And it Begins

Weeks 1 to 2 are admittedly the toughest week's of the course by far because it is a mix of physical, mental and team strain.
But all by necessity in fairness, these are the 2 weeks where the RAF sees if this is right choice for you and if you can hack it when you pass out, you can expect back to back intense Ped sessions, RAF lessons, drill, uniform collection, lectures with the OC and in particular an understanding of how your intake works together and watches each other's back, in particular for day 11.

The fist big inspection is day 11, typically carried out by the Corporals its normally a fair inspection to mainly give you an understanding of how in detail the day 22 and 63 inspections will be and to give you an understanding of how picky you will have to be when checking your own uniform and others, then element of teamwork is absolutely vital in this first 2 weeks and indeed throughout basic training and your overall career.

Day 2-Commitment

Day 2 is the start of training, basic lessons about the RAF, initial marching training starts, buzz cuts for the gents and we complete yet more admin, this is also the afternoon where it's your last chance to say 'actually "I'm not sure about this", it's not uncommon to find that someone has seen what it looks like and decided its not for them, and given that some of the training was particularly tough I can agree with them. However I couldn't have been more honoured when I gave the oath of allegiance and commitment.
Afterwards you get to see your family next door who have had a talk from the OC about what will be doing, typically presented in the military's frank and to the point way, but they'll be proud none the less if a little apprehensive of the emotional calls home (to be expected).

Day 1: And Now it Begins...

Day 1 is always the scariest for everyone, my parents brought me up to Halton and after helping me with all the clothing and equipment I needed to bring we parted ways for the day and I went up to my accommodation, the first lad I met in my room was in the opposite space to me, his name was Charlie, he was a tall lad and was a boxer by hobby but was a relatively gentle lad and we were friends throughout training.

The rest of that was all about settling in, understanding who our NCO's and Officers were and the bases main buildings as well as completing our basic admin for the day, after the that is the main time to get to know each other, there were about 120 of us at the start of our course and we all got along very well from the beginning, so far so good...

The adventure starts

Joining up is the first and most important steps in becoming a member of the military and shouldn't be taken lightly, but at the same time it should be seen as the beginning of an adventure, a moment of great pride if anything.
For me personally my future was the RAF, thanks to my grandfather I developed a growing interest in the air power and technology of the 20th/21st century and so joining up as an engineer seemed a logical and beneficial idea, from the air man selection test and the physical fitness test to the final 'is this for you' interview I never thought back about my decision and couldn't have been more excited when I was finally in my parents car on my way to RAF Halton to begin my training.

The Beginning

Joining the military regardless of branch is a big step in life, it's a commitment and a big adult decision but I can say from experience that I wouldn't take it back at all and have loved it completely, this blog isn't just to talk about my experience but as an answer to all your questions and concerns about joining up, and I hope as an inspiration to be a part of something noble and bigger, a chance to prove and to rise into greatness.