Flying Officer Leon Tidbury
Job role: Weapons Controller – Aerospace Battle Management Branch

Joined the RAF: July 2008

Overseas travel: Cyprus so far, looking forward to another deployment soon

Career highlights:

• My graduation from Initial Officer Training at RAF Cranwell, attended by The Queen and Prince Philip
• Qualifying as a Weapons Controller
• Doing something I love and getting paid for it!

“I studied Economics at uni, but then I decided didn’t want a 9-5 job. I looked at all the Services, but the RAF seemed to offer the best of both worlds – the best of military life and a good quality of civilian life.

When I went to the Armed Forces Recruitment Office, I was interested in becoming an Air Traffic Controller, but they suggested Aerospace Battle Management, which is pretty similar, but with a war-fighting element.

I did my specialist training and now I’m in weapons control for the Control and Reporting Centre (CRC), which commands the UK’s Quick Reaction Alert force.

We basically deal with homeland security. If a foreign aircraft is spotted over the UK unexpectedly, fast jets will be scrambled to intercept it and it is CRC’s job to establish the tactical picture and control that intercept.

Of course, that doesn’t happen very often. Generally, we provide an air traffic control service to fast jets like Typhoons and Tornados. You can be sat here at your console and there’s a refuelling aircraft in the North Sea with fast jets coming to take fuel off it and you’re responsible for them. It pushes you to use your brain as hard as you can.

It’s such a cool job. I’m sat in a room on the end of a radio speaking to four Typhoons over the North Sea chasing each other around the sky.”

Web Chat session with Flying Officer Leon Tidbury - Wednesday 10 November 2010

catherine: Hi, how did you find your officer training and how did you prepare for it?

Leon Tidbury: Hello there! Yes well It's hard work but looking back it's great fun as well. There are times you wish you weren't there, but for every one of those - there's a time when you're doing something you wouldn't get a chance to do anywhere else! Know as much about the process as you can - that's my key point on that really. And it will stand you in good stead. Knowledge is power!!!

Nat: I like the sound of Aerospace Battle Management but I wear glasses. Is this acceptable? I would also like to know what Cranwell was like? Was it incredibly hard to pass? Are there any specific requirements for this position?

Leon Tidbury: Yes for Aerospace Battle Manager (ABM) glasses are fine. For the majority of jobs you can wear glasses, but some you can't. So best to check! Cranwell is hard at times, but prepare well and it will be well within your reach. ABM is an aptitude based branch. So it will be something you can either do or cannot do. I'd have to say just try an RJP (A realistic job preview) through the AFCO (Armed Forces Careers Office). And that will give you an idea of whether you can do it or not. Hope that helps!

Yoda: Leon, Why did you decide ABM over ATC as you mention ATC quite a lot in your post??

Leon Tidbury: Okay. I was selected by OASC (Officer and Air crew Selection Centre) for ABM over ATC (Air Traffic Control). ABM is more of a war fighting role than ATC and for me far more exciting! You give your preferences of what job you want to do, and are selected on suitability.

Elizabeth: Hi, i am interested in becoming an aerospace battle manager and am wondering if your job is only based around looking at computer screens all day or is there more to the job?

Leon Tidbury: That is a large part of the job but it's easy to get involved in what's going on on the screen. The environment looks a bit like a call centre. But it's not really as simple as just looking at a screen. Because you concentration levels have to be really on there. Being called to do things at split seconds notice. Our primary role is looking after national airspace. So there's a lot more to it than just looking at a screen.

Moody_Marge: hi, did you used to go cadets, and what made you choose the RAF?

Leon Tidbury: I was a cadet throughout school. Later I joined the Royal Navy Reserve (but we'll keep that quiet!!!! Don't tell any of my friends at the RAF) Cadets is great to be involved in and sets you up well for the RAF. And I'd also like to say maintain a broad range of extra curricular activities such as I was part of a life saving club. I was also a scout. So I really fitted a lot in!!! I chose the RAF because for me the RAF offered the best work life balanace.

