Potential RAF Wag looking for info!

[MrsP]

Hi all,

Hubby is applying to be Eng Off with the RAF and I'm looking around trying to find some info about what's involved and how it'll affect our lives - the careers website etc are remarkably cagey...

Anyway. I'm in my mid-twenties, a writer/unemployed depending on how you want to look at things, and a C.I. with the spaceys.

Not really sure where to look for the info I want, but I thought if I had a look around and jumped in to said hi then something might come up. I joined the RAF Wags forum, too, but it's a bit quiet.

Looking forward to some stimulating conversations...
x
M

 

[vim_fuego]

Hi!

Not actually an ENGO myself but I do see and talk to a few during working hours...I believe at first they are like many other branches...They have to learn the basics of their job by doing short tours on different types of aircraft or equipment at first...I seem to remember 18-24 months in duration before being packed off somewhere else...

Once he's got that out of the way he may want to specialise and that is a matter of discussion between him and his desk officer...

Outside of his work you'll be entitled to a sizeable quarter at much cheapness...The mess will be available for various functions from very formal to having the kids in there for a family BBQ day...Medical facilities might be available to you on camp (that is camp dependant and I might be wrong...I'm sure somebody will correct me!). Some of the wives embrace the RAF fully and others don't...It's not mandatory and you may go at it like a dog eating hot chips at the start then tire of the whole thing and occaissionally attend the summer ball when the mood takes you both...

As a CI I would of thought you would have some idea about whats in store!

Oh and mil people get nervous when someone states 'writer' on their resume...It's a healthy distrust of the paparazzi that most of the time keeps us out of the headlines for the wrong things!

 

[MrsP]

Hi!

Not actually an ENGO myself but I do see and talk to a few during working hours...I believe at first they are like many other branches...They have to learn the basics of their job by doing short tours on different types of aircraft or equipment at first...I seem to remember 18-24 months in duration before being packed off somewhere else...

Once he's got that out of the way he may want to specialise and that is a matter of discussion between him and his desk officer...

Outside of his work you'll be entitled to a sizeable quarter at much cheapness...The mess will be available for various functions from very formal to having the kids in there for a family BBQ day...Medical facilities might be available to you on camp (that is camp dependant and I might be wrong...I'm sure somebody will correct me!). Some of the wives embrace the RAF fully and others don't...It's not mandatory and you may go at it like a dog eating hot chips at the start then tire of the whole thing and occaissionally attend the summer ball when the mood takes you both...

As a CI I would of thought you would have some idea about whats in store!

Oh and mil people get nervous when someone states 'writer' on their resume...It's a healthy distrust of the paparazzi that most of the time keeps us out of the headlines for the wrong things!

Thanks for the response - I admit I'm curious about the length and nature of possible tours primarily...

As a C.I. for the spaceys I have to tell you that we have very little to do with the regulars - ATC officers/NCOs are only volunteers and mostly I teach 13 year olds about the ACO, badges & ranks and their uniform, plus occasionally supervising intiative exercises and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions - hardly a preparation for military life. About the only useful things I've learnt are the rank badges and Mess etiquette!

And no need to worry about me being a journo - I write romantic fiction! lol
x
M

 

[Pikeman]

And no need to worry about me being a journo - I write romantic fiction! lol
x
M[/quote]

Well you'll be used to stuff being flower and non believable then, DT_Xtremez_30:

Hope all goes well,best of luck.

Wow I didn't even start by asking if you were Blonde/slim or....aahhhh Cr*p

 

[MrsP]

And no need to worry about me being a journo - I write romantic fiction! lol
x
M

Well you'll be used to stuff being flower and non believable then, DT_Xtremez_30:

Hope all goes well,best of luck.

Wow I didn't even start by asking if you were Blonde/slim or....aahhhh Cr*p

Don't tell me my blondeness manages to shine through an internet forum - that's just *too* depressing. Anyway - what else is flowers and unbelievable then?
x
M

 

[wolfy]

Welcome to the goat Mrs P, all I can say is that life with a servicemen is like everything else, its what you make of it.

As to your fiction writing I'm sure there will be some interest from the ladies of the goat and probably a few others!

 

[Pikeman]

Don't tell me my blondeness manages to shine through an internet forum - that's just *too* depressing. Anyway - what else is flowers and unbelievable then?
x
M

Flowers-depends on your taste of camoflage DT_Xtremez_42:

Unbelievable- When they say "we wont be working late" DT_Xtremez_30:

 

[MrsP]

Welcome to the goat Mrs P, all I can say is that life to a servicemen is like everything else, its what you make of it.

As to your fiction writing I'm sure there will be some interest from the ladies of the goat and probably a few others!

lol - I'm not here to self-promote, but I wanted to reassure everyone that I wasn't fishing for some juicy gossip!

Well - some inside gossip on life as an EngO or an EngO's wife would be helpful...
Like - how much time are we likely to spend apart? Where am I likely to be put? What kind of support/social life would there be for me wherever I ended up? What are the chances of him being in real danger? I haven't the faintest idea where I can ask questions like this, so I'm asking them here and hoping someone can help

x
M

 

[MrsP]

Flowers-depends on your taste of camoflage DT_Xtremez_42:

Unbelievable- When they say "we wont be working late" DT_Xtremez_30:

<sniggers at the thought of a rough, tough RAF man in flower-patterned camos>!

