RAF Halton - What Basic Training Fitness Is Like. 

When’s your start date mate

No problem and well done for getting through the application process I know it can be a drag! Biggest piece of advice is do not quit regardless of how hard it gets because when you are on the parade square graduating the feeling is incredible! You make a lot of good mates and you'll look back saying it was a laugh which is was. Well done again and good luck! When is your start date?

Good on you. I've had an application sitting for 5 weeks now, told it would be 4, just to call up to chase to be told recruitment staff are off for leave because of Summer holidays.... How long did it take to get the interview n stuff man? And to get a date for training? Help a brother out cos this shit is stressing me tf out

@@undeadstormblade9337 If I have read the comment right that the time from when you put the application in to the present day is 5 weeks? You're looking at a minimum 4 months to go into basic training at the absolute best result which is quite rare to get. I was personally 11 months before I went off to basic training. Most others were 6-8 months. Have you done any part of the application yet? From DAA to interview it took me roughly a month or so. The date for training will come once your entire application has been completed (usually after fitness test) once I got the date set it was roughly 6 weeks from that point till day 0 of basic training. Keep in mind it all depends on what trade you chose as well as I've heard some trades go through a different application process. Hope this helps.

@@iMini92 ah well it wouldn’t be raf if there wasn’t a delay somewhere! 😄that’s great to hear you have a date it’ll come around quick I promise you. You’re very welcome! Glad to know these videos have helped you. Yes I do understand where you’re coming from it also helped me knowing there are other people going through the same thing as I am. Oh nice one! I will defo see you at cosford as my phase 2 don’t finish till next may! Drop us message before heading off to basic 🙂 well done for getting this far and make sure you stick at it through basic.

Nice work and thank you! I have to agree (from doing it) that the fitness will get you up to the standard and if you are a bedroom dweller (as I was before going in) you will be introduced to the good old vitamin D sunlight so its very good for your health. Keep us posted when you have a date :)

Thank you so much! And good work! I assume you got the trade you was after? Well everything happens in accordance to his plans and I thank god for all of these blessings that's happened over this year and hopefully (with his grace) can continue this journey to wherever he sees fit! God bless 🙏 and I hope everything works out for you and do keep us posted with how your interview goes.

@@JakeGchannelThanks! I am going for the Cyberspace Communication Specialist role but was literally off by one mark. However, I have been given the option to send a some sort of waiver off to try and see if they can let it slide I suppose as off by one mark is massively frustrating haha. But, I’m looking at my options and the Logistics Mover role is looking enticing if I do get denied in that particular role.

@@liamswift6866 fair enough and the raf do have leeway’s for certain circumstances so hopefully they’ll see that you’re determined and let you go as cyberspace. We had a few movers on my intake so it’s a popular role. Do keep us updated with what happens on the results.

If your anything like me, start running now. Just go to the gym and make sure you do the distance, whether that be if you have to walk abit (can’t do that on the actual PJFT) then build. Don’t worry about the time it’ll come. The interview isn’t bad, I was really nervous but they help you through they aren’t trying to catch you out. The medical is very self explanatory (but don’t admit stuff like saying you have hayfeaver unless you have been to the doctors over it. General rule, if your GP doesn’t know, they don’t need to). I’ve just got to apply for security clearance then I get my start date

@@andrewmcquiston6144 thank you and hope it helps 🙂

Thank you! Yeah there were a decent amount including myself. Most of them were of higher ranks in cadets (Sergeant myself) such as Flight Sergeant, Cadet Warrant Officer and Corporal. That was just air cadets there were army cadets there as well so a decent amount.

@@wookstera in the beginning yes but towards the end it starts slowing down a bit. I think on our last full week we done PT everyday but it was fun pt not thrashings.

@@blakesblake5663 ah nice work and I’ve been told Honnington is no joke! I’ve got a few lads and lasses back at Halton waiting till September to go back to Honnington but they were told throughout ifpt that phase 1 is the easiest part out of the two training 😄 glad to know you passed and well done.

@@JakeGchannel Yeah phase one is defo the easiest. I've heard phys is limited to an extent with only 3 sessions a week. Is this true? I don't want to lose fitness in phase one before i go to honington.

@@blakesblake5663 we done fitness like 5 times a week most weeks but as the course goes on you do less as you’re on blue warrior, Crickhowell etc. There were one or two weeks where we did have like only 2 or 3 session but it’s was relatively rare.

Hi Charlie, main tip I can give is keep in mind that the treadmill speeds are different depending on brand and model etc so just keep track of the timing in conjunction with the speed. Next biggest tip is just relax as best you can treat it like a normal day to keep your blood pressure down as I've had a few people comment that they had to re-do it due to having high blood pressure mainly from nerves. Other than that its pretty straight forward and just don't stop till you hit the required distance :) if you're confident in fitness you should smash it. Let us know how it goes though.

@@ibrahimarshad1732 thank you and it is funny until your are doing the actual fiz 😄

@@JakeGchannel Enjoy it mate! I loved the PT sessions the most, and I thought the PTIs were the best flight staff 😂

@@ibrahimarshad1732 well I have to admit I did feel great afterwards and PT at phase 2 is totally different so I am enjoying it way more. Our PT staff at Halton were basically our disciplinarians until the reg took over 😄

@@JakeGchannel Flight staff were amazing - some of the Reg Cpls were a good laugh 🤣

@@ibrahimarshad1732 yeah I did enjoy my time with them and looking forward to working with them in the wide Air Force as well.

