Instructors... what's your veiw?

[Harry B'Stard]

Hello Cosford, how's the weather?

The weather's not too bad up here at Leuchars... but the morale has definately left the building!

That's why I'm considering joining you guys and becoming an instructor.

I've spoken to a few people who are ex-instructors and they seem to think it's not too bad a job, but I'd like to find out what it's like for the people there now actually doing the job. I'm a rigger if it makes any difference!

What are the things that make you get out of bed and go to work? What are the things that make you want to roll over and go back to sleep?

I'm going on the premise that anything has to be better than an over-leaned second line sausage factory. Christ I'd even consider going back to Odiham!

Tell me how it is guys... and if it's any good... I may buy you a drink in a few months!

All the best,

Harry B'Stard.


AND THEY SHALL KNOW US FROM THE LOOK OF DESPERATION ON OUR FACES!

[Captain Slog]

Well Harry, as an ex-rigger blue suit, I have been doing this Instructor thing for coming up to 10 years now and despite the cut backs in funds (training has always been the last item on the budget despite the RAF always wanting everyone trained) and the occasional Lean team coming round (yes they get everywhere), I have to say I enjoy it.

You may end up teaching the same subjects at times but it will always be to 16 different people and, in my opinion, that’s what makes it enjoyable. No two students are exactly alike and their attitudes, abilities and personalities are all different. You have to think on your feet at times, be prepared to accept that you cannot know everything and if you cannot answer their question, don’t waffle, tell them you don’t know but always find out the answer for them.

In addition you need to be an educator, tutor, mentor, supervisor, coach, guide, ambassador (we have lots of International students now), and to be able to understand the needs of each individual student.

The best buzz is not necessarily from very good students who achieve high exam results but from the “weaker” student who believes he can’t achieve the aims of the lesson/subject. As an Instructor, it is up to you to help him change that belief and guide him, through his own abilities that he did not know he had, to achieve the desired goals.

In May of this year we will be receiving the first of the AMMs who are coming back for their new Further Training Multi-skilled Technicians course (please note Hue – Technicians not Fitters course). So it is a very good time to become an Instructor but please remember that the training will be moving to St Athan sometime in the next 5 – 8 years.

Sorry if it was a bit long winded but if you are really interested you can always contact Cosford and possibly have a look round and you can have all your questions answered personally. Good luck.

[rodger-dodger]

Whilst not and never was at Tosford I did a 4 year stint as an instructor in the SE Trg Est, I don't like telling people this, but it realy is the best job in the RAF, I would leave this cruddy job today and go back tomorrow if I could (any draghters reading):PDT_Xtremez_15: . It has everything you wan't from a job, from satisfaction to frustration and everything in between.

Go for it thats what I say.

[fat lazy techie]

Not too bad an idea so long as you stay away from mong toss, as I'm pretty sure morale amongst the blue suited educating fraternity is pretty low at the moment.

[propersplitbrainme]

That's why I'm considering joining you guys and becoming an instructor.

If PMA see that statement they'd post you here now!

The pros of instructing are that its different from anything that you've previously done. Getting someone to understand a complex system or even a simple task can be quite a challenge, particulalrly when English isn't their first langauge. The routine is fairly agreeable and, in spite of what you may have believed form your past, you're not fizzing trainees left right and centre.

Cons: Instructors up to the rank of Sgt do gate guard, probably similar to elsewhere and there is a fair amount of niff-naff, upper echelon and civil dignitory visits, hangar cleanups etc. Once you've taught the same stuff over and over a few times you can get a bit stale, but the option to move areas and try something new is always there.
You will also have to face all the bollox about 'if you can't do, teach', blah, yawn etc etc, but that stuff only comes from scuffers who'd cack their panties at the thought of standing up in front of a load of people and teaching them stuff ::P:

In short, do it.

