Flight Lieutenant Jon McNish
Job role: RAF Regiment Officer

Joined the RAF: 1997

Overseas travel: America, Germany, France, Greece, Norway, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Kuwait, Iraq

‘Right now, I train junior RAF Regiment Officers in everything from basic soldiering to urban warfare. I draw on a lot of the operational experience I’ve had myself in places like Iraq.

‘My first posting after I’d done my own training was to the RAF Regiment’s parachute squadron. We parachuted into Sierra Leone and spent a month there training in the jungle.

‘I’ve also served in Iraq where at the start of the operation we breached the border to help set up a helicopter arming and refuelling base. In Basra, we patrolled and defended the airport.

‘I was in the Air Training Corps while I was at school and managed to get an RAF 6th form scholarship which helped me through my A-levels. Although I did well, I decided that I wanted to join the RAF instead of studying at university.’

Web Chat session with Flight Lieutenant Jon McNish - Tuesday 19 December 2006

Janine S: No-one in my family – or any of my friends – are in the RAF. I’m a bit worried I won’t fit in. Did you know people before you joined up and does that make a difference?

Jon McNish: It doesn't really matter as you get a very warm welcome. Everyone's in the same boat and you make friends easily

Emo Pete: What was it like in the jungle in Sierra Leone?

Jon McNish: The jungle was probably the hardest environment I have served in since I joined the RAF, but it was thouroughly enjoyable

Footie Fan: What’s the best thing you’ve ever done in the RAF?

Jon McNish: The significance I had during the initial stages of the Iraq conflict

Danny666: yo

Jon McNish: Hi Danny welcome to the chat room

Footie Fan: What’s the food like on base? Is it better that our school canteen?!

Jon McNish: Absolutely. The food is excellent, you are definately fed well, you need to be when your busy

Alan: If I didn't want to go to war, would that mean I couldn't join the RAF?

Jon McNish: The RAF is obviously employed in a number of operational theatres across the world. This doesnt necessarily mean you will always be on the front line of every conflict. this definately depends on your branch or trade. You may find yourself supporting operations from locations you havent actually heard of. However, you do need to be prepared to go away.

jcat: Hi. When you were in the jungle of Sierra Leone, what did you do?

Jon McNish: We firstly parachuted in, supporting a world-wide media operations. We then, as a show of capability conducted an intense jungle training package testing us in all situations.

Chris: what would you say is the most important thing you have learnt while serving in the RAF?

Jon McNish: Definately the relationship with the men/women you are in command of or working with. Without their support/ backing it would make things far more difficult

alan: Thanks, Jon. I like the idea of travelling but don't you have to be moving every three 3 years or something like that? And do you have to sign up "for life"?

Jon McNish: You don't have to move round every three yhears. You do have certain amount of control on what jobs you take. But you do have to be prepared to move at some stage because of the nature of the job. You don't have to sign up for life.

pdog99: Do you ever get to do nighttime freefalls for fun? I met these US guys who used to do that over Pamana CIty!

Jon McNish: I've never done one myself. Buty you can do sports parachuting - and I'm sure you can do night jumps there.; Or an exhange with the US Marines

alan: What attracted you to thr RAF and did you think about the army and the navy too?

Jon McNish: The job diversity within my branch (of the RAf) attracted me to the RAF regiment. I did consider the army and the marines - but, with my prior knowledge the RAF made more sense because it treats you better (living/ working accomodation).

Jenny: Hi, what advice would you give to anyone thinking about a career in the R.AF?

Jon McNish: I've never looked back! Be prepared to be busy you'll enjoy every minute of it!

Danny666: have you ever had a real SAM on you're 6

Jon McNish: I'm really sorry I'm not a pilot! However along with most other serving personnel we have all served in hostile situations.

jcat: That sounds pretty intense, loads of mossies I guess. How long were you there for, and were you able to contact your family?

Jon McNish: We were there for a month and half. And as always a robust welfare plan so you can ring your family.

chris: What do you and your fellow RAFers do to unwind and how much free time do you actually get on a weekly basis?

Jon McNish: Most weekends are free unless you're on excercises or operations. The social scene is second to none!

Danny666: so what do you do then

Jon McNish: I deal with the protection of all Airforce assets. Where ever they're deployed worldwide. The ground based force very much infantary orientated.

pdog99: is it like the movies?Or is there a lot of boring things to do too?

Jon McNish: Looking at it realistically - it's nothing like the movies!

