Frequently Asked Questions

Age Limits

You need to be at least 18 years old in order to join the RAuxAF. The upper age limit depends on what you have to offer but it is normally 50 for those without previous military experience and 55 for those with previous service.

Commitment

Generally speaking you are required to complete a minimum of 27 days training each year. As a rough guide this is made up of a 15 day continuous period (Annual Camp) plus 6 weekends. There are however, many opportunities to attend a lot more than this if your preference and circumstances allow. We are always aware of other commitments in your life and as such we do allow some flexibility where you may have to miss a training weekend because of illness, work, or family commitment.

Pay & Allowances

Pay Your rank on enlistment will normally be aircraftman and the daily rates of pay for this rank and subsequent ranks are as follows:

Training Bounty: a TAX FREE bonus payable at the end of each training year to entitled personnel of the RAuxAF who have met the annual training requirements.

Ex-regular personnel enlisted in the Reserve Forces within 2 years of leaving regular service may qualify to commence their bounty at one of the higher rates - subject to length of Service. Personnel who join directly from the Territorial Army may qualify to continue from their last TA Bounty rate.

Travel Allowance: Personnel are also eligible for a travelling allowance from home to RAF Lossiemouth - by means of:
Private motor vehicle - Over 20p per mile Tax Free.
For example -
If you lived 80 miles from Lossiemouth you would receive 20 pence per mile, times 160 miles return trip (80 x 80) = £32.00 Tax Free


Public Transport - Refunded at cost of fare.

The Ministry of Defence review Pay and Allowance rates on an annual basis. Rates quoted = 2008

Free accommodation: is available during training periods (including weekends).

Fitness

It depends what your opinion of Fit means. Just managing 10 minutes on a running machine is not our opinion of being fit. Although you do not have to be an athlete to cope with the training and demands of the Squadron you do need to have an acceptable level of fitness in order to get the best out of the Basic Training Course and future training. Should you need a bit more information on personal fitness levels – simply ask us.

Medical Health

Due to the nature of the job we can only enlist personnel who have been passed as medically fit. Medical examinations for 2622 Squadron applicants are normally conducted at RAF Lossiemouth. As a guide, anyone suffering from the following would be unlikely to meet the standard required for enlistment:

• Asthma - Or, if you have taken medication for Asthma within 4 years of your application.
• Psychiatric problems
• Epilepsy
• Bone or Joint problems
• Colour blindness – Red / Green
• Ear Disorders
• Diabetes

There are other medical conditions that may render you as unsuitable for enlistment. Should you require further guidance on this please telephone 01343 810 776.

Nationality

You must be a British subject or a citizen of the Irish Republic, and you or your parents must have been born in a Commonwealth country. You must also be living permanently in the UK and should normally have lived in the UK for at least five years, immediately prior to any application to join. The application of Nationality rules is complex, and if required we will explain in more detail where further information is requested.

Qualifications

You do not require qualifications of any type. There is however a very basic Aptitude Test for entry. This is conducted at the Squadron and to date has had a 95% pass rate. Should anyone fail this test they may sit it again at a later time.