Corporal Michelle Bullough
Job role: Intelligence Analyst

Joined the RAF: August 2002

Overseas travel: Kuwait, Qatar, United States, Cyprus, Austria

Career highlights:

• Being awarded ‘Best Recruit’ for physical education and The Station Commanders Cup at basic training
• Undertaking intelligence training exercises in the USA
• Representing the RAF Ladies Football Team on tour in Cyprus
• Being selected for a four month exchange programme to Australia

‘I’d always wanted to join the RAF. I had a few jobs in “civvy street”, but quickly realised that a normal nine to five lifestyle wasn’t for me. I love to travel and I knew that joining the RAF would give me the opportunity to see the world. The Intelligence Trade and imagery analysis in particular immediately stood out. It’s an up-and-coming trade with constant advances in the technology we use.

‘My first posting was to RAF Marham in Norfolk where I worked as part of the Tactical Imagery Intelligence Wing (TIW). After just a few months, I deployed to Kuwait – I was excited, but nervous. Along with my colleagues, I received the Iraq Medal for my efforts. Whilst at (TIW) I deployed twice more to Al Udeid in Qatar and on Exercise Empire Challenge in the USA.

‘In 2006, I was posted to the Ministry of Defence in London to work in the Situation Centre as a duty task researcher. It was a demanding role as I was the first point of contact for all intelligence requests from UK agencies. On promotion to Corporal in 2007, I was posted to RAF Brampton in Cambridgeshire to work in the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (JARIC).

‘Now I’m a member of the Operations Task Group working on strategic issues and supporting coalition forces operating in the Middle East. I’m due to deploy on a four-month exchange programme to the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation in Canberra, Australia and afterwards to Iraq or Afghanistan for a further four months next year.’

Web Chat session with Corporal Michelle Bullough - Wednesday 30 April 2008

All questions were moderated for content and suitability.

Sarah: Hi Michelle. I am looking to join the RAF in intelligence but am unsure of whether to go for imagery analyst or Officer entry. What are the differences between the roles?

Michelle Bullough: Analysis is more the hands on side looking at imagery daily. Whereas the officers is more the management role of what the analysts are doing. (Pushing a lot of paper but not only that obviously!) I personally wouln't want to do the officer role as I enjoy 'getting in there' at the deep end. I think there's more opportunities for postings but check that as I'm not sure.

will: How did you know the RAF was for you?

Michelle Bullough: I knew from an early age. As I was actively involved in the Air Cadets. It gave me an insight in to the RAF lifestyle to a certain degree. And the uniforms the same! I wanted the lifestyle not just the nine to five job. Because I enjoy my sports and travelling and I get paid to do it at the same time!

sarah_h: Being fit and active seems to be a major part of RAF life, did you have to train for long before you joined up?

Michelle Bullough: Yes. Fitness is a major part of the RAF life. Personally I did do some training so I wouldn't be the slowest in basic training! But the programme is set in place to help you build up your fitness level. But yeah definitely do some training before hand. You never can be too fit.

Cpl M. L.: How long are postings normally?

Michelle Bullough: Postings usually average between two to three years depending on your location. And wheher you opt to move or extend. It's entirely up to you (to a certain degree depending on work committments obviously). Postings depend on your personal circumstances so it varies.

Kear: Whats the social life like in the RAF ?

Michelle Bullough: I never drank so much in my life after first joining up - OFF DUTY OF COURSE! (It's all character building). It's a great way to get to know the real people and not just the guys in uniform. People you join up with may not be around all the time, but when you do meet up it's like you've never been away. I've made friends for life here.

Cerys: What air cadet sqn were you in?

Michelle Bullough: I went to 24 Market Drayton Squadron. I was given many opportunties to go shooting, flying. Represent the county at sport. And made friends who are in the airforce now - they might not say they were in the cadets before, but I know who they are!

Gaz: Do you have to stay on base at night? as in sleeping there i mean.

