u/Negative_Ad_1233

Hi all,
I’m currently going through the application process for the RFA and one of the main things I’m trying to get a realistic understanding of is the lifestyle when it comes to relationships, family and being away from home.
I understand that being away for long periods is obviously part of the job, and I’m prepared for that, but I’d be interested to hear from people actually doing it.
How do you find being away from partners/family for months at a time? Does it become easier once you get used to the routine?
Also, when it comes to the longer periods of leave between trips, how predictable are they? For example, do you normally know well in advance roughly when your leave will start and finish, so you can plan holidays, trips away, time with your partner/family etc.? Or can dates move around quite a lot depending on the ship and operational requirements?
I’m particularly interested in how people manage relationships alongside the RFA lifestyle and whether the long blocks of leave make up for some of the time spent away.
Would really appreciate hearing what it’s actually like from people who are currently serving or have done it in the past. Cheers.

Applied for the Apprentice CIS role about 3 weeks ago and my Navy portal is still showing “awaiting recruiter assignment.”

Previously went through an RAF application and it moved a lot quicker than this, so just wondering if this is a normal wait time for the RFA?

Hi all, just looking for some advice from anyone who has experience with RAF medical appeals/executive waivers.
I recently received the outcome of my RAF medical appeal from the Department of Occupational Medicine at RAF Cranwell. The appeal itself was unsuccessful, however the letter also stated:
“Your professions advisory team have been made aware of your medical status should they wish to raise an executive waiver.”

Has anyone here actually had experience with RAF executive waivers, particularly for medical cases? Is there anything further I should be doing at this stage, or is it genuinely just wait and see?

Also I should note that I cannot contact my recruiter due to my account / portal being closed down.

Thank you

Hi, just looking for some advice because I’m confused about my RAF appeal situation.
I was previously made medically unfit ( 3 weeks ago) and submitted an appeal. During the process I was told that my application will be closed while the appeal is ongoing (this never happened on the portal until tonight).
Tonight (10pm on a bank holiday Monday) I received a generic email from noreply@raf saying my application was unsuccessful and that I did not meet the selection criteria.
However:
the email does not mention the appeal at all
the portal only shows the same message from email and “medically unfit” status.
there’s no new reason, no ineligibility period, and no clear appeal outcome
So I genuinely can’t tell whether:
my appeal has actually been rejected, or
this is just an automated closure/status email while the appeal is still being processed.
Has anyone experienced something similar during an RAF medical appeal?

Hi everyone, I’m completely brand new to fishing and just wanted some advice on whether I’ve bought the right gear for lure fishing off Cornish rocks/cliffs and harbour areas.
I’ve now bought:
Daiwa Crossfire Bass rod, 9ft, 10-35g casting weight
Abu Garcia Cardinal reel (3000 size)
Hercules braid
Mainly planning on targeting things like bass, mackerel, pollock etc using lures/spinners/soft plastics from Cornwall rocks and harbours.
Does this sound like a decent beginner setup for what I’m trying to do? Also, would this rod struggle if I’m fishing from higher rocks/cliffs and need to lift fish up?
Any general advice for a complete beginner would be appreciated too.

Hi all,

Just had a few questions about single living accommodation in the RAF.

What’s it like day-to-day? Is it generally quiet or can it get quite loud/rowdy, especially in the evenings or weekends?

Also, is there enough space in the rooms for a PC setup (desk, monitor, etc)?

And one more, I’ll be around 25/26 by the time I finish training. Are there many people around that age in single accommodation, or is it mostly younger recruits?

Cheers 👍