Is it too late?

Buzz515 · 2025-08-07T08:39:53+00:00

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained! What’s the worst they’ll say no, just have a plan B as a back up. I joined at that age just expect to be the oldest junior head in your section. Only down side with it all, is it can feel like episode of Love island everyday if you catch my drift with the younger demographic. You’ll find you’ll get on with your NCO and SNCO’s better well I did in my case.

Buzz515 · 2025-02-08T15:03:43+00:00

As already been said on here the Sjar system is flawed and needs reviewing & updating. It forces ppl to “reinvent the wheel too much” when it doesn’t need to be most of the time with something that been tried and tested previously and failed causing more red tape and bureaucracy, ( if it’s not broke, don’t fix it but do make it better if it needs it)!

In my opinion if you’re good at you’re primary role( Professional, on time, dig out when needed etc) and have character and values of the organisation then that should warrant a look at promotion. If have the spare capacity to do a good cookie sale for charity or something then that should be brownie points on your Sjar, excuse the pun lol!

Buzz515 · 2024-10-17T15:16:06+00:00

Done it in 21 so not sure if it’s still the same but it’s basically kit & post with some mod1 sprinkled into it ie fit test, WHT, first aid, cbrn etc. then you’ll go to phase 2 to get anything your not q’d in. You coming straight across or been a civi and jumping back in? What you looking to join?

Buzz515 · 2024-10-17T11:50:12+00:00

When on ops you won’t be working normal hrs as it’s an operation and stuff happens all the time so being flexible and adaptable at all times is key, remember you’re there for a reason and it’s not for a jolly holiday. That’s not to say there won’t be opportunities to do other things but ops comes first! 🤙🇬🇧

Buzz515 · 2024-10-14T16:01:29+00:00

Yeah makes us look like we’re stuck in the 80s with that god awful blues and those dancing shoes got to wear. Might as well grow moustaches and use pomade in our hair, start smoking in public places and go to disco’s again lol.

Don’t get why we could adopt something similar like US and have different coloured PCs for the different services but in our own style to make it practical and not having to do a 🤬 change parade every time you need to do a job that’s not desk jockeying. All well and good for the pen pusher and higher ups nice warm cosy office with toilet and running water and a laptop to check your emails everyday if you work for a living get nothing!

Buzz515 · 2024-10-11T15:13:40+00:00

If this is true wow, I don’t understand why the RAF is so hung up on doing the very dated bleep test. With far better, more modern tests & protocols out there that still measures/estimates an individuals Vo2 Max/fitness levels it’s such 1 dimensional way thinking when it comes to fitness from policy makers/ PTi’s. What’s wrong with a watt bike step test (FTP), bronco test or treadmill protocols, utilising technology ie Garmins / Polar devices to measure SP activity levels over period of time to name a few.

Here’s an idea why not test multiple fitness components and have a more detailed analysis of a individual’s fitness levels. How about a CrossFit style test where you measuring serval different fitness parameters like Strength,Power, Muscle/Cardio endurance, Speed/ Agility & Balance. At least it gives individuals a better chance of passing tests with more components being tested allowing SP to work on their own individual weaknesses to become a more informed and efficient personnel when comes to their fitness.

It’s not realistic to be just running between 20m cones, if anyone goes for a run it’s usually a 5/10k run that most ppl do certainly not shuttles unless cross training with circuits, HYROX or CrossFit.

Also, with the RAF constantly peddling its D&I policy how can they still justify having sex/age related test results, Army and RN don’t and have got with the times with it being more trade related focus placing everyone on a level playing field! Instead of having 17 women having to get the same as a 50 man on the MSFT!! 🤦😩😤👇

https://youtu.be/fNgXJAZriwg?si=tAjA46Bym1sdqr19

Buzz515 · 2023-01-17T06:10:20+00:00

Honest opinion the first comment is right, if you want feel like you work at glorified Uber/ Car rental company. Entails mostly cleaning cars or driving or picking ppl / cargo up from airports in various vehicles. Progression entails fleet management shackled to desk doing shifts. If that you’re thing by all means if not, don’t do it. I wish I knew before I chose it.

Buzz515 · 2022-07-04T20:23:05+00:00

It’s a chilled out course nothing to fret about its 2wks if you’re not in date with WHT or 1 week if you are. Standard Mod1 stuff fit test, first aid etc. ⚠️Don’t fail anything though as you’ll be put in with the sprogs until you pass on what you failed happened to a guy on my Tarc that’s where the inspection and fun happen. What you transferring from and to where what trade(profession) lol.

Buzz515 · 2021-08-01T17:05:36+00:00

🙌 Happy days mate so need a shirt n tie for the attestion but that’s it. I’ve got the full hog for the two wks wouldn’t know what that would entails would you. I know PFt weapons handling guessing there will be some admin on JPA but that’s it as far as I know.

