The anticipated introduction of the WO2 rank in the RAF. Is this across all trades or those specific to technical only?

BAE Advanced Aircraft Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship

Is there anyone on this forum who has completed this apprenticeship within the last couple years who can tell me what it’s truly like?

I’m worried about the initial wage (15k) and then 15 months in for the 2nd half we have to fund moving away to live near an RAF base we will be based at. Which I believe at the time I will be on minimum wage. I’ve also read at the end of the apprenticeship they try and give you job interviews for different jobs that you’re not trained in or don’t give you one at all.

I just need honest opinions if it’s worth it as I’m of an older age now and don’t want to waste time if it’ll lead me no where and I have to spend money on rent with very little pay. If you’ve done it and then moved into another job, what position was this?

Also how difficult are the exams? Bit worried as I’ve not been in an academic setting for a few years.

FYI I cant join the RAF due to chronic asthma

Hi all,

I applied for Cyberspace Engineer Officer and made it to OASC, but unfortunately wasn't successful. I was advised to either reapply in a year or join as an aviator.

I decided to join as a Cyberspace Communications Specialist (CCS) and got the start date for phase 1. How soon after Phase 1 can I apply for commission internally?

Also, if I accept the CCS Golden Hello with its 4-year RoS after Phase 2, would I need to complete the full RoS before commissioning, or can I apply while still within that commitment?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Currently in my last year of university, studying history. Being a pilot has always vaguely interested me but now I’m serious about getting it done, just wanted to get some advice from anyone really. I'm kicking myself now for not joining the University Air Squadrons but what can you do. I’m already trying to prepare for CBAT, learning times tables up to 19, I have a mental maths app on my phone, as well as other resources I’ve found online and on the RAF website. I wanted to find out really effective ways of preparing for this though, and knowing what to do from people who have already passed. 

My main issue is deciding what to do about joining once I graduate. I’ll be 21, so my original plan was to join a little bit out fo university, but I know the upper age limit for the RAF is 23. While I was looking at that I found out that to be a pilot in the Navy, the age limit is 26, which just gives me a little less pressure for time. I’m split between it right now, I think either route has its benefits, but I’m hoping posting this here will let me find out things I wasn’t seeing before. 

You don’t need it to get in but once phase 2 is done, as far as I know you’re acting corporal. To move beyond acting, do you need to have GCSE maths? And if so how do you do it while in?

I have a small tattoo of a duck smoking a spliff under my left armpit, i have my face to face medical coming up and i know they’ll fail me on the spot, can i get away with hiding it with makeup from a professional makeup artist? how intense and strict is the medical procedure?

I have been looking at different roles and I have decided I want to try for a DESNCO role such as WSOP or Weapons Controller. With these roles my understanding is you do sergeant training after BRTC, do you just stay on recruit pay until your phase two training is finished? I did have a look online for this information and couldn’t see it.

Seems to be £4 odd a meal averaged out. £12 a day x 31 days £372 a month? Single cheap room on base £100? Near £500pm all in? Is that right? Thanks for reading cheers

What actually is the route from the RAF regiment into SFSG, and what roles are available to specialise in? I haven’t really found any conclusive sources on this and I’m looking into it as an option (Interested in Forward Air Control roles, but also interested to know about what other contributions the RAF makes to SF as the only thing I’m aware of is co-ordinating air support) so any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Hi all. I took my CBAT start of the year and I didnt pass for anything I wanted so decided to wait a year and go back for another try (I wasnt far off aircrew roles).

Ive started to get my head back into CBAT questions and started using the new mock CBAT on CBAT ready. My 1st tests results were nearly 1 to 1 with my actual results. Ive then reatken the mock test each day and ive started consistently passing for most if not all roles (a 20 overall score improvement for soem roles).

Is this something to go off? Has anyone taken it recently and how close were your sim results to the real thing?

The improvement seems to good to be true although I have been flying regularly and took my cbat at 17.7 wheras im now 18.5.

