does it, by any chance, start on 19th October?

Is anyone’s on 11th November?

@@kaceykalvin778 how did it go ?

@Phoenix Fair good luck

I’ve just passed my medical, how long would you say until my Pre fitness?

Cheers dits

For me who joined in 1969 and did his six weeks basic at Swinderby it is a 'planet' away compared to what a recruit goes through now.

@wakeupuk3860 Aye, I get it now, mate. Swinderby is gone & so many other places we served; although it was later than you, which is fine. I salute you for what you did before I joined 👍

Thank you Bucks for your comment, but I spent most of my five years as an APO, (Aerial Photographic Operator) safely tucked away in darkrooms developing and printing aerial photographs, chatting up WAAFs, learning Tae Kwon DO and enjoying Jack Daniels and BLTs at the USAF Airmans club at RAF Alconbury. Quite a cushy time with GREAT mates that sadly I never came across in civvy street in Civil Engineering, as a Teacher reaching DH status, a Senior Microsoft IT Trainer and professional Presenter. But on being posted to Cyprus, I did crap my pants, when belted into the side of a Wessex helicopter flying alongside cliff faces taking photos of possible Turkish-Cypriot arm caves hidden in caves, when a few shots were fired at us. I don't know about your time, Bucks but the guys I served with, lived in the same block, went on holiday with, met their parents and who in away became like brothers to me and truly real managers and leaders (i.e. 111 Lightning Jet pilots) that I sadly never came across again, in civvy street - even though meeting quite senior people later in life. Now 71, it is those few years in the RAF are my fondest memories and even though I was a troubled teenager, somewhat wild, maybe ended up in prison and only joined to get away from my parents - it was the BEST decision of my life as it certainly set me up for quite a successful career, good money, travel around the world and most of all the pride I have in passing on what I learnt in the RAF to similar troubled young lads that I know changed their lives. The only thing is sadly, up to about five years ago, I had always helped, advise, done recommending letters for young people to join the services, I don't do now because of the Woke change being made. This is due to the absolute decline of discipline, intelligence level and the removal of centuries old teaching of academic topics now replaced by Woke indoctrination topics. Chatting to ex long-term service personnel who once would have stayed in but bought themselves out, often tell me of similar changes that led me to leaving teaching. In all ways our once very highly skilled, competent and extremely effective fighting men and women is no longer the case. As such no way would I now advise any young person NOT to join the Army, RAF, Navy or Marines, in fact I would even actively discourage them from doing so. Because I now strongly believed they would be 'lambs to the slaughter' if ever coming up against a non-Woke enemy, which when working in Russia and visiting China I saw first hand what they would be facing. @@Buck9672

Yup get off the bus from Newark and the screaming started lol. Spinny run back way through the sheep dip in full NBC yea this is very different lol Looks good best of luck to all.

Thank you for your service sir

Thank you for your service, I’m considering joining the forces I just don’t know what to join. Any recommendations? I’m 16 so I got a whole life ahead of me in the forces and I wanna make the right choice

@@hatmanpat1211 not so much which one to join , but maybe try figure out what you see yourself doing then go from there, eg. Action/front line army infantry /Artillery OPs /joint fires / navy Royal marines , Raf regiment (near hotel's) 😉 or you could look at communications again all 3 have this , all 3 have mechanics and engineers and admin support, and medical ..you get the picture ...🤣sort your chosen career path 1st then go from there 👍

How many years did u serve sir

This is what I needed to read mate cheers. I am 22 I feel I have wasted a lot of my young years doing nothing, I should be so much fitter than I am but years of smoking and messing around with things I shouldn’t have has took away my drive. I am so determined to change things I have been sober for months now and the idea of passing out and making my mam and family proud makes me so happy, I can’t wait to be involved in such a great career. Hope you are doing well now.

@@TehDawg did you pass bro?

Hi guys, I’m an applicant in the process of joining the Royal Air Force as a Reg Gunner. I’ll be covering the entire application process on my channel, which may interest some of you. I posted my first video regarding the DAA on Saturday. Please let me know if it was helpful, thank you.

@Shaun Watson How are they tho?

Did you get boots issued prior to training?

What sqn have u gone to?

You want to try living in a maggot for weeks on end wet cold boots that leak Got it easy today .

On mod 2 atm, regiment phase. There’s allot to learn in such a short time. 10 people got reflighted last week for there cbrn

Eleanor Webb, I’m looking to join in the next few months (still have to finish learning to drive), my fitness isn’t terrible (I can do 20 pushups and run 9 points on a bleep test so far) and I’m not exactly stupid... Even though I’ll be continuing to improve these, how hard exactly do you think the recruitment process actually is?

