Just Completed RTS.

[Amnesia]

Hi All,


I'm new to e-Goat, so thought I would pop in here and say Hi.


I have just finished my Basic Training at Halton and several times during conversation this website was mentioned


I'm due to start Trade Training at the end of the month as an Intelligence Analyst so any useful information you have would be great!

Thanks,
Amnesia

 

[Pikeman]

Int, just remeber. http://swimbikerungirl.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/school-for-the-gifted.jpg

 

[vim_fuego]

I'm sure some int dudes will be along soon enough...what would be really useful from our point of view would be a report on your experiences of RTS as potential recruits and those queueing up to go to RTS ask for that info on here reguarly...How did your first day go? were you homesick and did you all rally around to help each other? what little nits of kit not issued to you did you end up buying to make life easier for yourself? Did you arrive fit enough? what was the fizz like? were the instructors approachable? what was your favourite bit? What did you hate the most?

If you have the time and the inclination I think it would be most useful and also interesting for the guys a long time out of training i.e. your future NCO's to know what you are going through before reaching them and also a good update for all the ex-serving on here as to how times have changed.

What do you reckon?

 

[Amnesia]

Hi Vim_Fuego,

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]That sounds like a great idea, I am happy to outline how I found RTS.[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Firstly, the overall experience was a huge mix of emotions from home sickness, to "what am I doing here"... most of it was "I wish I could go home and watch a film, then return the next morning". How you cope with this largely depends on your mindset and the people you hang around with... I'll touch more on this further on.[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]My first Day was a strange one. We were immediately given orders at the speed of light include the code to the door and sent on our way in double quick time. I was in awe of the huge buildings, the Tornado sat on the parade square and everything else that my mind was in a million places at once. I arrived by myself, so my parents/partner were not present at the Relatives Briefing but from what I saw... when you come to attest they will be in the room watching you. We were given green overalls to wear over our suits within a couple of hours of arriving and quickly introduced to our flight staff.[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]The first day seems a bit of a blur now, but all I can say is - follow what you're told. We were constantly told how easy Halton is... and to some extent they are right. We were always reminded: Do what you're told, when you're told, how you are told to do it. There is no thinking for yourself here, everything you will ever need to know is given to you on a plate.[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Not to put anyone off here, but we started with 75 recruits, we Passed Out with 33. We had 85 pass through our flight... This was not down purely down to Flight Staff just reflighting anyone they chose, a couple decided to leave, several had injuries, etc etc.[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]I would recommend arriving as fit as possible. A few of the lads came with the attitude "the RAF will make me fit". Yes, to some extent that is correct. But you have enough to worry about during RTS than trying to get fit. The fitter you can be, the more you'll be able to cope with concentrating during lessons, focussing on learning drill, being able to perform to the highest standard every day without falling down because you've got cramp in your leg, or you're too tired from doing a few miles running.[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Homesickness was a big issue for me. However, I associated with a great bunch of lads on the course and we all pulled each other through. Team work is a MASSIVE part of RTS life, the quicker you can work together as a team (not just teams within your flight but the flight as a whole) the easier you will find your time at RTS. You will not get through by keeping yourself to yourself and looking out for just yourself.[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]I was fortunate enough to be Deputy-Senior Man on my Intake and we had the opportunity to meet with the OC RTS and Station Commander during our time here. The kit list is being amended and they will be issuing one to all AFCOs when it is ready. But all I can say is that half the stuff on the kit list (such as personal clothing) you will not use. Take plenty of polish (make sure it is Kiwi Black Polish). The rest of the list seemed find.... I found that a bar of stain remover was also helpful (not just liquid stain remover). And if you can... take COMBINATION LOCK PADLOCKS! The amount of people who forked out a fortune for new padlocks every other day because they had lost a key was a nightmare. Also take a spare padlock just incase!

Another top tip... take a decent iron and your own ironing board. Keep checking argos as they often have great deals on irons. I got a £90 iron for £30 and when some of the lads were spending hours ironing because their iron wasn't hot or heavy enough to get the creases out, I was gliding over mine and getting it done in next to no time. Sounds silly, but you spend lots of time ironing and getting your kit ready every night. If you have a decent iron you will save yourself lots of time.

The food at RAF Halton was great. I really enjoyed it. They have a new Mess manager now who seems to be improving it further. You have a choice of 3 main meals every day for lunch and dinner plus a vegetarian option. As well as the mains there is a salad bar and a choice of vegetables including chips/potatoes/croquets of different variations. The type of food included pizza, pasta bakes, lasagne, joints of meet, fried chicken, fish... lots of choice and I found they rotated it quite well. I only ever had cereal apart from the odd weekend I'd treat myself to a Full English but both were always fine (apart from the scrambled egg, that was never consistent for some reason).

