Відео

I hope you’re good at resetting fire alarms!

Hey whatever floats your plane 🤣sounds like you had an interesting career! Hope you are doing well.

Well we did shave cold at RAF Halton I can assure you 😄 hair cut no necessary as they accept that standard now and navy is no go not a fan of boats prefer planes 😁

Every recruiter is different so what my recruiter asked might not be the same as yours, I did make an interview video but if you go to the description part of that video I listed all the questions they asked me and some I prepared for. Hope this helps.

There is a lot to take in especially during basic (I’m graduating tomorrow after 11 long weeks) but in terms of time, for me to get to basic training from applying it took 11 months but I had a load of medical jargon to deal with. I’ve heard better like 5/6 months but also some worst at almost 2 years so it varies for different people. In terms of what to expect, nothing much during the application but basic is a pretty big hitter which would take me hours to explain typing it. I will make a vid in the next couple of days when I’m finally home talking about everything I can. Small things to do keep in mind is make a first good impression always, show up on time with the correct kit and push yourself on every areas you will pass with flying colours. Again, I’ll go into more detail when I have time to make a vid. Hope this helps.

@@JakeGchannel really helpful advice mate. Really appreciate it

That’s great to hear! It will go quick I promise and I know that as I’m graduating from basic training tomorrow! So it shows anyone can do it if their heart is in fully. Do keep us updated with how your application goes and good luck 👍

No problem! And it’s after the interview so stage 3 if you will (well it was for me anyway it could have changed but don’t think so). Previous mental health is a tough one as it’s such a vast area of different issues. I would say go and do the medical because you might see whatever your previous issue as bad where they might not. If it doesn’t work out for you based on those mental problems then at least you can say you did it and tried instead of just quitting where for the rest of your life you’ll be wondering ‘but what if’ if that makes sense. Hope this helps.

It’s changed now I done mine on day 3 as I’m the second intake on a new course (obviously the course could possibly change again so don’t take my word as gospel) it was 9.10 bleep score, 20 push ups and 35 sit ups. 9.10 means level 9 lap 10 (for anyone that might be confused). Hope this clear things up.

@@JakeGchannel cheers for the reply, how’d you find it compared to the 2.4km run?

@@loufc6186 I struggled badly only because I got like barely any sleep the past 2 nights and I trained for 9:0 as the raf website state the pass mark is 8.06 but this is wrong. I did fail it but I got to 9.5 and because it was in a 10% threshold they keep you on but you have to do the fitness test again on day 30 or 34 or something and you have to hit the minimum requirements otherwise you get reflighted. I defo wouldn’t recommend thinking it’s ok to get 10% because it doesn’t look good and if you pass first time around you won’t have to do the fitness test again until like day 62 or something so it’s worth passing. I did smash the day 30 or 34 test as the physical fitness here is on a different level in comparison to what I’m used to and if you put the work in and try your absolute hardest your fitness will sky rocket massively.

Glad to hear it helped! Nice what role you going for?

Hmmm good question it depends on how well you do and how quick the raf moves your application along. It took me from applying in April 2023 to passing fitness on February 2024. Please keep in mind I had way over 4 months on issues with medical so that’s what slowed it way down. Any other questions please feel free to ask 🙂

Damn sorry to hear that. It’s an unusual one, a few lads here at Halton have said things similar when they did an interview so unless it’s new or it’s recruiter dependent I’m not sure. How did it work then was it a pre-set questions you just answered?

@@JakeGchannel yeah pretty much, then you click record and you can re-record of your feel like you messed up. I did abuse this, researching questions that I had no idea how to respond to, but idk if my overall performance was adequate, which obviously after the fact wasn’t.

@@wmd2556 yeah must be hard to swallow pretty annoying. What’s happening now do you get a re-sit or is that it?

@@JakeGchannel Nothing, can reapply next year or a different role, nothing yet so far

@@wmd2556 Damn got some hard choices to make. Do keep us informed with whatever choice you decide in the end 🙂

No problem 🙂 and damn I know what it’s like to not get the outcome you want but if you are able to get a second chance in a few weeks time defo revise harder and you should be fine especially when you know what to sort of expect for the next time around. Do keep us updated on how it goes.

Thank you very much for the comment! 🙂 I’m glad your kids are enjoying their career and doing well. I believe what your son is doing is what I’ll be doing but they changed the name I think to cyberspace communication specialist. Really excited to be apart of this massive family and be apart of something meaningful. If you don’t mind me asking, would you be able to tell me how long you was in the RAF for and what biggest piece of advise would you give for people who are starting out?

