How much free time do you usually get from monday to fridays when you are at station?

[pavelexpertov]

Hello guys, I am quite new to this forum and sorry if I might have put this post in a wrong section. Whatever, I am preparing for my interview to become Electrical Engineer airman in RAF. I am not sure if I will pass it or not, but I prey I will. However, my question is how much free time do you usually get during service at a station, especially mon - fri. Furthermore, my another question is if it's possible to develop other skills at your own free time during service in RAF? Because I am learning programming and I was a bit scarred that the service in RAF will not let me do that to pursue my real interests. Thanks for reading and replying guys!!

 

[Tin basher]

It's not as simple as rigid Monday to Friday 9-5 office/factory working day. With many differing shift patterns on differing units the free time will vary. On earlies with luck and you might knock off at lunchtime or with loads of snags to sort, you may work through until the night shift takes over, on nights you might finish in time for last orders or still be there when the day shift rocks up. In a bay it could be days only or with weekend working you may have midweek off. There is no set RAF wide working day for techies.

 

[Dan_Brown]

Because I am learning programming and I was a bit scarred that the service in RAF will not let me do that to pursue my real interests.

So why aren't yuo doing something that really interests you instead of doing something you're not 100% invested in?

 

[Spearmint]

So why aren't yuo doing something that really interests you instead of doing something you're not 100% invested in?

I wouldn't be so quick to judge him on that one. Afterall there are posts within Software Support teams which require programming knowledge. Roles that aren't everyone's cup of tea but may suit some.

 

[pavelexpertov]

I wouldn't be so quick to judge him on that one. Afterall there are posts within Software Support teams which require programming knowledge. Roles that aren't everyone's cup of tea but may suit some.

Thanks guys for replies, yeah I guess it will be tough to see if I will or not get free time that I may require for hobbies, but I do want to experience military life and be part of a crew. Also the reason I learn programming is because I enjoy it and I've been doing it for quite a while, so I am not sure if it will help me to get posted to work with software/technicians teams. Furthermore, is it really hard to leave RAF after your first month of basic training or specialist training? Cheers for replies though!!

 

[GD on Wheels]

Thanks guys for replies, yeah I guess it will be tough to see if I will or not get free time that I may require for hobbies, but I do want to experience military life and be part of a crew. Also the reason I learn programming is because I enjoy it and I've been doing it for quite a while, so I am not sure if it will help me to get posted to work with software/technicians teams. Furthermore, is it really hard to leave RAF after your first month of basic training or specialist training? Cheers for replies though!!

Do you really want to join up? Your last statement reads as though you are looking for a way out before you even start.

 

[Dan_Brown]

This is my thought too. I took SpMints comment and gave the poster the benefit of the doubt. But yes, it appears he is one of the new 'yoof' who see the Forces as a job as oppose to an achievement!! (well it used to be )

 

[Vushtrri]

Thanks guys for replies, yeah I guess it will be tough to see if I will or not get free time that I may require for hobbies, but I do want to experience military life and be part of a crew. Also the reason I learn programming is because I enjoy it and I've been doing it for quite a while, so I am not sure if it will help me to get posted to work with software/technicians teams. Furthermore, is it really hard to leave RAF after your first month of basic training or specialist training? Cheers for replies though!!

I really do think you should be asking yourself....... If it really is hard to get into the job, do I really want to go through the process when I am already wondering if it would be easy to get out if you decide I don't like it!

What ever happened to the word Commitment...and sod it I shall just knuckle down and make a go of it?

 

[Gonterseed]

I have to agree with Vush, Dan and GD. I would hope that the recruiters would not progress someone who isn't at least certain that they want to be in and are determined to make a go of it. Jeeze, imagine your hobbies suffering because there are jobs still open - and only managing 3 matchsticks on your Eiffel tower replica in the past month, that's got to be a reason for PVR, hasn't it?

 

[spike7451]

I have to agree with Vush, Dan and GD. I would hope that the recruiters would not progress someone who isn't at least certain that they want to be in and are determined to make a go of it. Jeeze, imagine your hobbies suffering because there are jobs still open - and only managing 3 matchsticks on your Eiffel tower replica in the past month, that's got to be a reason for PVR, hasn't it?

I would tend to agree,the ARMED forces isn't like a job in Civ Div.I've worked in bays that only work Mon-Fri 8 to 5,yet on the Kipper Fleet we got called into work a couple times to generate SAR aircraft because of disasters like Piper Alpha,once when we'd just got back from a couple pints in The Stables & was just sitting down to dinner in the mess.
Put it like this,you get paid for 365 days of the year,based on a 24hour day rota.You work the shift laid down on your squadron/section ect & if you have a good TM,you may get away a bit early a couple times for your other activities.
I suggest you think very long & hard before you go any further with your application & don't join on the basis that telling some bird in Joannas nightclub that you're in the RAF to get your leg over....Never worked for me anyhow...DT_Xtremez_30:

 

[Odie]

Thanks guys for replies, yeah I guess it will be tough to see if I will or not get free time that I may require for hobbies, but I do want to experience military life and be part of a crew.

So you want to be in the military just as long as it doesn't get in the way of your hobbies? In the grown up world, folk tend to fit their hobbies in round work, not the other way round. You might find being deployed for months at a time puts a bit of a crimp on some of your hobbies.

Furthermore, is it really hard to leave RAF after your first month of basic training or specialist training? Cheers for replies though!!

Because I am learning programming and I was a bit scarred that the service in RAF will not let me do that to pursue my real interests.

Why bother joining in the first place if you're looking at how easy it is to get out so early? It looks as though you would consider the RAF as an inconvenience to your "real interests". I'd say walk away and let someone who wants to give some commitment have the job rather than you waste a place.


If, and it looks like a big if, you really want to join up. Then don't expect vast quantities of free time during your basic and trade training. However, once you're established at a unit it is possible to undertake further education, but you have to fit it in around your service commitments - Ooo look, that word commitment keeps appearing.

 

[Kipper Fleet Bloke]

And as a single leckie, you won't be able to keep a dog in the barrack block either.........

Arrrrrr apologies, just couldn't resist the temptation!

 

[Vushtrri]

So.........do you get the gist of the advice people are giving you?

 

[Gonterseed]

It wasn't Joannas but it did work for me, well sort-of, it's a long story best told when the audience is bored out of it's skull and desperate to listen to anything...

 

[pavelexpertov]

Ok, thank guys for your replies and pointing out that I have to have strong commitment to be in the Forces, but yet I have to face with true facts and make a life-changing decision. I've been told numerous times RAF is the best in terms of employment, training and facilities. In my belief (and this is true from me) I see RAF as a perfect opportunity for me to be a great part of a team, have a great time with crew members and develop myself as a person. Since I am single, I don't feel committed to anyone so it's easy for me to join forces. BUT thanks for telling me about time shifts, at least that gives me idea that I will be a busy guy down there. Thank you again for replying!!!!!!

 

[vim_fuego]

What nationality are you?

 

[84scouse]

What nationality are you?

HAHA Vim you read my mind...!!!