Royal Air Force Recruit Training now 10 Weeks

Recruit Training now 10 Weeks

17 April 2013

Royal Air Force recruits will soon benefit from an extra week of basic training at RAF Halton.

The new course, which increases from nine weeks to ten weeks, has been extended to include a full week of Force Development training at an RAF centre in Wales.
Recruits currently spend nine weeks learning basic skills, knowledge and competences, in order for them to progress into professional (Phase 2) training and on to productive service in the wider RAF. Starting in May, an additional week will be added to the course, to ensure Recruits get a good opportunity to develop themselves of Force Development training at one of the RAF’s Force Development Training Centres.
This extra week will undoubtedly enhance the standard of graduating recruits as they experience activities such as mountain biking, canoeing and high rope exercises, all of which enhance team dynamics and cohesion, and facilitate greater team working and communication skills.
Officer Commanding Recruit Training Squadron, Squadron Leader Joe Duhan, said: “We have long thought that some FD activity would be a useful additional element to the Basic Recruit Training Course. Some of our most important programme elements will now be delivered, and reinforced, in a different context; one that is more conducive to learning and retention than a stuffy, soporific classroom environment. It will be physically and mentally challenging, but the overall impact will be overwhelmingly an enjoyable one; the Recruits are going to love this additional week of training.”

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