Corporal James Collins
Job role: ICT Technician

Joined the RAF: September 2000

Overseas travel: Oman, Iraq, Germany

Career highlights:

• Receiving the Air Officer Commanding Commendation for my work in the Communications Centre at RAF Honington.
• Mentoring students at RAF Halton and coaching them through basic training.

‘My first posting was to the Communications Centre at RAF Honington, where I was responsible for handling signals traffic and secure faxes for the Station Commander. I had to be security cleared as my role often involved handling very sensitive information.

‘Whilst at Honington I was also responsible for the Stations telephone network. This included issuing mobile communications such as satellite phones and overseeing the stations bills for audit purposes. I also worked on the IT Helpdesk, where we assisted about 1,600 users with technical faults.

‘One of my most challenging projects was to set-up a new Local Area Network of 83 training PCs at RAF Halton. I really enjoy the variety that comes with my role, but you have to be very organised to do it.

‘I’ve been deployed twice. First to Ali Al Salem in Kuwait, where I was responsible for setting up a guard force around the accommodation area. The second time was to Seeb in Oman where I worked in the Communications Centre. We worked very closely with the Royal Navy and local coastguard, circulating signals traffic and situation reports.

‘Now I’m working as an instructor at No 1 Radio School at Cosford. I work in the airfield, teaching cadets about radio operations, voice procedures and how to process secure coded messages. It’s a really rewarding role.’

Web Chat session with Corporal James Collins - Wednesday 28 May 2008

All questions were moderated for content and suitability.

abz: hey what do you like best about the royal air force

James Collins: I like the team work. Camaraderie. Meeting new people. Doing a variety of different jobs and learning good skills for life and a good trade. I wanted to get a trade and thought the RAF had a bit more to offer than Civvy world.

James Cook: Hello Corporal, I work in I.T as a civilian in a technician/support role. Can you tell me how the job is different in the RAF?

James Collins: I haven't done this in Civvy street. But here you get medical cover, sports opportunities, travel opportunities. Meeting lots of new interesting people. You get 6 weeks paid leave a year which in civvy land is probably unheard of.

Cdt2288: Hi, cpl James. I'm joining up as ICT Technician soon, i was wondering how physically fit you needed to be for the 9week training before you go into the specific radar/etc training?

James Collins: I would say you need to as fit as possible. As it will make it easier when you're at Halton doing your training. Anything that you can do beforehand will give you an advantage. So something like a variety of fitness - say swimming, running - conditioning your body. Anything you enjoy.

Hayley: Have you ever worked with the raf police?

James Collins: No I haven't I've never worked with the RAF police but I've worked on fixing their computers! And I have many friends that are RAf police. As everyone on camp integrates. So you're not just friends with the people work with - you're friends with the whole camp.

Claudia: Hi James...how old were you when you joined?

James Collins: I joined when I was 16. I finished my GSCE's and went to the AFCO (careers office) and discussed what trades were available to me. They obviously told me which trades would be available. And after I got my results they confirmed which I could do and which I couldn't. Personally I enjoyed joining up when I was younger - as it's given me more scope. I've come from a military background - my father was in the Army. So I chose the RAF as I didn't want to be compared to him!

becky: what were your tours like,wen u went to germany?

James Collins: The Germany one was just fitness / sport. It was the signals cup where all the IT people get together and play football! It's a yearly even which brings everyone together for more fun than fitness (and an off duty drink fest!)

sarah_t: Do you ever need to use foreign languages in your job, and do any other jobs in the RAF use languages?

James Collins: It's not essential to have other languages for my job. But Intelligence Analyst voice I think it is - require a language. But you'd be taught this in your trade training. You don't even need a basic knowledge of language as they would send you to langauge school (if your trade needs it). Eg they do Arabic I think at the minute. And maybe Russian I'm not sure! I'd say check at your careers office on the details!

Fraser: Do you expect to work with the RAF for the whole of your career? If not, what do you see yourself doing in civilian life afterwards?

James Collins: I do not envisage I'll leave as I enjoy the life. My job is very intereting and diverse. I've met a lot of interesting people, travelled to a lot of areas I wouldn't have gone if I hadn't joined up. and I believe I've had more opportunity joining up than not really!

Luke: HI, is it a stressful job.

James Collins: When I worked on the IT helpedesk the job was very stressful as I was taking faults from users keeping a cool head whilst talking to them. (Not loosing my temper! Even when the problems were very stupid!) I used to create all the user accounts and mailboxes on camp for 1600 people which involved a lot of day to day admin and maintenance. If I wasn't organised then the walls would have crumbled around me I think! You work with a lot of good people around you who are all there to help if needed.