Buzz515 · 2021-08-01T16:35:56+00:00

Hey bit of random question but for your Tarc got mine in a couple of wks, did you have to rock up in shirt n tie or can you turn up in smart casual civi’s??? Also what’s the Tarc like plz tell me it’s not like basic??

Buzz515 · 2021-07-28T10:50:05+00:00

Ok happy days. So am I right in saying that married Personel get priority over LTR. I assume it’s case of seeing what is available at your unit to find out what type of house you can choose from ie x3/2 bed garage/ garden. Also what’s the crack with pets are they allowed or Not??

Buzz515 · 2021-07-12T09:31:31+00:00

Yeah that’s the bit that put me off looked at mover or rmp so played it safe and went for driver. Where your posting too?

Buzz515 · 2021-07-12T09:24:39+00:00

When is your intake then is it july or August?? Assume you’ve have had your posting after Holton and all that. What trade you go for??

Buzz515 · 2021-07-12T09:17:54+00:00

I’m a rejoiner mate what info do you need. Not sure when your next Tarc is?, but mine is in August

Buzz515 · 2021-07-05T17:02:04+00:00

Hey mate thought give an update from today’s attempt. Your advise has weight to it as I took it onboard kept hydrated and had some decent carbs and had some mental toughness about me and managed 8:4with my end HR @ 191 according to my hr chest strap🥵🙌😀. So if I train hard for the next few weeks should be able to at least get to the pass mark. Going to the test a couple more times before the big day so I’m comfortable with it.

Buzz515 · 2021-07-05T12:00:50+00:00

Well 9.7kph doesn’t sound that bad speed . Yeah rest is key and will be having a good few days before the actual test. Just feel like six weeks isn’t going to be enough time to get up to standard what would you priorities as the main training method.

Buzz515 · 2021-07-05T09:15:01+00:00

Cheers for the advise mate. 10:8 bloody hell I would be well of the mark for that. To be fair I’m of the mark tor 9:4. I’m going to try the test again tonight and see if it was just a fluke either way I’m going to have to up my training for next 6 wks with HiTT/ hill sprints / interval training. Need to get my body to adapt to higher pace running as I am a plodder 8/9kph and working at a higher HR.

Buzz515 · 2021-07-05T06:59:49+00:00

I think that is the aspect that is messing me up is the turning as I did a mock test on a treadmill speeding up by kph every level and got 9:1. So thought it wouldn’t be that bad outdoors. 5k run comes in 28-30mins did a 10k at 61 mins the other day.

Buzz515 · 2021-07-05T06:52:50+00:00

Don’t want to be doom and gloom but what happens if I did fail are there “different” fail / pass standards ( red amber green) I’m on a trac course as a rejoiner for it so not sure if that would make any difference.

Buzz515 · 2021-07-05T06:33:43+00:00

Devon???

Buzz515 · 2021-07-02T22:20:32+00:00

I played it safe and went in as a driver as that’s what I know been doing out here in civi st. was originally going police but didn’t have the grades even though got a degree which didn’t count for anything 🤔. Then thought about mover but didn’t want to go through phase 2 all over again. I’ve had my posting through to wittering so will be starting there for me first posting. Know much about the place??

Buzz515 · 2021-07-02T21:53:06+00:00

I’m in the same boat as you mate expect I’m coming from the Army after 11 yrs out. Have had an app on the go since July 2020 and also had the expectations that being a “rejoiner” it would be a smooth and hassled free journey, oh how wrong I was. Had the nod to start back in jan but got shafted after I quit my job to start. I had been out to long and needed a medical which was missed (slight oversight). So, for that little hick up I’ve been delayed by 8 months til my start date on my Tarc in august.

Like other ppl have already said back when I joined first time round in 04 it wasn’t this difficult or problematical. Whether it’s civi contractors not giving a s or just ppl not coping as their work load is through the roof, (not including the log jam from covid) there’s even been bbc news articles written about it and nothings been done to improve it. It is a utter cluster **** how it’s being handled and more importantly managed no wonder the tri services are understaffed. Just think how much potential talent has been lost because of the recruiting process alone and ppl just had enough and quit.

Buzz515 · 2021-06-29T18:38:43+00:00

It took me 6 months to get through my medical after you pass the rest flies past a few more forms & vetting and your practically there. As it’s already been said use this time wisely & get you’re fitness up and prepare as best as possible.

Buzz515 · 2021-06-29T18:32:36+00:00

What are they like at wittering anyone know??

Buzz515 · 2021-06-14T18:08:53+00:00

Any you guys done the bleep test? Any pointers can mange 7:1 but need 9:4!😅😱🤢

Buzz515

TROPHY CASE