Hello!

[Rataunausaure]

Hi everyone, I'm Emily, 25, and currently live in the Wiltshire area. Signed up to e-goat to get as much insight into other people's experience in the RAF before (hopefully) joining this year.
I'm at the end of the application process and have a "start date" in November, but have had a medical hiccup on the way. It only makes me TMU, but need to check other autoantibodies before I can move forward. The admin is really frustrating :blue: , but fingers crossed, I'll eventually be able to start.
If anyone has had issues getting their medical sorted via bloodtests, please get in touch. I think I might need to get mine done privately as my GP said some of the test I needed were not available (or not deemed necessary). Would help to know how other people managed this.

 

[kilted_sparky]

Hi everyone, I'm Emily, 25, and currently live in the Wiltshire area. Signed up to e-goat to get as much insight into other people's experience in the RAF before (hopefully) joining this year.
I'm at the end of the application process and have a "start date" in November, but have had a medical hiccup on the way. It only makes me TMU, but need to check other autoantibodies before I can move forward. The admin is really frustrating :blue: , but fingers crossed, I'll eventually be able to start.

Hi Emily,
Welcome, I am in the same situation (live in Wiltshire and have had a medical blip), I am due to find out next week if I can progress and move on to do my PJFT and PRTC etc. What trade have you gone for? How did you find the fitness test? How was PRTC for you?
Hoep the medical situation gets straightened out! The 'Admin'/CAPITA can be a pain in the rear and set the application back 7/8 weeks (as it has for myself).

 

[Rataunausaure]

Hi Emily,
Welcome, I am in the same situation (live in Wiltshire and have had a medical blip), I am due to find out next week if I can progress and move on to do my PJFT and PRTC etc. What trade have you gone for? How did you find the fitness test? How was PRTC for you?
Hoep the medical situation gets straightened out! The 'Admin'/CAPITA can be a pain in the rear and set the application back 7/8 weeks (as it has for myself).

Hi! It's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one. I had completed the PJFT (for me this is = Fitness test?) last January (it's been a really long process). It was OK - as I had been training (and enjoy it) for 2 years prior.
I started applying in August 2014 and originally tried going into Student Nursing, but after going through all of the assessments, I only came 8th out of 3 places. I was gutted (after having worked so hard) but perhaps it wasn't meant to be. I've now re-routed my application to do Police as this was my second choice.
I haven't done the PRTC (that's the 3-day pre-recruit training?). I was supposed to do it either this month or the next, but if my medical doesn't get sorted in time, I'm not sure how much it'll delay my application.
It's difficult because I'm in a full time job at the moment and I could be made redundant at any time - so that's added pressure to say the least!
Good luck with your medical issue - It's good that it has been processed. I ended up writing to the DOM in Cranwell to ask for further advice, and they replied that I could provide my results directly to them rather than Capita.
Which trade are you going for?

 

[kilted_sparky]

Hi! It's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one. I had completed the PJFT (for me this is = Fitness test?) last January (it's been a really long process). It was OK - as I had been training (and enjoy it) for 2 years prior.
I started applying in August 2014 and originally tried going into Student Nursing, but after going through all of the assessments, I only came 8th out of 3 places. I was gutted (after having worked so hard) but perhaps it wasn't meant to be. I've now re-routed my application to do Police as this was my second choice.
I haven't done the PRTC (that's the 3-day pre-recruit training?). I was supposed to do it either this month or the next, but if my medical doesn't get sorted in time, I'm not sure how much it'll delay my application.
It's difficult because I'm in a full time job at the moment and I could be made redundant at any time - so that's added pressure to say the least!
Good luck with your medical issue - It's good that it has been processed. I ended up writing to the DOM in Cranwell to ask for further advice, and they replied that I could provide my results directly to them rather than Capita.
Which trade are you going for?

Yeah I think CAPITA are known for medical resits (more money for them), so your certainly not the only one. Yeah sorry fitness test. I applied in May so not been as long as you but still feels an age because of the wait for the medical. I started getting fit about 2 years ago also and feel fairly confident about the fitness test and will be upping my game on the beep test before pre-recruit training (can get to level 10 already but want to smash it). Its good that you are happy with your second choice, I don't know much about the RAF police but I hope you get through the application fine!
Yeah same here (not the redundancy part) and a small family so just having to budget and save to make sure we are all good for when I join up (keeping positive).
Thats good that the DOM said to take the results straight to them.
I am going for ICT Tech which is a pinch trade (hence the speed of my initial stages I think), just want to get in and started now, I am apprehensive but also very excited about the prospect of joining up.

