Hi mate , great video - im currently just about to do the pre joining 3day course. Anything you recommend, any advice? Fitness is pretty good , maybe the interview is where I need to practice my facts and that. Cheers Charlie
I joined in 1980, at the age of 22 I wasn’t anywhere near ready for the change to my life with 18 man rooms and with only a wardrobe for privacy. GOOD TIMES: Seeing a inflatable doll swaying in the breeze on the flag pole on maitland parade ground, watching someone wake up in their bed complete with side table on morning parade and marching to work with the apprentice band to rudolf the red nosed reindeer was something I will always treasure! BAD TIMES: Hoping that joining would correct my mind, being unsure of my gender and failed forces marriage (of which there were many) ! it did open my eyes but I would avoid St Athan ! ….. would I join up again? bittersweet memories of the RAF. At that time Maurice now Helen unusual recollections admittedly. But some ppl do do the forces thing in a effort to make a “man” of themselves which never really works as one day your true self will shine through but YES do do it for a trade and community but not if you think it will fundamentally change your innermost self.
Most important is be an active team member and be supportive of each other. Even when knackered beyond words, be supportive and SHOUT encouragement to others and be sincere. This will motivate yourself as well and displays and enforces good leadership qualities which will do wonders for your confidence.
My neice is 12 and shes just joined air cadets, shes thinking of joining the RAF when she's at acceptence age. Will the cadets have prepped her for training?
The one thing that the RAF never tells you, and you soon realise straight after all training is done and you're in the RAF proper, is that in your RAF career you will always be posted and moved around as an individual. It is not like the Army etc where you move as a regiment or unit as a whole. So no matter how crap or hard you think RAF training is, these days and the people you meet and bond with will be the best days of your RAF career, the rest you do all on your own. Of course you will make friends and have a great time throughout, but just realise this, cos you're never ever told.
Thank you that was really helpful. My son is at Halton now. I could give him a few tips as I did 5 months at Hendon Police College. Some similarities marching and ironing but soooo much more in your 10 weeks. From that I know to send him a couple of things that would help. Looking forward to seeing him in a few weeks time. Again thanks ☺️
@General_Alek it's simply the basic training. As much as I would have not liked to been shouted at, the reason behind it is to see how you cope in stressful situations If it helps and you really desire to join, depending on your role there's none of it in phase 2 and certainly not after that
I joined in 89 joined on the YTS did our training at RAF Hereford. If you know your going to join up when you leave school, then join your local ATC at least you will know the ranks lingo and how to do things.
Hi, it varies from role to role, but normally your phase 1 date will be worked back off the potential phase 2 date. If I hadn't got reflighted, I'd have been going there straight after my 2 week break post grad
Hey, thanks for the video mate cleared alot of stuff up for me! I do have a few questions though: 1) Are you allowed to leave the base during your free weekends? 2) If you are at halton through christmas, do you get a christmas break? if so how long and are you allowed to leave the base? 3) How much clothing do i need to bring? Do they have facilities there where i can wash my clothes? 4) Do i have to bring my own ironing equipment? 5) How much money would you recommend to save up and take to halton 6) Is there anything else you recommend to bring to halton? Than you
1. You get 2/3 local leaves which is basically a day away from the base. The first two are basically guaranteed and are 6 and 8 hrs respectively 2. Yeah you get two weeks for Xmas and summer if your there at either of those times 3. You'll be in uniform most of the time, definitely bring some though to relax/sleep/go out for local leave in. There's washing and drying machines as well as a drying room on each floor 4. Yeah you'll need your own ironing kit 5. You get paid each month and expenses are minimal to be honest unless you've got other financial commitments etc 6. Take a spray bottle for ironing, and for use it after ironing a shirt, it's a lifesaver! Also snacks as the mess food isn't great and the shop can be quite dear
Hi, just a few questions from a guy who failed infantry basic at Catterick a few years ago... 1. You say long nights, how long are we talking? At Catterick it was usually something like 4 hours of sleep each single night, it is that bad in RAF basic or a bit better? 2. You mentioned having either both or one day of the weekend off. Does that start straight away, with your first weekend? You don't get weekends at Catterick until the 6th week onwards. Having a day or two off each week during basic from the start would be huge. Cheers
Hi, good couple of questions. 1. Not quite as bad as Catterick, depending on how quickly you got squared away decided how long your sleep was, but generally 6 hours during the week if the block wasn't keeping you up. Nights before a locker inspection, probably 2-5. 2. The first week we had one working day, then the Sunday off, and the weekends after it was generally the whole weekend off. One weekend our intake got put on a T.I and we had to pick up leaves around camp on a Sunday morning lol. That was it
@@baileypapouis Thanks for the reply. Reckon i'll have a go at this soonish after i've done some thorough prep, something I didn't do enough of the first time. This video helped a lot so thanks, much appreciated
Really enjoyed listening to this. Thank you for taking out the time to explain in detail. You've explained it really well and huge congrats for passing out! What role are you going into? I'm looking forward to more videos. It's very similar to the army basic training when I did it. I can relate with you with most of the things you said especially the food lol. I think the rations will always be better than the barracks food😂 Again huge congratulations and I'm certain you'll smash phase 2. Best wishes!
