Definitely worth the 22 years!It has changed so much but its still a great way of life. You will need to move to different locations every 5 years, around the UK. You will go to some fantastic locations around the world

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Not bad

Driver (Former Employee) - Coningsby, Lincolnshire - 27 September 2022

The Air Force is not such a bad organisation. I guess the pay could be better but there's rare promotion opportunities. Plenty of different roles to choose from.

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Insights into Royal Air Force

Based on 74 survey responses

What people like

Feeling of personal appreciation
Supportive environment
Clear sense of purpose

You get out what you put in

Survival Equipment Specialist (Current Employee) - Boulmer, Northumberland - 8 August 2022

There are lots of training oppertunities and oppertunities for advancement. But the social life doesn’t exist anymore. You will get some of the best training in the world.

Pros

Job security

Cons

Away from family

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Part of a large organised family

Electrical NVQ Assessor (Manager) (Former Employee) - St Athans, South Glamorgan - 2 August 2022

I served 22yrs in the RAF, best years of my life, great skills learned, great friends made. Travelled to places and learnt about new cultures and ways of life. Great team and leadership skills gained. Would recommend this way of life for any young person. It is life changing for the better.

Pros

Teamwork and camaraderie

Cons

Sometimes the detachments can be quick on turn around

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Great

Mechanical Transport Driver (Former Employee) - United Kingdom - 20 July 2022

Was a very good career and I got a lot out of it, only left due to needing to be at home more. If I could go back I would. Got all my licences and great life experiences

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The Royal Air Force is not a job, but a way of life!

Mechanical transport driver (Former Employee) - United Kingdom - 26 June 2022

If you can fit the criteria for todays modern Armed forces, then you’ll not go far wrong in Her majesty’s Royal Air Force. Whatever your desire, you’ll find it here. Starting with the basics, discipline is foremost, but once you’ve graduated the world is your oyster.

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Exciting

RAF Woodvale COVID-19 Testing Center Deputy Manager (Current Employee) - England - 25 May 2022

managementworkplace culture career prospectsengagement passionate managers Excellent place to work. Great team bonds, travel opportunities and development

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30 years service

Senior Non Commissioned Officer / Radar Systems Manager (Former Employee) - RAF Boulmer - 11 May 2022

good employer, plenty of opportunities for advancement, aid in further learning, also help pay costs. accomodation is good and food is varied and worth the cost, look after their own, good range of postings

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No discipline or fitness standards

Medical Assistant (Former Employee) - Cottesmore, Leicestershire - 25 April 2022

What a waste of my life this experience was, was embarrassed to state my employer and job. No pride in job, no feeling of any value in the job. Found people thinking there were above other people even though the least senior force.

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Best years of your life

RAF Regiment Gunner (Former Employee) - Everywhere - 26 February 2022

Well it was many years ago but still as rewarding today, the friends you make the places you go, the respect you have for others, the future is yours.

Pros

The life and friendship you make with others.

Cons

None

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Jobs at Royal Air Force

PR & Engagement Officer

Pub Chef - 4 days per week working pattern

London

30+ days ago

Possibly the best job ever

Project Manager / Planner (Former Employee) - Lossiemouth, Moray - 30 January 2022

Hard work, with the opportunity to travel. The people you meet will remain life long friends. Applying for the trade that suits you is key to enjoying your day. But be aware that pay grades do differ quite significantly. eg technical trades tend to be better paid.

Pros

Cheap food and accommodation. Travel. Sport

Cons

Long hours at times

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Great comradeship, superb training with all equipment provided and life long friendships

Typhoon Transition Team - Engineering and Manning Resources (Former Employee) - Lossiemouth - 28 January 2022

The RAF was a great place to work, when i joined. It had a superb well defined managerial structure within the MOD but over the years constant government cutbacks have made significant changes to the high level management command structure. (with the heads of the three services each taking an equal term in overall command. Each favouring/ prioritising spending on their Arm of the Services) This had a demoralising effect as manpower and equipment reductions combined with increased workload have led to stress for many RAF personnel and significant failure of ageing equipments as they were pushed to the limit. Now looking at the Services from the outside things appear to be going full circle with modern equipment provision and training. However manning and equipment levels are still quite low. Currently there are not enough RAF personnel 33,200 to fill a moderately sized Premiere League football stadium. Today our total armed services are 198,000 strong. Given that we are potentially facing another conflict in Ukraine against a 100000 strong, superbly equipped division of the Russian Army plus their Air Force and Navy, I have reservations about recommending a career in the Services. My son is currently serving but has become disillusioned because of current re equipments which are so technically complex and sadly unreliable, they are more of a liability than an asset.

Pros

Job security, Reasonably good pay, Excellent equal opportunity employer, Tools and uniform provided, Accommodation provided at reasonable cost, Good medical support (including dental)free, Decent annual leave, Access to Sports facilities on unit.

Cons

Manning levels, Equipment levels (age and reliability), Operational Tempo (Historically we have been stretched to the limit), Government commitment to defence spending.

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High staff turn over with poor retention.

Technician (Former Employee) - RAF Leeming - 19 January 2022

Staff cuts and little going on in the world except for the pandemic has resulted in people been used to fill gaps here there and everywhere and not do the job they joined up for.

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