Michelle Bullough: No I've opted to live off - I live in private accommodation about 20 minutes away from base. I lived on base before this but wanted to get on to the property ladder really is why. I liked living on base - the social side is great. It's good to stay on a base for a while if you can as it gives you the whole experience kind of thing. But it's up to you. As a recruit you have to stay on base in training. After the training you can then decide if you want to stay living on base.

Michaela: How old were you when you joined the RAF? Are there a good mix of ages of people who decide to join?

Michelle Bullough: I joined at 19 after numerous jobs in the service industry. It was the right age for me to join as I'd travelled round the world before. But at basic training the age range 16-30. Throughout the basic training you're on 'intake' with 120 personel and the average age then was about 22. There's a good mix of ages from all different backgrounds and experiences. You've got people just fresh out of school, from running their own businesses - it's right mixed bag!

Paul_Francis: What are the areas of your job which you would prefer not to have to do?

Michelle Bullough: Station guard duty! It's not really my job, but it's part of the RAF. It usually clashes a bit with my social life! But usually it only comes round once a year so it's not too bad. I love the rest of it!

Dave Smith: Hi michelle, how does your family (and you) cope with being away from them at times?

Michelle Bullough: My family have been really supportive since I joined the Airforce. Usually if work committments clash with family commitments, my family usually work around it. Such as at Christmas if I'm working - they'll bring their Christmas forward or later so we can still all be together. You can still connect up and speak to your family during your postings.

amewilko: if you had the oppertunaty to visit any where in the world where would you most like to go to?

Michelle Bullough: Definitely Australia - which I'm planning to do! I'm planning on doing that early next year with work. It's an exchange posting - so I'll be doing the same job over there while my Australian counterpart comes over here to do my job! The Exchange chap is over at the moment so we've had a chat. His previous colleauges I've chatted with as well. There's people here I know who've done the exchange already so they've given the gen.

Cerys: Did you ever consider another career in the RAF?

Michelle Bullough: I looked at numerous trades such as photographer.But intelligence training had more appeal with a 'big brother' aspect!

rendell80: how did you find the PJFT [Pre-Joining Fitness Test] and recruit training thereafter.

Michelle Bullough: I didn't do that when I went through. 'Old school'! I'd reccomend doing as much physical training as possible. Not just treadmill, road running as well.

Mark: Did you join up with someone you knew? where you at training with them and for how long?

Michelle Bullough: I didn't intentionally. BUt after I'd got my joining dates through I realised my best friends cousin was on the same intake and the same trade training. Just shows what a small world it can be.

Adam: Hi michelle, How did u join the RAF ?

Michelle Bullough: From doing the Cadets and visiting my locally friendly AFCO store! (Careers office).

Anthony: Have you ever felt like you couldn't do something in any situation but pushed yourself on anyway?

Michelle Bullough: Yes. I'm pushing myself through this! I was a bit nervous at first talking to random people, but you guys don't seem so scary! I've been in many situations but there's people around you going through the same situation. So if you're tired, stressed, missing family then you can help pull each other through. You're all going through the same thing. So as a part of the team you don't want to let other members down.

Jeffrey: what is the sport like in the Raf

Michelle Bullough: From what I've seen there's something for everyone. From table tennis to mountaneering! I did the ski/snow board champs which heavily subsidised by sports lottery - plus you're entitled to two weeks a year events training. (Subject to operational requirements obviously). Most recently I've been on a football tour to Cyprus where I got to meet quality people!

Sarah: Does everyone, regardless of job, mix together well on base?

Michelle Bullough: I like to think so. But in any job not everybody gets on with everybody else - but you've all got common ground. So you can work around it and get along. There's a junior ranks bar so you can let your hair down without management being on your case. What happens in the bar stays in the bar! On the plus side the bars on camp are cheap as chips!

Greg: Hi Micelle, what is the best part of being in the RAF and what would you say the worst part for you is?

Michelle Bullough: I'm usually one of the first to hear about breaking news around the world before it even hits the media. It's not always good news, but it keeps you up to date with current affairs. (I already said above I hated Guard duty). Short notice deployments can be a bug bear but that's not very often. I'd reccomend the Intelligence trade if you like to make a career out of it. It's very diverse as trades go.