And I think you get those kind of promises from any man who cares about his job. Good thing I'm self-sufficient All the more time to write in!

<has another giggle at the FPMs> (Floral Patterned Material)

 

[Pikeman]

I'm not an Engo, but as has been mentioned before have and do work with a few,

Be prepared for regular moves, I believe between 2.5 to 3 years and a late nights. Support- well I'm sure someone will be along soon enough to answer that one.

Danger - well just tell him not to take the Bacon Butty/ pint of a liney and he should be safe..DT_Xtremez_09:

 

[MrsP]

I'm not an Engo, but as has been mentioned before have and do work with a few,

Be prepared for regular moves, I believe between 2.5 to 3 years and a late nights. Support- well I'm sure someone will be along soon enough to answer that one.

Danger - well just tell him not to take the Bacon Butty/ pint of a liney and he should be safe..DT_Xtremez_09:

Late nights? I thought, once he'd done his tours, it'd be a 9-5 sort of affair? Was that foolish?

And I'll let him know about the lineys
x
M

 

[CodeMonkey]

Jengo/Sengo(Junior/Senior Engineering Officers) do sometimes work shifts.

But welcome to the goat.

 

[muttywhitedog]

The RAF doesnt want its officers to be a specialist in one department, so expect to move around every 2-3 years - sometimes every 18 months. Occasionally even sooner! Dont expect much formal written notice of a move. Officers are usually posted at a few weeks notice, and usually following a phone call from their poster with a posting notice that follows a month later!

If he does a 2 year tour as a Sqn Eng Officer, expect him to be away for at least 6 months in total (not in one go). Anything less is a bonus!

Sometimes between 2 year tours, he will pick up a 4-month deployment to somewhere sandy. This will usually be whilst you have to cope with moving house!

As others have said, the social life is what you make it, however if he wants to progress in his career quickly, it is advisable to attend functions!

I have found that the Engineering Officers are generally the cleverest, most switched-on bunch in the Commissioned part of the RAF, and if it wasnt for the obsession by the flying boys to keep the top jobs for the pilots, then we could do a lot worse than have a few Engineers as CinC etc!

 

[MrsP]

The RAF doesnt want its officers to be a specialist in one department, so expect to move around every 2-3 years - sometimes every 18 months. Occasionally even sooner! Dont expect much formal written notice of a move. Officers are usually posted at a few weeks notice, and usually following a phone call from their poster with a posting notice that follows a month later!

If he does a 2 year tour as a Sqn Eng Officer, expect him to be away for at least 6 months in total (not in one go). Anything less is a bonus!

Sometimes between 2 year tours, he will pick up a 4-month deployment to somewhere sandy. This will usually be whilst you have to cope with moving house!

As others have said, the social life is what you make it, however if he wants to progress in his career quickly, it is advisable to attend functions!

I have found that the Engineering Officers are generally the cleverest, most switched-on bunch in the Commissioned part of the RAF, and if it wasnt for the obsession by the flying boys to keep the top jobs for the pilots, then we could do a lot worse than have a few Engineers as CinC etc!

Thanks - that's really helpful

I've actually passed it on to t'other half to look at, along with a nudge and a comment about how useful it will be for him to have a sociable wife

Thanks guys, really appreciate all the help and the cheery welcome. Where would you advise I go next for some convivial conversation?
x
M

 

[techie_tubby]

a bit of advice i may give though......the first few years are going to be hard for him. Speaking from a comms techie point of view by the way....new job, trying to learn how to work as a manager on the shop floor it would be wise to listen to his SNCO's. Seen a few ENGO's fresh from training that have tried to do too much.

 

[Tashy_Man]

Where would you advise I go next for some convivial conversation?

How about the pub..........

Crack on...............DT_Xtremez_09:

P.S. Welcome to the goat

 

[MrsP]

a bit of advice i may give though......the first few years are going to be hard for him. Speaking from a comms techie point of view by the way....new job, trying to learn how to work as a manager on the shop floor it would be wise to listen to his SNCO's. Seen a few ENGO's fresh from training that have tried to do too much.

Thanks for that, I'll pass it on. He will have a bit of an advantage over someone fresh out of Uni though, he's nearly 30, has a PhD in Aerodynamics and has trained as a teacher - it's given him a bit of life experience and rubbed off the sharp corners

And you'd have to be an idiot not to pay attention to the NCOs

x
M

 

[Talk Wrench]

he's nearly 30, has a PhD in Aerodynamics.



M

Absolutely perfectly qualified to be an Occifer. Loads of brains but probably has fingers like mars bars on a hot day, i.e., can't hold a spanner. That's best left to those who can!!!!!

Joking aside, welcome to the goat!!!!!!



TW

 

[MrsP]

Absolutely perfectly qualified to be an Occifer. Loads of brains but probably has fingers like mars bars on a hot day, i.e., can't hold a spanner. That's best left to those who can!!!!!

Joking aside, welcome to the goat!!!!!!



TW

Well I hope he's not *quite* that useless -- he maintains my car!!

lol
Thank you

 

[BRUFEN BOY]

And you'd have to be an idiot not to pay attention to the NCOs

x
M

DT_Xtremez_30:DT_Xtremez_30:

Say no more.........