Are the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force 'soft' career choices?

Question

This IS NOT my opinion- I'd like to point this out from the start.

A friend of mine has stated that the Army and Royal Marines lead a much harder life than their contemporaries in the Navy and RAF after basic training.

To what extent is this true?

I would like to hear from personnal in all branches of the UK armed forces as well as the opinions of those serving in foreign forces.

Thanks.

I'd like to reiterate that this is NOT MY OPINION- I have the utmost respect for those serving in our armed forces.

Also, before anyone points it out, I ma fully aware that the Marines are a part of the Navy.

Answer 1

Sorry Burt but jungleboy's right! There's a platoon/flight of RAF Regt that makes up part of the Joint SF Support Group!

In answer to the question, it's not really a simple comparison. If you compared a typical army infantry/ RM unit living in 4 man rooms still not a lot of privacy with a heavily enforced rank structure and Cpls messes etc to say an RAF flying squadron you'd find a big difference as they'll mostly be in en-suite 'SLAM' accomodation, on first name terms with most if not all of their superiors, even their officers to an extent. This would be completely unheard of in said army/RM unit.
Having said that, units such as the Para Reg in Colchester have recently moved into SLAM blocks so the gap is narrowing in that respect.

Answer 2

I wouldnt say so, my hubby is an air traffic controller in the raf, and my brothers and dad are in the army, yes the army tend to get send away more, but thats because thats what happens in the army.

My husband is responsible for loads of people lifes o a daily babsis, and if he messes up he could be send to jail, so not really the easy option.

Being in the miliry is not easy at all, and the pay aint that great either, so i think anyone in the raf army or navy, are doing a great job, as it aint easy.

Thanks

Answer 3

If you are looking for a career as a Soldier then the Royal Air Force Regiment would be a good choice. They are better than most infantry regiments in the army because they have a unique role in the British war fighting capability in that it is there job to seize and protect high value targets, particularly airfields. Every RAF Regiment Gunner is required to master a wide range of skills that include covert observation and target acquisition, and dismounted close combat. The unique nature of air operations is such that RAF Regiment personnel must have a specific understanding of its requirements in order to ensure that the tactics, techniques and procedures employed do not disrupt those operations. Additionally, because air bases are fixed and supporting elements are unable to redeploy quickly, RAF Regiment field squadrons must engage an attacking adversary at the earliest opportunity to prevent air operations from being disrupted. This requires RAF Regiment personnel to operate in small groups and to be trained and prepared to engage the adversary in combat frequently without the level of support that would be commonplace on an infantry battlegroup.

Field Squadrons employ a tactic of aggressive defence, seeking to dominate the wider area around the station by mounting observation posts and employing patrols to locate and neutralize the enemy before it can come within striking distance. Field Squadrons are divided into Flights, which are larger than an army platoon. Each squadron contains several Rifle Flights, whose task is to engage and destroy the enemy at close range, and a Support Weapons Flight, which provides fire support to the Rifle Flights by using machine guns, mortars, portable anti-tank weapons, and snipers.

Members of the RAF Regiment now form part of the Special Forces Support Group along with the Royal Marines and the Parachute Regiment and is designed to support Special Forces Operations which makes the RAF Regiment akin to a Commando unit such as the US Army Rangers.

Two of my cousins were "Rock Apes", Regiment Gunners, and both saw active service in Northern Ireland and Bosnia. One cousin once wanted to fight a squad of US Marines because they were challenging the honour of the RAF and when they found out he was a Rock Ape they all backed down saying that it wouldn't be a fair fight for them!

Answer 4

I am an Ex-Royal Navy Submariner. If you think I had it easy for my money consider the inherent perils I faced EVERY day when I was at sea submerged and cut off from my family for months at a time. No luxury of a pint in my local when I finished work. No cabin on my own at the end of my day. No news papers nor sunlight to brighten my day.
So a soldier is not always at war but a submariner is always in danger when he is at sea. Soldier boys are tough but so are submariners. If you think different, Try it and see.

Answer 5

For an easy life join the Supply Department of the Navy. You get the military pay but spend most of your career in an office. in fact, there is a good chance you might never go to sea!!

Answer 6

JUNGLE BOY YOUR DREAMING! I'm not knocking the R.A.F. Regt but your cousins have really been big timing it .I bet the U.S Marines sh1t themselves ! -S.F support group ? Commando ?- nah- don't think so -good at what they really do though.
Now to the question -wouldn't know about the navy but from what Ive seen of the R.A.F through the eyes of a soldier(army) The R.A.F seems the easy cushy best option if that's what your after.

Answer 7

I doubt any job where other people fire shite at you and would like to see you dead is a soft career choice, hence the reason why I'm happy with my morning starbucks (tall latte) and paper while trudging into my office for a fun packed day at my desk, where the only danger will be from my colleague throwing paper clips at me.....although she almost took my eye out once!

Answer 8

too bloody true, how would you like to be called 'the borrowers' from US ground troops and be shot at by some idiot yank who can't tell the difference between an orange marker that depicts friendly troops and a pair of rockets on a vehicle? They are so thick it makes you puke.