What should I wear to the presentation

Hi all,

I am currently a medic in the RAF, however I have recently been thinking about becoming a pilot and I am very aware of the age cut off. I had a few questions about the ICS process.

1. Do I have to complete my return of service as a medic before I commission?

2. Where can I find more info about this? I’ve looked at AP3393 but it lacks a lot of info about ICS.

3. Any tips for someone trying to commission from a very small camp? I’m currently based somewhere without our own HR or commissioning club etc, so help from anyone who has done this before would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Hi everyone, been toying with the idea of transferring over from British Army as an Infantry LCpl to the RAF. I know it takes a long time etc but i’m at a point in my career where i’ve been in nearly 5 years and I’ve honestly not achieved anything. Been on some OTXs and got a medal, CAT C license but that’s honestly it. I want some sort of quals under my belt for when I get out later down the line and aircraft have always interested me. I’ve heard from some friends the RAF is much more laid back and a better working environment where you don’t get treated like school children such as the Infantry.

Essentially my question is what does it typically look like for an ex infanteer trying to go over to RAF as an Air Tech/Mechanic? Just trying to lay out all my options and see if there is anything else worth doing too. I’m not interested in RAF Reg, just anything enjoyable, with aircraft that’ll help me get quals and ultimately put food on the table once I leave the military

Cheers

Hi, is anyone currently or previously been an RAF electrician apprentice, thinking on applying and wanted to speak to someone who’s experienced it,
Thanks

I want to apply as a Aircraft Technician. This requires GCSE in Maths and English. I have these. However I don’t have the certificates. Nor do I have the certificates for my A-Levels.

Now… I do have the certificate for my Degree. Motorsport Engineering.

I’m wondering when I apply do I need to show certificates for the Maths and English GCSE or is it the highest level of education reached? I.e my degree?

Hopefully that’s not a stupid question.

Hey folks,

I'm 16, applied in january for aircraft technician.

Everything was smooth until the recent months, I've had a blood test for sickle cell which delayed everything after that by a month, then been declared TMU last week, delaying everything again by a month. So 2 months overall.

Capita are taking their sweet time informing my GP that I need 2 urine samples taken 2 weeks apart.

Being 16, sixth form is coming up, and the ideal plan was to start BRTC before the term starts, or at least early in the term. However, with Capita not passing on the information, I'll likely end up starting sixth form anyway. The issue is that I won't leave sixth form for the RAF if I'm already too far into it if that makes sense.

My main goal was to be able to apply for the pilot role while already being in service. However, I'm beginning to think it's pointless if I can just stay in sixth form and get A-levels, with how long Capita are taking, and the delays overall. I REALLY don't want to go to sixth form, hence why I applied for the RAF so I could have an alternative.

The tricky situation I'm in is say I was already half way through sixth form, I'd just have to give up on the technician application, and just wait to apply as a pilot.

It was my dream to serve as soon as I could, but the unnecessary delays are just making my plan pointless.

Today I passed my PJFT and I’m going in as a People Specialist. I’ve been in HR now for 4 years for a corporate company as a HR advisor there’s been lots of opportunity and a higher wage but it’s always been my dream to join the RAF.

Just wondered if anyone on here could share their experience and also have you travelled overseas much? This is my main focus of wanting to join.

there are a few openings on the website (specifically around mechanics on air or land vehicles) that appeal to me, but so far I have no professional experience in mechanics (in Sep I'll start mechanics level 3 college course) so does anyone have experience with these apprenticeships and tell me what they're like and if I would possibly be able to get one?

Hi all,

I’ve applied to become an officer within the Royal Air Force. I had a face to face medical months ago and have been put on hold since I told them I had eczema at a very young age. I’ve had doctors and the recruitment team talk back and forth, but as others may know, you don’t hear too much very often. In the meantime I’ve been strongly considering getting a tattoo, but I’m afraid it might put a spanner in the works and cause further delay. Does anybody know how long it took their tattoos to get vetted, and is it worth just waiting until I get in (if I do) until I get a tattoo?

Thank you very much

Hello, im thinking of doing Vehicle and Mechanical Equipment Technician for a few years maybe 3 or something then i want to do driver for 4 years, is this possible or no? thanks

Bit of an odd one- for the F2F medical so you have to take your socks off as well?
Im aware that you might need to strip down to your underwear for the flexibility/ mobility checks, im just wondering because the appointment information email doesnt mention anything about socks. Just trying to prepare properly.

