Reserves help please!

[GreenBlackAndGold]

Hi everyone,

I am a student in my first year at University and I would like to join the RAF as a pilot after I graduate. I applied to the University Air Squadron but unfortuately did not get in, although I was told that I 'scored highly'. I am now trying to think what to do next, I have been thinking about joining either the RAF Reserves as a Gunner or the TA. The problem I would have with joining the RAF Reserves is that the nearest unit is an hours drive away and I have no transport to get there, where as my local TA unit is literally round the corner from me! Therefore I was wondering whether you guys think that if I were to join the TA as a soldier (as opposed to an officer!!) rather than the RAF Reserves it might harm my application to join the RAF when I graduate or is it quite common for people to transfer between the services? I hope some of you might be able to give me some advice.

Thanks, Nick

 

[Stevienics]

My two penneth worth.

Travel is a big thing - especially when you are at university and despite the home to duty allowance.

Joining as an officer in the TA or RAF auggies requires a lot of time and self study on your part, especially for a person at university.

Is there an ROTC outfit there at the university? have you tried the University Air Squadrons (free flying and cheap beer, with a posy green suit thrown in)? These are the questions that will latterly likely enter the minds off the recruiters rather than why someone of your age and obvious time constrants didnt try for a commission right off.

BTW, if you are in your first year at Uni, by the time you get to your third year you will be likely seen fit by the Army/RAF to go on OOA deplyment, having had all the training - now THAT really will **** the recruiters off if you knew that from the start and you didn't go beacuse of your exams(well, it would me).

Basically, take the comfy options why you can, if you can. Pleanty of time for sand under the foreskin later.

 

[Stevienics]

OKay, I am a Doofus. I saw you tried the UAS on second read. ROTC?

 

[GreenBlackAndGold]

Hi Stevienics

If I do join the TA/RAF Reserves while here I don't think I will join as an officer but as a a Soldier/Gunner for the reason that you mention, joining as an officer would unfortunately take up to much time to be able to fit it around university like you say.

I did try the UAS, got through to the interview but unfortunately did not get in. As for the OTC, there is one here but they have already had their selection weekend so I don't think I would be able to join them now.

By OOA do you mean Operational Deployment, to be perfectly honest I don't think I would have any problems going at the end of my third year after exams etc, also I thought students couldn't be deployed or is that just a rumour?

Nick

 

[Stevienics]

I guess the rub really would be what the TA think about the proposition and to that end (and whilst there is quite a bit of recruitment help on this site), I would be inclined to go right to the horses mouth and spill all the details to them. They will for sure give you a yes or no, but for heavens sake dont be inclined to be conservative with the truth as the TA are skint, and if they chuck money at an individual they need some idea of the payback expected.

As for the travel - it's a big reason for drop outs from the RauxAF as I understand - you just dont need the pain.

 

[gin27]

Mate it takes me 2.5 hours on the train and half hour taxi to get to my unit. Being a first year ( always busy partying/socializing) bear in mind it is a big commitment and you will lose your Friday night on a training weekend. If it's what you want, go for it, but don't do it half arsed. 3 hours is nothing for me because I love doing it.

 

[GreenBlackAndGold]

Hi guys
I definetly won't be doing anything half arsed, whatever I do I am prepared to put in the time and effort it requires.

I think I will do as you say Stevienics and go to see the TA tommorow to talk to someone and as you say get it from the horses mouth. As I said, if I do join them and if they want me to deploy at the end of my third year I would be more than ready to do so, I would definetly give them the commitment necessary.

If I did join the TA as a Soldier and then applied to join the RAF in 3/4 years time as an Officer, possibly having deployed with the TA, do you think that would be beneficial to me in my application or do you think it might in some way go against me?

Thanks, Nick

 

[Stevienics]

Most assuredly beneficial, and even more so if you get some leadership action and pursued a wide breadth of activities - the further outa your comfort zone the better.

 

[GreenBlackAndGold]

Most assuredly beneficial, and even more so if you get some leadership action and pursued a wide breadth of activities - the further outa your comfort zone the better.

Ok, great. Thanks

Nick

 

[Tagnut]

Hiya Nick,

Im presently going through my app to join the auggies, I applied roughly about 8 weeks ago and already passed my interview and ast and going for my medical in a few days, ( though the speed depends on the chosen sgn ) I live roughly about 1.45 hrs away by train and 15 mins in a taxi from my chosen unit and it doesnt phase me one bit, transport issues happen you just need a good contingency plan in place lots of common sense and make sure you leave in plenty of time. Nothing is idiot proof lol Im also studying a degree. If its what you really want to do go for it, from my experience my recruiting team have been top notch totally approachable and they get back to you when they say they will, i definately cant fault the process not one bit . The TA at the mo is on its uppers, you arent gauranteed regular training days, a lot of units have been closed down for 6 months due to lack of funding some never will re open from what i can gather.

So your training if you go down that route will be a pretty rough old slog so im lead to believe due to lack of consistency, if that changes in the near future by all means crack on. But the Auggies is def the way to go if not the Regs. If you are worried about your studies whilst training or mobilised etc have you not thought about transferring part of your course through the OU? That way you have the best of both worlds. Thats what i will be doing. At the end of the day if you want it badly enough its worth it, you get out what you put in. The support that you get is brill with the RAF and speaking as someone who has lots of contacts tri service all of them have a dim view of the whole moral issue with regards to welfare situ within the Army/ TA at the mo a common term that cropped up frequently` one big fcuking cake and arse party ` ( squaddie endearing term for a shocking state of affairs apparently ) . The only thing i can say is ask , ask , ask again, the only stupid question is one you dont ask. They ( recruiters ) are there to help you and they will. Have a look at the official website.