I joined the RAF as an apprentice in 1970, spent two years training at Halton, but that first night I went to sleep in a room with loads of guys all of us wondering what we had let ourselves info. When I woke in the morning a couple of guys had gone. That first night was the first of twenty three years, of adventure, that set me up for the rest of my life. My best advice is stick with it, its worth every second, you are learning life skills from the minute you arrive.
Only 2 years? Lightweight 😁 3 years from '75 to '78 and as you say it sets you up for life. At no point do I ever remember thinking about giving up and leaving. It was an adventure and experience that I will never forget. Oh I nearly forgot. That was after 6 weeks of basic training at Swinderby first😁
213 entry, RAF Halton 1968-1970. Basic training with Royal Enfield 303 rifles from first world war. Totally knackered for 6 weeks, then allowed out in Wendover. Totally pissed for first time in my life. What memories... 🙂 We were the first entry to change from .303 rifles to the SLR.
@@equusasinus I used the 303 in the army cadets for several years before going to Halton. My grandson has just had a local leave day at Halton, they are not allowed into Wendover for some reason, he went to Aylesbury he was not impressed.
@@davegoldsmith4020 Glad to hear Aylesbury hasn't changed despite the rebuilding of the town centre. It always was a dump. To quote someone else, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig and there's loads of them in Aylesbury 🐷
Hey enjoyed the watch gave me insight for if i do decide to sign up. Quick question.. Is there a swimming test? I had a drowning experience few years back and I can swim (mainly breast stroke) and i still am okay in pools however submerging etc does raise my anxiety just curious if this is something i need to think about and look to train for?
Hi thanks for watching Depends on the job role, some require a swimming test but jot all of them. It'll tell you in the job site if it does. There's a day at Halton where they take you to a pool for a quick half length round a pool, but it's entirely your choice if you wish to do it as they get not everyone can swim. Essentially if you do it you're then allowed to do swimming activities once your in the real job, that's all
@@baileypapouis thanks for the reply bud! I was looking at RAF police officer but some of the other roles look interesting! But yeah physicality wise my cardio is strong and I’m an okay swimmer just not the keenest when it comes to it, think after nearly drowning you give a lot more respect to water after that🤣
Now almost four decades have passed , i feel i can safely own up to being the guy who stole the bus from Aylesbury town centre, and left in the middle of the parade ground. It's nothing to be proud of, and i apologise to all the apprentices who were confined to camp.
What timings are these late nights early mornings? Just wondering if I could adapt as I could imagine i will be in the march intake, as I have my DAA 9th of January. Thanks
Started my training on 7th Jan 1972 (217th Entry "Z Flight"). Spent 2 years at Halton. 10 weeks ! A walk in the park. A coach to transport your kit ! That what your feet are for.
Basic training is not hard, in my experience loads of ppl either overworry or treat it is a joke/summer camp. Just do as you’re told, apply yourself and don’t be afraid to ask any questions and you’ll breeze thru!
Thanks for this mate, love to see more vids breaking down the weeks in even more detail. Perhaps do some vids on the application process as there’s a lot of stages involved 👍🏻