@@gooserodah5116 not that hard I passed all ground trades and choose catering as that is what I qualified in at college before joining make sure you know bases history of raf etc and be sure in what you say have confidence the interview was probably the hardest bit for me do a bit of ast practice you'll be fine mate 😁

Goose Ro Dah You in yet?

An hour and a half 3 times a week? Is that accurate? Before applying?? I can run the admission 1.5 mile In 12 mins atm. But running for an hour and half??

@@flathead184 yeah that’s what you roughly do at Halton I’m still in now but things are still similar from what I’ve heard- personally I actually used the army fitness app (100% percent army fit) available on iOS and Android and followed that and it made me the fittest girl on my intake comparable with most of the lads. On there you do both cardio and muscle workouts and keeps you motivated as you work through it - I would double check the mile and a half times on the raf website as it depends on age - I believe it’s about 11:30 for a male 17-29 if memory serves - but just keep practicing your runs and you’ll be fine as that’s best cardio in my opinion but just keeping yourself in good shape and you’ll be fine at Halton- it’s a game and you just need to get through it as the end result is worth it in the end trust me.

Swinderby 1978 ! Great memories !

what year was this? my Dad did his square bashing at Swinderby

They’re albatrosses not eagles! I know, just as confused too!! Haha

@Wasp Wasp, I completely agree with you there. The Kit then was awful; '58 webbing, bad boots, ill-fitting No1's, the DMS shoes (as you mentioned) and the Eagle emblem removed from No1's. I served in the RAFP & along with the Regiment we had some decent kit eventually through the 'Soldier 92' thing they had; mind you the early Goretex stuff was shit because they didn't have taped seams and leaked like a sieve unlike Goretex stuff has nowadays, and now there's proper boots being issued from proper bootmakers! Neveretheless, it's good to see our lot getting decent kit for a change! I wish them well in whatever trade they choose these days.

Swinditz as we used to call it then. I'm sure they pumped dust through the vents after we knocked-out following yet another Bull-Night

@adam smith I think I was in Flintham Block and I well remember those floors. Also, dragging a few lads on the floor after its been buffed on a blanket. Beds on top of the Lockers, pushed into the middle then wire wool the polish off and start again......good times

Nick Nick I’m 13 and This is something I would love to do as my career, RAF is in my blood.

Nick Nick i don’t think the people will be willing to help fellow recruits

Ade2Bee So no arriving on your own and cleaning dull boots?!?! What is it coming to, possibly the only way to get today’s little cherubs to join up. 🙄

Joe Powell don’t know what you mean, I went through last year and arrived on my own along with 100 other people. Regarding the parents it’s on the first week, they come in and watch people attest as well as receive information from DS staff regarding the nex 14 weeks. I seen my parents for about 30 minutes before I was told to get back on the coach

Ade2Bee I joined to get away from my bloody parents. We were ordered to write a letter home, and in those days recruits could not wear civvies off duty so we were issued two sheets of brown paper, two labels and some string to send our stuff home once we had our uniforms. There were no parents at pass-out at Bridgnorth in 1960.

I had to attend the CIO on day of travel to Swinderby. (Attested the day before.). CIO staff made sure we got on our train and parents only allowed to wave us off from Glasgow central. We didn't get given boots or shoes for a couple of days so it was plimsoles and overalls. Halton was trade training and I hated it more than basic due to the continuing bull. Loved the actual trade training though.

Issuing boots before joining up has cut down the number of recruits discharged with shin splints and achilles tendon injuries.

You'd have been there when I went through Halton, Winter 98, I have to say it looks more challenging now, when I went through the 7 week program we didn't even stay under canvas, we erected the tents in the hanger then went back to the block for the evening, then in the morning we marched back down and heated up our rations.

Yes I would have been I was on 4Flt for the whole of my first tour there. It was a pain in the proverbial when you came back for the night as the block always looked like a bomb had hit it, what with cam cream all over the sinks and mirrors let alone the bits of card from the rat packs!!

What is the book called?

@@erica8950 Hi the book is drafted but not published..not sure how to publish a book, so researching that now. If it goes to publication I'll let you know. Thanks.

I'm also in the ATC and have been for 5 years but I'm in my recruitment process right now. All I'll say is don't mention you are an air cadet as they don't like that. As well as the drill we learn is not the same as what they do in the RAF. So go in there with an open mind and don't try to advance yourself faster than the rest. You are a team when you are there.

Ben Griggs just remember you're not a cadet or won't be, so don't act like one. you can usually tell who was a cadet.

CKS1949 thats army and sometimes navy raf is quite in the background sorting things out to help the people on the ground

Pass out parade in front of your parents is something you will never forget.

I'm 14 going into year 10 and I'm hoping to get a job as a pilot.

