Wife is joining the RAF. What job would be good for me so I am able to move around with her?

[Gmnhj2706]

Not so common situation here - I’m an outdoor instructor at the moment and my wife is joining the RAF next year (massive career change). I’m trying to find the most suitable job for myself to be in to be able to move around the country and still be able to find a job fairly quickly/easily once she finishes her training phases. Anyone with spouses in the RAF that have a similar experience? I’ve heard of some saying that I should go into teaching. Is there anything else that perhaps might not require me to go back to uni for a career change?

I know quite a few self employed accountants who are spouses of people in the forces. Obviously it's a full career change for you.

Personal training qualifications - self employed PT? That's pretty common too.

That said, the RAF don't move around too much, usually.

Could you find a job that can be done remotely?

This could include bookkeeping, virtual assistant services, freelancing. Hard to say without knowing what your skills are.

Other than that retail/hospitality/customer service would probably be the easiest in terms of flexibility.

Self employed PT would work perfectly- lots of potential clients on the pads estate.

Or, if you like children, train to be a childminder, you will always have plenty of work.

Hi OP. There's a page on here called Forces Sweethearts which might have useful info. Otherwise, most things to do with education and healthcare are quite portable!

I've not found I've needed to amend my career for DH tbh, the main thing has been needing "traditional" hours so we can easily tap into affordable childcare but that's not been an issue as my career choices have been traditional hours.

I recommend the civil service for flexibility and remote working opportunities.

Also we haven't moved in over 5 years, we bought a house and DH commutes and it's largely paid for. Depending on her trade, there a lot of bases relatively close together in East England, it's quite easy to centrally locate yourself and have a number of bases within commutable distance. Postings are usually 3 years, with potential to extend to 5. But as I say this is all trade dependent.

Personal trainer?

My friend is in the forces and her husband is a driving instructor which is easy to move from one location to another.

The prison service are a good bet, plenty of prisons for transfers to on compassionate grounds due to your wife's role (speaking from 20 years experience )

Driving instructor?

Something self employed. They always seem to be the ones that move the easiest, including abroad. I have friends that are PTs, dog walkers, childminders, cleaners...