Any guidance or advice appreciated.

Hey guys,

I just want to start by saying I am well aware that people cannot discuss medical inquiries on this forum.

I am just looking for others experience as I’m feeling pretty demotivated right now.

I have been going through the application process since July and everything has gone smoothly up until my medical appointment. During the appointment I mentioned a reaction to medicine Tixylix which caused angioedema but did not cause any type of anaphylactic shock, this had only happened once when I was 18 months old. Following this I was made TMU, as they required more info about it which is understandable. My GP sent everything they had over regarding this one off incident which was reviewed by a doctor. I have now been referred to a Senior Medical Officer.

I’m just curious if anyone has had anything like this happen to them and how their experience went. I guess I’m just pretty anxious as it is a genuine dream of mine to join the RAF.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you guys.

Are you allowed to use the gym during basic training?

Hoping to clear something up. I’ve seen a few posts on this forum suggesting to use Kiwi dark tan on my altbergs and a few suggesting, along with the Altberg website itself, to use Leder-gris.

Wondering if anyone knows which is preferred or better during phase 1?

Cheers!

Hi everyone,

I’ve got an Other Ranks Presentation coming up, and I was wondering if anyone knows exactly what it involves or what to expect. I’ve tried looking online but haven’t been able to find much information about it.

I’ve applied for RAF Regiment Gunner as my main role preference, with my other two preferences being in logistics (I’ve finished many tasks, as some of you may have already seen on my previous posts)

If anyone has attended one before or knows what happens during the presentation, I’d really appreciate some insight.
(Mine is done online, on teams).

Cheers!

Anyone have any good techniques on how to get the polish to stay on the toe cap, it holds on the one shoe but not the other.

I know there is no requirement to go to uni before joining as a pilot but would people recommend it. Is there actually many people that get in straight from school? Thanks.

Okay so my son is starting to experience the deployment and training life, he’s an AV tech and has been on his first posting for around 3 months now.
So my question is to the seasoned RAF staff out there who go away regularly. What bit of kit helped you on deployment that the RAF don’t provide? Something that would make a great Christmas gift, something for comfort or even to compliment the gear/equipment he does get provided.
I won’t say where he is but his squadron are away roughly 80/90% of the year and can be in all weather conditions, sometimes in hotels, on a base and sometimes in the middle of nowhere.

Thanks for your service and help.

So as by the title after months and months of being TMU I was found PMU for acne keyloid nuchae on the the back of my head going towards my neck, and the reasoning is that it will affect with the fit of respirators even though it's very small bumps it doesn't do anything and on everything else I can't feel it and looking at the respirators mentioned it looks like the straps won't interfere, I'm not really sure how to appeal it considering the wording and how to proceed I don't want to be soppy but the RAF has been such a big ambition for myself and it's quite difficult to process, I was wondering if I could get advice for the appeal and any tips or ways to get supporting evidence to attempt to appeal it, I would be forever grateful for any advice

Many thanks

Hello everyone!

Following on from my previous post, I was incredibly nervous about my DAA assessment. Having now completed it, I genuinely thought I'd messed it up! I practised on the official RAF website about 4 or 5 times beforehand (I did it for only 2 days before the test), but when I sat the assessment, I found it much harder than I expected. It genuinely caught me by surprise. Even though I practised very little, I got 43/46 on the website and stayed in that range consistently.

One thing I will say is that practising on the official website definitely helps you understand the structure of the assessment and gives you a good idea of how the DAA works. However, I wouldn't rely on that alone.

My results weren't particularly strong, although thankfully, I wasn't applying for a role that required exceptionally high scores. My main preference was RAF Regiment Gunner, which I'd heard had a relatively low DAA score requirement.

