Reflighted in recruit training

[jasonroberts66]

I was on day 33 of recruit training at RAF Halton last week and unfortunatly failed the CBRN test so was re-flighted to day 21. To make things worse I then failed the day 21 kit inspection. Because of this my flight commander
has now put be on a holding flight for two weeks for extra training. I then have to restart the course on 'Day 00'. I am absolutly gutted, I can't believe what has happened this past week. I have always kept my head down and tried my best throughout the course, and for a couple of minor mistakes I now have to wait 2 weeks to start from the beginning again.
I am scared now that I could get discharged if I mess up again. Can anyone tell me how it works with the amount of times you can be re-flighted before being discharged, or any information regarding the matter. Thanks

 

[welshjpc]

Not sure about re-flighting limits but just keep your head up mate, don't get too down, play the game and don't let them grind you down. I got charged for dust on my skirting boards in trade training!!! DT_Xtremez_32:
you've just got to look at the bigger picture. Good luck for the future.

 

[Stevienics]

This is a test of you.

You now have a gold plated, display case opportunity to help yourself, and more importantly everyone on the new initial course, else from day 0 forwards. Do not believe for one second that I am startlingly perpective in this observation - I am fairly confident that this is a known.

It is possible that you may have passed out with a mediocre grade in your original course, but life being what it is and people being what they are, it has handed you a gilt edged opportunity to shine like you have never shined before.

Don't waste it.

 

[Goatherdingsplitter]

Firstly, this is not a dig at you, but an observation from someone well versed with the training machine.
Your Flight Cdr is not the cause of your re-flight woes, you are, by failing CBRN and then failing your 21 day kit inspection, something which you had already passed.
As the previous poster has stated, you now have the opportunity to shine and show strength of character. Your future is in your hands and the best people to advise you about the repercussions of further failure are right there at RTS. Try not to dwell on the negative, as long as you continue to learn and develop you should be successful.

 

[mememe]

You could always VW if you don't think you are up for it.

 

[Teh Wal]

I was on day 33 of recruit training at RAF Halton last week and unfortunatly failed the CBRN test so was re-flighted to day 21. To make things worse I then failed the day 21 kit inspection. Because of this my flight commander
has now put be on a holding flight for two weeks for extra training. I then have to restart the course on 'Day 00'. I am absolutly gutted, I can't believe what has happened this past week. I have always kept my head down and tried my best throughout the course, and for a couple of minor mistakes I now have to wait 2 weeks to start from the beginning again.
I am scared now that I could get discharged if I mess up again. ...

I have no idea what a "CBRN Test" is having done my basic nigh on 30 years ago but I'm surprised you failed a kit inspection that you were last subjected to only a few weeks ago. To my mind (and I'm being deliberately harsh here) it reflects that you've let your standards drop; now if you're prepared to drop your standards after just 2 weeks, baring in mind that you are still in basic training when you should be trying to shine as bright as you can, then how does that look for the future?

I think Stevienics has hit the nail on the head - you've now been given another chance, you know what is expected of you but the people on the course you will be joining don't; they will look up to you to help them and in that role you may take on a new perspective about yourself and life in the RAF.

Try to erase the thought of discharge from your mind because thinking like that is paramount to giving up. Keep your chin up, try to remember that you weren't the first to be back-coursed and you most certainly won't be the last. Best of luck.

 

[mild mannered janitor]

You could always VW if you don't think you are up for it.

head down and tail up is the best way forward it's your chance to shine DT_Xtremez_30: ignore the above comment it's not what you need to hear it's just an ******** and like opinions everyone has one.

 

[opsgeek]

Can anyone tell me how it works with the amount of times you can be re-flighted before being discharged, or any information regarding the matter. Thanks

I'm a Phase 2 instructor and we have recently had people who have held on Jackson Flight for 2 months for consistantly failing Day 56 inspection so dont worry about the timescales. As the rest of the guys have said, keep your head down put 110% effort in and your instructors will see this and and you'll get through it. Good Luck.

 

[hillbilly128]

Not about how many times you can be re-flighted.

Think its more about how much effort your putting in and your attitude than any else. Yes you have to hit the standards, but if your putting in the effort and have a positive, can do attitude then they will go a little easier on you.

The regiment phase is one of the most intensive parts of basic training, and quite a few people struggle with it. You just need to keep a positive attitude and keep going. Just play the game and you will soon be moving on.

If your struggling, then talk to your cpls, it what they are there for, alternatively if you don't feel like you can talk to them , then try the WASPs. Alternatively, talk to the chaplains. Anything you talk to a chaplain about will stay between you and the chaplain unless you want them to do something.

I went through basic training just over a year ago and am just coming to the end of my trade training course. While I was there, the only people that where discharged where on medical grounds. If they didn't feel you where up to it then they really put you under pressure and made things really hard for you, and you either pvr'd or got on with it. If you really want it then you'll keep you chin up and crack on.

Hillbilly128

 

[RAF Bird]

You could always VW if you don't think you are up for it.

Ignore Mememe's comments they are not called for and unhelpful in this thread!!!

