S
Stig
Guest
Hello one and all. This is my first forum posting. I probably think I am something of a fraud, never having served in the regular force but I almost did!
Like so many people I was an Air Cadet during the 70's ( a Space Cadet in some people's eyes, no doubt!) I have to say that it was great fun and you got out what you put in. I put a lot in and got a lot out. I was mad keen on the RAF both then and historically so absorbed everything like a sponge and could churn it out again at will, it wasn't a job, it was a pleasure! I was lucky enough to be born reasonably smart so I progressed through the training and the ranks and ended up a Flight Sergeant (no slots for WO's, squadron too small!) and an RAF marksman and a glider pilot and Flying Scholarship holder. The only thing I didn't do was the International Air Cadet Exchange, which didn't interest me anyway. I was also ATC national aeromodelling champion in 1977 (or was it '78?) so, as you can see, 'Mad keen' was pretty apt. Everyone at school thought that the RAF was my natural home but I decided to go to college - Portsmouth Poly - to do a degree in biology - my best subject at school. Sadly for me, I was to easilly influenced by my fellow students and screwed up, leaving at the end of year 1. During that time I did get into Southampton UAS and really enjoyed that, having a few trips in Bulldogs whilst trying not to get carried away and be a good student! When I told the Squadron that I had been chucked out but wanted to go for an aircrew carreer they pulled all the usual strings and I ended up at Biggin Hill fairly sharpish. I got through the whole process but had a bit of a 'mare during part 2. The net result was that my dream came to an end and I found myself working for an insurance company. 25 years later I still work in the Insurance game but, to be honest, I think I would have been better joining the RAF, even as a squaddy and learning a trade, probably aviation orientated so that one day I could leave and carry on in aircraft engineering. I would guess more fun than Insurance!
No doubt my tale is familiar. You might say 'You did the right thing, mate' but then the grass is always greeneer! Nevertheless, I still have my interest, I'm still an aviator at heart, I may not be so up to speed on the newest things but I can hold my own with anyone up to the 80's at least!
All the best
Stig
SUAS callsign Stag 37
Like so many people I was an Air Cadet during the 70's ( a Space Cadet in some people's eyes, no doubt!) I have to say that it was great fun and you got out what you put in. I put a lot in and got a lot out. I was mad keen on the RAF both then and historically so absorbed everything like a sponge and could churn it out again at will, it wasn't a job, it was a pleasure! I was lucky enough to be born reasonably smart so I progressed through the training and the ranks and ended up a Flight Sergeant (no slots for WO's, squadron too small!) and an RAF marksman and a glider pilot and Flying Scholarship holder. The only thing I didn't do was the International Air Cadet Exchange, which didn't interest me anyway. I was also ATC national aeromodelling champion in 1977 (or was it '78?) so, as you can see, 'Mad keen' was pretty apt. Everyone at school thought that the RAF was my natural home but I decided to go to college - Portsmouth Poly - to do a degree in biology - my best subject at school. Sadly for me, I was to easilly influenced by my fellow students and screwed up, leaving at the end of year 1. During that time I did get into Southampton UAS and really enjoyed that, having a few trips in Bulldogs whilst trying not to get carried away and be a good student! When I told the Squadron that I had been chucked out but wanted to go for an aircrew carreer they pulled all the usual strings and I ended up at Biggin Hill fairly sharpish. I got through the whole process but had a bit of a 'mare during part 2. The net result was that my dream came to an end and I found myself working for an insurance company. 25 years later I still work in the Insurance game but, to be honest, I think I would have been better joining the RAF, even as a squaddy and learning a trade, probably aviation orientated so that one day I could leave and carry on in aircraft engineering. I would guess more fun than Insurance!
No doubt my tale is familiar. You might say 'You did the right thing, mate' but then the grass is always greeneer! Nevertheless, I still have my interest, I'm still an aviator at heart, I may not be so up to speed on the newest things but I can hold my own with anyone up to the 80's at least!
All the best
Stig
SUAS callsign Stag 37
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