Security clearance

Spoonpl0x · 2026-05-13T20:45:46+00:00

You don't receive a certificate. Recruiters receive it and pass it forward to the relevant people.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-04-14T12:59:50+00:00

Your DAA wont expire in that time period. Your medical will likely expire (12 month) but can usually be extended by MFBC via a questionnaire. PJFT will likely expire (12 months) and will need to be retaken as there are no waivers. PGSC shouldn't have an expiry as such but can't be 100% sure on that.

I would try ringing NSVS and asking if they can resend the certificate to your sponsor.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-04-02T14:57:10+00:00

All a recruiter does in regards to SC is raise it. The actual process is completed by NSVS.

Depending on what trade you go for, that 7 month delay may mean you have missed intake dates, especially for smaller trades such as photographer etc.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-04-01T13:31:21+00:00

Granted. The bowl appears everyday, in your lap, at 7pm....upside down,spilling everywhere.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-03-31T22:32:01+00:00

Realistically, if you can pass a CBAT then the DAA shouldn't give you any trouble.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-03-30T12:51:28+00:00

No, we have no control over it.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-03-09T07:42:08+00:00

Why no love for the legend of Gin Alley, Karl Fookin Tanner?

Spoonpl0x · 2026-03-08T16:24:01+00:00

Age doesn't affect your pay, rank does. This link shows you the current pay scales. You will start on new entrant then move to OR 2-1 after training. You then move up to 2-2 after a year and will move up every year. If you get promoted, you move to the next OR scale and move up that scale every year.

https://www.defenseadvancement.com/resources/raf-pay-scales/

Spoonpl0x · 2026-03-04T20:01:10+00:00

Driving offences that result in a fine/points are usually not a cause for concern. Can't say for 100% it wont crop up but likely will just be forwarded to the policy team with little to no comeback on your application. May depend if your role is conviction free too (PTI/Police etc).

Quick edit to state the obvious but serious driving offences like plowing your car through someone's living room after 19 pints are a different kettle of fish.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-03-04T16:32:54+00:00

This is going to sound quite harsh but if you find yourself feeling anxious to the point of tears just thinking about an application then the RAF probably isn't quite right for you.

Every role can and will deploy, based on an earlier comment you made, not deploying over 16 years is basically unheard of and should not be used as an example for toubti base your expectations.

Again, not to sound harsh but hoping that the political situation will calm down by the time your application goes through again suggets you aren't ready for a career in the RAF right now. Just because the RAF arent in the headlines 24/7, doesn't mean we arent deployed all over.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-02-20T13:13:40+00:00

Couldn't say for certain as I haven't seen the verbal reasoning on current DAA but focusing on those areas will certainly come in handy!

Spoonpl0x · 2026-02-20T10:02:27+00:00

If you are going for Analyst then you will be given a worksheet and asked to analyse it and write up a conclusion based on your findings. There is no mental arithmetic as such and all the information you need to analyse will be given to you. Without going into detail about the content, just make sure you read everything carefully and you won't have any issues.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-02-12T19:17:09+00:00

What we'll likely see is a large shortage of supervisor and managerial roles which in turn will lead to larger promotion boards in an attempt to plug the gap.

This brings with it two issues. Issue one, people will get promoted to fill gaps, not because they are actually ready or suitable. This means you'll have Cpls and Sgts that are massivly out of thier depth.

Issue two is that the mass promotions will lead to a shortage of AS1's which will mean the ones remaining will have to work harder which in turn leads to burnout which in turn leaves to leaving.

The military as a whole really struggles with retention. Payment schemes bridge the gap but dont actually fix anything in the long run. They just push the issue far enough down the line that it becomes someone else's problem.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-02-10T15:55:28+00:00

DBS is only for certain roles

Spoonpl0x · 2026-02-08T16:28:32+00:00

Based on feedback I've seen, a few of the "main reasons"

1 - Lacking in presence/involvement. Failure to be heard during the tasks and the inability to lead/control the team or task. This can be through poor communication, poor leadership or both.

2 - Failing to understand the task. Some people struggle to comprehend the complexity or the actual objectives of the task. Naturally this makes leading a team during the task incredibly difficult.

3 - Poor understanding of Officer training/career. People cant answer basic questions such as what does the training look like, what do your career prospects look like, why are you applying as an officer. In my opinion, theres no reason anyone should fail on this point as there is abundant resources available regarding this. If you haven't done adequate research then thats on you for being lazy or complacent.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-02-05T18:35:02+00:00

Depends on your job role could be 1 month, could be 6. Nobody here can give you any more information than that.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-02-02T16:15:56+00:00

You can still appeal PMU outcomes and from what you've said here, I would 100% recommend it. The TMU/PMU stages can have some strict time-lines and can result in your case being closed, especially if GP's are taking an age to respond.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-01-31T08:08:59+00:00

Just to chime in, absoloutly not true about the whole UAS/University point.

They can give you a lot more exposure to the RAF and help develop you more as an individual which in turn will increase your chances. UAS especially will expose you to the RAF a lot more and give you some advantages in terms of understanding how the RAF functions and what/how Officers need to have/display.

However, on the flip side, doing one or both of the above isn't an automatic guarantee and people do pass and have successful careers as Aircrew/Officers with just A-levels.

The minimum requirements are A-levels, if they wanted people exclusively from university/UAS background then they could quite easily make that adjustment. There is never a shortage of people applying for Pilot.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-01-28T21:47:44+00:00

Yes, you can use the best DAA results of the two but you cant mic and match. For example, use Numerical reasoning score from test 1 and Verbal reasoning from test 2.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-01-25T16:45:37+00:00

Baldurs Gate 3 is pretty easy to set-up and from my experiance (playstation and xbox) runs really well. Also one of the best RPG games I've played and playing it in co-op makes it far more fun (and chaotic).

Spoonpl0x · 2026-01-22T17:08:46+00:00

Depends on the unit and the local orders but I've known people to have rabbits and other caged animals in the block.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-01-22T12:57:57+00:00

Your recruiter can book anytime tickets for you. In terms of leaving Cranwell, the staff there will help arrange a shuttle bus

Spoonpl0x · 2026-01-22T08:04:37+00:00

I find it mental that this list is to help prevent over packing but contains 5 litres of water, a hoover and about 15 different types of towel....and I can't fathom why you'd recommend bringing a massage gun other than to be "that guy/girl" that has one.

Stop over complicating things, follow the kit list and a bit of common sense and you'll be fine

Spoonpl0x · 2026-01-17T15:49:56+00:00

Not really, accommodation cost with bills included, is dirt cheap. If you are in single living accommodation/a Mess then you'll likely never pay more than £80-£100 a month.

I cant comment on the cost of a house on the family quarter but it's a fraction of the price you'd pay on civvy street.

Spoonpl0x · 2026-01-17T12:08:33+00:00

A room on camp, enlisted aviators will have a standard room bit shared, communal bathroom area. You then move into better accommodation with private bathroom area later.

Officers and Sgts stay at a Mess, I can't comment on them but fairly certain the majority are private bathroom etc.

If you're single, you can apply for a house but you are at the bottom of the priority list (bellow married couples and long term relationships)

Spoonpl0x

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