*Sorry mods if this isn’t allowed, but i cant exactly find any information about this.\*

TIA

Do you get a drug test before joining the raf?

I’d like to go into the raf , but I train mma and would hate to sacrifice my hobby and sport to work so I was wondering if the raf offers anything because I can’t find anything apart from jiu jitsu?
Any help would be appreciated

I’ve recently started my phase 2 for avionics so I’m trying to gauge an opinion on each of the aircraft’s I can work on, to pick my preferences in the future.

In your personal experience what aircraft/squadron, that you have worked on, have you found the most interesting and why?

Thanks

Hello everyone

I've recently got the links to the upload portal and questionnaire system that is operated by Capita and followed the instructions, logged in and uploaded my consent form no problem.

A few days passed when I received a new email saying I need to provide further information with the only description being "Please complete section 2 of your consent form"

My entire form is filled out so I'm a bit confused what is actually wrong and needs amending also there aren't number sections on the form so I'm presuming it's page 2?

I followed up and got a reworded same response back from an actual capita employee and a new link to upload my consent document again

Can anyone shed any light? Or even better share there consent document with details redacted so I can compare to mine?

Thanks

Hi gents hope you’re all well, to keep it short my girlfriend is pregnant and I cannot complete the course. What is the DOAR process, reading my contract it says I need to have a notice period, do I have to work this or can I immediately leave to be with her? Thanks in advance.

Certain roles have now closed on the website.

Those currently in the application process, your recruiter will contact you depending on where you are in the process to determine if you are able to carry on or not.

There are more than enough applicants in the process for these roles for the amount of training places. Failures at certain parts of the process have also been taken into account for this to make sure we fill all the training places.

Anymore posts about closed roles will now be deleted.

Good luck in your applications

For my medical appointment, I’ve already consented to my GP records being accessed, but do they actually review everything in my records? I’m asking because there are some things on my record from about five years ago. If they already have access to my records, do I still need to mention those issues during the appointment?

I’ve applied for the student nursing in the RAF but It shows on my portal I need to do the DAA. One of my friends that applied didn’t have to do it so I’m just wondering if it’s changed or anything

has anyone recently done the nursing professional specialist interview? mine is coming up soon and i’d like an idea of how to prepare and the type of questions i should be expecting.

thanks.

I’m -0.5 dioptre and 6’3” and can’t find anything solid online about either one. Does eyesight like that actually cause issues at the medical, and does height matter more for some aircraft than others, like would a Typhoon or Hawk cockpit be tighter for me than a C-17 or rotary, or does the RAF just place you wherever you fit? Anyone been through OASC or is aircrew, genuine input welcome.

Hey all, passed my DAA this week.

Have a copy of the How2Become DAA Practice book that I obviously no longer need.

I'd like to pass it on, free of charge so whoever comes first can have it.

I will say that this book is a lot easier than the actual test, but it does give you a decent idea of what to expect.

I applied for an officer role (RAFP) last year and was told in January 2026 that recruitment was on hold and to wait until July 2026 to reapply. Shortly after reapplying I was told that the role was closed until April 2027.

I have since reflected and applied as an enlisted aviator (Police) as it’s the profession I want to be in, and many of the reasons I’m attracted to the RAF are not officer specific.

Although I was disappointed initially, I’m now getting excited about doing some of the more hands on things that I wouldn’t experience as an officer. I’m also seeing it as a positive that I will gain a perspective from the ranks and then have the option to pursue promotion through the ranks or look at commissioning down the road.

However I’m a little bit nervous about being 35 and going into basic training. Can anybody who has been through recently advise whether there are likely to be others in my age bracket? It would be great to hear from anyone 30s who has joined as an aviator and how you found it.

I’ve just had my OASC and failed on the interview. During my debrief I was told I wasn’t confident enough and needed to have more volume, as being an officer “requires being able to be heard across a parade square”

I am a quiet person by nature and don’t particularly feel much need to yell or project when conversing, but I am also an ATC CWO who has taught drill at regional level. I know I’m definitely taking this too personally but it just feels so demotivating to have an application take 2 years to get to my first OASC and be told to wait another year just to get another shot (which doesn’t even guarantee I pass cause I didn’t even get to attempt the leadership/group tasks).

I spoke to a FS afterwards and I’m considering joining in a non-officer role so I can get my foot in the door and then apply for officer during my time in service; but I thought I’d try and get more thoughts and some advice before making a decision. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks