Anyone in the RAF or Navy reserves?

[DNS]

Suffering from a definite lack of job satisfaction (been airline crew for 9 years) so been looking to change things around a bit.

Keep seeing adverts on TV for RAF and Royal Navy and it looks like the sort of thing which I'd get a real buzz from.

Think I'm a bit too old for full time, but like the idea of joining the reserves. Just something to get a bit of satisfaction from.

Anyone else in the reserves or know anything about it?

Going to go and talk to my local forces recruitment office, but thought I'd try here for some views from the average unbiased guy/girl first!

[TonyP2020]

RAF reserves is mostly Air Cadets (Air training Corps), mostly due to lack of RAF Bases.
Cadet forces are easier to fit into your normal family/work pattern.
You train young people, but get to go shooting, flying, gliding, annual camps, etc. accompanying the Cadets.
You can get into uniform, both non-commissioned and Commissioned.
Uniformed service is paid, Civilian Instructor isn't, but you get traveling expenses.
This is all from memory, so might have changed a bit.

http://www.chelmsford-aircadets.org.uk/default.asp

[rockafella8587]

I used to be in the RAF reserves. I was in an RAF Regiment squadron, which is an infantary squadron. There are a few different reserve squadrons about the country, you get paid pretty much the same as the full timers, and get an annual "bounty" if you do so many days per year. What type of job do you fancy doing tho? The Territorial Army has many many many different trades and are doing a massive recruitmemt drive at the moment.
Do some research before you head into your local armed forces career office tho so you know what you want to do. Whoever happens to be on the desk that day, (be it Navy, Army or RAF) they will just try to sell you their own cap badge.
Im in the regular RAF now but my reserve days were great, people who I worked with ranged from students (like me) to tradesmen to ex paras and marines!
Id say go for it

[MattVecVXR]

During 9 years of service in the Royal Navy, I can't say I've worked with a single RNR sailor, with exception of FTRS (Full time reserves) who have done their 22 years service and are on a separate contract to the 2nd open engagement (extending after 22 years).

The only RNR i can remember was in basic training and his only job was teaching new entry sailors to tie a couple of knots... not the most satisfying job id imagine. The MOD have a habit of polishing a turd and sprinkling it on glitter to make dull, gapped jobs more appealing. Sorry I can't be much help, but you're doing the right thing looking for advice. Try navy-net.co.uk, im sure there's plenty of help there with regards to RNR.

[TonyP2020]

Actually you are only about 60 miles from RAF Honington and RAF Northolt, so getting to an RAF Regiment base is a possibility.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Regiment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_A...t_RAuxAF_Units

When I tried to join RAuxAF Regt in RAF Leeming, the traveling to (Friday evening) and from (Sunday Evening) the RAF base was not worth the effort, especially as I also have a family with kids.
So I joined the Air Cadets, which I had also been in as a teenager.

[mspvxr]

What about royal marines reserve, now thats a challenge.

[DNS]

What about royal marines reserve, now thats a challenge.

Was tempted, but I don't think I've got what it takes sadly! Even with training!

Cheers for all the advice guys, think I've got a lot more research to do!

[Penfold101]

Are you cabin crew mate...?

[DNS]

Yes mate

[johnny kebab]

Join the air cadets, get treated like dirt, screwed over and ditched!

JK