Lucky you, I’ve only got showers in my block would happily go through CBRN again for a bath.

Unfortunately I am not going in as a pilot I’m going in a cyberspace specialist. What I do know is that a pilot is extremely competitive. As you are probably aware there are loads of people wanting that job so the RAF accepts only the top performers in all areas (academic, fitness etc) I once got told (many many years ago so it could of changed) that you need A’s minimum (or whatever the number is that’s equivalent for A’s) across all GCSE’s. Please keep in mind this is my opinion/experience of talking to members of the RAF and I am not a recruiter with the exact requirements so don’t take what I say as gospel. I would advise (again just my own opinion) doing the best you can to reach those standards but be fully aware of what those standards are and have the self-awareness to know where you are in comparison to those standards regardless if you are close or totally miles away. If you’re able to do this at your age it will give you a gigantic advantage as you still have time to improve and because you have the Integrity (one of the RAF’s core values) to be self-aware to admit where you are (even if you don’t like it) it will give you an advantage not only in the job but in life as a whole as well which goes really far I promise you. I’ve tried to lay out this answer as easy as I can for you understand from your age and I don’t want you to feel like I’m trying to put your aspirations down as I wanted the same role at your age but it’s vital (talking from experience) that you are fully aware of yourself in terms of academic, fitness etc in order to gain the greatest chance of getting your dream role. Please drop any other questions and I’ll be happy to answer the best I can. Hope this helps.

Thanks! Glad you find it helpful 🙂 good question and to be honest there’s no simple answer as it’s all individual. For me personally a week was way enough just due to the amount of revision I was doing and how well my answers were getting structured and remembered. If you’re finding yourself getting the answers down confidently then a week should be fine. However, keep in mind that your worst enemy is yourself (meaning your mind) I couldn’t tell you the amount of times that I was close to pushing things back or not doing them at all because I was imagining/guessing what it could be like and I always (for me anyway) over estimated how hard it will be or the repercussions for the outcome I didn’t want. Lastly, I learned that setting things in motion that are time sensitive (like giving yourself a week) makes me work more effective and hard even though I don’t like it. This happens especially in basic training as every week there’s a new exam/practical test so it’s good training to do it now. Obviously this is just me, doesn’t mean it’ll work for you and you may need that extra time but don’t slip into the habit of having that extra time because you’re nervous/worried as you don’t have luxury in Halton (unless you’re going cranwell then I have no idea what that’s like) hope this helps.

No problem thank you for the comment! I just gave you a few tools to help you out, you were the one who put the work in and got over the finish line with the trade you wanted (hopefully!) so the win is all yours 🙂 you deserve it. Keep us posted with how your interview goes.

@@JakeGchannel Thank you mate! These videos are great, I'll definitely keep you posted.

Thanks! Not there yet but over half way as it’s the end of week 5 heading in week 6 on Monday so 4 more weeks after that (granted I pass everything and don’t get reflighted).

I’m not 100% sure as im not qualified in that area but from my personal experience, I have fillings in every single one of my tooth I don’t have decay (checked by raf at halton) as I do take good care of them, if you do have decay/decayed I don’t see why the would decline you but again I’m not the health people and I don’t have that qualified position to judge. All I would say is still go do the medical as they might surprise you. Do let us know how it goes.

You are very welcome glad they helped. Do keep us posted with how your application is going.

@@JakeGchannel good luck with basic hope everything goes smoothly

@@FrankMackey-sb8lw thank you and it’s going good defo a struggle but defo worth it 😁

Thanks a lot! Appreciate the comment. Defo keep as calm as possible on the day you’ll smash it (granted you’ve put the revision in) yeah BRTC is defo a big challenge, it changes your mentality and you also learn things about yourself that you never thought was there. These 5 weeks have gone slow and fast but once you get into a routine it because slightly easier but I’ll but up at 4/4:30am tomorrow getting ready for the day and that’s quite common. Do keep us informed with how your interview goes will be great to hear how it went.

@@JakeGchannel Struggled my way through the interview, it definitely could have been better but I'd put in plenty of revision and the interview was a success! Looking so forward to getting my start, and the interviewer even stated that moving forward things could go by very quickly and I could be at Halton in as little as 6 weeks. Medical booked for next week, and I'm hitting all the benchmarks for the fitness test. Good luck in the rest of your training!

@@iMini92 it does go quick (at least if you don’t get held back on everything) yeah that’s crazy if it’s 6 weeks then you will be in the same intake (Douglas) as I am, as we graduate 2 weeks before your supposed joining date and there’s a new intake every 2 weeks. Least you got through the interview and do keep us posted with how the medical goes.