James Didsbury: Hi Jon! What qualifications did you have before starting out in the RAF and what are the pre-requisits?

Jon McNish: I had ten GSCE's and five A- Levels. I also managed to get a sixth form scholarship from the RAF and a flying scholarship. Check on the website the "job selecter" you can drill down and see specific quals for each job.

Steve: I'm doing a modern languages degree right now, and I would like to use these skills in the RAF. Do linguists perform any front-line service? I'd hate to work behind a desk all the time.

Jon McNish: Yes they do. Intelligence is basically what drives all the ops. Without linguists at the front line we couldn't operate. We're actively looking for people.

Jenny: Which has been your favourite country to serve in?

Jon McNish: The UK! Much underrated.

Danny666: How do we no if you're not a computer ???

Jon McNish: No I really am here! It is me honest!

em1975: Hi jon, how you doing?

Jon McNish: Hi Em - very busy in here thanks for the hello!

em1975: Do you train many women in your role?

Jon McNish: There are no women in the regular RAF regiment. So I don't serve with them on a day to day basis. However, other regiment personnel do train females in their mandantory annual training.

Bobcat1: Hi Jon, I am an Altitude member, I think it would be really good if you appeared in the next magazine - what do you think?

Jon McNish: Cheeky request! But sign me up!

Jenny: what would you say was the worst thing about being in the RAF?

Jon McNish: The worst thing is travelling on a Sunday to start work on Monday. That's really the only thing that gets on my nerves.

alan: Thanks - good luck - gotta go

Jon McNish: Thanks for your questions.

James Didsbury: Do you get to retire really early Jon or do you just get the carriage clock at 65 liek the rest of us!?!?!?

Jon McNish: There's the option of leaving - serving at least 12 months notice at any point. I don't have a mantlepiece to put the carriage clock on anyway!

Danny666: Have you ever had any breaches in your station if you have then what was it like and how did you feel.

Jon McNish: Not in the Uk. Plenty abroad and we dealt with them as we've been trained to do so.

Danny666: How much are you erning a week

Jon McNish: Enough to have a couple of good motorbikes!

Bobcat1: What are your plans over Christmas?

Jon McNish: I'm seeing my family and my friends and may go skiing.

em1975: have you ever injured yourself jumping out of a plane? I'd be really scared i think.

Jon McNish: I have yes during my parachute training. But not seriously so don't worry!

CdtOli: Hi, I'm in the ATC and my friend has just left to become a gunner in the Regiment.

Jon McNish: Are you interested yourself now then?

Jenny: what motorbikes do you have?

Jon McNish: A harley and a Suziki.

Jon McNish: We are getting a lot of questions and we're really trying hard to answer you all. Please bear with us!

em1975: Whats a breach?!

Jon McNish: A breach is something penetrating our defences.

jcat: How many people do you train each year for your job role?

Jon McNish: Twenty four ish. That's specific to the RAF regiment.

Bobcat1: Do you get normal holidays like everyone else then?

Jon McNish: Absolutely. 30 days a year. And if we work a weekend we get days off in lieu. And bank hols too.

CdtOli: Not to go in the Regiment. I wan't to be a pilot ( I suppose you get that alot) . I'm currently doing my PPL.

Jon McNish: I did my PPL when I was seventeen - through the scholarship. Keep going it's a great thing to do! Good luck.

jcat: have many emergency parachutes do you have? and have you had to use it?

Jon McNish: One, and no I haven't. Thank God.

Bobcat1: Were you an Air Cadet?

Jon McNish: Yes for five years.

Danny666: what rank are you in now and wahts the best thing thats happend to you in the Forces

Jon McNish: I'm Flight Lieutenant. Best thing happened to me in the force is posted in to the job where I trained junior regiment officers as I was once trained there myself.

em1975: how long are you going to be here on the webchat for and when's the next one? I think its really good.

Jon McNish: We'll be here until 6pm. The next one will in January. So please check the website for updates.

maverick: what is the scariest thing you have done?

Jon McNish: Going down a steep hill in a shopping trolley was the scariest thing I've ever done. Sadly not in the RAF though.

Danny666: So what sort of food do you get like in the info i've been readin it dosn't actully say what sort of food it is so can you tell me some food you have

Jon McNish: It's better than canteen food. It feeds the machine adequately. There's Halal, Veggie they try and cater for all.

Jenny: Which A-levels did you do?

