The end of the dream

[I look like Bruce Willis]

From a parent’s perspective:

We have spent the past 24 years living with someone who had a dream of becoming a military officer. All TV programmes involving the military watched, posters for bedroom wall bought, books read, museums visited, Air Shows attended. Years in cadets until finally the day came for the decision to apply for the RAF. The RAF Careers website was full of exciting information & opportunities. Filter interview passed immediately & invited to OASC. Huge amount of research/fitness training completed & the 4 days were completed successfully. Aptitude tests suggested ATC might be achievable & he duly signed on for long term commission.
IOT was a challenge but graduated after 30 weeks with no re-course or fail. Graduation Day was the proudest of our lives - to see the first commissioned officer in the family’s history – what an achievement. Phase 2 training started – was told there was usually about 40% failure rate but not to worry because if it didn’t work out a re-branch could be offered. Well, despite giving it his best shot it did not work out & he was sent back to OASC for re-branching & the nightmare began. All branches closed - no vacancies for at least 18 months. He would have to leave & apply to re-join in the future but no with guarantee & very little hope.
4 weeks ago he was still hoping to serve his country to the best of his ability - he has now been given 1 months notice of termination of commission, has lost his job, his salary, his career, & his dream. He is entitled to no resettlement help – was just given a photocopied leaflet for Early Service leavers giving website addresses & saying court action may be taken if he does not leave his accommodation immediately. The RAF Careers website says “we look after our people”. Today’s post included a letter confirming that he would no longer be entitled to use the rank or wear the uniform of a Flying Officer of the Royal Air Force.
Oh well, I suppose if you can’t take a joke you shouldn’t join up – here’s to the future.

Clearly he is not the calibre of leader we require in the RAF of today. There is no mention of QA, lean, air power or HF(Mems) in his background and as such is unfit to lead in the modern RAF. Good riddance.

 

[Shugster]

Clearly he is not the calibre of leader we require in the RAF of today. There is no mention of QA, lean, air power or HF(Mems) in his background and as such is unfit to lead in the modern RAF. Good riddance.

Before you bite anonimouse, I look like Bruce Willis is the forum bell end.

So ignore any rubbish that he posts.

 

[harris921]

Another example of the RAF being a bad company to work for. The Army find you another job in these circumstances and look after there own.

 

[theladf]

anonimouse, good luck to your son in whatever his future holds and ignore ILLBW's comments, he is one of the downsides to care in the communityDT_Xtremez_19:


And ILLBW is back, just at the time I wish to strike someone in the mouth with tremendous force!!!!!

 

[Hu Jardon]

I hate facebook however, as far as Brucie goes I find the following advice to be of use:
Please copy and paste this to your status if you know someone, or have been affected by someone, who needs a punch in the face. People who need a punch in the face affect the lives of many. There is still no known cure for someone who deserves a punch in the face, except a punch in the face, but we can raise awareness!

 

[R_Squared]

Another example of the RAF being a bad company to work for. The Army find you another job in these circumstances and look after there own.

We aren't a company. DT_Xtremez_32:

Usually the RAF would have found this young man another suitable position, but as there is absolutely nothing available it is unreasonable to expect any organisation to keep paying someone for doing nothing for what is likely to be a considerable period of time.

I am sure that the Army will be doing exactly the same thing. We are after all, under the direction of the MoD.

 

[Dave-exfairy]

I'm having trouble following the OP's line here, the son fails his trade training and the OP expects the RAF to keep him on and re-trade him? Why? HE'S FAILED!!! There are no openings for him to re-trade, i'm sorry he failed and has maybe lost his childhood dream, but life ain't fair.
Seeing as the lad has successfully passed OASC and IOT, why doesn't he apply to the Army, RN or RM? There's every expectation he'll be successful at Sandhurst or the Admiralty Board.

 

[Joe_90]

My main problem is the amount of money already spent on him at IOT, it's not a couple of months of 16 man rooms for a couple of thousand like us erks, I would have hoped we would recoup that somehow by giving the man a different job.

 

[Tashy_Man]

My main problem is the amount of money already spent on him at IOT, it's not a couple of months of 16 man rooms for a couple of thousand like us erks, I would have hoped we would recoup that somehow by giving the man a different job.

BUT

If there is nowhere productive for him to go to, why keep him on and waste more money ?

I sympathise with him as he has done his best, but obviously not good enough.....maybe it's a blessing because if he did stay in he would always have known he was not good enough for ATC and it would have come out at some orrificer "do" and then be labelled a failure and whatever job he was in as second class to ATC.............if you know what i mean ?