JL13: being completly honest do you have any regrets joing the RAF, like not seeing family and friends as often as you could, or other things like that..?

James Collins: No I haven't got any regrets as my family live with me at my current location (my wife and kids). You do get allowances to see your family (the first three years in your career you get rail warrants etc) so you do get time to see them. I grew up moving around because of my Dad in the army so to me it was a normal thing. And my own kids are doing the same! Obviously I'd like to stay in one location at some point but at mo happy to move around. When the kids are older I'd like to stay in one location so they can complete school. The RAF takes in to account your family situation.

Daza: as an ICT Specialist do you have the opertunity to travel to different bases around the world or do you stay in th uk?

James Collins: You do have the opportunity to travel around (Cyprus and Gibraltor at the minute which is more of a posting - 3 years). In tactical comms wing you can deploy on detachment for short periods of time. There are opp to go to NATo countries like Canada, Portugal, Germany.

Leigh-Ann: Hi i am interested in joining the RAF working in ICT, would you recommened i join at my age now 16 or should i stay on at 6th form and get a higher qualification in my IT, i am very advanced with computer skills and have recieved good grades in my GCSE andmy tutour thinks i should pursue it further and get a better grade in this field, but i know that joining the RAF is something i want to do and i have my familys full support.

James Collins: It depends if you're looking to be an officer or not. If you stayed on you'd be more able to go for officer side of it as you'd have an A level. If not you can study in the RAF so study and still get paid. You can work and learn at the same time and get all the experience while you learn. Having a GSCE in IT will help you. but you will receive all the training you need at Cosford (you get advanced apprenticeship which is I think NVQ level three).

Mack: Hi Cpl, How long does the trade training phase of IT Technician take?

James Collins: It's just over 12 months at Cosford. You don't just do learning all the time as you'll go on adventure training. You get some duties, but it's all give and take really. In the evenings there's a good social side with the rest of your course. If you're of age there is a bar on camp.

Tom: Hi Cpl James, Just wondered whats the most time you've spent away from home on duty?

James Collins: the longest time I've spent away was 4 months in Oman. You are given a week off after two months to return to the UK to see family. This gives it a nice break between your detachment. Whilst on detachment you are given phone credit to phone your family. I think it's 20 minutes a week. You can pay to top it up yourself though!

Chris: What's the food like? at base and on operations?

James Collins: The food on camp's very good. I don't live on camp so I bring in my lunch box. On operations the food can either be provided by the local host or it will be done by the mobile catering support unit who are RAF.

Lucy: What would you say are the promotion prospects for someone joining this trade?

James Collins: Well if you're willing to put the effort in and you're dedicated to your job then promotion will come more easily. It took me five years to get promoted (the onus is on the individual. It's on yourself if you're willing to push yourself forward really). There are some people who work for three years and apply to be officers - but it varies with each person.

Jonathan: When fixing the computers, what sort of things does it require you to do? Is it hardware based or software.. or even a bit of both?

James Collins: It's a bit of both. It could be a software problem - like office or an application not working. Or it could be that the harddrive has given up the ghost and needs replacing. You're also involved in the upgrade of computer equipment. It could involve you even dismantling the pc and going in to component level! Normally if they're new pc's if they go wrong they go back to manafacture if it's passed the warranty we fix them.

brent: Hello! i am going down to RAF Halton in August, what am i to expect? can you vist home while you are on basic training?

James Collins: You need to go there with an open mind really. I enjoyed Basic training as everyone gels together. You'll do drill, footdrill, general service knowlege, field skills, Physical training. Lots of stuff. You do the first 2 weeks basic trianing and after that you are allowed to go away from camp (ie visit home if you want). Kit prep is another thing - you're taught how to do everything really (even iron!)

Chris: I'm going for my first meeting at AFCO next week, is there anything you would advise me in terms of preparation, obviously I'm currently training to get fitter for eventual basic training but is there anything else do you think?

James Collins: Just be yourself don't try and pretend to be something you're not. Go with mind of a trade you'd like to go in to. if you're not sure what you'd like to go in to they will go through what you could do with you. Anything you can do with fitness before you join up will be a big bonus to yourself as it will make your training a lot easier (see above I answered a question somewhere earlier on that!)

cdt novell: in your training at Cosford is it just like going to any college, as in getting weekends off and such???