 

[Rataunausaure]

Yeah I think CAPITA are known for medical resits (more money for them), so your certainly not the only one. Yeah sorry fitness test. I applied in May so not been as long as you but still feels an age because of the wait for the medical. I started getting fit about 2 years ago also and feel fairly confident about the fitness test and will be upping my game on the beep test before pre-recruit training (can get to level 10 already but want to smash it). Its good that you are happy with your second choice, I don't know much about the RAF police but I hope you get through the application fine!
Yeah same here (not the redundancy part) and a small family so just having to budget and save to make sure we are all good for when I join up (keeping positive).
Thats good that the DOM said to take the results straight to them.
I am going for ICT Tech which is a pinch trade (hence the speed of my initial stages I think), just want to get in and started now, I am apprehensive but also very excited about the prospect of joining up.

AH! ICT Tech - that was also part of my secondary choices. I had a number of favourite trades... Unfortunately, for that as well as Medic, I didn't get the scores I needed in Maths. I'm not great at timed assessments with maths. I should have practised a bit more - but dealing with statistical analysis in my current job, I thought I'd nail it!
Well done for getting the scores. I think seeing as it's a much needed role, you'll get an entry in in no time. Police, unfortunately, is over-subscribed.
I think if I can get into a role I really like in the Police I'll be chuffed, but if not, I'll look to try and transfer later on, perhaps to Intel. That was the perk of taking an over-subscribed role.
Fingers crossed for you and your family! I'm sure it'll be worth all of the sacrifices in the end.

 

[kilted_sparky]

AH! ICT Tech - that was also part of my secondary choices. I had a number of favourite trades... Unfortunately, for that as well as Medic, I didn't get the scores I needed in Maths. I'm not great at timed assessments with maths. I should have practised a bit more - but dealing with statistical analysis in my current job, I thought I'd nail it!
Well done for getting the scores. I think seeing as it's a much needed role, you'll get an entry in in no time. Police, unfortunately, is over-subscribed.
I think if I can get into a role I really like in the Police I'll be chuffed, but if not, I'll look to try and transfer later on, perhaps to Intel. That was the perk of taking an over-subscribed role.
Fingers crossed for you and your family! I'm sure it'll be worth all of the sacrifices in the end.

Yeah ICT was my first choice but I took 2 goes at the AST to get the marks I needed (was only 1 or 2 off, but that was enough) so went back and studied and smashed the 2nd attempt. Yeah teh timed element if a toughy but at least you are now in the process of joining in a trade you want
What role in the Poice do you want?
Thank you, I hope everything goes well and the medical blip is just that, a blip! Just need to keep the fitness up and keep positive

 

[Rataunausaure]

Yeah ICT was my first choice but I took 2 goes at the AST to get the marks I needed (was only 1 or 2 off, but that was enough) so went back and studied and smashed the 2nd attempt. Yeah teh timed element if a toughy but at least you are now in the process of joining in a trade you want
What role in the Poice do you want?
Thank you, I hope everything goes well and the medical blip is just that, a blip! Just need to keep the fitness up and keep positive

I'd really like to do the Dog Handling side, which apparently isn't so tough to do as an extension to Specialist Training - I thought it'd be competitive. But I heard progression after that is quite slow due to the numbers game. If I make it, I'm interested in Crime Scene Investigation or Counter Intelligence.

Following up on something you said before - how do you train for the bleep test? I can get an app off my phone, but it's finding the space that's the challenge! I'm hoping regular running will be enough to keep my fitness up. Do you know any good running tracks in Wiltshire?
I find that using the same strip to run on back-and-forth makes people upset and confused. I tried doing it in a park and a tun of people kept getting in my way!

 

[gray]

Find yourself a football patch and just run back and fore from the goal line, to all the other lines, upto the other end, and step back down again (repeat as long as you can). Sprint up, canter down, or vary to make it a bit more 'exciting' It doesn't really need to be dead on 20m so long as you knacker yourself out, and get the starting/stopping/twisting sorted ! Fartlek/Interval training is also good for it.

If you live on a quiet road, just mark out 20m and run up and down it with the MP3 in your headphones, or find a playing field.

There is a running machine version, set at a slight incline, but nothing beats getting out there and practising, ad infinitum...
(Live in Wilts now too)

There's Park Run in Chippenham, Bath and Trowbridge on Saturday mornings (http://www.parkrun.org.uk/events/events/) if you just want to run, but the Bleep test involves more than just running. You need to save a little bit back for situps and pressups afterwards too, so good recovery helps.

 

[kilted_sparky]

I'd really like to do the Dog Handling side, which apparently isn't so tough to do as an extension to Specialist Training - I thought it'd be competitive. But I heard progression after that is quite slow due to the numbers game. If I make it, I'm interested in Crime Scene Investigation or Counter Intelligence.

Following up on something you said before - how do you train for the bleep test? I can get an app off my phone, but it's finding the space that's the challenge! I'm hoping regular running will be enough to keep my fitness up. Do you know any good running tracks in Wiltshire?
I find that using the same strip to run on back-and-forth makes people upset and confused. I tried doing it in a park and a tun of people kept getting in my way!

Wow never knew that was a part of it (naive I suppose), sounds pretty good though, CSI would be very interesting also I'm sure. If I can I would like to do Cyber Security but I'm pretty sure its really tough. Just be happy to learn the ropes and get the knowledge and experience.