Hey out of interest what sort of stuff did they ask you in the interview

@@bsplush8267 Mainly like why I want to join, if I will be able to take a life, RAF bases etc. I do have a video which is on the interview where I go through almost all questions they asked in depth. It's a long winded video but you may find it helpful.

Hey! I’m currently moving onto week 5 which (as you know) is live firing, got WHT on Tuesday which I’m relatively confident in as I done the exact same in cadets, got my fitness test again as I didn’t pass it first time got 10% and I’m a little worried about it. Overall it’s defo a challenge but I’m glad I’m halfway through. What trade are you doing in phase 2 and when did you pass out of phase 1.

@@JakeGchannel ah mate don't stress the fitness test ur gonna be fineee you do enough phys as you know 😂 so I passed out on the 3rd April with Douglas intake and I'm a logistics driver so I'm currently at dst Leconfield near hull

@@loganmitchell7530 yeah we done bear crawls, leopard crawls, monkey runs and sprints around goal posts today I was completely shattered so I hope my fitness has got better. That’s crazy! I’m in Douglas now so must of been the intake after you as I join on the 22nd of April. That’s great is phase 2 better than phase 1? 😄

@@JakeGchannel milessss better u did functional greens today then 😂 jst enjoy phase 1 like we said the days drag but the weeks go quick mate

@@loganmitchell7530 yeah and it was a punishment one as people keep mucking around in our intake and I think they called it the ‘impossible mile’ which in its name was impossible even for the athletes in our intake. Yeah we’ve said the same thing like it’s goes slow but really quick at the same time and week 5 have gone crazily quick already on Thursday tomorrow, got Prog 2 this Saturday so will just brush up revision on these past two days and get bulling which isn’t a problem.

If you were to type in a base like RAF Brize Norton or RAF Coningsby on Google then it should come up on the actual raf’s website with their description. Hope this helps.

@@JakeGchannel thank you!

No problem 🙂 glad it helped

That’s great I’m currently in basic training now and is defo a challenge but will be worth in the long run, stay through it and you’ll enjoy it.

Thank you, that’s great to hear and I hope he is doing well and smashing through it!

@@JakeGchannel he seems to be, thank you! Hope BRTC is going well and you can see the finish line 💪🏻💪🏻

@@NickyGardner-nd3sl yeah as your son will know it is defo a challenge but every day is closer to home and is becoming easier. Do keep us posted when he starts his phase 2 (if he hasn’t already)

@@JakeGchannel you just have to keep your head down and get on with it. Tick off each day and test as you get through them. All will be well am sure💪🏻. Yes he’s started phase 2, 4 weeks in now. It’s completely different to Halton! Evenings and most weekends they are allowed off the base, so all good thank you!

@@NickyGardner-nd3sl yeah that is what I’m doing but feels weird to be the second intake to pass out (meaning the intake in front of us are next to pass out) and we have new intakes time just flies by it’s scary. Yeah I’m heading to cosford after this and you get every evening off and weekends, defo looking forward to it.

I passed out with this guy🫡

Big lizard

Well done about passing basics :) I was wondering if you could help me with a question I’ve been having, I’m in my last year of A Levels and I was thinking about applying as soon as I have my results around the middle of August, from when I apply how long do you think it will take for me to be accepted and be in Basic Training? Thanks a lot! :))

Makes sense, fortunately when I got my boots from stores I didn’t get any blisters and they are broken in now cause the amount of drill/walking we do. Vaseline is a definite as my knuckles have cracked, bleeding so got some for that.

How old is he?

Oh really? Do you know what flight he is on (won’t ask for name as it’s online obv)

day 400 of my application still not in

They sure do like to take their time but my doctors didn’t help personally. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do but wait, do let us know when it’s all straight and sorted.

@@samowenstanley guys here at Halton waited over a year some almost two so it’s relatively common, you waiting on medical?

@@JakeGchannel I did fail my medical twice but I passed on my third attempt. I'm just waiting for a start date. I've given them my bank details and I'm just waiting now for a start date. it just feels super long.

@@JakeGchannel That's so long aha. How many people are in your course/class at halton?

You are very welcome and glad to hear you’re thinking about it, do let us know when you do and how it goes 🙂

Thank you! And first weekend off second week down defo a really challenge but the real challenge starts next week on IFPT for 5/6 weeks. I won’t say too much about the first two weeks as I’m still trying to pull it all together! Will make a vid when I get pass out hopefully in July.

