RAF Supplier

[Ash92x]

Hi all,

I've been wanting to join the RAF since a couple of years ago but having orthodontic braces fitted (requiring regular treatment) prevented me from joining.

I'm soon to finish the treatment and have been thinking hard on what I really want to do.

Can anyone provide any insight on the logistics supplier? I've researched from google but can't seem to find anything useful beyond the RAF website/videos.

Also a few questions i'd like to ask!

1: What pay scale is the Logistics Supplier on? (I always thought it was the lower pay spine however i've read some threads on this and other forums contradicting this!)

2: Looking very far into the future, but still curious. Do ex suppliers have good prospects in civ street? What kind of money can one expect to earn both serving and ex?

3: None supplier related, currently working on my fitness. Started making use of my local gym a month ago and have focused on trying to put weight on through the use of resistance machines (naturally scrawny!). At the same time i've been trying to improve my cardio fitness, good progress but still some work to do to stop me worrying about fitness tests. (nocking the smokes on the head as I type!)

Can anyone recommend a good cardio workout which will be beneficial to my 1.5 time? I have mainly focused on running and the cross trainer machine, however haven't been overdoing it as i'm trying to put on weight and not burn everything off!

4: I know the RAF encourage you to gain quals and such, but does this have to be specific to your trade? Upping my GCSE D in maths to a higher grade is something i'd like to do at some point. Would this be possible? Would have done it already, but current work and family commitments prevent me from doing so!

5: This ones regarding travel! If you were given an opportunity to travel home (if based in the country) would any fuel costs be supplemented, or is this entirely of your own expense?

6: I'm really into cars and a big motorsports fan, is there any kind of related group within the RAF? I've read about sports but haven't seen much mention of other activities!


Thanks, I would appreciate any responses!

Ash

 

[e-goatnewbie]

Hi there ash,

Suppliers are on the lower pay spine for SAC's and CPL's but SGT onwards are on higher

Suppliers are there to provide everything from bedding and clothing to bullets and fuel,
They can be involved (rank dependant) in procurement, and also have to liaise more and more directly with industry
They also complete more mundane tasks like stock checking and counting sometimes hundreds of different items upon reciept or for dispatch, they are responsible for ensuring any dangerous cargos to travel by AIr road sea or rail are correctly packed and the relevant paperwork is filled out, they also load and unload incoming/out going trucks, deliver all goods to the different sections on unit and look after and safety check bulk fuels.

That is a small insight into a diverse trade but mainly known on stations as a "stacker" or "blanket stacker"

As for prospects upon leaving that all depends on the quals you manage to collect whilst in I'm afraid, a normal NVQ2 that you get probably wont get you far, but as with everything in life you will get out what you put in!

GCSE wise, just re-taking one now through our learning centre but usually have to contribute a small fee

Travel home, if you own or rent and pay council tax on a property you may be eligible for either:
Home to duty, this is if you live within 50 miles and commute daily to your place of work

Or: get you home: this one gets you cash for 2 journeys a month in fuel

There is numerous clubs on most camps and usually a motor club or m/c club, at some camps they have motocross bikes etc

Hope this helps

Newbie

 

[Ash92x]

Hi there ash,

Suppliers are on the lower pay spine for SAC's and CPL's but SGT onwards are on higher

Suppliers are there to provide everything from bedding and clothing to bullets and fuel,
They can be involved (rank dependant) in procurement, and also have to liaise more and more directly with industry
They also complete more mundane tasks like stock checking and counting sometimes hundreds of different items upon reciept or for dispatch, they are responsible for ensuring any dangerous cargos to travel by AIr road sea or rail are correctly packed and the relevant paperwork is filled out, they also load and unload incoming/out going trucks, deliver all goods to the different sections on unit and look after and safety check bulk fuels.

That is a small insight into a diverse trade but mainly known on stations as a "stacker" or "blanket stacker"

As for prospects upon leaving that all depends on the quals you manage to collect whilst in I'm afraid, a normal NVQ2 that you get probably wont get you far, but as with everything in life you will get out what you put in!

GCSE wise, just re-taking one now through our learning centre but usually have to contribute a small fee

Travel home, if you own or rent and pay council tax on a property you may be eligible for either:
Home to duty, this is if you live within 50 miles and commute daily to your place of work

Or: get you home: this one gets you cash for 2 journeys a month in fuel

There is numerous clubs on most camps and usually a motor club or m/c club, at some camps they have motocross bikes etc

Hope this helps

Newbie

Thanks!

As for prospects upon leaving that all depends on the quals you manage to collect whilst in I'm afraid, a normal NVQ2 that you get probably wont get you far, but as with everything in life you will get out what you put in!

How does this work exactly, are you offered to complete optional courses as time goes by? Or is this entirely off your own back, as in going out and having to search for the right qualifications you want? (Asking this as it seems a bit daunting - this will be my first step into logistics!)