I downloaded the audio from the raf site, https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/how-to-apply/eligibility-check/ about half way down this link (you can use your phone and download it). Then I got 2 sticks/poles/markers/jumpers (whatever to mark out my start and end), went down to the local football pitch with a tape measure and stuck the phone in the holder on my arm and went at it until I couldn't go any more. What is your time for 1.5m miles? the thing with just running is it wont prepare you for the turning which is the bit that makes it slightly more difficult, I also play a bit of 5 a side football so that helps.
At the end of the day who cares if they are upset and confused your only there for 20-30 mins tops (sorry if that sounds blunt not meant to be). A quiet park with a football pitch about 5/6pm and your laughing as most kids are eating their dinner! PM me if you like as I may know of some decent parks near you that will be easier to use.

Edit: what Gray said :smile:. The park runs are good fun as well (I'm doing one tomorrow morning).

 

[Rataunausaure]

Wow never knew that was a part of it (naive I suppose), sounds pretty good though, CSI would be very interesting also I'm sure. If I can I would like to do Cyber Security but I'm pretty sure its really tough. Just be happy to learn the ropes and get the knowledge and experience.

I downloaded the audio from the raf site, https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/how-to-apply/eligibility-check/ about half way down this link (you can use your phone and download it). Then I got 2 sticks/poles/markers/jumpers (whatever to mark out my start and end), went down to the local football pitch with a tape measure and stuck the phone in the holder on my arm and went at it until I couldn't go any more. What is your time for 1.5m miles? the thing with just running is it wont prepare you for the turning which is the bit that makes it slightly more difficult, I also play a bit of 5 a side football so that helps.
At the end of the day who cares if they are upset and confused your only there for 20-30 mins tops (sorry if that sounds blunt not meant to be). A quiet park with a football pitch about 5/6pm and your laughing as most kids are eating their dinner! PM me if you like as I may know of some decent parks near you that will be easier to use.

Edit: what Gray said :smile:. The park runs are good fun as well (I'm doing one tomorrow morning).

No worries about your comment - I don't take sugar in my tea of life lol.

That's pretty committed! You sound like you have a busy schedule too, so I shouldn't really have an excuse! I try to get things done as local to either my work (Cirencester) or my home (Swindon) to save fuel and time. I also volunteer in Wantage with St John, so it makes me feel like I have no time. I just need to buckle up!
My best time for 1.5miles was 12min on the dot. Doesn't sound great, but I actually was hitting my peak of being Anaemic - which relates to the medical issue I had. I have a stupid body that kills off cells that allow me to absorb B12. Easily fixed with injections once every 3 months! Since then, I've been working my way back to that time and I'm closer to the 13min mark at the moment. My max time allowed is 13:23. Push ups and Abs is spot on though. I've always done more strength training than cardio, thinking that strength gains would take more effort/time.
Before my medical issue I used to do Taekwondo and it involved running up and down the room like a bleep test. The difference will be doing it in shoes, which can make your ankles bend differently.

About the park debacle, it wasn't so much me worrying about my appearance, but more the frustration of having to slow down or excuse myself. There's a park right next door to my house, but the roads are really narrow and you get a lot of dog walkers and joggers. I think I'll try and find a quiet street instead.

I'm sure you'll find a lot of cool stuff to do as ICT Tech. All techy roles tend to have high satisfaction rates, despite all of the names they're called. They are the most productive and needed. It's likely you'll be flown out all over the place to sort out stuff. Some REME friend of mine & a recruiter said that it's likely you'd go to the coolest/off the map places. When you leave, you'll also be super employable.
I'm sure Cyber Security would be achievable, especially if you have the ICT bit covered! Anything is possible with the commitment to learn. I'm a B school-leaver with an economics and art background, studied equine science and ended up in Digital Advertising. There is NO logic to that other than having learnt on the job and grabbing opportunities as they fly by.

 

[Rataunausaure]

Find yourself a football patch and just run back and fore from the goal line, to all the other lines, upto the other end, and step back down again (repeat as long as you can). Sprint up, canter down, or vary to make it a bit more 'exciting' It doesn't really need to be dead on 20m so long as you knacker yourself out, and get the starting/stopping/twisting sorted ! Fartlek/Interval training is also good for it.

If you live on a quiet road, just mark out 20m and run up and down it with the MP3 in your headphones, or find a playing field.

There is a running machine version, set at a slight incline, but nothing beats getting out there and practising, ad infinitum...
(Live in Wilts now too)

There's Park Run in Chippenham, Bath and Trowbridge on Saturday mornings (http://www.parkrun.org.uk/events/events/) if you just want to run, but the Bleep test involves more than just running. You need to save a little bit back for situps and pressups afterwards too, so good recovery helps.

Thanks for the tip Gray! I'll stop finding excuses and start pushing myself (Not to quote the Navy advert...).