FEATURES BECOMING
A PART TIME RESERVE RAF REGIMENT GUNNER
by Matthew Pennells
moving to new places and I have always been interested in following in my father’s footsteps in an RAF career, but never seemed to get round to it after college with many other life experiences getting in the way. I want to make a difference and defend our country. Despite being surrounded by support
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engineers I was drawn to the RAF Regiment as I felt it would be more adventurous and involving the outdoors, excitement and greater risk.
Currently I live in Peterborough with my Fiancée and our two young children. After leaving school, I studied public services at college and have since enjoyed a variety of jobs as diverse as engineering and modelling; for the last three years I have been a self-employed painter and decorator. I like to keep busy and sociable and my family would probably describe me as the joker of the pack. I enjoy family days out and all sports, in particular football, rugby, fishing, and golf. My father and uncle both served
12 Envoy Autumn 2015
s a young ‘RAF Brat’ I always wanted to join the military. I enjoyed the life,
for many years as ground electricians and my fiancée’s father is still serving, also in ground engineering.
When taking steps to join the RAF, I initially did lots of research, both online and networking with former regulars and current Reserves. After applying online I was contacted by RAF Wittering as my local base. After discussing the available options with the training team they referred me to RAF Marham, as there were no Reserve RAF Regiment Gunner openings at Wittering. From there I attended a ‘Look at Life’ evening and then a testing day which involved a formal interview and aptitude test. I was then invited to my first training weekend where I was issued kit and started preparation for the two week initial training at RAF Halton. I also had to pass a medical and fitness test. There were no formal qualifications required for my trade but I found my public services college course was very useful.
Initial Training: Two weeks at RAF Halton We arrived on Friday evening and were not eased into anything; it was full on straight away. Within 20 minutes we were being briefed on tasks and having to sort out locker, kit and bed space in strict order. We were up and ready in uniform at 05:30 daily, often for locker and room inspections before breakfast, followed by a two-mile march to the training unit. The first few days were mainly classroom based and general service knowledge tests. My previous knowledge from college helped
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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