Volunteering for Out of Trade Jobs

[Mighty Fin]

Hi all.

I'm on a squadron that might be disbanding / moving soon and was looking at updating my JPA preferences in preperation for a possible posting.

Ive been in 15 years, done fast jets, helicopters and more fast jets with OOA's to KAF and have always fancied a stint on the Reds or BBMF.

I also fancy doing recruiting and instructing.

If I put these down as my job choices on JPA as you can list them in the 3 job preferences under RAF[General]
would this go against me as they arent my primary role?

I was then going to put down Reds and BBMF in the volunteer for other box.

Any advice would be appreciated, Thanks

MF

 

[Joe_90]

Depends on the board if they go against you or for you I'm afraid. Some boards see a desire to work out of trade as a plus as you are learning skills you may not get the chance to otherwise. You're also out your comfort zone so show adaptability. Other years the boards see anything other than main trade as skiving in a sleepy hollow with all up to date trade knowledge leaking out your head on a daily basis.

 

[XVR RA RA RA]

Don't forget that if you are Q'd on Tornado there is no escape. Especially if they are short of manpower. Chances are you'll stay on Tornado rather than getting released from trade.

 

[ady eflog]

They aren't currently releasing from your trade or mech so scrub that one. As for BBMF, if you haven't already done a tour on BBMF, scrub that one, as for the reds, the list is long and distinguished, enjoy Marhell.

 

[Ghandi's Flip-Flop]

They are screaming out for instructors at Cosford so that might be an option other than Marham

 

[BackDrafter]

Hi all.

I'm on a squadron that might be disbanding / moving soon and was looking at updating my JPA preferences in preperation for a possible posting.

Ive been in 15 years, done fast jets, helicopters and more fast jets with OOA's to KAF and have always fancied a stint on the Reds or BBMF.

I also fancy doing recruiting and instructing.

If I put these down as my job choices on JPA as you can list them in the 3 job preferences under RAF[General]
would this go against me as they arent my primary role?

I was then going to put down Reds and BBMF in the volunteer for other box.

Any advice would be appreciated, Thanks

MF

Cant say for the trade specific out of trade posts but, the Any Trade, out of trade jobs are applied for after seeing a trawl on the manning website, so no need to change preferences as these will not be looked at unless there are no applicants.

Some personnel advocate changing preferences for the purpose of variety on sjars when they're in front of a board, but that is a personal choice.

The only trades with a carte blanch no for release from trade are those that are defined/published as pinch point by Manning. Otherwise it is a recommendation/objection by the individual Career Managers. I would encourage all applications regardless of what your CM tells you on the phone.

 

[MattBombHead]

I would encourage all applications regardless of what your CM tells you on the phone.

When I volunteered for Out of Trade, my CT, FS and WO all advised it unlikely that I'd be released. I asked the CT to speak with the drafter, who confirmed it was unlikely that I'd be released.

I submitted the application anyway, and lo and behold, it was approved, and I had a posting notice within about a fortnight.

Fast forward 3 years or so, and I fancied staying where I was, so got my Flt Lt to call the drafter, who said it was unlikely that I'd be extended for 1yr, let alone the 2yrs I was looking for, but if if I put the papers through he'd see...

About a week or so later, funnily enough I got confirmation I was extended for 2 years.

I'm a firm believer in 'don't ask, don't get'...