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600 Squadron & reserves recruitment

C

Cycleman

LAC
4
0
0
Hi folks,
I'm a newbie here and keen to get to grips with it all. I don't want to bombard the forum with questions but it would be nice to get a response from those in the know!

Is there anybody here who has the lowdown on 600 sqn? I am attempting to join up although to date progress seems a little slow! I've been to a regional open event, filled in the forms and now waiting to move to the next stage. Can anyone share their experiences of how long it took to get from application to attestation and on to basic training?

What is the general reserve recruitment situation like at the moment? Anyone know whether the nationally recruiting int sqd's are recruiting?

Cheers!
 
T

Tango_Lima

SAC
109
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0
From initial aplication to starting training took me two years....

But that was mostly due to unfortunate circumstances.

As far as I can tell, the Reserve recruitment is on the up and climbing.
 
E

Entropy

Sergeant
609
8
18
It took me 6 months from info day to attestation.

As far as I know the Int Sqns recruit nationally so give them a call to see if they are taking people on.

Generally for Auggies interest is high due to a number of factors such as the economic down turn and Afghan plus there is now a drive to increase Auggie numbers and Sqns as part of the Govt. policy. The future is bright for all things Auggie butis it to the benefit of the RAF? I'm still out on that one.
 
Stevienics

Stevienics

Warrant Officer
1000+ Posts
4,931
107
63
The future is a more expansive Reserve force, but not yet. The fact of the matter is that even by today's manning establishment, the reserves are still massively undermanned and enjoy a turn-over in the first year of up to 30%. There are many reasons for this, not least the relatively specialist nature of the RAF reserves and the lack of wit and will at policy making level to design a compelling whole force strategy. The mere fact that recruitment is undertaken at only local level and is not a centralised integrated function of recruitment in general bears witness to this.

I have a sneaking feeling that when it comes to "Future Reserves 20", the proposed policy to embed the reserves into the common defence infrastructure and organisation, this thing is getting the rep as a poison chalice: published a year ago and with government backing, it still has no champion who has come to the fore in search of goodness, honour, promotion and a big fat knighthood. Given that it requires in great measure the support of industry and ex-servicemen, this might be relevant to the discussion.
 
G

greenblue

LAC
24
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Joining 600

Joining 600

Recruiting does take a long time because of security and vetting. 600 have a good recruiting team (well, a 1-man team) and they sometimes wait till a sufficient number are ready to join as it is difficult to have a recruit cadre of one person. Once the basics are done, then off to the first available course at RAF Halton. Don't worry too much, you will be fit enough by the time you get there.
Once thats out of the way, it is a question of learning a trade. Int takes a long time, Admin - as long as it takes you to learn to sharpen a pencil, communications - as long as it takes and Ops - as long as you can understand maps and pictures of planes.

Overall, you won't regret it.
 
M

Mag2grid

Corporal
425
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Agree with the above, the SNEC running the show is brill, the officer cadre...well that's another story.
 
Y

YO8102

LAC
20
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Yes, the nationally recruiting int sqns are all recruiting. Fill in the online form on raf.mod.uk/rafreserves - listing int as the branch/trade of interest - and you should be invited to the next information day in January.
 
L

LilStill

Sergeant
604
0
0
greenblue said:
Recruiting does take a long time because of security and vetting. 600 have a good recruiting team (well, a 1-man team) and they sometimes wait till a sufficient number are ready to join as it is difficult to have a recruit cadre of one person. Once the basics are done, then off to the first available course at RAF Halton. Don't worry too much, you will be fit enough by the time you get there.Once thats out of the way, it is a question of learning a trade. Int takes a long time, Admin - as long as it takes you to learn to sharpen a pencil, communications - as long as it takes and Ops - as long as you can understand maps and pictures of planes.Overall, you won't regret it.
Click to expand...
Nearly 18 months for the last 2 members of 600 Sqn to go through shiny school. If you want to tradebash, how's about in the pigs bar and not in a proper forum?
 
C

Cycleman

LAC
4
0
0
600 Squadron & reserves recruitment

Thanks guys - this is all making interesting reading!
I have been notified that I have my AST on Tuesday next week at my local AFCO which hopefully is another step nearer...

18 months, two years... It's all sounding like quite a long wait! I'm slightly surprised given the FR2020 recommendations and the apparent desire to increase the number of reservists.

Out of interest, does anyone know if there are many waiting to get joined up at 600 sqn or indeed when the next tranche of recruit training is likely to commence? What are the number of reservists currently in 600 sqn?
 
M

Mag2grid

Corporal
425
0
0
How did you get on mate?

Close friend of mine is looking at joining up as Flt Ops Assistant, I've tried to give him the gen as it was 2 years ago, but I haven't got up to date stuff, I heard there has been a change of OC since I last looked into it?
 
G

greenblue

LAC
24
0
0
Yep, new CO every couple of years. New one is good, very fit and looking to the future of the Squadron. keen on recruiting the right type of person so get your friend to ring 'Gorgeous George' for info.
 
M

Mag2grid

Corporal
425
0
0
Can anyone tell me if they have ever managed to speak to someone on this Squardon? They don't return emails or calls, been calling since December trying to find out when their next recruitment event is.
 
Y

YO8102

LAC
20
0
0
Mag2grid said:
Can anyone tell me if they have ever managed to speak to someone on this Squardon? They don't return emails or calls, been calling since December trying to find out when their next recruitment event is.
Click to expand...
PM me with the number(s) and address(es) you/your friend have been trying. I may be able to provide additional ones (but not on a public post).
 
M

Mag2grid

Corporal
425
0
0
Rec'd.

countless emails and telephone calls to said sqn, no replies to my friends enquires, sent one on her behalf, no reply. She s##t canned the idea of joining the Auggies now, she did an expression if interest with the TA, within a day she got a call back and has a tour around the local TA Int Sqn in the next couple of weeks.

Whilst i appreciate its the military there must be some kind of service charter for Auggie sqns to adhere to, even a basic "we'll get back to you, we're very busy" email. If anyone would be kind enough to PM me the SO3 Reserves Recruiting email I would be very grateful.

Very disappointed and dare I say it embarrassed with the whole Auggie recruitment experience she's been through.
 
E

Entropy

Sergeant
609
8
18
What about the Sqns in Oxfordshire as an alternative, all in an easy commute from NW London. Is there any specific trade that your friend is after specific to Northolt?
 
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