@@JakeGchannel well done on your first two week. You are doing great, even if sometimes it doesn’t feel like it, you are... my lad didn’t like the first half of the training but did enjoy CBRN, and he didn’t think blue worrier was that bd either! Best of luck fit the coming weeks. You’ll smash it I’m sure 💪

@@mkjones7603 thank you and I am looking forward to Initial exposure to see what it’s like but this week is when people start getting reflighted so gotta work twice as hard as before. It’s good to hear he enjoyed it and I hope he said the same as the others that time will fly by now.

@@JakeGchannelhow are you getting on?

@@mkjones7603 its going good, I’m moving onto week 5 which is live firing, defo been a difficult 2/3 weeks, week 4 was easier and more fun. It is very challenging as on average I get 3-4 hours sleep on working days so you have to get used to that. Half way to finishing which I’m praying I get to do without needing to stay here longer than 10 weeks but time will tell. How are things going for you?

Thank you so much appreciate it 🙂

Oh nice and I would have tons! But I guess the best one is what would you suggest/recommend doing now knowing your job to make you more prepared or is there nothing you can do 😄

@@JakeGchannel That's a hard one! There isn't anything to prepare you for what's to come, the training is there for a reason and there is lots of on the job training! As soon as you finish training you'll soon get an understanding of your job and what courses you need to take and what skills you need to develop depending on your assigned job role/posting. I can imagine you have a lot of questions ahaha just ask away.

@@Logan-uc5iy yeah I thought so, another is that you mentioned ‘(IT Tech)’ I know there are different sections/sectors to the cyberspace role, but what’s included in the IT Tech section and have you been there since passing phase 2?

@@JakeGchannel Unfortunately the RAF uses Cyber and Cyberspace in our job description in a misleading way, if you've applied as Cyberspace comms specialist you're an IT Technician also known as Trade Group 4. Once you finish phase 2 you'll find out where your going and into what role as there are many roles that you can fall into, cyber is one of these but from my knowledge this a role you apply for after you've gotten to your first unit/posting. I'm currently posted into a Network technician role which involves deployable satellite comms.

@@Logan-uc5iy Right I see! Thanks makes sense now, I still have more but doing some final packing now so will have to ask when I've got some more time. Hope everything is going good in the RAF :)

I wished I was doing pilot!😄 unfortunately I’m not that clever and I’m doing cyberspace communications instead. Did you join the USAF as a pilot?

Thank you so much! Its a bit surreal running the thought around my head that I'll be off starting a total new chapter (exciting and nervous at the same time) and even stranger than that the next time I see my partner after tomorrow she won't be pregnant anymore which is just crazy to try to conceptualise! 😄 Thank you for the comment and do let us know how your application is going :)

You are very welcome and I'm glad you found them useful. I feel a little odd but generally ok, now it's only a day a way the nerves are starting to kick in which is expected as I've had the same feeling with every phase of the application (meaning like day before interview/medical/DAA etc) but I feel ready to tackle as much as they throw at me! Everything is packed just got to load it into the car and it's all done. How's your application going?

@@JakeGchannel My application is going amazing right now I also have to pack my stuff soon I'm leaving on the 6th and my last college day is 2nd May

@@l_trips_ that’s great to hear! Have you got a basic training date set yet or are you not at that point yet? (Sorry I can’t remember as I’ve been so focused on these 2 weeks!)

@@JakeGchannelhey man I hope basic training is going amazing for you! My basic training starts 6th of May so that’s next Monday 💪

@@l_trips_ ah that’s mad! You must be on Pearson intake? It’s defo a hard one to tackle but it gets easier, day 8 was probably the worst so far (mainly missing my partner, block punishment, getting organised etc) however, once I got through it I felt so much better and able to take things on. A couple of tips, really work as a team in your room, find what your guys strengths and weaknesses are and work together otherwise it will be really hard 10 weeks. Get used to moving at a fast pace, listen to the Corporals exactly, be on time with everything and you’ll be fine. Will probably see you at the base laundromat at some point. Good luck! Make sure you have all your kit list and make a good first impression to your intake staff 👍.

Yeah little nervous as you can imagine especially as I'm only a day a way but am really excited to get into the mud of things. Nice! What trade are you now training for? (Phase 2)

@@JakeGchannel Yeah the nerves and excitement do ramp up the day before you start. I've finished my phase 2 now, it was ASOS which is only 10 weeks which is shorter than yours. Enjoy!

@@davidspencer6024 That's awesome! Hopefully it all goes well for you and I defo will :)

You are very welcome, do keep us updated on how your application is going :)