Jon McNish: Maths, physics,Information Systems, German, and Humanities.

CdtOli: Yeh thanks, I will. If i don't get pilot in the RAF , I'm thinking of going down civvie street and becoming an airline pilot!

Jon McNish: No come here! It's like driving a bus in the sky.

Bobcat1: Do you recommend being in the ATC? Have you completed your DOE Award? I am doing mine

Jon McNish: Yes I do. ATC is brilliant. DOE I got to silver. Good luck with yours.

em1975: are you able to visit a base to see what it's like there?

Jon McNish: Yes you are. There are base open days. Or through your AFCO (RAF careers centre) you can sometimes set these up.

Danny666: is it just you doing the chats or do other people come on cos i want to chat to a real pilot no offence to you thouggh its still ace talking to someone in the RAF

Jon McNish: We have different roles each month. I'll try not to be here next time.

maverick: does it help to be a daredevil in the RAF then?

Jon McNish: You need a certain amount of courage and spirit.

Danny666: How old are you

Jon McNish: I'm 28 next month.

Bobcat1: Bangers & mash? Spag Bol? Chicken nuggets?

Jon McNish: The food is substantial, healthy and with a good spread.

Danny666: what school did you go to

Jon McNish: Thomas Alleyen Grammar school in Stevenage.

Emo Pete: If you do really well at something, what's the best thing that can happen?

Jon McNish: As well as a sense of doing a great job, which is what motivates us day in – day out, outstanding achievements are recognised by awarding medals. For instance just recently Flt Lt Matt Carter was awarded an MC (Military Cross) for his actions in Afghanistan as a Forward Air Controller, controlling coalition aircraft in a combat zone.

CdtOli: Yeh but it's really tough to get in as a pilot isn't it?

Jon McNish: It has to be. We train the best pilots in the world.

Danny666: Do you do shooting practice or is it just the people that need it

Jon McNish: Absolutely. We train to high standards of marksmanship. We also do live firing on tactical excercises.

Chris: excuse my ignorance but, if you sign up for a specific role, how flexible is it to change or pursue a different career within the service?

Jon McNish: It's great question. There's always the opportunity but I suggest you're fully focussed on your chosen career path as it is not easy to change.

Bobcat1: Thanks for all the info Jon, good luck, you rock!

Jon McNish: And to you. Thanks for joining us.

jcat: if you decided you wanted a change from your current job, could you change and do something different in the RAF? would your pay then go down?

Jon McNish: There are differences in pay between branches. This is dependant on operational roles. But you can't take a pay cut. Again I stress, it's not easy to change jobs once you're professionally qualified.

Jenny: did you go to university before joining the RAF?

Jon McNish: No I didn't. ON completion of my A levels - the Air Force offered me direct entry. I took it because it was all I wanted to do. Lots of my mates have Degrees though - so it does vary from person to person.

CdtOli: Well i've been told so far that i have the aptitude for a pilot! which i think must be quite good, and i've been predicted all A*s at GCSEs

Jon McNish: That's fantastic! Well done. You need to just get studying and focus on those A's!

Steve: Do you think you can train someone to think clearly and make effective decisions under pressure, or do they have to have that in the first place?

Jon McNish: The new training courses - the RAF regiment develop the thinking individual. There's obviously a requirement for substance in the individual prior to joining. We provide some of the best trraining in the world.

Danny666: is the flight simulator like games on your PC with one of those gear stick fings ?

Jon McNish: Not a pilot sorry. Don't know.

jcat: what sort of training to do you get to deal with the stresses of having to go to war, and coping with injuries/death of your colleagues?

Jon McNish: There's a comprehensive hearts and minds/welfare package which all officers are subject to. You're never left on your own. There's always someone to get advice off or support you.

william evans: hey jon i have some question that i wonder if you can answer i am just only 14 but i wish to join the RAF when i can but the only concern that i have is that i live in france would this matter in anyway? i am obviously english. but i just wondered if it would prevent me from entering.

Jon McNish: Not if you're English. I'd seek advice from your careers office on how to make the process more clear for you.

Danny666: whats the training like what you did and do the instructers keep on shouting abuse while you're doing it ?

Jon McNish: The training is progressive. but very demanding. Having been a student and an intstructor - I can justifiably say it's the best training in the world.

Emo Pete: I don’t like the idea of sharing a room with loads of other people? Do you get your own room ever?