Nice work! And ah damn that sucks but least you had the entire weekend to get it all ready so should be an easy pass! Only got a few days left! I remember what that feeling was like you must be mad excited. Good luck with your inspection, do keep us updated with how it goes.

Nice work! Mainly just keep calm and do you revision. Treat it like a normal/another day. Practise your answers as much as possible with clarity and more importantly truthful and confidence. I made a lengthy video talking about everything I was asked and what I did that made me pass you may find that way more useful. Hope this helps and good luck :)

Yeah same here, people sometimes wonder does it get better and to some extent it does but I think you get used to it more.

@@j8j8j8j8j8j8j8j813 oh big difference as the 2.4km is on a treadmill at 0 incline where runs were prob 3-5km normally up hills and down hills, slopes and inclines. I did a long distance run where we did like 10/11km and that included hills and stuff but it was more relaxed (the staff I mean) so it made it easier.

@@morgenh6930 yeah so ain’t I but if you just join in and you passed your pjft then you should be alright, just give it everything you’ve got and it’ll be alright you’ll notice a big fitness change 😄

@JakeGchannel I think its just cardio I really don't enjoy at all, I'm fine and good with weights and core stuff but never running

@@morgenh6930 yeah same here but you’ll be surprised the motivation you’ll gain when you’re there in that moment and your cardio will increase massively in basic, take it from me 😄

@JakeGchannel I don't know what it is but I have been training for months, lost 10kg and still can't be close to the pass mark which should honestly be easy for a 20 yo female

@@morgenh6930 I would encourage doing more miles at a slower pace which sounds like it won’t work but it does. What I mean is let’s say on average you do 5 miles a week running/jogging, do it at a pace that you can talk normal (not breathing heavy) the next week do 8 or 10 miles etc etc. Just up it every week at a pace that you feel like you can talk in and somehow (don’t ask how) your pace timing increases rather dramatically over a month or so while maintaining your ‘relaxed’ state if that make sense? In a nutshell you are using Aerobic energy (oxygen) for longer whereas if you were to switch to anaerobic (glucose) it’s only really useful for around a minute or two sometimes less before you are honking out. It sounds like you are instantly switching to anaerobic energy systems without training your body to increase its aerobic state via increasing the amount of miles per week while maintaining a ‘relaxed’ pace your body will start speeding up without switching to anaerobic. Thus meaning that your bleep and 2.4km run will be easier when it’s supposed to get harder. Just remember it’s not about the pace per se it’s maintaining that ‘relaxed’ or ‘breathable state’ not what pace you are doing that’ll build up the more miles you do. It’s a little complicated to understand but if you are still confused let me know and I’ll try to explain a little better 🙂

Yeah I have like 5 or 6 lads from my intake heading over to phase 2 with me on the same course and literally like half or so of my intake have gone cosford because the amount of PT and Techies there were.

For me it was like 3-4 weeks after that DAA but this obviously varies recruit to recruit.

No problem! That awesome to hear there were quite a few people from commonwealth backgrounds that were on my basic training intake (mainly from South Africa but some in other places as well) I heard that (specifically for the RAF) that you have had to be living in the UK for two years minimum before applying, other forces are apparently longer. Officer is a different kettle of fish as I went in as a standard rank which is much different but unfortunately I won't be able to comment on that as I've had no experience. Main advice is don't let anyone tell you different, if it's your dream and desire to be apart of the RAF then go for it, don't let age rule you out (as long as you are in the age range which is stated on the RAF website) I had a lovely lady on my flight from Nepal who was over 40 and graduated with us who is now at her post (she was already qualified so didn't need further training) working fully. Other than that good luck and give it a shot! What have you got to loose? Keep us posted with how it goes.

@@JakeGchannel Thank you so much Jake. Yes the rule apply to Nigerjans as regards year of residency which is 5 years. I will be 5 years by next year October and I'd been preparing for this since 2022. Trust be told, I do get people talking me out of it because of my age and homefront. My Kids are in their teens and I believe we will all be fine. I'm putting in all efforts, reading and doing serious research. I will surely keep you updated when I put in my application. Thanks once again and I pray I will also be able to do what you re doing to encourage ladies like me that are interested to join but don't know where to start from.

@@jessetheguy you’re very welcome and oh I thought it’ll be the same amount of years for each commonwealth country. Maybe it’s because you’re going officer. Yeah look I’m not going to be naive and say it’ll be a walk in the park as you do have kids and other responsibilities but if you truly believe this is the right path to go down to a better future then you know what’s best for yourself and more importantly your family and no one can tell you otherwise. The fact you have be preparing since 2022 says everything to me personally. I’m sure once you have done a little more researching and maybe a little bit of self reflection you’ll know for sure what the right answer will be (unless you have already) and once you know your answer then don’t procrastinate go for it! 🙂

@@JakeGchannel Thank you Jake. You've said it all. Thank you for the encouragement.

@@jessetheguy no need to thank me 🙂 just make sure if you come across someone in this world that may need a little encouragement (anywhere in the world not necessarily the military) just make sure you are the one who gives it to them 🙂 let us know how it goes with your application.

@@PollyOutdoors Yeah bone on bone grinding, you think you’ve got bad knees man 🤨😑😄

Quote of the century, made me feel so little in this world 😂, see u round cosford

@@PollyOutdoors obviously got to remember your grass roots 😄😂 yeah see you about.

Gives me all the more reasons to join 🙂

@@JakeGchannel that makes no sense whatsoever but good luck and make the most of it.