r/RoyalAirForce

It’s been three months since my AV medical and since had an FCA 7 weeks ago and I haven’t had a reply from any recruiter in over 5 weeks. Does anybody have any contacts that I could get in touch with or does anyone think my application might have been forgotten about. Not sure what to do I’ve messaged multiples times. Not sure what I’m waiting for? Thanks for any help

Hello, just had some questions specifically about the grip strength test I've read about. I'm already aware of the broad jump and the bleep test, but I'm concerned about grip strength test (I have been blessed with pretty shite forearms). Is it a mid-thigh pull?

All I can find regarding the fitness other than what I listed were push ups and sit ups, but I've read on here that they're oddly not doing those any more.

how often is it that you will stand on guard, and is it every role?

TIA

Are push ups/sit ups a big requirement in raf phase 1 basic

Hi all, bit of a fire break from all of the recruitment questions. I'm taking a flight in a couple of weeks to a wedding and need to take my 1s, anyone got any advice on how to pack so they dont come out looking like an old bag of walkers? Any recommended suitcases/bags also appreciated. Cheers

Do control officers go through a second medical assessment?

I was under the impression I would have to get a more in depth medical assessment but my timeline on RITS doesn’t show that. After OASC, it’s just a familiarisation visit

Can anyone who’s been through Cranwell recently give me some insight on what officer training is like? Currently in the RAF but feel wasted in my trade and am limited in transferring to a different role due to being colour blind. Therefore, I would be interested in commissioning instead to get the best out of myself.

Hi,

Did anyone get any family accommodation during their phase 2 at RAF cosford? Did you get a family accommodation? How long is the process?

I’m going to university this year and would like to join the UAS there. However I’m quite unfit so have started building up my fitness so I can be ready for the fitness tests.

Does anyone know when these tests usually take place so I have I rough idea of how much time I have to prepare? Would it be immediately once you apply or on the final stages of the application if I pass the interview etc?

Can’t seem to find information anywhere on this so any help would be appreciated! Thanks

I'm planning to join the RAF as a General Technician as soon as I turn 16. It's something I've wanted to do for a while.

One thing I'm a bit concerned about is that I'm a Black girl. For people who've been through RAF training or are currently serving, did you face any racism, sexism, or other issues during training? If so, how was it handled by the staff?

I'm not looking to be put off joining—I just want an honest picture of what it's actually like these days, both the good and the bad. I'd really appreciate hearing from people with first-hand experience.

Thanks in advance.

Joining Royal Air Force in September.

Looking for honest deployment experiences from serving personnel.

—What does a normal day look like on deployment( as an avionic tech ideally as that’s what I’m applying for)
—How long deployments usually last
—Hardest part of being deployed
—Best part of being deployed
—Do deployments feel worth it overall
—Do you get to actually see the country or strictly just working all the time

Hi, I’ve recently been found PMU due to a history of poor mental health when I was a teenager. It was triggered by a specific event but now I’ve healed from that and my mental health has been grand for the past two years (I’m only 18, so I know it’s not been much time since my issues but I haven’t struggled with it at all in 2 years now).

I wrote a letter to the senior medical officer who reviewed my case stating this, along with a letter from my GP stating I had never been diagnosed with anything, never been referred to a specialist and never been given any medication and that they had no concerns about me basically. However, the senior medical officer found on my medical records an incident when I was 9 where I had been referred to the GP by my school for “low mood and anxiety”. I didn’t remember this so I asked my mum about it, and she says basically I had fallen out with my friends at the time and my teacher was a little concerned, so he sent that referral, but the school nurses and the GP found there was no issue. If I can find proof about how both the school nurses and GP found it was a non-issue at the time, could that help with an appeal? The senior medical officer stated it showed I could relapse again, but if it was never an issue in the first place, also considering my age at the time, would I potentially be ok? I don’t think the info from the school nurses would have been available to the senior medical officer when they reviewed my case.

I know for a successful appeal I need new evidence that contradicts the senior medical officer’s original decision, but I don’t know where to even begin with that. I’ve sent a message to my recruiter but if I do hear back, it probably won’t be until Monday or perhaps later. I’m also going to book an appointment with my GP to discuss how to gather evidence for an appeal. Is there anything else I could be doing? What have other people’s experiences with being found PMU been, how did you manage and were you able to successfully appeal? How?

