Your Verdicts Please, a Career in the...

... RAF.

Okay currently I'm looking for a serious career and it was suggested to me that I should consider a career in the RAF. Right, because I am monsterously tall (6'5" ) I'd never become a pilot, but my family who have been in Engineering for many years believe I should become an engineering officer. I'd appreciate any feedback. Heres the job outline:

As an Engineer Officer (EngO) you�ll receive excellent training and have the opportunity to work with only the most sophisticated technology. Depending on your qualifications and capabilities, you could go into either Aerosystems (AS) or Communications/Electronics (CE). Whichever specialisation you enter, being an EngO is about leadership and management � and you�ll be given a lot more responsibility at an earlier age than you could ever expect as a civilian.
Aerosystems deals with the RAF�s cutting edge � its aircraft and missiles. As an EngO (AS) you would be dealing with the weapons, avionics and propulsion systems of all kinds of aircraft, their airborne communications and the ground support that goes with them. Early in your career, you could find yourself responsible for keeping a squadron of aircraft serviceable and ready to fly.

EngOs (CE) are responsible for maintaining every form of communications link � a task that is vital to the effectiveness of air operations. You could find yourself supervising the maintenance of ground radar systems, or looking after the complex satellite and ground-based communications networks of the UK�s air defence system. After gaining a few years� experience, you could even end up controlling spacecraft.

www.rafcareers.com...

Heres the Pay: �24,250��70,300 or US$38,152 - US$110,604

[Edited on 31-8-2003 by MrEisenhower]

[Edited on 31-8-2003 by MrEisenhower]

Sounds like a interesting job. Some other good things about is that you will get to handle some of the latest weapon technology.

I am assuming this is "post university" correct? In other words, the job requires a bachelor's degree of some sort? Would the "rank" be Second Luitenent? The U.S. military requires a bachelor's degree or many years exeprience as an enlisted man with a battery of exams to attain the "Officer Corps".

Sounds like a great opportunity for a young, INSANELY TALL person!

Seriously, though it does sound like a good start in life, responsibility, continuing education, latest systems (we all know the military gets all the Great Toys first) exeperience, and the pay is not shabby either.

I would think, that unlike the US which is so darn huge geographically, that if you were stationed in England and or Wales you could make it home to visit Mum and Dad as often you like yes?

I can say that I started out in the U.S. military and although I don't use any of the skills I learned in that experience now, I am a Banker, I would do it again.

The places I got to travel to, the diving (deep sea) I trained to do, and the self confidence/self reliance it instilled in me has proven to be invaluable.

PEACE...
m...

To add to Springer's comments.....
What are the requirements or pre-req's for this job?
Why not opt for what I am gearing for: something along the lines of 'military analyst'?


regards
seekerof

well of course me and you dont know each other very well but i suggest not doin it. just for the simple fact that someone told you that you should do it. usually when people tell me what i should or shouldnt do with my life i get very upset. i tell them something to this effect "its my life and i'll ruin it anyway i want"

so my vote is do whatever you want. and dont always worry bout money cause it aint going to make you happy in the end. youll figure it out and youll have a blast doin whatever you want!

Thankyou everyone for your feedback --- Well I haven't gone through Uni yet but the RAF would pay �5,000 to send me to university and get a degree in Engineering. I have enough qualifications to get considered by the RAF. I have 11 GCSEs' compared to there 3 GCSE minimum, but I'm working on my A-Levels.

Sponsorship
We can invest in your future by funding your studies until you�re ready to start training as an Engineer Officer

You can qualify for sponsorship to the tune of �5,500 a year through the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme (DTUS) if you�re studying Engineering or a related subject at Southampton or Newcastle University. In return, we ask you to become a member of the University Support Unit, spending at least 45 days a year with the RAF � and to join the RAF once you finish your studies.

If you�re at another university, you can apply for a University Bursary of �4,000 a year. And if you�re in the Sixth Form, you can qualify for a Sixth Form Scholarship of �2,000. In return, we ask you to become a member of the University Air Squadron (or Air Training Corps while you�re at school) and to join the RAF once you finish your studies.