[Tin basher]

Instructing is the best-kept secret in the RAF. Monday to Friday 8 til 5, no shifts no weekends. It can be extremely rewarding and totally frustrating in equal measure. It is the ideal tour following a hectic time elsewhere. For scaleys it means lots of quality family time home every evening etc. You are still liable for the usual OOA’s however being an instructor does not get you out of going to all the interesting dangerous places. There will be the odd bit of stick from none instructors who see it as an easy ride but these are usually those who have an aversion to public speaking unless they are p!ssed anyway:PDT_Xtremez_34:
To provide an analogy for the instructing job just imagine a frame of snooker. At the start all the balls are in the designated place and it will end with the black being potted but what happens in the middle is never the same twice. That’s a lot like instructing you have 16 students and you know what knowledge you are to impart and it will end in an exam of some kind but what happens in the middle is never the same twice. The rewarding part is not the bright ones passing but guiding, helping, cajoling the less able to a point where they are competent in the task at hand.
One other thing as a rigger NCO I thought I had a good grounding in my trade when originally taking up the instructor role. But over the years I had become used to shall we say “common practice” :PDT_Xtremez_42: whilst in denims and had forgotten the by the book methods we all should use. Your trade knowledge will be stretched at times and there will be the odd example of stuff you don’t know and have to learn. But for what it’s worth my advice would be go for it. :PDT_Xtremez_28:

[rodger-dodger]

Instructing is the best-kept secret in the RAF. Monday to Friday 8 til 5, no shifts no weekends. :PDT_Xtremez_28:

What fecking insturcting job did you do! :PDT_Xtremez_35: Trg Est in the SE, regularly worked 15/16 hr days, 6/7 days a week, bank holidays etc.. I knew i should've gone techie.

[Tin basher]

What fecking insturcting job did you do! :PDT_Xtremez_35: Trg Est in the SE, regularly worked 15/16 hr days, 6/7 days a week, bank holidays etc.. I knew i should've gone techie.

Not did still doing and like I said best kept secret in the RAF. :PDT_Xtremez_28:

[rhino]

Did the job for two years from 88-90, was dragged in kicking and screaming. Loved the teaching, hated the bull****. Made some great mates and ignored the cabbages that just went for promotion, hence had a great time

Not sure if its the same now as when I did it but it wasnt a cushy number, longer hours than people think and we did one weekend out of four.

Two years was enough for me and wanted out but got told I may never leave, so took the decision to PVR. Not the sole reason but a contributing factor

No regrets.

[Harry B'Stard]

Thanks for all your advice, it's been a great help.

I had my presentation assesment with the TDO and she's recommended me! I'm just waiting for the return of my sengo, so that he can sign his autograph on the form and it'll be on it's way to PMA.

Hope to see you all soon, even if we don't know who we really are!

Harry B'Stard.:PDT_Xtremez_28:

[auchtermuchty]

Hope to see you all soon, even if we don't know who we really are!

Harry B'Stard.:PDT_Xtremez_28:

Oh you'll know, dont worry about that!:PDT_Xtremez_30:

[POB]

Hope to see you all soon, even if we don't know who we really are!

Harry B'Stard.:PDT_Xtremez_28:

So get yourself an E-Goat pin, wear it at work and there you go...

[mightyhunter]

Thanks for all your advice, it's been a great help.

I had my presentation assesment with the TDO and she's recommended me! I'm just waiting for the return of my sengo, so that he can sign his autograph on the form and it'll be on it's way to PMA.

Hope to see you all soon, even if we don't know who we really are!

Harry B'Stard.:PDT_Xtremez_28:Have to agree what FLT said earlier. Mech TS has virtually zero morale at the mo. Try and see if a job at 238Sqn, Line (used to be LTF) or Rects (HTF), is available. Over on 'The Darkside' is a bit pump. If you're coming off Sqn, the Airfield (238Sqn as it's now known) is probably your best bet.
PM me if you're wanting any info.

