A Career In The RAF

On her 17th birthday, Flight Lieutenant Jules Fleming took to the skies and discovered a natural ability for flying.   Spurred on by this experience, Jules applied for a flying scholarship and the rest, as they say, is history. Now a true high flyer in the RAF, Jules is a fast jet pilot on the Tornado GR4, based at RAF Marham in Norfolk.   Outside of work she is an accomplished show jumper, badminton player and occasional motorcar racer.   

Aged just 14, Jules Fleming decided that she wanted a job with a difference and was sure that a military career could offer just that.   However it wasn’t until her 17th birthday, when her father, an instructor at Retford Airfield, gave Jules a lesson in flying.  From that moment it became evident in which direction her career should take her.

Encouraged to pursue this newly found talent, Jules applied for a flying scholarship.   A year later, she had earned her private pilot’s license and become even further convinced about a career in flying.   Based on this achievement, Jules applied to the RAF to become a pilot and recalls:

"I had always thought I would join the Army but when my father suggested I should think about a career in flying it seemed the RAF offered the most opportunities. 

"I was 20 when I started initial officer training and this was followed by joint elementary training at RAF Church Fenton.  From there I was streamed into fast jet and continued my training on the Tocano aircraft at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, North Yorkshire.   This was followed by advanced fast jet training on the Hawk aircraft at RAF Valley in Wales.   At the end of this we were assessed again and I was one of the few retained on the Squadron to become an instructor."

Despite recognising the honour of being selected to continue as an instructor at RAF Valley, Jules was keen to get out on the front line and do the job she was trained for, she explains:

"It was a bizarre mix of emotions.  I knew it was a huge complement to be retained  as an instructor before my career had really got going but equally I was eager to get out there and be on the frontline.   But like everything in life I believe in making the best of what you’ve got and I enjoyed the rest of my time at RAF Valley."

After two and half years of instructing, Jules went back to training on the Tornado GR4 to15 Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth. After an arduous 8 months learning all the skills required to be an Operational Pilot she was posted to a front line Squadron at RAF Marham.  Describing her working day she says:

"There is no typical day for me but I can be expected to fly at anytime between  06.00 and 20.00 in all weather conditions.. We also do regular emergency handling training  in the flight simulator.  

From planning the flight, to the de-brief when we land, takes roughly eight hours.    There is also time built in for physical exercise and team sport, such as indoor football because it is essential that our fitness levels are maintained for flying. "

And Jules is no stranger to physical fitness outside of work either.   An accomplished show jumper, Jules represents the RAF in this sport and recently competed in front of an audience which included Her Majesty the Queen at Royal Windsor.   

Also demonstrating her keen sense of competition, Jules achieved an admirable 4th place at the televised Formula Women’s motor racing competition held in 2004.   Selected from an initial 10,000 applicants, Jules was considered talented enough on the race course to join the final 16 women to compete in this prestigious competition.   She concedes:

"I guess I am an adrenalin junkie both inside and outside of work. I get just as much of a buzz when I am jumping over fences on my horse or racing round the track as I do when I’m on a low level battle sortie, on a nighttime flying exercise."

And in October 2008 Jules was challenged physically and mentally one step further when she completed a six week detachment to the Gulf on Op Telic. Flying the Tornado GR4 on Close Air Support missions (CAS) and providing support to the military personnel on the ground, Jules relished flying on the front line and protecting the troops below her.   She explains:

"I joined the RAF to fly on the frontline and it’s what I’ve been waiting to do since my fast jet training. Being in the Gulf was everything I expected, hot humid conditions, long exhausting night shifts, but a very rewarding experience.  Knowing that we were helping to protect personnel on the ground and that we were there for them in the event of an emergency was a good feeling. " 

Her advice to anyone considering a job in the RAF is simple,  "Just be yourself, make the best of what you have got, and have the confidence that you will succeed.    I left school with mediocre A-level grades but I didn’t let that stop me and now I’ve achieved more than I could have ever anticipated.    A military career also offers opportunities for sport that most other jobs just wouldn’t. For instance I don’t think I would have been show jumping in front of the Queen at Windsor if I hadn’t joined the RAF and it was a fantastic experience."

RAF Pilot Job Description

Your role as a pilot in the RAF is as varied as the aircraft you can fly. Once you’ve completed initial training, you’ll be selected to fly jets, larger multi-engine aircraft or helicopters. As the pilot of a Eurofighter Typhoon, your primary role will be air-to-air combat or ground attack. In a Hercules transport aircraft, you could be sent anywhere in the world on military support or humanitarian aid missions. In a helicopter your duties might include anything from search and rescue flights to ferrying troops and equipment into combat zones.

After your initial training, you’ll then receive further training on the aircraft type you’ve been assigned to, then start getting to grips with using that aircraft in your day-to-day job.

RAF Pilot Entry Requirements

Qualifications: 5 GCSEs/SCEs and 2 A-levels or 3 Highers or equivalent. GCSEs/SCEs at Grade C/3 minimum to include English language and maths

Joining age: 17.5 - 23

Pay after training: £33,050

Usual service: 18 years or up to the age of 38

Open to: men or women

There are over 50 career opportunities in the RAF, for further information call 0845 605 5555 or visit raf.mod.uk/careers

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