Jadet: what tips would you give to someone joining up as a Intelligence Analyst ?

Michelle Bullough: To be a blank canvas really - because the trade is so specific. And you're trained in what you need to know as we work on a need to know basis. If I don't want to answer a question I just say 'it's classified'. A lot of my friends don't even know what I do. I can't go in to detail obviously. But given a broad brush generalisation on what we can be involved in.

Cpl M. L.: Do you always work with the same group of people or do you get to work with lots of different people?

Michelle Bullough: For my day to day job I work with the same people. Whereas if I was deployed I'd be working with people from all over the country. So it varies depending on what job I'm doing. It can be difficult interacting with new characters, but you're out there to do the job you've trained for.

rendell80: hows the food when on tour

Michelle Bullough: Depends if it's an American or British base. American's have food on tap so it can be a case of all you can eat! Then it becomes competitive! I sort of prefer the American food just because it's a treat. If you're on base there's proper catering facilities - whereas in the field you're out in a tent. So it might not be as posh as on base - but the guys do a great job of what they've got.

Anthony: Would you say if it has affected life with your family at home in any way?

Michelle Bullough: It's not affected it. I've matured as a person. It's part of growing up flying the nest I guess. I'm my own person with my own responsibilities. But I'm still in touch regularly to 'report in' to home. It's a natural progression of growing up.

Cpl M. L.: Do you work with people in other professions (engineers/pilots especially) much?

Michelle Bullough: We have a competant team of techinical support staff to run our numerous IT systems. So we've got engineers in IT support mainly. Also got the police for security checking. Depending on job role, such as previously I was working directly with Aircrew briefing and debriefing after sorties (flights). I don't work with pilots so much now. So it depends on what job you're doing really.

Scott: Hi Michelle I'm thinking of joining the RAF but my parents would rather I didn't. Did you have a similair problem and if so, how did you get round this?

Michelle Bullough: Tell them you're joining the Army so the RAF looks like the better option! (Kidding). The Airforce in my opinion is the better of the three. Plus a nicer uniform. :) Why don't you take your parents to the local Careers office so they can get a better understanding of the RAF. See what they say after that.

Cerys: What's the most exciting thing you've done since joining the RAF?

Michelle Bullough: On excercise in the States. On some down time we got to explore places like Las Vegas, San Diago, LA, plus they paid me extra money to cover my expenses. Basically I've been places I'd never have gone to like the Kuwaiti towers - just general places round the middle east I'd never have chosen to go really eye opening.

Gaz: Is the recruitment training hard? i heard you have to run a mile in 12mins (basic) but i'm guessing theres loads more things you have to do.

Michelle Bullough: Recruitment training is only hard if you haven't prepped enough in due time. Basically don't leave it all to the last minute!

Stu E: Do you work with Civilians who have specialist skills, or is it all in-house?

Michelle Bullough: The Civvy's don't have the same training but just as capable. We do work with civvys and RAFers and also Army and Navy (as the Tri service).

Greg: when you are abroad how easy is to keep in contact with people back home?

Michelle Bullough: You're given 30 minutes a week free calls. And you can buy extra at your own expense. Plus there's internet facilities 24/7.

Jadet: did you find it hard to get up in the morning at basic training?

Michelle Bullough: The hardest part was going to sleep after you'd done your daily chores as you're still pumped up. And you'd be up in 2 or 3 hours time. You just get used to it.

Cpl M. L.: Are officers in the RAF "fashionably late" like they are in the cadets

Michelle Bullough: Who am I to question what they do?

Jeffrey: can you get spotted by outside clubs e.g. county etc to play sports

Michelle Bullough: I believe it's possible if you're at the required standard. Rory Underwood started here.

Michelle Bullough: Thanks for all the questions and for being nice to me! Sorry for all the ones I didn't have time to answer there were a lot of you!

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