Nat: How long is the Officer and Air Crew Selection Centre and what does it involve?

Leon Tidbury: Okay it's 3 days. Involving a range of tests. From planning to leading and working as part of a group. There is also a fitness test. My advice is work on your fitness - and be as fit as possible. Just have a decent fitness level that will really help. You also have an interview. There is a section on the interview on the website.... under the application zone (Officer section. It's about OASC in general but should help you). There is of course an element of competition because remember they're looking for the best candidate not the one that can shout the loudest! Good luck!

Lofty: Hi, On IOT what part on the course did you find the most demanding?

Leon Tidbury: There's been loads of you asking about IOT - so I'm answering you Lofty and hopefully this will answer everyone else on this too..... For me it was excercise decisive edge. That's the BIG LEADERSHIP TEST! It's the culmination of officer training (after 18 weeks). This is when your leadership skills are put to the test for the first time. This is where your superiors are running the excercise for you. In term 3 of IOT, you will be running the exercise yourself. So you're kind of overseeing it as well. The demanding part is long days in the field. With little sleep. Everyone pulls together, and it's another one of those with hindesight you enjoy it looking back! Someone also asked about The drill side of it too... As a former cadet, IOT drill was fairly easy. But some people do struggle.

Dante277: Hi there, I've seen another ABM Officer on the careers website called Flying Officer Turner. Is this the same job that you do? Do you work for him?

Leon Tidbury: He works for me! He's only taking the micky out of me I think here! Looks like my work colleagues are joining in the fun here!!!

Sando: What skills are required to become a "Weapons Controller – Aerospace Battle Management Branch"

Leon Tidbury: It's aptitude based. So good spacial awareness, an ability to prioritise and keep calm under pressure! They are all essential. They won't all come naturally. But you will be given time to work on them. We liaise with a broad range of people, so you get to know a lot of the Air force.

king of stornoway: What is it like living in a mess do you miss your family?

Leon Tidbury: Mess life is GREAT!!! You live with some great people. And some not so great (Kidding!) Everyone gets along. I don't miss my family. If you do though there are always friends around. I probably see my family once every few months. I speak to them regularly as well. So for me it isn't a problem. I'd liken it to a university halls of residence. But everyones got more disposable income!! That's the main difference.

Lee M: Hi Leon, I have been considering a career in the RAF for about 18 months now, however I am now 26 years old with only GCSE's as qualifications, am I too old in all probability? Or would I end up being the 'old man' with young recruits around me, should I be successful?

Leon Tidbury: It greatly depends on what role you're looking at doing. There's lots of info on age ranges for the jobs. If you use the careers job section, you can see fact pages etc with that kind of info on it. Your life experience will be invaluable. Particularly amoungst the other recruits. Obviously there are different roles, both Airmen / Airwoman. Or Officer. I think off the top of my head you might need two 'A' levels as an Officer minimum (Please check that as I'm not sure). As for being successful, you'll be as successsful as you want to be in the trade you choose. Because promotion is based on merit.

Nat: Do you get the opportunity to go away on operations or is it a UK based position?

Leon Tidbury: We as a branch are heavily committed in Afghanistan and the Falklands. I obviously can't expand too much on what I do you understand!!! There are opportunities around the globe. So you could be posted anywhere. Even though UK locations are limited. I'm quite keen to do a posting on operations.

freddy: What are your chances of getting on the E-3?

Leon Tidbury: That's the aircraft that we get posted to work on (for those who don't know!) Opportunities are pretty slim! But if you really want it - the option is there. Like anything, if you want something - you can do work to improve your chances.

Jay: Hello! Did you always know that you were going to be joining the RAF?

