Tour Length for Reserves (RAF Regiment)

[kennydalglish]

Hello,

I've been looking into the RAF Regiment reserves (501 Squadron) - if it goes to plan and I get in I was wondering how long a tour would be, do you get to choose (2/4/6 months) and what would the total time away be be including build up training and deployment. Also is there any time off during a tour?

Don't want to jump the gun but I'm interested in joining and have a family so signing up and then getting shipped off for a year may cause problems!

Cheers

Ken

 

[Red-Rock]

Hello,

I've been looking into the RAF Regiment reserves (501 Squadron) - if it goes to plan and I get in I was wondering how long a tour would be, do you get to choose (2/4/6 months) and what would the total time away be be including build up training and deployment. Also is there any time off during a tour?

Don't want to jump the gun but I'm interested in joining and have a family so signing up and then getting shipped off for a year may cause problems!

Cheers

Ken

Any tour that you do will depend on which Regt Sqn you are attached to mate. The standard tour to either Iraq or Afghan is 6/7 months (including handover/takeover time). As for time off during your tour you get the standard r&r package which is normally about 10-14 days. You don't necessarily have to deploy if you join the reserves, they usually ask for volunteers first, then detail people if they don't get enough.

As they say the choice is yours mate. It is a risk you will have to take if you sign on the dotted line.

 

[kennydalglish]

Thanks mate, much appreciated, it's 501 I was looking at down at Brize Norton - you wouldn't know how long the training takes for the reserve gunner role would you or what the general set up is with the training etc?
cheers
Kenny

 

[elgeeh]

Hello,

I've been looking into the RAF Regiment reserves (501 Squadron) - if it goes to plan and I get in I was wondering how long a tour would be, do you get to choose (2/4/6 months) and what would the total time away be be including build up training and deployment. Also is there any time off during a tour?

Don't want to jump the gun but I'm interested in joining and have a family so signing up and then getting shipped off for a year may cause problems!

Cheers

Ken

Ken, tours take as long as they tell you. 3 years 6 months almost to the day from returning from Telic 1 I was back in theatre on Telic 9. ( compulsory both times)That lasted 6 months. All in all I was away from work 11 months. Sqn now asking for volunteers for february. A quote from Innsworth to a colleague of mine telling him he would be back on the available list in 9 months time ...."and its a very short list".

elgeeh

 

[kennydalglish]

thanks mate, I appreciate the responses. Sorry to keep firing questions out, I am planning on going to the next recruiting day!

I was just keen to clarify potential time away and how likely a big tour is - Was that 11 months for the two tours or 11 months for the last tour away? ​

 

[elgeeh]

thanks mate, I appreciate the responses. Sorry to keep firing questions out, I am planning on going to the next recruiting day! ​

I was just keen to clarify potential time away and how likely a big tour is - Was that 11 months for the two tours or 11 months for the last tour away? ​

just the last tour

 

[kennydalglish]

cheers mate