This'll give you all a laugh

[TheDude]

I'm interested in joining the RAF. I'm 35 and served in the army for 14 years. I left earlier this year and civvy street is quite boring. My current job is ok but I just miss the lifestyle.

I looked at ATC SNCO and ABM as they looked quite interesting, but I don't have the academic quals to actually apply for them, my GCSEs (from many moons ago) were mostly grade D, so those roles are out, despite me having FS L2 in English and Maths and an NVQ L3 in telecom's.

Flight Op's Assistant looks ok and like my best bet based upon age and academic level. The AFCO bods have said that I may get a little dispensation based on my previous experience and what role I ultimately end up choosing and I may not have to do the full recruit training, they mentioned a two week 'refresher' instead, that is if I decide to take the plunge. However, if I do have to do the full recruit training then I'm not fussed about doing it.

Is it worth it? me signing up? I put it to those in the know to advise, or laugh.

 

[FOMz]

If you do join at 35 mate, you need to be prepared for going all the way back to square one throughout training and when you get to your first unit. Could you manage that? Could you manage having NCO's 12 years younger than you telling you what to do?

Personally... At your age, I would seriosly consider the reserves.... But thats just my opinion.

 

[busby1971]

If you've already done 14 years in the Army, you might not be able to join the RAF, unless the rules have changed.

 

[TheDude]

@FOMz: I could manage going back to square one, I'd be fully prepared to do whatever was needed. I did think about the Reserves but decided against the idea as the army reserve don't have a unit near me where I can still use my trade and there are no RAF reserve units near me. I think the nearest one to me is in the Brize area and I live on the south coast.

@busby1971: I had similar thoughts, but when I made a few inquiries about joining up, being fully honest about my background, the recruiting staff said that as long as I met the criteria then I could apply. They even said I might not have to do basic training as I'd be rejoining within a certain time, just a two week 'refresher course' (I forget what they called it, but, by the sounds of it, these are run quite often), it all depended on what job I applied for, when that job had an intake starting and if they could get the required waivers signed off if any were required.

Like I said, I'm interested in joining and I'm only in the thinking about it stage at the moment. I need to decide fast, I understand, as time is massively against me and there are no guarantees.