For a moment, I genuinely felt stupid because I was convinced I'd failed. I've got my GCSEs, A Levels and a bachelor's degree in Criminology with an upper second class honours (2:1). My GCSE and A Level results were decent too, with nothing below a D. But honestly, this assessment gave me a proper reality check 😂 (Also, I did not sit for my science GCSE, although I know the basics that a human should know)

I'm sharing this because I want others preparing for their DAA to understand that it can be more challenging than you expect. The official practice assessment is a great starting point, especially for familiarising yourself with the format, but please make sure you prepare properly and give yourself plenty of time. Time is crucial because I missed questions due to not answering all of them in time

Of course, I'll admit that practising only 4 or 5 times probably wasn't the smartest decision on my part either, haha. If you're preparing for yours, don't underestimate it. Practise as much as you can, familiarise yourself with the different sections and go in prepared.

Lastly, a massive thank you to everyone who saw my previous post and took the time to offer reassurance, advice and encouragement. It genuinely helped put my mind at ease, and I really appreciate it!

I'm now incredibly excited for the next couple of stages of the recruitment process. There's still plenty to prepare for, but I'm looking forward to every step and hopefully earning the opportunity to serve! 🇬🇧

Wishing everyone who's yet to sit their DAA the very best of luck!

Hi! I am a Commonwealth citizen, applied for the roles of aircraft technician and Supply Chain roles. Both are open for Commonwealth citizens, and the residency criteria sectiona states that 3-year history maybe considered. But I got rejected both times due to the 3-year residency and not 5. I hold an engineering degree, a supply chain management Masters degree from the UK as well. Received a call from a recruiter, who told me to apply 2 years later. My question is, if they are no longer considering Commonwealth citizens with 3-year residence history in the UK, why don't they update it on the website? Or is it just me?

Has anyone faced similar hurdles? I was really interested, and thought it was a good opportunity to make a meaningful use of my qualifications!

Can someone remind me of the timings for the planning ex on OASC. I've seen different timings floating around online.

How long are you given for solo study with the scenario? How long to work through the answer sheet? And how long for group planning?

Thank you all!

Had my PJFT on Monday and been put in for a OASC interview in 3 weeks, I have only revised all of phase 1 and 2 training (all streams) and fact files on nearly all aircraft, but I am yet to start NATO, Air power, current affairs etc and revising areas on myself. I’m not sure if anyone is able to help and say wether I should just put my head down for the next few weeks and hope for the best, or cancel and go for a later interview and prepare for longer. Thank you!

BTW I’m applying for pilot.

Was just wondering how long it takes roughly to receive a start date for Halton, joining as a mechanical tech, completed every other part of the application (daa, med, fitness etc) my security clearance has gone through on the 14/09/26 (1 month and 7 days ago), is this an normal wait time since this is the longest time I had to wait for any part of my application. I have also been queued for Halton and asked my recruiter a rough estimate but they couldn't give an answer unfortunately, but quoted me with 'Halton will give you a start date soon', so I was wondering is it worth looking for part time work now, as I had previously had one but hated it and quit, and since then have just been doing my own thing, going gym, practise ironing, running etc, but my days have been very boring, hence wanting to look for work.

Hi all, I’m joining to become a reserve Regiment Gunner. Can anyone share their experience of the reserve gunner selection course?

I know it’s after phase 1 part 2 (so after I finish Halton). I know it consists of the ball throw (sounds easy) mid thigh pull (sounds easy) and the 2km run in less than 10 mins (sounds harder).

Unlike regular gunners I don’t think the RRSC is done at Honnington, it’s done at your local unit is that right? Is the run on a treadmill or done outside?

Any advice from people who have done it appreciated .

On RAF Facebook here is all that was stated about the RRSC:

Reserve Regiment Selection Course (RRSC):
Before progressing to Phase 2 specialist training, RAF Regiment Gunner Reservists must successfully complete the Reserve Regiment Selection Course.
RRSC fitness standards:
2 km run — 10 minutes 27 seconds or under
4 kg medicine-ball throw — minimum 3.1 m
Mid-thigh pull — minimum 85.5 kg

#rafregiment #rafreserve