Hi Folks

[flyingjock1]

Hi all just on to introduce myself. My names Tom and i stay in scotland. Born at Raf ELY and spent 3 of my earlier years in the 60s as a child at RAF Upwood.

My 21 year old son was due to start training at Halton in June 2010 as a firefighter but got a phone call from the recruiting office this morning telling him that he had been removed from his recruits course along with 5 other potential firefighters. Apparently the fire trade at the mod have decided theyre cutting the intake by 50%.

The recruiting corporal couldnt say what was happening next but my son is absolutely gutted. He doesnt know if hed have to go thru all the medicals/interviews/specialist test at manston again. If they do make him go thru it thats absolutely crap and ive lost all my respect for the MOD. feel for him and the other 5 guys from an intake of 12 that got booted.

Has anyone else got any similar news to tell.

Sorry for the rant, just very angry. My son started his application 2.5 years ago and was within 3 mths of finally getting in.

Glad to have found this site

Regards

Tom

 

[theladf]

Welcome to the site, unfortunately he is not the only one on here to recive such news judging by some recent threads. I hope that if he wants to get in badly enough he will not be defeated, however if he does seek his fortune elsewhere I hope he has better luck.

 

[Talk Wrench]

Hi, Welcome to the goat!!

Even though the best laid plans don't always work out, the future may be very different.

Stick with us on this site, it could be valuable to your son to "Listen in" DT_Xtremez_30:

TW

 

[flyingjock1]

thanks for answering

thanks for answering

hi thanks for taking the time to read and my thread and for taking the time to post a comment. will keep an eye on the forums and keep u updated if i hear anything.

tom

 

[Brooksie]

Has your son heard from the AFCO to when he might get a start date ?
His he still going through with his application ?

 

[Soon To Leave]

Hi FJ1,

It has always been the case that the RAF reserve the right to rescind their offer of recruitment right up to the point of attestation. I do hope your son hasn't put his life on hold during his extended period of application and has some form of backup plan as a fall-back.

Please don't blame the recruiters as they they go about their business of recruiting based on information and trends provided to them at the time.

Inflow predictions are based on forecasted outflows of completed full engagements, re-engagements, premature voluntary retirements, medical discharges etc.

The current economic climate has deterred many from leaving voluntarily and encouraged many to accept any offer to extend their current engagements. Add to the mix a determination to civilianise as many 'non-forward' jobs as possible to help reduce the RAF population and the inflow will be adjusted resulting in disappointment to some prospective recruits.

If your son is determined to join up he could consider other trades and/or other Armed Services as flexibility could be key. I wish him luck and hope he stays determined to join as recruitment will inevitably pick up again after the next (possible/probable) round of redundances, the economy picks up and/or there is a sudden realisation they've cut our numbers too much.