RAF and AFCO question

[machineman9]

Well I am finally 16 and that means I am old enough to sell my soul  ;D (After college if I still feel like it, of course)

Now about 2 years ago I got a really strong interest for the RAF and I joined the Air Training Corps. A little while back I started looking at more civilian flying job options, but overall I think I am back on track on the whole RAF approach and I've got a few questions for all you wise folk as my Googling skills let me down a little.


I am going to be applying as a pilot (of course  ;) ) so these are all relating to that:

1)   When you sign up, how much choice do you get in your actual role? How specific can you get your career? For example, could I apply specifically as a Tornado GR4 pilot or would I have to apply as a Fighter Pilot and hope to get a Tornado place.... Or, ultimately, do I just join up as a 'Pilot' in general and then have to completely hope to get the Fighter Pilot role and possibly end up as a helicopter pilot or something like that.

2)   How long are most tours and how frequent? I've heard this depends a lot on your squadron/role etc but could you give me a rough idea?

3)   What do you actually do between tours? As far as I am aware there is a bit of time where you can spend time with family and friends, but do you simply return to an RAF station and keep training all the while. How does it work?

4)   What are the main differences between the 12 year short term and 18 year standard term commitment? Does one entitle you to more? When do you have to decide which length of service you are going to take?

5)   What is the minimum age to go to an AFCO? I think my father rang up a while back but I was 'too young' and we can't remember the age required.

6)   What types of bursary are available and where? I remember seeing college funds a while back on the RAF website but they seem to have vanished... Am I looking in the wrong place?

7)   How often can I be expected to change squadrons and do I have any choice as to which squadrons I go to?

  (The kid in me  :D ) How much of the uniform etc do you get to keep? Flying stuff, etc when you retire?





I hope some of you will be able to tell me some of these answers. I have had a good read over the RAF website but these are some of the things which I thought I would ask here.


Cheers for looking

[C]

[quote]

I am going to be applying as a pilot (of course

[machineman9]

Oh, yeah I figured they would be expecting a lot of wannabe Top-Guns like myself... So they see how you do then offer you and negotiate your best future role?


Is the 2.5/3 years how frequently they occur? Do you know roughly how long each tour is? Is it something like 6 months or around that?


Mmm, well there was an RAF Careers Officer in our school the other month but I couldn't get an appointment with him. When we rang the AFCO when I was about 15 and 8 months or so they said I was too young to talk with them.


You have to buy the No. 1 uniform as well, don't you? I presume they take the helmets and flying suits back, don't they?  :'(

[C]

Oh, yeah I figured they would be expecting a lot of wannabe Top-Guns like myself... So they see how you do then offer you and negotiate your best future role?

There's not really any negotiation involved. They'll take your reports (along with all the others). and your "dream sheet" (choices), and then tell you of the decision.

Is the 2.5/3 years how frequently they occur? Do you know roughly how long each tour is? Is it something like 6 months or around that?

In the RAF, a posting or "tour" lasts 2.5/3 years. What you seem to be thinking of are "deployments/detachments", such as those to Iraq and Afghanistan. As far as they go, it depends on the job. AFAIK Harrier and rotary fliers do about 4 months in the sand at a time, maybe once every 2 years or so. On the other hand, the transport fleets, and other fast jets do less time, but maybe more often. I've done a several 3-4 week detachments in the past 12 months, each with 2 or 3 months between. The fast jet standard seems to be about 6 weeks or so, but less frequent (other than the Harrier, see above). Some fleets hardly do any at all (F3, AWACS).

Mmm, well there was an RAF Careers Officer in our school the other month but I couldn't get an appointment with him. When we rang the AFCO when I was about 15 and 8 months or so they said I was too young to talk with them.

Rubbish. If you're potentially considering sponsorship in the future (6th form, uni), you are about the right age.

You have to buy the No. 1 uniform as well, don't you?

No, only if you grow out of the first issue!

[quote] I presume they take the helmets and flying suits back, don't they?

[machineman9]

Right. So a tour is just being stationed at like a squadron or base or something and the deployment is the actual going overseas and fighting bit?

I'll try and get back in contact with them then.

[C]

Right. So a tour is just being stationed at like a squadron or base or something and the deployment is the actual going overseas and fighting bit?

Yep.

I'll try and get back in contact with them then.

I'd do that. Say that you'd like to discuss what options are available to you entering as an Officer, specifically pilot/wso, and potential financial help available. Considering sponsorship is available in 6th form, you age is the perfect time to start considering it. As I said, I was talking to my RAF careers officer from 13-18!

[machineman9]

I know, it was a bit strange why they weren't going to talk to me about it. I think they seemed to want me to be atleast another year old or so... Which when I was able to apply at the age when I first rang (about 15 and 8 months)


Goodness knows why I couldn't talk to them. I'll get to them though. And maybe I'll be signed up in under 2 years time.


Cheers for the help, I appreciate it.

[machineman9]

Oops, one final question:


From the RAF Careers website it has this about pilots:

Usual service: 18 years or up to the age of 38



By then I may feel like leaving at the grand old age of 37, but what happens if I continue? Do I just get a new job and be seen too old to be a pilot? How does that upper boundary work?

[C]

Oops, one final question:


From the RAF Careers website it has this about pilots:

Usual service: 18 years or up to the age of 38

(Whichever is later). 18 years is just the standard commission length, and those that join at 18 may have to serve a little longer, but do have the option of leaving early.

By then I may feel like leaving at the grand old age of 37, but what happens if I continue? Do I just get a new job and be seen too old to be a pilot? How does that upper boundary work?

There are various option. You may have been promoted, and making a career in the RAF as a senior officer or you can continue flying until 55. Some retired reservists then go on to serve as aircrew past 60.

[machineman9]

Well I think that has answered everything haha.


Thanks a lot for the info.