Jon McNish: You share with one other person at the start of Officer training. You are then only ever in your own room.

Jenny: what is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Jon McNish: Getting up every day not knowing what you're going to be doing.

Danny666: Do you have a faster way of talking this takes toon long

Jon McNish: Please bear with us - we are trying to answer lots of questions from lots of users. Doing our best!

william evans: no i am english i just wondered with the qualifications that i will get if they would either prevent me or help me coz they are not GCSE'S or A levels there are things like what i will do will be an appretisship . would this matter in any way possible.

Jon McNish: We always look at equivalent qualifications. I trained a guy who was educated in France. He never had any problems.

Footie Fan: How long were you in Basra – and was it like they show on TV?

Jon McNish: I was in Basra for four months at the start of the warin 2003. Then again the following year for four months. It can be like what they show on TV. But remember they only show the busy times.

Janine S: I’m big on sport – both playing and watching (I am better at watching!). Can you get to do these once you’ve joined up?

Jon McNish: Absolutely. We encourage people to stay in shape. I'm just about to go skiing in the new year. And I've played for the RAF at Rugby.

Danny666: where are you at the moment if you're in a RAF base then did you sign up or get told that you will do this chat

Jon McNish: I volunteered. Because I know what it's like to be on the other end.

william evans: ok thank you very much i also have questions about fitness and what would be the best type of say excersises that i should work more on to help in any ways

Jon McNish: There's a really robust section on this on the webisite. Please go to "Next Steps" section (I think!).

Footie Fan: Can I bring my family onto base, to visit me?

Jon McNish: Yes you can. It is not as difficult as you'd imagine. YOu just need to have identification that's all.

Danny666: are there any secrets you ca tell us that the News havnt told us

Jon McNish: Nope! You kidding!

Moderator: This chat session closes in 10 minutes

jcat: Why don't they let females do your job?

Jon McNish: Because it's frontline infantry- UK policy.

Footie Fan: Do you wear uniform all the time – even when you’re not on duty?

Jon McNish: I'm wearing uniform now as I'm working. But when I'm not working no. You do have to wear it at work, and when you're training though obviously.

william evans: are there like teams of all sport and clubs for musicians and other things aswell

Jon McNish: Yes. Every club you can think of. We've got it! And if not and you've got an interest - you could set one up.

Jenny: why does the fact that it is front line prevent women from joining?

Jon McNish: It's not the front line bit - it's the infantry bit. There are plenty of women serviing on the front line just not in infantry roles.

Emo Pete: I am really thinking of joining (if I get in!). Can you bring your own stuff along when you join? If so, have you got any tips for what to bring?

Jon McNish: Absolutely. Don't forget your ironing board!

jcat: and shoe polish. or is that provided?

Jon McNish: You get an allowance for shoe polish. But it's probably best to take your own.

Emo Pete: When you joined up, how long did it take you settle in?

Jon McNish: Remember everbody is in the same position. So everybody is trying to settle in. But there is always someone you know from the recruiting process.

Danny666: was that a joke about the ironing board

Jon McNish: No. I was serious - I forgot mine and wish I hadn't.

jcat: Thanks for the chat Jon, it was really interesting. Merry Xmas! Bye for now...

Jon McNish: Thanks Jcat. Great talking to you.

william evans: can i play my guitar whenever i wish, within reason, obviously

Jon McNish: Yes I do! But be considerate.

Danny666: can you get bands in the RAF for like if there is any dances

Jon McNish: There are bands that are employed at social events and parties.

moderator: We're closing the chat session in three minutes

Janine S: Do you still keep in touch with fiends from before you joined the RAF? Or isn’t that possible?

Jon McNish: Of course I do. You can spend your time off visiting whoever you want to.

jay: how do i arange a carers meeting

Jon McNish: Through your AFCO. Or prefarably call the number on the website!

Jc: What exactly do you do jon?

Jon McNish: If you have look at the start of the chat - we've been discussing a fair bit of that.

Danny666: have you ever done an obsticel course

Jon McNish: As a part of the pre-parachute selection course - you conduct various activities on what we call assault course.

Jenny: thanks for answering my questions byex

Jon McNish: Very welcome thanks for joining us.

william evans: thank you jon very much for all the information you have provided me with it has helped me alot thank you and merr christmas and a happy new year!!!

Jon McNish: And thanks you too!

Jon McNish: Thanks a lot for joining us. Look out for other sessions. One in Jan. Byee!

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