There is a bar on site that you may sometimes be given passes to use at the weekend. £1.90 a pint, can't go wrong. We used it once (and on graduation night).

My favourite bit was definitely learning drill movements (both foot drill and arms drill). It made me feel like I was actually in the military!
The worst bit (at the time) was CPT. The 3 day exercise where you put everything you have learnt with the Regiment into practice. However, the second we arrived back at Halton... it almost became my favourite bit because looking back it was actually very fun!

The instructors that we had were brilliant. They were very professional and knowledgeable and certainly took great pride in their job. They know they are training us to be Airmen and Women and did not take training us lightly.
If you are putting the effort in and trying your hardest... they will see this and help you. If you're there for the ride and to just get by, they will also see that. If you act like you can't be bothered or don't take it seriously - you won't last very long.
I found the instructors very approachable. If they have just screamed at you as a flight for messing up, they will still happily talk to you on a personal level the second after. They do not hold grudges, which again makes RTS life better knowing they are there for your welfare when you need it.

I hope I've answered some questions, but if anyone has any other questions - please get in touch!

Thanks,
Amnesia
[/FONT]​

 

[vim_fuego]

Fantastic report!

I think for completeness could you indicate what background you came from? By this I mean were you involved in the air cadets/TA or similar or was this a totally new shock to the system as a civilian?

Potential recruits reading this find comfort in the fact that not coming from a background where you've had some form of insight into service life isn't the leg-iron it can be perceived to be.

 

[Oberon305]

I agree with Vim.......Nice write-up Amnseia! It's mad to see that nothing has really changed, and I think that if you arrive by your own car or are dropped off by someone, bringing your own board must be handy.....but is there space for everyone to have their own??? Good luck with your phase 2 mate.

 

[Shugster]

Congratulations and welcome.

You know, if you're bored.... There's a Hunter outside SHQ that could do with a bit of spit and polish.... (Probably more polish than spit to be honest). DT_Xtremez_27:

 

[Amnesia]

Thanks everyone.

My only military background comes from around 7 years ago when I was 16(ish) and spent a couple of months at my local ATC. I did not last long as I wanted to focus on my school work and never thought I would want to pursue a career in the Air Force.

I was fortunate enough to be given leave after Graduating so I am no longer at Halton. I have heard there are several ACs on SATTs that would be available to give the Hunter a clean ;-)

 

[Flybynight]

If you have the time and the inclination I think it would be most useful and also interesting for the guys a long time out of training i.e. your future NCO's to know what you are going through before reaching them and also a good update for all the ex-serving on here as to how times have

Oustanding report, Amnesia! Things have certainly changed since 7S of RT, RAF Bridgnorth, closed 1961. DIs screaming the f-word at someone nose to nose, throwing kit in the coke bunker as sub-standard, comparing the way someone marched to the action of a woman's genitals, etc., etc. However, if you'd been in the cadets, particularly the CCF (which was only to be found in public and grammar schools) you were automatically considered to be a potential officer and they went a little easier, substituting sarcasm for shouting, and if you had the right cadet certificates you qualified for a two week upflight (missing out Station Duties' Week and Reliability & Initiative Week). My favourite DI squawk, heard when I'd failed to changed the water in the fire buckets:
"Yew FILFY airman! I'll 'ave yew backflighted so far yew'll be on a charge fer 'avin a dirty bow an' ARRER!"

There is a Bridgnorth website that might interest old 'uns.

 

[NathanTCJ]

I wanted to write and say thank you for your write up. I leave for RTS on the 15th February and it's good to see some positive's outlined and parts which need to be focused on before going, not that I wouldn't give it my all anyways.

Good luck with phase 2 and welcome to the board!

 

[Stevienics]

I have to admit, I have not seen that report before but from a recruit, it is quite outstanding...!

This:

Team work is a MASSIVE part of RTS life, the quicker you can work together as a team (not just teams within your flight but the flight as a whole) the easier you will find your time at RTS. You will not get through by keeping yourself to yourself and looking out for just yourself.

and this:

The fitter you can be, the more you'll be able to cope with concentrating during lessons, focussing on learning drill, being able to perform to the highest standard every day without falling down because you've got cramp in your leg, or you're too tired from doing a few miles running.

Are actually gold plated, and will stand this person in excellent stead at subsequent training, which by the way this report was written will be both plentiful and frequent. Someone ought to take the best of these, shove em in a book and make the trainees read them before they get there. Good job.

 

[HotspurIDO]

Excellent write up.

And congratulations on passing RTS. Too many of the old and bold will sneer and tell you that it's not like it was in their day, ignore them ... it was the first of many accomplishments of your RAF career, well done.

To pick up on one point:

This was not down purely down to Flight Staff just reflighting anyone they chose, a couple decided to leave, several had injuries, etc etc.