All the best in the future......but now time to Crack on..........DT_Xtremez_09:

 

[Stevienics]

BUT

maybe it's a blessing because if he did stay in he would always have known he was not good enough for ATC and it would have come out at some orrificer "do" and then be labelled a failure

Ooh, my friend. Most messes are awash with those and no such distinction is made. They didn't call Admin Sec or Supply Branch "the long Pilots course" for no reason.

In fact throughout the 90's it wasn't unusual to keep throwing failed Pilot initates at the branch wall until they eventually stuck somewhere.....or didn't.

 

[3wheeledtechie]

What you mean like everyone who's not a pilot? I was once told that by a pilot, and he truly genuinely believed that everyone joined the RAF secretly wanting to be pilot, and they accepted a 'lesser' trade due to some failing. Pr!ck.

 

[Dave-exfairy]

Ooh, my friend. Most messes are awash with those and no such distinction is made. They didn't call Admin Sec or Supply Branch "the long Pilots course" for no reason.

In fact throughout the 90's it wasn't unusual to keep throwing failed Pilot initates at the branch wall until they eventually stuck somewhere.....or didn't.

Like a certain Mr R Underwood?

 

[I'm a liar]

Annonimouse, I think it’s a bit harsh to say 'The End of a Dream'. It’s just a delayed dream. My friends son got taken on by Man Utd. After 18 months he hadn't improve enough technically and was let go. He didn't get offered a job in the canteen or the boot room as there were no slots at the time.

I'm not being nasty, it’s just that the Service has changed and is saving every penny they can. Even if a highly experienced engineer in the RAF who does not pass their fitness test can be 'let go'.

What your son has done has passed OASC and IOT. Wow what a great achievement. ATC is one of the hardest courses in the RAF. I know an Flt Lt with an Astro Physics degree who failed and is now an Admin Officer.

Your son has to realise his dream and head back to the AFCO and hit the wait and the challenges head on. I guarantee what he has already achieved will open so many doors in the old boys’ network.

Please push him. Don't waste his talent.

 

[Joe_90]

BUT

If there is nowhere productive for him to go to, why keep him on and waste more money ?

I sympathise with him as he has done his best, but obviously not good enough.....maybe it's a blessing because if he did stay in he would always have known he was not good enough for ATC and it would have come out at some orrificer "do" and then be labelled a failure and whatever job he was in as second class to ATC.............if you know what i mean ?

All the best in the future......but now time to Crack on..........DT_Xtremez_09:

This man has already proved that not everyone passes out in their chosen branch/trade and if they put him on a course for a different branch someone will probably fail, it could be him or it might not, you then have the slack in the system to still have enough people to fill the slots at the end of the course. It's not a good way to run general recruiting but if you've already paid for IOT, or basic training, for someone then I would have thought it was a sensible option.

 

[I look like Bruce Willis]

Before you bite anonimouse, I look like Bruce Willis is the forum bell end.

So ignore any rubbish that he posts.

Mods this blatant attack should be removed.

I fail to understand why a civvy is allowed to post on this sight. They have no knowledge of airpower whatsoever and have nothing to run up the flagpole.

 

[GEM]

Mods this blatant attack should be removed.

I fail to understand why a civvy is allowed to post on this sight. They have no knowledge of airpower whatsoever and have nothing to run up the flagpole.

As opposed to you Bruce, whose flagpole is more a flag limp! you impotent tw@t.

 

[Oberon305]

I fail to understand why a civvy is allowed to post on this sight. They have no knowledge of airpower whatsoever and have nothing to run up the flagpole.

Brucey baby.......it's a web-'site' not a 'sight'. You obviously have no grasp of basic English, so how about you take a chill-pill!?!?!? DT_Xtremez_19:

 

[I look like Bruce Willis]

As opposed to you Bruce, whose flagpole is more a flag limp! you impotent tw@t.

I refuse to get into a slanging match with you, you ****. Refer back to post #35, as a civvy you should not be posting on this sight as it adds nothing to the projection of air power.

 

[Oberon305]

I refuse to get into a slanging match with you, you kn0b. Refer back to post #35, as a civvy you should not be posting on this sight as it adds nothing to the projection of air power.

Site........not sight. C'mon Brucey!!!

 

[I look like Bruce Willis]

Brucey baby.......it's a web-'site' not a 'sight'. You obviously have no grasp of basic English, so how about you take a chill-pill!?!?!? DT_Xtremez_19:

How dare you correct me. I am a SNCO. PM me your service details immediately so I can carry out MAA on you.