Leon Tidbury: I've always known that I'd probably end up in the Forces. I lost sight of it somewhat at university, but it then became obvious that it was what I wanted to do. My brother served in the Royal Navy which steered me towards the forces. It was only when I finished university that I finally decided on the Royal Air Force. Because as I've said earlier (see above chat!) it's got a good work life balance.

Sando: Is there jobs for everyone? Even for Forensic Science Graduates?

yoda: Why did you become a Weapons controller and not Surveillance or Space? Is Weapons better?

Leon Tidbury: You are selected following a streaming course. Which assesses your suitability for the various sides of the branch. Everyone claims that their specialisation is the best because that is how it pans out. (Of course Weapons controller IS THE BEST!!!!) But you will enjoy the specialisation that you are best suited to. The streaming course by the way is 6 weeks on completion of IOT. You're actually then streamed for weapons or surveilance.

Antunes: What did you learn from your experiences away on ops?

Leon Tidbury: It was a holding position in Cyprus - effectively a long holiday! But I'm hoping to on ops in the near future. And there is plenty of opportunity to do so. Certainly on weapons controll you will get the chance to do operations early on.

Simon: Where are you based ? And do you enjoy being based there ?

Leon Tidbury: Hi Simon you've sent in lots of good questions so I'm doing an amalgamated answer here to as many of them as I can.... In terms of base - I'm at RAF Scampton in Lincoln. It's a quiet base. But a great one to be at. It's steeped in history and the Red Arrows are there. You get to see them every day. I do like it there. It has got a good location more than anything. You're just North of Lincoln. You also asked me about if I had times doing things that I didn't want to be doing; the answer is - you have to really want to do it. Otherwise you won't get through. Of course there are difficult times. But once you're through you'll look back on it very fondly. You also asked about times I get up and get off work; Most days I'm up at 6.30am. But at Cranwell it will be a lot earlier!!!!! (That's for the IOT stuff I mean). I normally finish work around 5pm. But you take the rough with the smooth. So sometimes you're in later than that. Sometimes you're in the gym by 1.30pm (that doesn't happen very often in case you're wondering). So it really varies from day to day.

Antunes: What are the opportunities for going away on expeds like...?

Leon Tidbury: Expeds are adventurous training opportunities for those of you not knowing what that was! The Air force are keen for you to take part in as many as possible. And there is a broad range on offer. From sailing to parachuting. If you want to try something, there is often the chance to do so.

jking606: how long does the application process take? ive got my informal interview on friday. ive applied for RAF REGIMENT GUNNER

Antunes: What sporting opportunities have you experienced since being in the RAF?

Leon Tidbury: Answering this one of yours as well.. sporting opportunities are varied. If you're in to something you'll get plenty of chance to take part. Similarly if you're looking to try something new, there's plenty of chance for that too. I take it you're quite sporty (which is good!) I do Triathlon. I've not raced on behalf of the air force (yet). You get to use gym facilities as well. So you get lots of opportunities on your door step to train.

Nat: Do you have to take further training courses to qualify for space?

Leon Tidbury: It's a specialisation in its own right. Training is at RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire. You will only undertake it if you're selected for that side of the branch. I should say - it's quite tough to get in to - if you're particularly interested in that side of the branch. It's a similar set of skills to surveillance

Leon Tidbury: Oops that sent before I'd meant to send it! Sorry to continue there... it is a similar set of skills to surveilance, but with very different challenges. It offers the best chance to live in America. A lot of the space guys end up in America for parts of their careers.

Simon: If you could have another role in the RAF what would it be and why?

Leon Tidbury: It would have to a pilot. (Everyone and his dog wants to be a pilot don't they!) If it wasn't pilot - but in the position I'm in now - you realise the amount of work that goes in to supporting Air Crew. The job I'm in is next best thing to being actually sat in the cockpit of a fast jet!

Leon Tidbury: Thanks everyone for all your questions! The air force is a GREAT career choice! I enjoy every single day. That sounds really cheesy but it's true.

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