Currently trying to join the RAF and given the go ahead to share my experiences, particularly how Covid has affected things.
This is actually my third attempt as I've previously tried to join in 2008 and 2010 but wasn't able to start recruit training, so I can draw some comparisons.
In normal, plague-free times the usual process of joining (for those looking to join) is as follows;
Begin Application
Airman's Selection Test
Selection Interview
Medial
Pre-Joining Fitness Test
Pre-Recruit Training Course
Final Interview
Start Date for Recruit Training
Begin Application
10 years ago this was popping along to your local Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO), speaking to one of the staff and filling out the application form.
These days, since the admin side of the recruitment process has been farmed out to a private contractor, you apply online through the RAF Careers site via the Candidate's Portal. I've had no issues, though there seems less to fill out compared to the old paper form and you are required to print/scan forms to email to the AFCO.
Once everything is filled out, you'll be contacted by the AFCO and invited to take the Airman's Selection Test (AST).
Airman's Selection Test
The AST is basically an exam, though it's to help you determine what trades you are best suited for in the RAF. It's multiple choice with timed sections, though only a couple of sections you're pitted against the clock. It's also not rocket science, brushing up on GCSE level Maths, English and Science will help get you through it.
It has remained unchanged since time immortal, save for social distancing and face masks.
You're allowed two tries at it, the re-take is scheduled a month after your first attempt. Previously your scores for the first attempt were valid for 1 year, whilst scores for the 2nd attempt were valid for 5 years. Now it seems the scores from either attempt are valid for 5 years.
Normally the AST is done at the AFCO, though this time it was done at a nearby TA/Army Reserve Centre. This might've been because of Covid or it might've been because my local RAF AFCO had been merged with the local Army AFCO and space is at a premium.
Your scores will be emailed through along with lines to trade information and a video presentation about the RAF which you are required to watch before arranging your Selection Interview.
Selection Interview
This used to be at the AFCO, but at present it's done via either a telephone call or Skype depending on the AFCO.
For me it was a telephone interview, which seemed more relaxed as the focus was on answering question rather than being smartly dressed and body language. There also seemed to be further questions compared to my previous interviews, least there wasn't as many questions as I was expecting.
It's split into two parts, the first is where the interviewer asks about you as a person before delving into your knowledge of the RAF in part two. Do your research, knowing what units and stations you could be posted to along with current operations and trade/training knowledge will help you shine. They do get a number of 16-18 school leavers who come in not knowing a thing, so aim to impress.
You will be asked about how dangerous it is in the military and the possibility of having to fire a weapon in anger to protect yourself and your colleagues.
This is the stage I've managed to reach, though since I'm not there with the fitness I cannot currently move forwards with my application. This is also the first stage you can get rejected at, typically entailing a 6-12 month wait before you can try again as they cannot let applications 'stagnate' on the system. Since I absolutely smashed the interview I just need to get in touch with the AFCO again once my fitness is at where it's needed and proceed forwards from the interview stage rather than having to wait at least six months.
Medical
This is done via a civilian doctor, my previous times this was a NHS GP at a regular doctor's surgery near the AFCO. This does take a few hours to complete as many tests are involved from hearing and sight through to joints and mobility.
This has changed slightly, one or two of the tests are now done differently and since a private contractor is handling the admin side of things I'm not sure whether it still takes place at a regular GP surgery. I have heard that they do like to class people as Medicial Unfit for little things, this could only be for a few months and in the worse case you can appeal and possibly have a RAF doctor weigh in.
Pre-Joining Fitness Test
No real changes here it seems; takes place at a gym and involves a 1.5 mile run on a tread mill along with certain amount of press-ups and sit-ups to be done in a minute each. Your required time and targets depend on age and gender.
Only changes is that it now takes place at a different gym.
Pre-Recruit Training Course
This is a 2 to 3 day event at RAF Halton that involves a Multi-Stage Fitness Test (bleep test, etc) and briefings on recruit training in the RAF. You were also issued your boots here to break in before recruit training.
This isn't happening right now because of Covid.
Instead, when you have your start date for recruit training you come down a day early to do the MSFT.
First time I did the Pre-RTC the MSFT wasn't a complete fail, not coming up to scratch meant getting an extra two weeks at the start of recruit training where you focus on fitness. Second time it had been made pass or fail, meaning your application being rejected if you didn't pass. Given that the MSFT now takes place right at the start of recruit training I'm not sure what the status is regarding pass or fail, possibly how it was on my first run through but I could be wrong.
Because of Covid the intakes for recruit training have been halved, meaning quite a wait before you get to recruit training (6 months seems to be the ballpark figure) but time to work on your fitness to make sure you pass the MSFT.
Final Interview
My memory is fuzzy here, I'm sure that I had this and received a start date before going to the Pre-RTC.
This seems to take place after the Pre-JFT/RTC stage and is similar to the first interview but involves more paperwork to complete, though that last bit may have changed. This is also pass or fail as they want to make sure you've kept up your knowledge of the RAF and what training involves.
Once this is done, you're pretty much in.
Extra Note
The company dealing with the admin side of things I've been warned isn't exactly the most speedy when it comes to getting stuff done. You may have to chase them up on multiple occasions, but kept in touch with your AFCO.