[fat lazy techie]

Mighty, my little simmering ball of rage, you should know we are only a Sqn in name alone. It may be something to do with the amount of cnuts you have working (used in the loosest sense) at your end that are anti-line, I'm just not sure. I for one would welcome you back to a slightly more normal way of life.

[K9 FORNICATOR]

I have several acquaintances who are instructors both Service and Ex - Service. Generally the civilian ones enjoy their employment. I have recently completed my assimmilation training and was horrified to see an 'old mucker' of mine (a SNCO) standing at the main gate in the p1ssing rain SA80 in hand. He pointed out that in a training environment even as a SNCO you are deemed to be bottom of the sh1t pile and he could not wait to escape. At the end of the course a Flt Lt had the audacity to enter the classroom and enquire as to why volunteer levels for instructor levels had seriously declined over the last few years, "Take a look around and speak to those that work for you!" Was his retort. D1ckweed he was!
From a personal level having done 3 years at Leuchars myself I cannot see why you would want to leave Leuchars and go to where the pidgeons fly backwards to keep the sh1t out of their eyes, where apparently a significant amount of instructors are jumping ship before they get pushed, probably to end up at a camp in South Wales anyway. Good luck!

[Harry B'Stard]

I cannot see why you would want to leave Leuchars

Don't get me wrong K9F, I really love the area and the jocks aren't all that bad! Unfortunately someone unleashed the fifth horseman...LEAN.

If you go and have a look at some of the comments on the 'Are PVR's affecting your work?' thread and see what people have to say about the place.

Also I've been 2nd line for 7 years now (5 on the mighty, but slightly underpowered Jag and 2 on the silver swing wing heap of sh1te). I need a change of direction, new challenges (other than the constant fight for spares, extensions and a desire to keep my sanity).

Obviously I'm not looking forward to a possible move to Saints (I met mrs B'Stard there and still have an aversion to the place!) but I've been assured it's not for a few years yet!

Thanks again guys...

Harry B'Stard.

[K9 FORNICATOR]

Most places have now been 'leaned' Cosford included and the overwhelming morale of any place after the event falls out of it's proverbial 4rse! Historically the Service encourages people to be 'resistant to change' I am the first to put my hand up and say "That's me that is!"
Lyneham was the same when the engineering squadrons were amalgamated by Lean. We are now more or less exactly as we were prior to Lean - segregated again.
The grass may look greener and you are obviously looking before you leap! Be cautious as getting back over the fence can be extremely harder! Life is what you make it. Although not particularly happy with my environment I am but a hamster in a wheel, I dictate how fast it turns. It is a philosophy that works for me! Good luck with your quest for happiness.

[FairyNuff]

Harry...what trade are you?:PDT_Xtremez_35:

[Tin basher]

I'm a rigger if it makes any difference!


Fairynuff Post #1 leads me to think he may be a rigger :PDT_Xtremez_30:

[FairyNuff]

Fairynuff Post #1 leads me to think he may be a rigger :PDT_Xtremez_30:

Doh!!! ............I'll get my coat!:PDT_Xtremez_42:

[blogger 1]

Do take your time, the grass isnt always greener (mainly because we havent got enough people to paint it).

The work load is light, but the management are very heavy normally as we have to carry them.

New brooms all to often, and once again the wheel is re-invented.

As long as you are ready for a lot of bul***t and rework, (cos the boss lost the figure you gave him last week) then come and join us.

my advise, stay put. Better the devil you know and all that.......

[Tin basher]

Do take your time, the grass isnt always greener (mainly because we havent got enough people to paint it). The work load is light, but the management are very heavy normally as we have to carry them. New brooms all to often, and once again the wheel is re-invented. As long as you are ready for a lot of bul***t and rework, (cos the boss lost the figure you gave him last week) then come and join us. my advise, stay put. Better the devil you know and all that.......

Blogger a fair refection of some parts of Cosford.

However could you please visit the goat intro thread and read up on the rules and regs at a convienient moment. Apologies if you already have and I've missed it. Tin Basher