Career Questions

[UK_22]

Hello,

I am considering applying for the RAFP and would like to ask some questions regrading a career with the force, I am posting here becuase I would like some informal and honest feedback from individuals who either served with the RAFP or have experience of them.

1) The qualifications required for the RAFP do not surpass GCSEs, I have GCSEs, A Levels and a Degree, I have no problem with this and yet some people have said I shouldn't bother and should consider other sercurity minded roles or the RAF Regiment. I figure I could still go in the RAFP and work hard to progress up the ladder, reaching a high level in there? Is it common for Graduates to enter the RAFP like this? Does it really matter what qualifications people have? Would I stand out from the rest of serving RAFP Personnel?

2) What are the specilised roles like? I am quite interested in pursuing something like the Tactical Provost area, and short notice branches. What's the level of training like, is it accessible and what other deployable roles are there?

3) Do the RAFP generally serve across the world? Or are they in practice more likely to be based in the UK?

4) Is the same academic and adventure training open to RAFP as other branches of the service and the military? If you want to seriously further yourself is it worth going into the RAFP?

Thanks, just would like some honest answers!

Tom

 

[gemarriott]

Hello,

I am considering applying for the RAFP and would like to ask some questions regrading a career with the force, I am posting here becuase I would like some informal and honest feedback from individuals who either served with the RAFP or have experience of them.

1) The qualifications required for the RAFP do not surpass GCSEs, I have GCSEs, A Levels and a Degree, I have no problem with this and yet some people have said I shouldn't bother and should consider other sercurity minded roles or the RAF Regiment. I figure I could still go in the RAFP and work hard to progress up the ladder, reaching a high level in there? Is it common for Graduates to enter the RAFP like this? Does it really matter what qualifications people have? Would I stand out from the rest of serving RAFP Personnel?

2) What are the specilised roles like? I am quite interested in pursuing something like the Tactical Provost area, and short notice branches. What's the level of training like, is it accessible and what other deployable roles are there?

3) Do the RAFP generally serve across the world? Or are they in practice more likely to be based in the UK?

4) Is the same academic and adventure training open to RAFP as other branches of the service and the military? If you want to seriously further yourself is it worth going into the RAFP?

Thanks, just would like some honest answers!

Tom

Not an appreciated field of endevour. why not be a real policeman? Sounds like you are way over qualified to be a RAF copper to me.

Nothing against coppers BTW some of my best mates in the mob were coppers, always trying to give me lifts in their rovers and show me where they worked, even when I was off duty and in the barDT_Xtremez_14:

 

[vim_fuego]

Hello,

I am considering applying for the RAFP and would like to ask some questions regrading a career with the force, I am posting here becuase I would like some informal and honest feedback from individuals who either served with the RAFP or have experience of them.

1) The qualifications required for the RAFP do not surpass GCSEs, I have GCSEs, A Levels and a Degree, I have no problem with this and yet some people have said I shouldn't bother and should consider other sercurity minded roles or the RAF Regiment. I figure I could still go in the RAFP and work hard to progress up the ladder, reaching a high level in there? Is it common for Graduates to enter the RAFP like this? Does it really matter what qualifications people have? Would I stand out from the rest of serving RAFP Personnel?

2) What are the specilised roles like? I am quite interested in pursuing something like the Tactical Provost area, and short notice branches. What's the level of training like, is it accessible and what other deployable roles are there?

3) Do the RAFP generally serve across the world? Or are they in practice more likely to be based in the UK?

4) Is the same academic and adventure training open to RAFP as other branches of the service and the military? If you want to seriously further yourself is it worth going into the RAFP?

Thanks, just would like some honest answers!

Tom

Hi Tom...Whats your degree in? I'm no fed myself so I can't answer the type specific questions however, When quals are quoted for a branch they tend to be the minimum required...I don't believe there is a maximum (Twonston will probably have that answer) but be prepared for a little head scratching by the AFCO staff if you are grossly over qualified...There must be a scuffer somewhere that has joined with a BA/BSC and I'll bet money that a lot of them leave the RAF with them (OU)...

You sound very committed to being RAF(P) and committment is commendable in pursuing a career...and in the military very much needed...Just as has been said many times to many wannabies on these forums...Go into the AFCO with an open mind and see what they offer...You may get a surprise and potentially the offer of a trade with a larger wedge...DT_Xtremez_30:

How about commissioned scuffer??

As to adventrous training...It's available to all walks of life from the top down to the bottom...Finding time off from covering gapped posts and OOA's is sadly these days where the challenge begins...Saying that I've, over the years, got some in and it is excellent...

The feds should be around soon with no doubt sounder gen but I hopes this helps for now...

Vim

 

[vim_fuego]

Oh I forgot...