+MARZ We're the same age and in the same year. I wanted to be a pilot a week ago but now i'm looking to be in the gunner regiment or the RAF police because it's hard to get a job as a pilot because so many people want to do it :)

Also the qualifications that you are difficult to get

Vladimir Putin Good choice I'm looking to be and RAF police dog handler!

LBS Good luck :)

RAF pilots are officers, so they'd go to Cranwell, not Halton :)

Did you join, and if so how was it? Is this video accurate nowadays?

Such, not so.

I also remember the fam flt from Waddington on the VC-10.1 hour flt around Lincolnshire😄

I think he was our flight cpl in 1982.

GoldenPearGamer that’s exactly what I wanna do! Is it good?

@@JF9. Hey, did you end up applying?

@@Damian-ew8py hi yes i did although i was rejected in the medical stage for the tablets i was taking at the time and im glad bc covid hit, i did my interview and tests already so ill be applying again in the future

@@JF9. Hope it went well and that you're in! :) I'll be applying this year! If you have any tips or anything please let me know :)

Phil Whitehead I have been thinking about those days and realised the DIs held back a bit from shouting at those with some education, and especially from obscene insults ending, “Wot are yew?”, I presume in case the next time we met the boot would be on the other foot.

Swinderby 84 here also, the memories are blurred, I hope it's my subconcious protecting me.

Good luck mate! What regiment you Applied for ?

Me too, distribution & logistics

I think it’s good because they won’t worry as much 😊

Got to keep a smile through hard and tough times. Plus, you need to be a positive energy around your team

Its called having a positive attitude. Something NCO's from the training company look for.

CKS1949 ye defo so more people join

Only if you are an Officer mate

Spent 4 months in Bahrain, liked the swimming pool on the roof of our hotel the best because our apartment was only one floor below, although the boss had a bigger pool ours was closer!!

Is it just the one exercise you go on or are there others?

You went to Hereford after me. I'm guessing you were at the wrong place at the wrong time, meaning I went to Shawbury from 10 Sqn with my tapes intact and seniority from when I was posted to RAF Brize Norton in 1985. Easy life but didn't go any further up the line as there were too many deadmens shoes before me.

Pen Man When in the video was it? As in what time?

Ive been through phase 1 at atfc winchester and worked at butlins and I got treated worse at butlins.

Lol

@@Mr5w00153y Totally agree with you about Butlins! I was incarcerated at HMP Bognor Regis, Oops, sorry, I mean Butlins from 1999-2000 and it really is like a prison!

Josephkocabas 2 only three years

Why not join the Air Cadets?

The earlier you start training the better.

@@MangoLemonaideFresh I'm in air cadets, I would say it's more for people who want to gain knowledge or train in a specific area In education.

Josephkocabas 2 it’s been 3 years have you signed up? 👀

A million Dreams any advice on preparing with the fitness mate?

Jon run 1.5 miles 3 times a week and do push ups and sit ups 3 times a week too

@@JF9. I’m also wanting to join, should I also focus on long distance running?

@@benvandenten6782 yeah that’s your main focus

Fitness is easy, trust me. Just run every week for about 2 miles and you good. Pushups is only 20 and situps 35. But for me the ast was the hard part since I'm bad at English.

@@joshuasymonds3258 Thank you!

I noticed that Navy and Airforce especially NCOs and Officers are quite Fat (Quite common to see) compared to the British army

hope your not afraid of heights xD

@@k12rising imagine being scared of heights

I’m applying in a year when I’m 19 the kit will be a problem because I look 12 and 4’10 😭

If you are a British citizen now then, you being born in Spain and living there would not be an issue, unfortunately I think that the hearing loss could be a problem. It might not stop you from joining certain roles but the best way to find out would be to go to your local AFCO and speak to a recruiter there, good luck!

Depends how long you’ve been clear of your injury for. If you’ve been clear for a couple of years you should be good. They will probably make you do a test or something to see how your hearing was affected

@@jackward442 aha wys bro

@CKS1949 yeah shame them lot ruin it tbh I wanted to join but because they just get rinsed I might not

I've met dozens of Rocks but I've never met one who 'big timed' it, they've all been chilled quiet professionals. All of the stick they get seems to come from CSS mega REMFs and not from anyone who's ever worked with them.

@Wallace Carney - that's utter bollocks, I was at Brize about 6 weeks ago and the were 2 x Rocks with Para wings doing the pass checking/gate.

@Wallace Carney - that's the same for every mob though! I met some fucking lunatics in Recruit Training at Lympstone (we usually sent them to the Royal Navy where they fit right in) 😄

Not too different

I've heard that the academics are on par with primary school difficulty. So you shouldent worry. I start in November so when I get time I might come back and tell you if you want.

