FEATURES
but I also learnt so much more. By day four, things really started to get interesting for me with the weapon handling training, learning everything from cleaning to firing and safety.
We also covered chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN), including the dreaded gas chamber where I was lucky that it didn’t affect me too much compared to some of the others. We also did first aid training followed by more module exams. After the formal daily program was over, we still had to prepare for the next day with kit and room inspections and then revise for the next day’s tests which took me long into the night.
We were learning all the time and it was very challenging with long days, lack of sleep and constantly being bombarded with new information. We were a close training flight of 27 and we all supported each other. I made a lot of new friends and some of these I would say are now friends for life. I missed my family and it was hard not being in contact with them all the time, but with everyone else in the same boat, it seemed to bond us closer together.
Adapting to orders Being self employed I am used to being my own boss, so I had to adjust quickly to
www.raf-ff.org.uk
following the orders and routine. Of course we had to learn to follow orders as a team as well as individually, which sometimes meant the odd punishment with leopard crawling and shuttle sprints at 06:30 to drive the point home.
At time of this article going to print, I am into my ninth month of training and I have just completed my two-week course – Omega. This mainly consisted of section battle drills, staying out in the field for almost two weeks. It was a lot harder, both mentally and physically, than that my first training but I understand it was to show us the worse-case scenario. I really
enjoyed it though, made more friends and really tested my own strengths. After this particular course was completed we returned back to our squadron for range time in order to complete our ACMT. All that's left for me now is one more shoot and to carry out live grenade throwing then I will achieve my mud guards; the thing I have been working so hard for. The RAF Regiment has lived up to my expectations and in fact is better than imagined.
My advice to others would be this: • Believe in yourself, stick with it and remember we all have to learn the basics before the fun stuff begins.
• Be confident, it is tough but worth it (we started as a training group of 25 at RAF Marham but only 8 remain).
• Do lots of research; speak to people in the services to help you find the right trade.
• Keep up a good level of basic fitness.
I regret not joining as a regular RAF serviceman at a younger age. However, I now have the best of both worlds to suit my family and business. It’s most definitely the best decision I ever made.
If you know of anyone wishing to join the RAF, whether as a Regular or a Reservist, they can find out more at
www.raf.mod. uk/recruitment
Envoy Autumn 2015 13
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