We had a lay-in today! 7:30 for a final 8:30 inspection before we left our block for the last time. The only problem was 99% of us were nursing sizeable hangovers from the end of course drinks.
Our final dispersal was overseen by an officer of the RAF Reserves and it was a great pleasure to see our OC from 606 Squadron.
Each successful member of the course was given a certificate of completion and course photo.
There were also three special awards for Top Student which went to a very deserving member of 606. Top score in the indoor range which was 70/70 apparently the first time this had been done, beating my 69/70, and Top Shot which went to Me :-) for my shooting on the 25m range.
This course was much tougher than I had imagined and as was pointed out it is not an attendance course. 22 out of 24 passed the course due to the determination of the students and the excellent teaching of the four Corporals. But 2 students did not make it through, this was a setback for the course as we all wanted our colleagues to pass, however it also highlighted the sense of achievement the rest of us had earned.
I met some great people on the course and strengthened the friendships with my 606 colleagues.
Thanks to Corporal E, Corporal C , Corporal M and Corporal F. (So called as F was his favourite word!)
Onwards to Flight Ops training in 2 weeks.
Dave (AC Beatley)
did the 2 that failed get to redo it
ReplyDeleteWhat a great read, I'm just finishing Pre-BRTC now with BRTC starting end of July. Very nervous but after reading this, very exited!
ReplyDeleteWhat was the GSK test like? After going through the manual it seems like it could be rather challenging.
GSK was fine. We had a good amount of training prior to the course and a last bit of revision meant we all passed. I created a small notebook on each chapter with the key points in it, condensed into 2-3 pages per chapter. Learn these and you will be fine.
ReplyDeleteOpen your ears, keep your mouth shut, do everything 5 mins early and give your best effort and you will sail through. Oh and keep your water bottle full !
Thank you for this, great information, All the best.
ReplyDeleteHi Dave , you make no mention of passing out ? Did you do this at the end of the course and how did it go ?
ReplyDeleteI replied but not sure they posted correctly. Basically Auggies don't get a passing out parade and I have now re-mustered to RAF Regiment and I am currently on Exercise OMEGA completing my phase 2 training.
ReplyDeleteHI Dave ,
DeleteThanks for your reply - Shame there's no passing out but my wife will be happy as she wasn't looking forward to to drive down south !
How much PT did you do on the recruit course ?
ReplyDeleteNone! The course is so busy they don't have time. The final ex there is a bit of activity but for the first 9-10 days a lot of the lads used the Gym in the evening. Personally I went for a run most nights just to keep active.
ReplyDeleteHi Dave, Just wondered why you re-mustered? Was it an easy thing to do? I am ex regular and remember wanting to remuster but it was very difficult. Its been 25yrs since I left mind you & maybe its very different for reserves. I want to do as much as possible so what would be best trade for for getting as many days as possible.?
ReplyDeleteHi, I just found the Regiment to be more suited to me. Part of the reason for joining was to get out of the office and I didn't want another weekend office job. It was actually very easy as I did it straight after basic before I had used up any trade training time. All trades get the same number of days, for me the Regiment have the best training schedule, but it depends on what you want to achieve or have to offer.
DeleteDo the RAF Reserves have a pass out parade or something that is the same idea?
ReplyDeleteHi, We didn't have a pass out parade, we had a class photo though. I think I did see that some of the Reserves had a parade, maybe if their course ends at the same time as the regulars they will do this, but with a group of 15-25 I guess it's too small a group to have a parade.
ReplyDelete