I’ve applied for the army as well and am currently going through the medical process with them. I just really hope I’ve still got a chance. I have worked really hard to get where I currently am, and I know I’ve struggled in the past but I well and truly have moved beyond it and I’m not at risk of relapsing whatsoever. I developed a lot of coping strategies due to that specific event I mentioned at the start, and I’ve been able to push through and endure so much. I just finished college to get my A levels and even when it felt impossible to manage I just kept going and now I’m predicted all A’s or higher, I’ve even won some awards for it. I did all that while training pretty intensely for the RAF PJFT and army assessment centre which meant I had no free time and but I was determined to keep working hard. I know I’m capable and resilient enough to cope for a difficult life in the armed forces as well. I’m just worried I’ll be denied a chance at it. I’m honestly just so gutted.

Hi everyone, just looking to have a few questions answered by people with some experience.

I’ve just completed a paramedic science degree in the UK and the job opportunities are almost non-existent. So I’ve been considering alternative careers and joining the RAF. However, I have some concerns and just want some guidance and advice, so any help would be appreciated.

1. Would the Medical Support Officer role be the most appropriate for a newly qualified paramedic? I’m 30 years old with no previous experience in the armed forces. I will be a registered paramedic, am I going to be starting from the beginning again?

2. The minimum time served in this role is 12 years. Seems like a big commitment, why 12 years?

3. Realistically, how often am I going to be away from home. I live with my partner and I just assume I’ll have to abandon home for a while to start with and a good few months a year. Do you have a choice in where you’re based or just told when and where you eat, sleep and cry?

4. What is the job like? Is it enjoyable or just eating shit from superiors.

5. How easy it the process or signing up? I’m not an idiot but the mock aptitude test they have online shook me a little.

I’m aware I’m on the older side and not a young 18 year old they can shape as easily. Is that a disadvantage or does like experience help?
Is it a good career with opportunities to grow and develop?

Thanks in advance.

Hi all — I’m joining RAF Halton soon and I’ve heard many people fail the 25 m range because they’re not on the point of aim. On the day we may get SA80s with or without SUSAT that haven’t been zeroed. Can anyone who’s been through this share what helped you pass the 25 m practical? Specifically: how did you make sure you were on the point of aim, and how did you cope with rifles/sights that weren’t zeroed? Any practical tips or things to check/ask instructors on the day would be gratefully received. Thanks!

Civvie here trying to understand it. I know both are infantry roles, but what actually sets RAF Regiment apart day-to-day from Army Infantry? Is it mostly the RAF side of things, base life, deployments, or is the job itself quite different? Any ex/ serving from either side, I’d appreciate the no-BS version.

Hello everyone,

I am currently going through the education waiver process for a Medical Services Officer (MSO) role because I don’t hold five GCSEs. I wanted to see if anyone here has navigated a similar situation.

My application/ qualifications has been sent for a manual review from my recruiter, but my AFCO mentioned that if the basic GCSE requirements aren't met, there's a chance it could be rejected regardless of higher qualifications.

This feels a bit surreal given my background. For context, I currently work as a Clinical Lead and Operations Manager, where I continue doing additional qualifications.

my main qualifications include:

MSc in Occupational Therapy HCPC registered

BSc in Sports Therapy SST registered

Level 7 CMI in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice

Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths

BTEC National (achieved over a decade ago with 320 UCAS points)

As I finish my GCSE's around 15 years ago, I have no idea where they have gone and unable to get replacements nor a PLN. Therefore no GCSE's.

Has anyone with postgraduate degrees or senior clinical/operational experience faced this kind of pushback over GCSEs? I’d really appreciate any insights, advice, or reassurance on how strictly these waiver panels view higher education versus basic requirements.

Thank you

So I’m 17 and just done my medical when I was doing the coloured number test thing that I had to say what number it was I got 24/25 and my vision is perfect the doctor seemed to be going through very fast and I was kinda rushing I wished I slowed down now cos apparently I must have 25/25 to do my chosen role I am going to appeal but don’t exactly know how to as i know that my vision is perfectly fine, also I didn’t do good for the hearing test but he said it’s because I had a lot of wax so I must get it removed and come back to resit the test in 2 weeks although when I was doing the hearing test I could hear the doctor rattling his keyboard which was super distracting. I was just asking for any tips on how to appeal and if my future as a cyberspace comms specialist is over

Hello, im due to start in August, im excited but naturally a little nervous too.
I have a family and whilst we’re all in, where we live is nice but no RAF stations that are relevant to my trade.

When “choosing” first posting how much of a say do you have? Is it pick three counties and list preferred stations?

Additionally, my local RNAS Culdrose has a few fresh faced RAF controllers there, how would it work, could I “request” a posting to a Navy station?

Thanks

for context i can swim pretty good probably above average tbh i go 4 times a week but the only thing i cant do is swim underwater i can hold my breath but i just cant swim underwater, is this part of basic?