime responsibility is to guard air bases and air infrastructure.

"The Complex Air Ground Environment (CAGE) – this environment in and around an operational airfield has many multifaceted levels requiring dedicated and specialist protection. Force Protection in the CAGE is our raison d’etre."

During some OP Herrick's however they were deployed on foot patrols of Helmand province as this was needed.

The other option they tend to have is JTAC

"Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) to the British Army and Royal Marines, and provides a flight sized commitment to the Special Forces Support Group."

Now that's more arduous and they go in rotation to SFSG. Selection for JTAC is needed.

Try not to overthink. Our forces are not in a front line combat role at the moment . It could change, just don't worry until you have to . I speak as the mother of Afghan generation sons and trained myself not to fear the worst and above all, don't watch the news x

My son was in the first war in Afganistan.
Didn't really know what he was doing as information was decidedly "vague" . . .
He survived but has PTSD which he still has to deal with.
I support him as much as possible.
I didn't want him to be in any military role, but it's what he wanted, so I supported him.
I think to have done otherwise would have caused a serious breakdown in our relationship, which would have been an added stress for both of us.

@ObjectionHearsay Then don't word it as all they do is fucking guard air bases.
Because that's like saying all women who work in offices do nothing more than file their nails and type the odd letter.
There's way more to being in than guarding fucking air fields!
As for never being front line..... hahahaha!!

@Stressedout65 I meant to add that I own / run a RAF forum which has over 4k of current and former RAF members. I'll give you the link via DM if you like, then you can chat to some members for reassurance if you wish

My dsil has been in the RAF since she left school. Now 40. She's been to Afghan and other places and been fine. She's not on frontline though but it's been an amazing career for her and she's done really well

Alright, obviously hit a nerve. But I've many friends in the RAF reg, I was married to a paratrooper before I was a war widow. During the JTAC rotations we would get to know them.

If I ask many of them what you up to these days they say "fuck all, hanging about cleaning shit, no good opportunities for operations and bored out of their skulls dossing about camp" 🤷🏻‍♀️

But hey ho, there you go.

I don’t think your fear is irrational, I wish it were. I’m very proud of your son too. Many blessings to you both. X

My husband is in the RAF, has been for 28 years. He has been to some not nice places, and some very nice places but I've always felt he was safe.
Our son is also in his 5th year of RAF life too.
It's been an excellent life for is.
Support him, he will be fine honestly.