This sounds like a genuine question about something UK 22 has an interest in so can all the fed bashers please leave him alone until at least he gets some answers...and them take it to a more appropriate forum...

Cheers Vim

 

[sausage2]

With all your qualifications, you could go in as an officer in the security branch. Not sure of the set up, but more benefits than joining as an urk.

 

[gemarriott]

Oh I forgot...

This sounds lie a genuine question about something UK 22 has an interest in so can all the fed bashers please leave him alone until at least he gets some answers...and them take it to a more appropriate forum...

Cheers Vim

Point taken, but I was genuinely amazed by the questions originally posted, seemed more than the usual "I want to be a copper or I want to be a pilot " stuff.

 

[Oh sir]

Hi Tom,

I, for my sins, am a snowdrop. I'll be happy to answer your questions later on, however at the moment me and Mrs OhSir are just off to watch the Chelsea v Man City game down the boozer! So sorry for the short reply.

For now, I'll just say this.... With a degree, Vim et al are right to an extent, you'd be wasting it a bit if you joined our trade, although there are plenty who have. I myself have 3 A levels and 8 GCSEs and I've really enjoyed my career so far. (Although less so these days.)

I'll write more and answer your direct questions when I have the time later.
In the meantime feel free to PM me anytime. Note also that chiprafp is also a scuffer, and I believe there are one or 2 more around, so there's plenty of bitter and twisted advice to go around!

Best wishes.

 

[vim_fuego]

Post pub advice...doesn't get any better than that...

Normally begins with, "And another thing......." DT_Xtremez_42:

 

[Oh sir]

Lol, yeah maybe after nine magners the advice won't be so much as a good rant!

Alright then, whenever I'm sober. Next week then!

 

[skevans]

Hi welcome to the e-goat.

Your post is well thought out and surpasses most of the usual 'I want to join up but havent got a fecking clue' posts that we see.

First and foremost, I am not a member of the RAFP, however I have had the dubious pleasure of working alongside them off and on during my career.

What subject area do you hold a degree in? Is it relevant to any policing role? Or would it be more relevant to another role in the armed forces? engineering perhaps?

There is a graduate RAFP at my station. He is currently an LAC/A/Cpl and so I have no idea how well graduates progress within the RAFP. However I would hazard a guess that a branch commision to provost officer would be possible, provided you have served a short period after training without getting in trouble

Having a degree won't actually make any difference to you being part of the team, unless you make it a problem. This is a general rule of thumb, don't beleive you are any better than the other members of the team, after all it is a team.

Yes the RAFP do serve throughout the world, although the majority are based in the UK. This is similar to all other areas of the RAF. The specifics of Tac Provost Wing and training I will leave to a snowdrop to pass on, although I have some idea, I am not an expert and would hate to give you misleading information.

I can however state that subject to operational and manning constraints the same access to adventure training and education is available to everyone in the RAF. Where you thinking of anything in particular?

 

[enginesuck]

Please dont join the RAFP - thats all we need a scuffer with a brain.....DT_Xtremez_34:

 

[UK_22]

Thank you for the replies so far, they have been very informative. Just to reply in summary, I would never make my degree an issue - just curious to see whether many graduates considered the RAFP as a viable career option. I have been interested in the civilian police, but a career in the military has a greater appeal for the many excellent reasons working within Britain's armed forces can offer. My degree is essentially legally based, with additional modules taking in UK and US policing as well as international politics. The RAFP seems to provide an important and needed role within the armed forces and I accept I may have to start off doing the basic jobs - but in what job don't you? Just interested in seeing if you work hard, put maximum effort in and work well in a team and individually you have the means to progress up the 'ladder', or whether career options are limited.

As I mentioned I am strongly considering the RAFP, but also have an interest in the Security (Provost) Branch as a Commissioned Officer or within the RAF Regiment as an Officer. I am eager to serve with the force and if I have to go through the ranks in a branch then I will put 100% effort into doing that. Only issue is that the RAFP's set-up is much akin to that of civilian police forces in having a flat entrance, rather than the usual military route of having a two-tier system.

I would be more than happy to receive any pms relating to careers with the RAFP or within the RAF in general. I intend to head down to my local AFCO within the week and receive the formal information, however I do value the honest and forthright opinions and thoughts of those who have served with the RAFP/RAF as well (that's why I am posting here).

Once again thank you for replying to my original post.

Tom

 

[skevans]

Ther is a two tier enry route to the RAFP, you join the ranks, or you get commisioned and become a provost officer. The RAFP have begun to accept direct entry officers although I don't know much about the procedure.

Is it really the RAF that you want to join, much as I am loathed to admit it there is the Royal Military Police. They generally carry out more of a police role than the RAFP. You could also join one of there TA units to give you more of an insight.

