Could you join the armed forces?

No Ham In Manchester said:
Signing up (or trying to) for the RAF regiment next year, fitness wise i'm ready but just don't feel it mentally yet, want to enjoy living a normal life for a year first (only 18) then i'm signing up. Always wanted to be in the airforce but my eye sight let me down.

RAF regiment is essentially the infantry of the airforce, defend forward operating bases, airfields, and operate SAM sites if necessary, for those who don't know.
Click to expand...
7xxjZjj.jpg
 
Cheesy said:
I served in the RAF for 25 years and I would have no hesitation in recommending a career in the Armed Forces to any youngster. It was the making of me. Fantastic people, great training, decent pay and brilliant sporting & educational opportunities. I've been out 3 years now & I can still call upon them for support. And now, at 45 years old, I get a pension of £15K a year :-)
Click to expand...
I served 39 years in the Army, in that time (59-99) we had the troops to allow breaks of 2 years between operational tours. Today it's totally different massive troop reductions, one war zone after another. I would do it again if single, could I recommend it? I don't think I honestly could.
 
fishwick said:
I served 39 years in the Army, in that time (59-99) we had the troops to allow breaks of 2 years between operational tours. Today it's totally different massive troop reductions, one war zone after another. I would do it again if single, could I recommend it? I don't think I honestly could.
Click to expand...


Really? I was on ops every 6 months between 81-93!
 
Wretched Vengeance said:
Blue Tangerine

There are many trades in the Military that will teach you to do something that doesn't involve killing.

My missus' cousin did 9 years in the RAF and now has a near 100 grand a year job working as an engineer for an airline company, the fucker couldn't load a water pistol.

Ex nuclear submariners(marine engineeers) are capable of writing their own cheques.
Click to expand...
Really am ex stoker.wish I could write my own cheques.

I would recommend forces to any young person.
 
I hate the army an' I hate the R.A.F.
I don't wanna go fighting in the tropical heat
I hate the civil service rules
And I won't open letter bombs for you

 
I think it's a fantastic career for someone who isn't sure what to do and wants to travel the world, get everything paid along the way whilst earning valuable training transferable to real life. My best mate left college and went into the RAF and he has just become a commissioned officer. It's not all great I guess, he has done 2 tours of Afghanistan and missed Christmas last year whilst over there so it is a lot to put up with but I've never heard him say a bad thing about it.

For me I tried for the RAF as a pilot but didn't quite make the fitness grade. I'd join the reserves tomorrow if I was fitter, maybe it's time to start doing something about it.
 
Gelsons Dad said:
Took the Queen's shilling aged 18 1/2. Served 12 years as an Air Engineer (the 3rd bloke in the cockpit) including GW1 and the Balkans. PVR'd in 99 when I no longer believed in the governments ability to make sound judgment. Had a successful career in civil aviation thanks to the excellent training I got in the RAF. If the shit hit the fan I would be happy to volunteer my services again in whatever capacity I could.
I've discouraged my daughters from considering the forces but if I had a son I would be happy for him to serve.
4778_1156747672333_6697542_n.jpg

GW1 on the way back to the 5 star Foxhole after a few hours bumbling around at low level off the coast of Kuwait.
Click to expand...
I knew it plastic sergeant ;)
 
Gelsons Dad said:
Word!
But you wouldn't have said it to my face ;-)
Click to expand...
I would, that's why I never got past corporal, lol. You must have joined just before me I went through Swinderby in Aug 1987!!! Left April 2000, had a good time but like you became very disillusioned with it all, would I do it again, to bloody right, in fact in Jan we are having a reunion for people who served at Gutersloh together, not seen some of these guys since 1993, a lifetime ago but seems like yesterday, oh how I miss those days.
 
Wretched Vengeance said:
Non-contributory is another way of saying " we get paid less than we otherwise would."

I haven't taken too much interest in the 2015 scheme as I say I am just topping up, but no bugger is hanging around because of it.

Manning levels are becoming critical in some branches despite the offer of retention bonuses.

I know of seven blokes who have been offered 50 grand to commit for another 5 years; five of them are not interested.
Click to expand...

One of the main reasons i submitted my notice in Septemebr. 25 years on the 75 scheme. The old scheme was gold plated, the new pension scheme is more bronze. Also turned down the FRI. Anyone who joins up now will not have known any difference in the pension scheme so i suppose it will not matter. Past 25 years plus i have had a decent wage, been able to afford nice things and a nice house. Just time to try something different. Given the chance would i do it again. Yes!
 
cyberblue said:
I was in the Royal Navy for 8 years trained as a chef and got qualifications ,been to some countries could only have dreamed of going then worked as a chef in the Health Service for 30 years got a pension now from the Health Service .so joing the forces helped me get a job when I left and set me up for life now with my pension .my Nephew has joined the army .he is staying in for three years years but training to be a truck and crane mechanic so it will set him up when he leaves
Click to expand...

Trained as a Royal Navy chef. The only course in the Navy that everyone has failed :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top