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carla

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Hello,

I am Carla, I am 20 and currently work at a pharmaceutical company doing drug research, I have a sponsorship for a degree in Biosciences which I am two years into (3 years remaining). I have always wanted to join the RAF but at 17 decided to apply for the sponsorship and get a degree first, this was my biggest mistake. I should have gone straight to the AFCO and joined up then but it’s an experience.

I don’t like my job at the moment, I spend all day sat in an office or lab with no windows. I know with all jobs there will be some element of repetition but I spend every week doing almost exactly the same thing. Although I work on drug discovery there is not much thinking involved at my level and progress in this career will take a lot longer than I plan on staying here. I have decided that spending another 3.5 years doing a job I don’t enjoy to get a degree before joining the RAF is a waste of time when I don’t need a degree for the RAF.

I am currently applying for RAF medic, once I have completed my training and done a couple of year in the RAF I would like to be on an Aeromedical Evacuation squadron (not sure if there is more than one). I spent a lot of time thinking about different trades in the RAF, I wanted to be an Officer but the more I looked into it and thought about the more Medic appealed.

Sorry for the long introduction, I have more but will save this for a different room.
 
Welcome Carla.

Before you burn your bridges, remember that you wont be in the RAF forever and that having a first-degree may open doors later. Whilst in the RAF, you might change your mind, having had some experience as a medic for a few years you might want to try for Officer. With a degree in the bank that’ll be straightforward and avoid banana-skin issues such as “why didn’t you finish your degree, are you a quitter?”. Its sooo much easier to study for a degree at your time of life than postponing till later with the potential of additional life burdens.

Any option of taking your completed units and transferring to another course?
 
metimmee said:
Any option of taking your completed units and transferring to another course?
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I would suggest Carla. The RAF does offer opportunities to study for a degree whilst you are serving, but its a whole lot easier to do it full time, get it under your belt and THEN apply to join the RAF, your degree will open up a wider range of possibilties for you.
Good luck whichever way you choose to go.
 
Hi,

Thanks,

I am currently doing my degree part time whilst working full time. The first two years which I have just completed can stand alone as a HNC and this counts as the first year (full time) of a degree in a related subject.

I am not allowed to change my degree so either have to continue for another 3.5 years and have a degre that would have some relevance to what I want to do in the RAF or join the RAF now. If I want to go for Officer later on I already have the minimum qualifications.
 
A couple of points,

As the degree course is part-time - could you not join up then carry on with it post basic training?

Also, what waiting time have they given you for Medic? A lot of potential new recruits are touting early next year as the earliest date they've been given for joining? Could be longer for some trades.
 
I can carry on my degree after training and because I will be paying for it not my current employer I can change it too a more suitable/enjoyable course.

They told me 4 months as long as my interview and medical/fitness ect go well. I have the AST and presentation on the 11th June but am starting to have doubts again now. I know that I want to join the RAF and I would like to be an Officer but I want to work on an aeromedical evacuation squadron, I need to weight up the difference between being an Officer and not doing clinical work. Then decide the best way to go about it.
 
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Carla
As a serving medic I would advise you to visit a unit and find out about the job of RAF Medic by speaking to serving medics. A good place to visit would be RAF Lyneham as most of the roles undertaken by RAF Medics are represented here, from working in a medical centre to Aeromed and the deployable squadron and Paramedic Cadre. It is often not the job that it appears to be in the literature and speaking to serving medics will better prepare you for the decision and inform you of the real availability of those attractive opportunities once you get into the trade.
 
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