I personally know of one graduate who joined the TA RMP as an a/cpl. he became commisioned about a year later and is currently working as a full time reservist with the RMP in Andover.

Before anyone starts on me, I'm not putting the lad off the RAF, just giving him an honest opinion for him to judge on it's own merits.

 

[Tashy_Man]

Before anyone starts on me, I'm not putting the lad off the RAF, just giving him an honest opinion for him to judge on it's own merits.

These days anyone putting people off joing the RAF is doing a great job and deserves a medal..yet another reason you'll never see Tashy Man in a recruiting office DT_Xtremez_28:

 

[Lady Milia]

thats all we need a scuffer with a brain.....DT_Xtremez_34:

Sorry I was led to believe that the RAFP had police dogs.


Have you considered joining the Civilian Police Force the On the High Potential Development (HPD) scheme. You will do a couple of years as a PC and then will get accelarated prommotion to Sgt and beyond. I think you will find more scope for policing and better career choices.

 

[T55]

Sorry I was led to believe that the RAFP had police dogs./QUOTE]
Pity they don't put dogs on the gate anymore to show your ID card to!

 

[chiprafp]

All very funny lads but save the comments for a thread elsewhere and not a thread where someone is asking for information or assistance. Thanks.DT_Xtremez_28:

 

[Oh sir]

Now now chip, you're perfectly right, but if you bite they come back for more.....
Leave em to it I say.

 

[Lady Milia]

UK_22 have you tried the RAF Police website. |||||||Look Here||||||||

 

[Oh sir]

Hi again Tom, my apologies for not getting back to you sooner.

I hope to answer your questions as honestly as I can, in order:

1) As I said before, you will be a fairly rare character in the RAFP as one who has a degree. Don't get me wrong, it has been done, and continues to be done (for some reason!). I'd say the average in our job is probably around 5 to 6 GCSEs. My advice would be, if you are ABSOLUTELY sure, go ahead, it won't harm you any. I can say however, you'd find a MUCH better use for your degree elsewhere. It will not do you any good in the RAFP as far as I have seen.
PS: With a degree, why not join the civil Police? They operate a fast track promotion system for graduates. 2 years on the beat and then fast promotion from there on! Worth looking into surely..

2) The specialised roles are great, it's what the job is all about. However, be warned that as a basic RAFP you will have to wait until promotion to substansive Corporal (normally about 8 years service) before you can specialise. That's a pretty long time for a graduate to make his mark! Look into a commission instead....
(By the way you are wrong in your assumption that the RAF do not operate a 2 tier system: You CAN join direct as a commissioned RAFP officer).
Be warned however, that most Provost Officers are not beloved of their men. They seem to lack the human touch, and the common sense, that we as non-commissioned men seek in a boss.
And also, (sorry skevans) don't take any heed in the stories that the RMP are more police orientated these days. The RAFP follow the same training course alongside their RMP colleagues now, at the joint Police college Southwick Park. You will (happily) not be a barrier jockey anymore, even straight from the off you will be dealing with basic investigations, however I conceed that your RMP colleagues will be slightly busier. (Obvious really as the Army tend to have more people).

3) The RAFP (along with the rest of the RAF) are generally UK based these days.
However where you find servicemen, there is generally a service Police presence. You can expect to be deployed about once every 2 years for 4 months at a time. (On average) Current deployments include Iraq, Afghanistan, the Falkland Islands and Bosnia. There are a FEW overseas postings, (Goose bay Canada, Ascension Island etc, but these are mainly specialist posts.) The exception is the joint Police Unit, Cyprus, which you could expect as early as a second tour. You would be working closely with RMP colleauges.

4) As Skevans and others said, you have the same access to adventure training as the rest of the RAF. These depend on manning. It's luck of the draw.

In summary Tom, I would say this: RAFP are not exactly beloved in the RAF, bear that in mind. (Have a search for the words RAF Police on www.pprune.org or www.arrse.co.uk to see what our armed forces think of the RAF Police).
Although most of that bias is from only a handful of people, do take it into account.
You will not change that bias, as you are only one person. You will need a very thick skin to put up with the inevitable **** for so many years.
As an A level student myself, I have enjoyed my career in general, and I have enjoyed bucking the trend of the "thick" copper. But I really would say, personally speaking, that a degree is taking things too far!

My advice is: Take a commissison in something worthwhile, if you really have to join the RAF!
If you take a civilian career, why not go for a commission in the RAUXAF? I believe AES69 is at the Tactical Police HQ at Henlow, so he may be able to give you some good advice on a sideline in the Tac Police line of work!
Also see the other thread on that subject.

There you go mate. That's all I have to offer, and it's purely speculative, from my position of having done 18 years in the trade. If you have any questions you are welcome to ask via PM.

The very best of luck.

OhSir.