As well as financial support, it�s an opportunity to get first-hand experience of the challenges you�ll face working with our people, technology and aircraft � and we�ll also give you free flying lessons!

Qualifications: degree - but professional qualifications also considered. GCSE/CSEs must include English language at grade C/3 minimum or equivalent

Nationality: citizen of the UK, the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland since birth

Seekerof, explain more about a "Military Analyst"

hmmm- thanks for your concern but at the moment it isn't definate. At the moment I have no real aspirations so I'm just trying to find some options.



[Edited on 31-8-2003 by MrEisenhower]

just for the simple fact that someone told you that you should do it. usually when people tell me what i should or shouldnt do with my life i get very upset. i tell them something to this effect "its my life and i'll ruin it anyway i want"

Unless, all of a sudden, I can't read, the man ASKED for opinions right? Unless you mean the fact his family is "telling him to do it", which it doesn't sound like they are to me based on what he typed here.

Why is it, certain people get so upset about suggestions from others? I was the same damn way when I was younger... I got over it, but I would get REALLY PISSED OFF at somebody who told me "you should go do this or that with your life young man"...

Strange... I find myself now with a son in college and totally avoiding any attempt at telling him what he should do with his life. HE chose computer science all by himself and I expect him to live with his decision and kick butt. My ONLY input into his decision making is how much spending money he gets...

PEACE...
m...

Personally, I believe military service is beneficial as I am considering a career in the U.S. Army. The pay may not be the greatest, but you do have opportunity for excellent training and experience with technology....and all for free.

Plus the honor and pride that comes from serving your country. If you can get a good technology related job in the RAF, it may very well be worthwhile to invest a few years in it.

I think you have to have perfect eyesight, hearing and no major psychological problems to be in the RAF.

Here is an example of what I am refering to. Please bear in mind that a 'military analyst' does not necessarily mean working with the government or an intelligence agency (could be with Janes, etc.).

"Military Analyst"
www.cia.gov...

regards
seekerof

[Edited on 31-8-2003 by Seekerof]

Foreign language skills-particularly in Chinese, Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, and Hindi--and military experience as an officer in an operations or intelligence command is desired

I wonder why they like people with them skills

well when someone suggest something to do with your life they usually say something to the effect of " you should be a (insert some job here)" thats all in fine but when people keep nagging on you for something that isnt you then it gets rather annoying. everyone has opions for my life and what it should be but no matter what i tell them about not wanting it to be that way they dont seem to care. and i talked to eise personally and that is not the case here. i guess i am alone in this aspect of life.

A very good opportunity, MrE: the service-bursary students are looked after well and get to do some interesting things during the vacations.
The RAF is, of course, a good Service Career and after the RAF, many opportunities in Civil Aviation and a very good Old Boys network.
I'd go for it.

Well,

If you really want to be an engineer, there are other ways to go about doing that. The bottom line is this: Do you want to be a military man or an engineer? That is, are you joining the military to become and engineer, or will you study engineering to become a better military man. If, at the bottom of your heart, you just want to be an engineer... than you should re-think this.

Again, you live (as do i) in a society wherein military service is voluntary. Any pressure that tells you that you must serve inorder to become a man is artificial and not based on reality. You can serve your country in various civilian roles, as well.

Personally, I think that if the Department of Education, and the role of teacher, was as esteemed in the USA as that of Defense (and being a soldier), that the USA would be much safer... and stronger. likewise, a good engineer on the employ of a university, or firm contracted to the government, can do more for his country than if he was in the military.

I've had 213 jobs and been fired 211 times. One thing I've noticed is that all jobs suck in one way or another.

Leek's Law of Corporations: For every ten people in a corporation or organization, there is one snitch and one bossy jerk trying to order everyone around.

Even with globalization--wogs coming over here to take your job and employers outsourcing your job to over there--accounting and engineering are so boring there always seem to be some jobs compared to other fields.