Good luck with what ever you decide and good on you for not being like the rest of the tree huggers that wander about many halls of residence.

Oh by the way anyone new to it there is a new interview technique for the auggies ( so i was informed... yep i was the sgn guinea pig lol , i was geared up for the old one .... lol )

I hope that helps ......If not .....dont blame me, ive got boobs.....nothing is my fault..apparently

N DT_Xtremez_29:

 

[Stewie]

Im in the process of joining up, just had my open day a couple of weeks ago and doing my ast over the weekend, Im hoping to join 4624 sqn at Brize I live in Cheshire, just 170 miles away, so if you're thinking of going for it good luck you need to be committed, actually my mrs thinks I should be but thats another story I suppose, good luck with it anyway.

 

[Trillian]

I applied to the University Air Squadron but unfortuately did not get in, although I was told that I 'scored highly'. I am now trying to think what to do next, I have been thinking about joining either the RAF Reserves as a Gunner or the TA.

Ok, I'm probably missing something here. But why didn't you make it into the UAS?

If you didn't get in, you need to find out why the hell not. You're unlikely to make it into the RAF/RAuxAF if you're not able to make it into the UAS.

Just my thoughts... DT_Xtremez_14:

 

[busby1971]

UAS places can be more selective

UAS places can be more selective

Ok, I'm probably missing something here. But why didn't you make it into the UAS?

If you didn't get in, you need to find out why the hell not. You're unlikely to make it into the RAF/RAAF if you're not able to make it into the UAS.

Just my thoughts... DT_Xtremez_14:

UAS BSs can be harder to get than DE places especially at the moment, and why would he want to join the Aussies (RAAF) rather than the Auggies (RAuxAF).

You'll get some good skills from the Auggies and it shows some determination when you go back and apply for your commission.

 

[Trillian]

UAS BSs can be harder to get than DE places especially at the moment, and why would he want to join the Aussies (RAAF) rather than the Auggies (RAuxAF).

You'll get some good skills from the Auggies and it shows some determination when you go back and apply for your commission.

lol! Good points, and fair enough.

 

[GreenBlackAndGold]

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't replied for such a long time!

Well just to keep you up to date, I'm currently going through the aplication/selection process for my local TA regiment, unfortunately it would be nigh on impossible for me to make it to my nearest RAuxAF unit for training nights due to uni commitments on their training day. However the TA trains on a different day, is just round the corner from where I'm living and the weekends away are no problem as I have no lectures on friday afternoons!
I am awaiting my doctor to get my medical records so he can sign my medical forms (registered with them about a month ago and they say they still don't have my fcukin records yet DT_Xtremez_35:!! And the receptionists are the most miserable unhelpful cows aswell lol!!) and then once thats done I'll hopefully be off on a selection weekend a some point in the (hopefully very) near future!

Thanks for all your help and time! Stewie and Tagnut, good luck with your applications and training DT_Xtremez_22:

Nick

 

[Stewie]

Passed my AST the other week , god knows how and now have my medical and interview on monday the 23rd, was just wondering how soon you know if you've been successful, I mean do they tell you there and then or do they make you wait for the outcome ? whatever happens Im gonna get miraculous on monday night, not had a drink in ages DT_Xtremez_19:

 

[gin27]

I had my interview and medical on different days, took just over a week to hear from interview, and I think 2-3 weeks for the medical. Individual timings will vary according to how your sqn operates and, presumably, staffing levels. Also, my security clearance took about 3 weeks. Nothing in the RAF is quick so far mate!

 

[Stewie]

I had my interview and medical on different days, took just over a week to hear from interview, and I think 2-3 weeks for the medical. Individual timings will vary according to how your sqn operates and, presumably, staffing levels. Also, my security clearance took about 3 weeks. Nothing in the RAF is quick so far mate!

Im off to 4624 on monday, dont know how fast they work, but they,ve told me they wont be hanging around cos Im 50 in Jan and they want me attested beforehand otherwise Ill be too old to start a new trade and would have to go back in as MT, no thanks DT_Xtremez_19:

 

[induna1]

hi just wanted to know ,as im thinkiing of trying to join the reserves and am colour blind and would like to know how strict it is when applying,in the medical and are their certain levels of colour blindness accepted .

also can an employer refuse their employee,to join the reserves ,when applying
thanks

 

[beowulf]

Colour blindness is trade dependant. Check with your local AFCO for more info. Basically there will be certain trades you cannot apply for but the requirements are the same for the RAF as they are for RAuxAF so AFCO will be your source of all gen on this matter.

I believe that your employer can indicate they are not willing to let you take other part time work (which this is). Depends on your contract with them and no-one on here will ever tell you to leave or move jobs just so you can join up. When I joined my contract said "no outside part-time work without the permission of the directors". However they were relaxed about it so that was OK.

So in summary you have asked two questions but both in the wrong place I think. Take your colour blindness to the AFCO and let them look up the relevant info. And go and talk to your employer about your plans.