This wouldn't have happened without good reason. Sometimes 63 days isn't quite long enough to turn someone from a civilian into a professional airman of the standard required. A reflight is a way to give those individuals the time they need to catch up.

 

[BananasBananas]

Nice report Amnesia,

I had the pleasure of seeing your flight during the first few days of your intake during a short visit. It was extremely interesting watching the recruitment process gently entice you all from civilian life into the first stages of a military career. The instructors were very gentle with you however, I did sense that the gloves would soon be taken off. It seemed like a very deliberate attempt to avoid the 'shock and awe' effect that many of us experienced at Cranwell or Swinderby!

Very best of luck! You are heading into one of the few areas of specialisation where the RAF is actually being allowed to spend money! ISTAR is in the limelight at the moment after Op Ellamy.

All the best and most importantly, enjoy it.

 

[Amnesia]

Hi All,

I am back again, as I've been asked to reflect on my original post and also post on my experiences for Phase 2... which I am more than happy to do

Firstly, I would like to clarify a few points which I don't think I expanded on enough during my original review of RTS.

Reflight - As I said, being reflighted in our particular Intake was common... but this is not a sign of weakness or anything to be scared about. Plenty of us made it through first time, but some needed some extra training, or fell due to illness etc. This is certainly nothing to be ashamed of.
The reason I have brought this up again, is because I am now on a course with someone who was on the Intake ahead of me, but graduated with the course BEHIND me... yet, they are on the same Phase 2 course as I am (I.e: No further behind in their career than anyone else). Not only that, but they said the time on Jackson Flight was massively beneficial, as not only did they have time to improve on certain areas, but they were also taught other areas further on in the course, which put them in great stead for when they joined their new flight).

Phase 2 Briefs - During your time at RTS, I believe it is after your Day 56 inspection... but you get a chance to meet with (or representatives of) your Flight Staff from wherever it is you'll be doing Phase 2 training. This was VERY useful as we got a small introduction on what to expect, what to bring, and it made that end goal of Graduating from RTS even more 'real'.

Another thing to remember about RTS, which I did write in my original write up, but would like to emphasize is: Do what you're told, when you're told, how you are told to do it... Follow that and you can't go far wrong ;-).


Now... on to Phase 2!

I graduated from RTS on a Tuesday. By Wednesday the atmosphere was slightly more relaxed, but remember you are still part of RTS. I was fortunate enough to be given around 1 and a half weeks leave. So I packed my kit into the car and as I said a goodbye to my friends, who were now like brothers, it dawned on me... everything I've known about RTS, and the previous 9 weeks of my life, are now on my shoulders. Where was I to go? No one has told me what to do. Things just got slightly more difficult!
Fast forward during my leave, and I'm arriving at my new unit.... DISC Chicksands. It was a bit of a daunting experience, I felt like I was in the Royal Air Force for real, I was representing my DI and putting everything I had learnt into practice.

I was given keys to my room, which is a two man room with internet access, TV point, built in wardrobes and shared ablutions (but with no block jobs!!). For £19 a month, you really can't go wrong.

On Monday, we had organised between us to march down to the Wing and we met with our new DI staff and were given some introductions. We were given various tasks to familiarise ourselves with the Unit and surrounding areas and settled in very quickly.

It's hard to describe without being asked specific questions with what Chicksands is like as everywhere will be different. But the base itself is very picturesque... it is Triservice (Army) and we still have to march everywhere, but we're not out of a training environment yet so this is to be expected.
We Parade once a week, used to have formal room inspections twice a week, which has now been reduced to once a week and once a month we will have a DIS Parade which is basically every student at Chicksands (including Army and Navy).

We work from 8am until approximately 4.30pm but have plenty of work to do in the evenings to keep on top of things. Things are me relaxed than RTS... we have a crewbar and get regular breaks to get a quick brew.
The evenings are pretty much our own time and as long as we keep performing, we'll keep being treated as adults.

I am thoroughly enjoying my trade and can't believe I'm on Week 9 already... including the 2 weeks we were given at Christmas, I have been at Chicksands for 11 weeks... that's longer than the entire time I spent at RAF Halton, yet it has gone so much quicker.

I am aware I've waffled on a little during this overview, and I've probably missed a few points out - so if anyone wants any extra information, or would like me to elaborate on anything I've said - please ask.

Hope this is useful to someone though

(Just a small note, I'll try and develop a more comprehensive and complete overview of RTS that isn't so disjointed... might be easier if everything is in a logical order and all in one place).

 

[HotspurIDO]

I was given keys to my room, which is a two man room with internet access, TV point, built in wardrobes and shared ablutions (but with no block jobs!!). For £19 a month, you really can't go wrong.

:0

You lucked out there mate!