Case study
Name: Guy Lockwood
‘Being on the front line and flying one of the best fast jets in the world is a real privilege.’
My role
‘My job at the moment is working as one of the Squadron pilots bringing the Typhoon into active service. To begin with, it will be involved in quick reaction alert, which means intercepting unknown aircraft in British airspace.
‘Then, in the near future, it’s going to be a multi-role aircraft and will be deployable in both the air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. As a Typhoon pilot, I’ll be sent wherever the aircraft is deployed.’
My day
‘When we arrive at work, we’ll get together for a met brief and find out about the day’s weather, aircraft serviceability and the flying programme. Then we get into the planning cycle which takes place two to three hours before take off.
‘Every aircraft has a “brick” that contains data for each mission. We load this during our planning, get a map and take a brief from the formation leader on the day’s tactics. We also brief the Fighter Controllers and any other formations we’re working with that day.
‘We get an out-brief before we fly, just in case there have been any changes with the weather, the aircraft or the airfield, and then we get changed. This takes about 10 minutes in winter because you’ve got an immersion suit, thermal layers, a g-suit and flight jacket.
‘Most sorties last for about an hour and a half, depending on what we’re doing. Once we land we have a debrief – usually playing tapes to show what happened in the cockpit.
‘Once that’s done, you have to deal with your secondary duties and any admin, and then hopefully head to the gym. It’s quite physically demanding to fly the aircraft so it’s good to get down to the gym as often as you can.’
My experiences
‘I became a qualified ski instructor after joining the Air Force. I found myself in between flying courses a couple of times and when this happened in the winter, I was able to take people away on adventurous training. I still do that sometimes, but much more infrequently now that I’m on the front line.’
My life
‘I know friends and family who’ve struggled to find out what it is they want to do in life, but for me, the fact that the RAF combines the outdoor life with plenty of challenges in the workplace makes it the best of both worlds.’
Weapon Systems Operator (Crewman)
Job description: Work in search and rescue in our coastal and mountain regions or deliver troops and supplies safely around the world.
Pay after training: £32,700
Joining age: 17.5 – 32
Category: NC Aircrew
Usual service: 12 years
Open to: men or women
Similar civilian jobs:
- Search and Rescue Crewman
- Paramedic
- Airline Cabin Crew
- Ship’s Bursar
Qualifications: 5 GSCEs/SCEs at (Grade C/3 minimum) or equivalent to include English language, maths, and a physics-based science subject
Nationality: British citizen since birth or holder of dual British/other nationality
The job
Weapon Systems Operators (Crewman) plan for the freight – supplies or personnel, weapons, relief packages or a medical team – to be loaded, carried and unloaded from aircraft quickly and safely. You may also have an important role on the flight deck, offering hands-on assistance and information to the pilots. For some missions, you could be trained to operate the aircraft’s defence systems.
During your training, your skills and the RAF’s needs determine whether you work on rotary wing aircraft (helicopters) or fixed-wing aircraft.
Other roles
As a Weapon Systems Operator (Crewman), you can also volunteer to train as a Winchman on a Sea King search and rescue helicopter later in your career.
Training
All Weapon Systems Operators join the RAF as non-commissioned aircrew. After your recruit and specialist training, you’ll be streamed, according to your skills, to become a Weapon Systems Operator (Crewman), a Weapon Systems Operator (Acoustic and Electronic Warfare) or a Weapon Systems Operator (Linguist).
Case study
Name: Justin Woolley
‘It’s exciting. It’s challenging. What more can you ask from a job than that?’
My role
‘Even a snapshot of the job would make a large book. The Chinook is an extremely versatile helicopter, designed for multi-tasking in a diversity of roles and environments – and crewmen have to be as flexible as the aircraft.’
My day
‘As a crewman, you’re responsible for all aspects of aircraft loading, both internal and external. With the Chinook triple-hook system and capacity to carry 40 fully equipped troops, the crewman has to be able to fulfil a number of roles – not only operating the aircraft’s communications, self-defence and weapon systems, but also planning missions and servicing the aircraft when it’s operating “in the field”.’
My experiences
'I enjoy sub-aqua diving in my spare time. That’s one distinct advantage of being in the RAF – if you’ve got a hobby or an interest, you’ll usually find there’s a club for it.
‘I’ve operated as far afield as the Falkland Islands, Canada and Bosnia as well as in the UK – and enjoyed every minute of it!’
My life
‘Socially, an RAF unit is a very close-knit community and there’s never a dull moment. Even though I now live off base in my own place, I still attend Squadron functions, Mess balls and dining-in nights.’
Dog Handler
Job Family: Security and Armed Forces
Dog handlers work with their dogs to help prevent and detect crime or to find lost and missing people. Dogs are used for a range of work activities:
- as guard dogs to patrol property
- to search for explosives, weapons or drugs
- to detect drugs, cigarettes and other things being brought into the country illegally
- to search for missing, lost or injured people and to locate dead bodies
- to find where fires have been started in an arson attack
- to protect people
- to track and detain offenders.
Handlers learn how to use a series of commands and signals to indicate what they want their dog to do. Most working dogs live with their handlers, who are responsible for exercising, feeding and grooming them.
Hours of work vary. They can be long and include evenings, nights and weekends. Dog handling involves standing and a lot of walking. The work is mostly outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions.
Salaries for private security dog handlers range from at least £15,000 a year up to £25,000. Others work for organisations like the police, fire and rescue or prison services, where salaries are on set scales for all employees.
A dog handler should:
- know how to care for their dog
- work well both independently and in a team
- be reliable, patient and self-confident
- have a genuine interest in working with dogs.
Dog handlers are employed by police forces, HM Revenue and Customs, fire and rescue services, the Armed Forces, prison services, industrial and commercial companies and private security companies. Many handlers in private security are self-employed and are hired by security companies.
Some organisations, like police forces, HM Revenue and Customs, fire and rescue services and prison services, only select their dog handlers from people already working for them. Academic qualifications are not required to become a dog handler in private security. The Armed Forces do not specify any qualifications, but most applicants have GCSEs/S grades including English and maths.
Training varies between different organisations, but it usually lasts several weeks. Handlers in private security may train in a range of security work.
Promotion is possible in the police, the Armed Forces, HM Revenue and Customs, fire and rescue services and prison services. Dog handlers in private security may become supervisors or managers. They may also set up their own security firms
Resources:
R.A.F careers office & booklets