Thanks again!
Ash

 

[FOMz]

Thanks!



How does this work exactly, are you offered to complete optional courses as time goes by? Or is this entirely off your own back, as in going out and having to search for the right qualifications you want? (Asking this as it seems a bit daunting - this will be my first step into logistics!)

Thanks again!
Ash

There are certain jobs that require specialist qualifications, which they will send you on the course appropriate to that. But also, there is as much education on offer as you want whilst serving. I for example left school with a singe CSE in Geography. During my time in, I re-sat all of my O levels (GCSE's to you) and also completed some A levels and self studied some civil trade qualifications. A lot of people do OU and the majority of the ourse is paid for by the RAF. Its up to you... You can spend your whole career sitting in your room tugging yourself off over your x box, or you can get off your arse and do some study and further yourself and prepare for when you leave... And you will leave at some point.

 

[Ash92x]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Ash92x]

Just thought of another couple questions!

Do the skills/experience gained as a logisitcs supplier transfer well back into civilian work? Again just trying to think ahead.

Also i've read that the logistics suppliers use computers heavily, this is great news for me as I have a good know how when it comes to computers (hardware and software, studied both to level 3 in college aswell as frequently building rigs for myself and family). Will already having good knowledge in computing benefit me as a supplier?

Thanks again,
Ash

PS: I am aware they are recruiting ICT technicians, this is also something I would be interested in however I fall a little short on the academic requirements (only got a D in maths and didn't do a physics based subject at school, only core science). Unfortunatley my level 3 btecs in software dev/IT practitioner have no weight in the eyes of the RAF when it comes to that position.

 

[e-goatnewbie]

Hi ash

Forklifts, most licences chances to do degree In logistics all bode well,
Unfortunately suppliers out in civvy street do not seem to earn decent money
Unless you get into upper management, mind you do we'll and you can serve till 55 anyway!

As for a lot of computer work.... The systems are mainly windows/oracle based and involve punching in numbers and selecting drop down menu's, not very taxing for you if your a bit of a whizz!

Cheers

Newbie

 

[UlsterExile]

Hi ash

Forklifts, most licences chances to do degree In logistics all bode well,
Unfortunately suppliers out in civvy street do not seem to earn decent money
Unless you get into upper management, mind you do we'll and you can serve till 55 anyway!

As for a lot of computer work.... The systems are mainly windows/oracle based and involve punching in numbers and selecting drop down menu's, not very taxing for you if your a bit of a whizz!

Cheers

Newbie

Unless you work in the testing environment, this can be challenging and you get loads of civvie quals out of it. Vsphere for one and ISEB testing.

 

[e-goatnewbie]

Sorry ulster exile never heard of that, what rank can you do that at?

 

[Ash92x]

Many thanks for the info.

Still having a hard think on whether or not it is something I want to commit myself too. The past year since i've left college i've had my eyes set on joining up, but never could decide what position to go for, would have put money on it I'd be atleast in basic training by now if it weren't for orthodontic braces! (Get removed next month, that's why i'm back into decision mode haha)

Actually filled in all the paperwork and got an interview with AFCO a year ago, went great but towards the end of the interview he noticed I had braces so he had to check with someone over the phone to see if he would have to defer me or not....year later, here I am hah.

My dad also served 14 years in the Navy as a leading marine engineering mechanic and loved every minute of it, which is a big influence for my decision!

Also been thinking to myself of other options, I could further my software development from college and get into a trainee apprenticeship, but if i'm honest I can't see myself enjoying life sat typing programming code and creating websites for the rest of my life! (Also the first two years on £100 a week or so seems so ...meh!)

 

[Ash92x]

Hi all, another quick Q!

I've read that it's possible to apply through the unqualified route, having to score higher on AST's if you don't have the minimum academic requirements for a certain role.

IT Tech is something which is apealing to me, however they aren't currently recruiting UQ. I've phoned up the careers info and they told me the only dates they could give me was early next year.

Does anyone know from past experience how often they tend to recruit unqualified personnel? I understand this will more than likely be based on demand, but having a more accurate time frame would be useful as i'll have to be making some major decisions soon!

Thanks again
Ash

 

[Pikeman]

Just to clarify, because I'm in the mood to.

Suppliers are there to provide everything from bedding and clothing to bullets QUOTE] Bullets are controlled and issued by Armourers.

they are responsible for ensuring any dangerous cargos to travel by road or rail are correctly packed and the relevant paperwork is filled out,[/QUOTE] AR, packing and relevant PW is again controlled by Armourers and Sup Ex do PW

 

[Ash92x]

Thanks!

Have just been looking through the RN careers out of curiosity.

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/Careers...ommunicationsInformationSystemsGeneralService

Would this be the RN version of ICT Tech in the RAF?

Thanks,
Ash