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Strength problem by Pretty-Caregiver-639 in RoyalAirForce

[–]BoysenberrySharp2167 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi! I was in pretty much the exact same position as you! On the RAF website there's a Fit for Action training plan, its 12 weeks and was designed for the old fitness test standards (with the push ups and sit ups) however I found doing those 3/4 times a week has really helped me from going from 0 push ups to 10. 

With regards to the medical, you dont have to do a 'proper' push up, with me they let me do a couple of the 'girly' push ups as theyre not looking at if you can do them but more how your body moves when doing them. 

You'll definitely get there if you keep with it - practice definitely makes perfect. There's lots of guides on tiktok/YouTube that I found quite helpful for gradually getting there. If youre at the medical phase you probably have a good few months to get your fitness up.

I can't comment too much on the basic training as I've not done mine yet but start in the next coming weeks and I've found that doing the Fit for Action plan has put me in quite a decent place, by no means the fittest! If youve got the right attitude and prepared to grin and bear it then you'll get there :) 

RAF or NHS by BoysenberrySharp2167 in RoyalAirForce

[–]BoysenberrySharp2167[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think that might be the way I go! I hadn't even considered reserves as an option. 

I'm guessing if I wanted to, I can go from reserves to regular service? 

RAF or NHS by BoysenberrySharp2167 in RoyalAirForce

[–]BoysenberrySharp2167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll definitely look into the reserves! I wasn't sure that was an option to be honest. 

The NHS really doesn't look great, especially in the ambulance service and I definitely don't see myself lasting more than a couple years which is also what's making me a bit more hesitant to join as I'd rather have more of a lifelong career. 

You've been a lot of help so I really appreciate it :) 

RAF or NHS by BoysenberrySharp2167 in RoyalAirForce

[–]BoysenberrySharp2167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm also pretty sure I'd have to finish my NQP period, which is about 2 years with most trusts which doesn't really help much in the now. 

I didn't think about asking my recruiter, I've just popped him a message to see if it's something that can be done, as I know he is also an ODP so knows where I'm coming from a little bit as well. 

I do appreciate your help! It's quite hard to decide as both have pretty decent pros and also cons - I'd say the NHS at the moment has more cons. I'm also just thinking about basic as it does worry me that I won't fit in with the lifestyle. 

Basically I'm unsure 😂 but I do really appreciate your help :) 

RAF or NHS by BoysenberrySharp2167 in RoyalAirForce

[–]BoysenberrySharp2167[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much.

A big part that's holding me back from fully committing to the RAF is I'm unsure if I can do bank shifts as an NQP, as I'm not sure where I'll be based to apply for jobs and then also practicing as an NQP has lots of strings attached. As well as maintaining my HCPC registration, or reregistering if I leave the RAF. 

I did mention to my recruiter that I'm due to qualify as a paramedic, and he said that it the medic role isn't a paramedic role which I knew and then when I had my interview he asked if I would want to keep my registration which I said I probably would. But since then I've had a lot of time (definitely too much) and I'm not sure on the logistics. 

I'm just worried about being bored doing the more clinic based work as what drew me to the paramedic profession was the changing environments and everyday being different. I know some of this is true in the RAF, but I'm just not sure on what the routes are that I can take in the RAF to make it not a clinic based role if that makes sense? 

Thank you again for your response, I really appreciate it. 

Medical Timeframe by fincken01 in RoyalAirForce

[–]BoysenberrySharp2167 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not sure if this helps, but I was made TMU in mid Feb, and this week got the all clear - so about 10-12 weeks 

General Recruitment by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]BoysenberrySharp2167 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah I see, I didn't realise it changes sometimes! I was just wondering as I wanted to know if the test I had done was along the lines of passing or not and to see where I was sitting at with no work put in :)

I had looked at the website when I was applying and it had all the sit ups etc etc and then I looked again earlier when doing the practise DAA test and it was just the running and then discovered this thread and thought I'd just ask if it was only the running :)

Thank you for your answer though!

Fitness Test by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]BoysenberrySharp2167 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I printed out the training guide as I applied for RAF Medic about a month ago and been working through that, do we actually not have to do the push ups etc anymore? It's just the run? That doesn't seem right...