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Down To Earth Jobs!
The range of occupations available to airmen and airwomen in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will probably surprise you. You can choose from electrical and mechanical trades through to a number of administrative positions. As you can see, it's not all about flying. In fact, only a small proportion of air force personnel are employed to fly.
There are two main pathways you can take to become a RAAF airman or woman: general entry or technical and trade entry. Each of these pathways has different entry requirements. In most cases, however, a minimum of Year 10 is required. General entrant occupations are usually non-trade or technical in nature. You could consider becoming a clerk, a security police person, or a cook. Technical and trade entry occupations include an aircraft life support fitter, an aircraft technician and a communications electronic technician.
Surveillance and Defence
One of the many general entry airman jobs is that of an airfield surveillance operator (ASOP), who is responsible for monitoring land and sea airspace and ensuring its security. As an ASOP, you can expect to spend the majority of your working day involved in the surveillance activities of Air Defence Operations. Your duties will include operating radar equipment, tracking aircraft movements and keeping the airforce database up to date.
As an airfield defence guard, you will learn combat tactics, which will enable you to defend an airbase while on foot patrol. At the airbase, you will also carry out other duties such as training in weapons handling and search and rescue training.
Consider A Trade
On the other hand, perhaps you'd prefer a technical/trade occupation. After six years, you'll have an Air Force Trade Proficiency Certificate, which means that your technical/trade qualifications will be recognised in civilian life. For example, you could become a qualified tradesperson in the area of communications, electronics or aircraft maintenance.
As an aircraft technician, your main responsibility will be the ongoing maintenance of aircraft and engine systems. There may be occasions where you have to deal with tricky situations such as handling explosives while inspecting aircraft.
Or, if you're interested in electronic communications, look at becoming a communications electrical fitter. Maintaining ground telecommunications and electronic ground support systems and equipment will be your main responsibility. Both of these occupations may require you to work outdoors, possibly in bad weather conditions, or in confined spaces. It is important, as it is in any job, that you are placed in an airforce position that suits your personal likes and dislikes.
If you are already a qualified tradesperson, you can apply to enter the RAAF as a qualified technician or tradesperson such as a plumber, carpenter, musician, electrician, a ground support equipment fitter, medical assistant, environmental health surveyor, laboratory technician or aircraft surface finisher.
Transition Training
Once you have decided to become an airman or airwoman in the RAAF, you will need to complete an intensive recruit course at the First Recruit Training Unit at the RAAF Base, Edinburgh, South Australia (cadets must live on the base throughout the course), before undertaking specialist occupational training.
During this initial training, cadets acquire basic military skills and knowledge and are helped to make the transition from a civilian to a military lifestyle. The course includes active outdoor training in practical skills such as weapons handling, as well as formal classroom lessons to increase the cadet's knowledge of the RAAF and its operations. The specialist employment training is undertaken at a number of different bases around the country, depending upon the skills being taught. Employment training can be from several weeks to several months and involves extensive follow-up courses and ongoing training.
Once you've completed your specialist occupational training and become an RAAF graduate, you may be posted anywhere in Australia. In some instances, you may even be transferred overseas.
The great news is that everyone who graduates is guaranteed a job, however, the recruitment needs for General Entry positions fluctuate. For more information regarding recruitment, go to defencejobs.gov.au and click on Careers Explorer at the bottom left-hand side of the screen where you can view how hot, or not, the need is for various Australian Defence Force careers. There is an obligatory four-year period of service for most general entry positions and six years for most technical and trade positions, which may go higher, depending on your area of specialisation.
For more information about the starting salary for airmen/women undergoing recruit training or the salary range for those who have completed training you can contact the Australian Defence Force office directly or check out the website below. The RAAF also offers a range of other benefits such as free accomodation and paid health care.
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