Mate go back to day one with a good attitude, learn from your mistakes and put in 100% effort into everything. As said this is your chance to shine. You will find the lessons relatively easy as you have already sat through them and therefore will have more of an oppertunity to shine in other areas such as inspections!

Good luck, keep your nose clean and give your best I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

[Teh Wal]

... You will find the lessons relatively easy as you have already sat through them ...

A warning though on the back what she said... DO NOT GET COCKY, COMPLACENT AND TURN INTO A KNOW-IT-ALL 'cos if you do you'll be fecked!

 

[Rambling Sid]

I agree with teh wal.... how do you fail a kit inspection. When I was at Cosford you laid your kit out, they inspected it, then you walked downstairs and picked it up off the grass, end of story. Until the next day of course when you had to do it again.

Hope you don't get too depressed with it all......

 

[shoutingwind]

chin chin old bean- this really is an a chance for you to show the air force what your made off, like Confucius says "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail."

I got really sick on basic training, and had to spend 2 months on holding flight, it was so hard and demoralising seeing all the people i joined with pass out, but when i got back on to flight i used everything i'd learned to be the best i could, and help the people on my new flight.... so use your time on holding to perfect your kit prep, and rejion your next flight with your head held high and with a posistive attitude, help the newbies on your flight (but don't get big headed) and you'll do really well.

 

[BJW]

I was also backflighted in Recruit Training, I didn't fail anything but was sick with Glandular Fever during the Regiment phase and consequently couldn't catch up. I was put back 2 weeks and was absolutely devastated at the time and seriously considered jacking the whole thing in.

What it made me do was consider just how much I wanted it and what the alternatives were. I had enjoyed the first 3 weeks, I had made some good mates and the discipline/bullsh1t didn't really bother me much. The last 3 weeks were hard, friendships and alliances had already been formed in my new flight and the flt cdr had much more rigid standards, but I knew that if I got through it I would be meeting up with my "old" mates again for Phase 2 - so I got my head down and got on with it.

Over the years I have had to just get my head down and get on with it many, many times. Recruit Training is not just about learning ranks and which end of a SA80 the bullet comes out of. It is also about character building and as difficult as it is for you to imagine now you will (occassionally) reflect on your time at RTS for many years to come and you will be amazed how what you do now will shape your thinking and character for years to come.

Being backflighted isn't fun, but what matters is how you react to it. It can make you stronger and better or it can make you bitter and twisted. Take the advice of a still serving warrant officer who has now served for 34 years and who has done two tours in a training environment - choose the first option, life is too short to take the second one.

Good Luck

 

[dickweed]

Mate, masses of really sound advice here and if you're smart enough to read it and take it as its intended you will do well. I used to be an instructor at Cosford so I don't want to lecture you about "in my day".

Just read what has been said by people who really know what they are talking about and ask yourself one question, how much do I really want this. Then when you have your answer to that question you will know what to do. Best of luck. DT_Xtremez_30:

 

[Portcullis]

Thanks for the advice given to this airman. You have all hit the nail square on.

At the moment only 68% pass first time. Therefore 32% (about 45 an intake) get reflighted. It is a well oiled machine -

OP, your flt cdr will have handed you a copy of the TR. Read it, it will tell you what you have to do, how long you have got, and most importantly, what support you will get!

Keep your chin up - at least you will now be the one who knows a little bit more than the rest!

 

[Fat2at]

Sorry to hear about your back-flighting. Just roll with it. It's a knock, I know but it's not personal. You're in a phase of training where your character is being developed - lots of seemingly pointless bull sh1t and discipline and you now have to repeat some of it. Just crack on with it now though. Use what you have learnt to help your new mates - even if it's just helping out with ironing tips or what's expected in an inspection - help them when you can because thay will quickly catch you up and when you need their help they'll remember it.

This isn't the real RAF but it's a necessary part that we all have to get through. You will get through it too and be a better person for it. Keep your chin up and in a few short months you won't even remember what the fuss was about. Whatever you do though - don't get anti or feel victimised. Just go with the BS and I guarantee - with hindsight - you'll say in years to come that you enjoyed RTS and made some mates for life.

 

[chumpzilla]

Mate, some sage advice being dished out here. When I went through it was a great laugh and everyone mucked in together. We had a few re flights come to us, and som from us. It doesn't matter. Use your experiences and maybe put yourself forward for senior man (if they still do that?!?!) and your new NCO's may reflect that on your report.

I can imagine it feels like a real kick in the balls, but like everyone has said, pick yourself up, keep the effort up and you should be recognised!

Good luck

 

[spencer the fencer]

At the risk of repeating what has already been said by others, mate this is some of the best careers advice you will ever get in the RAF.

Yeah Ok you've been backflighted and it is just a big sh1t sandwich and all you have to do is take a big bite of it.

If you can do that and keep smiling and working hard you will have the right attitude and people will notice. Look on the bright side, your kit will be up to speed much quicker than the smallies on your new flight and if you play it right not only will your kit shine but you will as well. DT_Xtremez_30:

 

[kwazywabbit]

Like a lot of people have said. Don't get cocky and act as if you know it all, help out the new guys it will make you feel a bit better. get your head down and get stuck in mate.. all the best before you know it you will be looking back on this and telling all your mates in your knew Sqd how youy got back squaded..