Alice OfLegend I am thinking of joining as an ICT tech, any tips ?

Be confident and be serious about your fitness regime. Be passionate about your hobbies and who you are. They will tell you 'play the game' literally monkey see monkey do. Enjoy your time in training and make the most of it. Make sure you do your research thoroughly for the interview and practice for your application exam

Thankyou!

Alice OfLegend omg you were on my flight Beckett 3 flight and you had that intake thing with Mcarthy!

MultiUnknown2 what a small world

Urbex _ Brxndan You joined bro? I plan to join after yr 11

@@joel3750 same!! Though im 14.. will it be open cos i hear its closing! :(

yAy A year later I went to the recruitment office to introduce myself, I’m 16 soon and gunna join after I get my results back😂

Yes, all RAF applicants have to go through a basic training course. This is for non-commissioned roles ( not officers).You’ll do this and then go on to phase 2 trade training ( for mechanics, that’s around a year and a half at Cosford). For an officer role such as pilot, you will do a longer and more academically and mentally challenging course at Cranwell. I feel like that course is around 22 weeks. Best to contact your local careers office for more information - best of luck if you join up!

Yes, my 19 year old cousin has just started his basic training and he wants to be a plane mechanic.

Same as the regulars, full no 1s

What is a full number 1?

The uniform you see on parade at the end of the video.

How do they teach drill? How long do you spend doing it in reserve training?

+Matthew Kent A few hours each weekend that you are in. The reserves now join the regulars for a five day weapons drill and then take part in the final graduation parade. See RAF careers for more information.

A bit different I think check the website tho

Doesn't take long to get fit and once you are it's easier to stay fit.

They don't let weebs in unfortunately

@stanly stud Yeah, 11 mins 11 seconds. Unless they're a woman?

@303en RAF regiment is 1.5 miles in 11.11 So you'd be fucked

Louis Shadbolt sorry to say this but asthma is a big no no in the military 😩

sam greatorex Possibly in the form of airliner work at an airport for example, not too sure though just a guess mate.

Yes

If your a rejoinder you only do a 7-10 day refresher course and you will get the equivalent of your army rank in the RAF.

Do u have to know swimming and do proper push ups.

It's a best effort test so anything that meets the requirements will be a pass, they just expect that you do the best that you can.

i’m back 2 years later. i’m in the us air force now

Marcus Smith not anymore, must have changed it recently

gemma finnegan same

scarlotty01 X yeah

no

They test your blood pressure

No they do not take a blood sample and test it. Instead they take a pee sample and test it :) however I beleive they would test your blood if there was reason too... Such as a historic major blood dissorder or blood poisoning. For 99% of applicants the answer will be no.

Sam The Recon All Branches mate, unless you join as an officer, then it's 30 Weeks in RAFC Cranwell for you.

Thanks just wondering so when I join kind of know what to expect

Yeah you would. All members of the RAF have to be trained soldiers as well as their specializations, but RAF Halton is there to ensure you transfer from civilian to military life and gain the basic skills necessary to operate within the RAF (including discipline, RAF Knowledge, fighting skills and fitness). To become an Aircraft Technician (Mechanical) you have to do the 10 weeks in Halton, and then it's off to RAF Cosford for about 5 months to learn basic technical and engineering, and then specialize within that (Avionics, Mechanical, Weapons or General). After that, you'll be posted to a flying Sqn somewhere in the country, and you'll work there for about two years, gathering your knowledge. Hope that helps

Recently YES

Things change

Anders Gustavsson Yes we must but because people know I want to join the RAF they say Screw them, Thinking it's like being in the police so I say would you wanna live in a country with no air defence or a country where you feel safe from threats from the air

do you really think this country is worth defending, when its flooded with political correctness whereas immigrants and feminism take all jobs.

jamile blackwood well it's all we have left so we gotta protect it

WolfiePlaysGamez then your probably 7

@@jamile1391 yeah, but i kinda want to live...

lordmick roach thank god for the chip bag hat haha.

@@joepowell6559 Aye! Had mine made by Gieves and Hawkes and as a JT, they also made my battle dress so I never wore the hairy mary after Swinderby! It was all legal and it made the SWO and officers angry. Any fool can be uncomfortable

lordmick roach l used to love going stateside as they used to salute me and it pissed off the aircrew, all cuz of the chip bag hat haha.

@@joepowell6559 I tied not to wear my hat at all costs but when I did, the forage cap was always a good one!

Henshaw 123 10 weeks

Name, rank, serial number. Then "Have you got a sister?" "I bet your mums a goer" until you were snottin' all over the place. 1980 Swinderby. Makes me smile at the memory now.

it won't tie you down.

Mind before body man. Keep repeating this over and over your head while you're doing it and you'll make it through.