This is actually my third attempt as I've previously tried to join in 2008 and 2010 but wasn't able to start recruit training, so I can draw some comparisons.
In normal, plague-free times the usual process of joining (for those looking to join) is as follows;
Begin Application
Airman's Selection Test
Selection Interview
Medial
Pre-Joining Fitness Test
Pre-Recruit Training Course
Final Interview
Start Date for Recruit Training
Begin Application
10 years ago this was popping along to your local Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO), speaking to one of the staff and filling out the application form.
These days, since the admin side of the recruitment process has been farmed out to a private contractor, you apply online through the RAF Careers site via the Candidate's Portal. I've had no issues, though there seems less to fill out compared to the old paper form and you are required to print/scan forms to email to the AFCO.
Once everything is filled out, you'll be contacted by the AFCO and invited to take the Airman's Selection Test (AST).
Airman's Selection Test
The AST is basically an exam, though it's to help you determine what trades you are best suited for in the RAF. It's multiple choice with timed sections, though only a couple of sections you're pitted against the clock. It's also not rocket science, brushing up on GCSE level Maths, English and Science will help get you through it.
It has remained unchanged since time immortal, save for social distancing and face masks.
You're allowed two tries at it, the re-take is scheduled a month after your first attempt. Previously your scores for the first attempt were valid for 1 year, whilst scores for the 2nd attempt were valid for 5 years. Now it seems the scores from either attempt are valid for 5 years.
Normally the AST is done at the AFCO, though this time it was done at a nearby TA/Army Reserve Centre. This might've been because of Covid or it might've been because my local RAF AFCO had been merged with the local Army AFCO and space is at a premium.
Your scores will be emailed through along with lines to trade information and a video presentation about the RAF which you are required to watch before arranging your Selection Interview.
Selection Interview
This used to be at the AFCO, but at present it's done via either a telephone call or Skype depending on the AFCO.
For me it was a telephone interview, which seemed more relaxed as the focus was on answering question rather than being smartly dressed and body language. There also seemed to be further questions compared to my previous interviews, least there wasn't as many questions as I was expecting.
It's split into two parts, the first is where the interviewer asks about you as a person before delving into your knowledge of the RAF in part two. Do your research, knowing what units and stations you could be posted to along with current operations and trade/training knowledge will help you shine. They do get a number of 16-18 school leavers who come in not knowing a thing, so aim to impress.
You will be asked about how dangerous it is in the military and the possibility of having to fire a weapon in anger to protect yourself and your colleagues.
This is the stage I've managed to reach, though since I'm not there with the fitness I cannot currently move forwards with my application. This is also the first stage you can get rejected at, typically entailing a 6-12 month wait before you can try again as they cannot let applications 'stagnate' on the system. Since I absolutely smashed the interview I just need to get in touch with the AFCO again once my fitness is at where it's needed and proceed forwards from the interview stage rather than having to wait at least six months.
Medical
This is done via a civilian doctor, my previous times this was a NHS GP at a regular doctor's surgery near the AFCO. This does take a few hours to complete as many tests are involved from hearing and sight through to joints and mobility.
This has changed slightly, one or two of the tests are now done differently and since a private contractor is handling the admin side of things I'm not sure whether it still takes place at a regular GP surgery. I have heard that they do like to class people as Medicial Unfit for little things, this could only be for a few months and in the worse case you can appeal and possibly have a RAF doctor weigh in.
Pre-Joining Fitness Test
No real changes here it seems; takes place at a gym and involves a 1.5 mile run on a tread mill along with certain amount of press-ups and sit-ups to be done in a minute each. Your required time and targets depend on age and gender.
Only changes is that it now takes place at a different gym.
Pre-Recruit Training Course
This is a 2 to 3 day event at RAF Halton that involves a Multi-Stage Fitness Test (bleep test, etc) and briefings on recruit training in the RAF. You were also issued your boots here to break in before recruit training.
This isn't happening right now because of Covid.
Instead, when you have your start date for recruit training you come down a day early to do the MSFT.
First time I did the Pre-RTC the MSFT wasn't a complete fail, not coming up to scratch meant getting an extra two weeks at the start of recruit training where you focus on fitness. Second time it had been made pass or fail, meaning your application being rejected if you didn't pass. Given that the MSFT now takes place right at the start of recruit training I'm not sure what the status is regarding pass or fail, possibly how it was on my first run through but I could be wrong.
Because of Covid the intakes for recruit training have been halved, meaning quite a wait before you get to recruit training (6 months seems to be the ballpark figure) but time to work on your fitness to make sure you pass the MSFT.
Final Interview
My memory is fuzzy here, I'm sure that I had this and received a start date before going to the Pre-RTC.
This seems to take place after the Pre-JFT/RTC stage and is similar to the first interview but involves more paperwork to complete, though that last bit may have changed. This is also pass or fail as they want to make sure you've kept up your knowledge of the RAF and what training involves.
Once this is done, you're pretty much in.
Extra Note
The company dealing with the admin side of things I've been warned isn't exactly the most speedy when it comes to getting stuff done. You may have to chase them up on multiple occasions, but kept in touch with your AFCO.