James Collins: Yes Cosford is very like a college. You do lessons througout the day. And from week to week it varies what you'll be learning in your trade. Re getting weekends off - at Cosford you do do a working weekend (it's only one). This would be a charity project in the local area so you're giving something back to the community. You would be involved in working on the Cosford airshow. although you're working you're obviously being an ambassador for the RAf when in the airshow - which gives you pride in yourself. You see the new aircraft and stuff and get a free pass to the airshow.

dan a: where did you do your adventure training

James Collins: I went to RAF Fairborne in Wales. where you do hight ropes, low ropes. Team bonding exercises, potholing, kayaking. You do this with your course colleagues so it's a good social even with them and helps you get to know them more and I guess work better as a team.

ben-sfc: Looking back is there anything you would have done differently before joining or whilst applying for the R.A.F??

James Collins: Looking back I would say that I would have progressed further on my fitness. Got more physically prepared. I would have probably done more research in tot he RAF and what trade I wanted to do. But on reflection I feel I chose the right trade anyway.

RhiannaXx: how long do you want to work with the raf? when will you retire?

James Collins: I hope to continue in the RAF until I reach my time. I hope to continue to the rank of Warrant Officer (which is the hightest non-commissioned rank). I think retirement is 55. You can carry on after if you want as a reservist but that's a bit different and out of my area sorry!

Vaz: As a ICT Technician are you always behind a computer ?

James Collins: No I'm not always behind a computer. In my current job role at the moment I teach radio operations. I have worked on telephone exchanges etc. In my trade people work on radars, masts/ aerials, receivers all sorts. It's so diverse this trade that's what I like about it. But if you want to do something particular you need to speak to an adviser at your local careers office who will try and get you in to that area.

stonehead: what is our job like on a day to day basis? (good fun)

James Collins: My job is very enjoyable. One day can be different to the next. You could be working on computer one day and servicing a radar the next day! I would say meeting new people and the team work aspect is my favourite thing. At the minute I enjoy teaching as I can see the transition from start to finish of them learning their trade.

tasha: is the training very physical, and what happens if you have some phoebia's like Heights

James Collins: If you have a fear of heights your team mates around you will try and help you get through that. As it's all about teamwork! If you're really worried why don't you speak to someone in your local AFCO. The training is physical but my training never involved heights as it's not needed for the job that I'm doing. You need to mention this at the AFCO and they will try and look at a trade that doesn't predominantly involve working at heights. (There are around 60 trades to choose from so you've got a fair choice!)

Cpl Hillam (450): hi james, in the RAF what happens with accomadation when you join?

James Collins: When I joined you live with your team mates at first. You gel together as you're all in the same boat. Whilst in basic triannng and trade training - you will live on base. Once you get to your first operational station you wil then have the option to live off unit or live on site.

cdt novell: cpl were you ever a member of the ATC or other cadet groups before you joined the RAF???

James Collins: I was never a member of the ATC but it's probably a good idea as you'll get knowledge of the RAF, the discipline side of it. The dril and stuff. It gives you an insight in to what the RAF's about. That's what I think anyway!

paul_doo: what piece of advice would you give to a new recruit just starting his/her RAF career?

James Collins: Be yourself and give it your all. The opportunities are there if you're willing to work towards them. You can go as far as you're willing to push yourself. Take all the opportunities the RAF has to offer as they are valuable life experience

Lucy: What is the process of getting onto the tactical wing. Is there a waiting list for this?

James Collins: When you're at your trade training you're given a 'dream sheet'. Which is used to put your posting preferences on. You get three choices and one negative (I'm not sure). If you show an interest in tactical comms wing you're likely to be taken for it as tactical comms wing is growing rapidly.

Paul++: You mentioned "stupid" problems. What's the most stupid thing anyone ever asked you on the help desk?

James Collins: I had a call to say a printer wasn't working. The computer says "it cannot see the printer but they are side by side!" With calls like this you need a good sense of humour and patience.

Fraser: Do you have to pay rent when living on base?

James Collins: You do but it's very subsidised. You couldn't live outside cheaper and it comes out of your pay packet so you don't really notice it.

dan: how much sport activity is there? i heard that there isnt a sport you cant do

James Collins: Yeah that's pretty true. There are a variety of sports you can do. If there isn't one the one you want you can create a club to do it. You'll be given help by the RAF to set it up.

Helen: Did you need to have any IT qualifications before you joined?

James Collins: I had a GSCE in Information technology I found this useful.

James Collins: Thanks for all your questions! I hope my replies have been useful sorry I coudln't answer you all but there was alot of people! Good luck in anything you go for!

Views expressed during the web chats are those of individuals and do not necessarily reflect RAF policy.