RTS Facilities

These facilities are in place solely for the use of recruits and the team of directing staff at RTS.

Barrack Blocks

These provide the accommodation for all recruits on Recruit Training Squadron. Each barrack block is three storeys, with a central staircase and a room off each side. There are 6 rooms to a barrack block, each sleeping up to 16 people. Each floor has separate shower, toilet and laundry facilities. Although most recruits have not shared a room prior to joining, Recruit Training Squadron finds that the communal living provides a sense of teamwork and friendship during the 9-weeks of training and is also realistic of the Phase 2 training schools, where accommodation is also shared (although on a much smaller scale). Each recruit has their own bed space and they are encouraged to have photographs and any mementos on the door of their civilian clothes locker. Recruits are accommodated in their flights, so No 1 flight for example will have rooms in one barrack block and No 2 flight will have rooms in another. Female recruits are accommodated separately.

Parade Square

The Parade Square is hallowed ground at Recruit Training Squadron! It is here that recruits undertake all their drill lessons and where they will eventually graduate. No personnel are permitted to walk across the Parade Square, unless they are being taught drill or are on parade! Flanked by a Tornado GR1 aircraft on one side and stands for spectators on the other, the Parade Square is a useful reminder of what recruits will achieve in 9-weeks of training.

Finlay Gym
Finlay Gym is a dedicated gym for recruit training. The recruits undergo all their gym-based physical training here, which is mostly circuit training. Circuit training is widely used in the Armed Forces as the best way to improve strength and stamina. The circuits will vary, but will include exercises to strengthen arms, legs and stomach muscles, plus will include some running. You will be surprised at how rapidly physical fitness will improve! Recruits also undertake running, to improve stamina and overall fitness, and also to train for the RAF fitness test, which is running based. Recruits are streamed into A, B or C stream, depending on their MSFT score. All three streams will run separately, to allow all recruits to participate in a realistic distance for their fitness.

Newcomers Club
The Newcomers Club is a bar exclusively for the use of recruits. Here, bar facilities are provided so that recruits can relax after a day’s training. The sale of alcohol is strictly limited and recruits under 18 yrs will not be served.

Henderson Mess
Henderson Mess is a dedicated mess for recruits. It is where recruits will eat their three meals a day, and is where snacks and packed lunches are collected. The money charged for food is deducted from their pay packet at source, hence food is available everyday, including weekends and recruits can eat as much food as they choose. For breakfast, options include cooked food, such as sausage, bacon or eggs, or toast, fruit and cereal. For lunch, three or four hot options are available, including at least one vegetarian option. Choices include items such as curries, sausage rolls, baked potatoes, pies, stews etc. Potato choices and vegetables, plus salads are also available. The evening meal again includes three or four hot choices. Tea, coffee and juice are available at all meals.

The Roundel Club

Opened in late 2007, the Roundel Club is an additional non-alcohol Welfare facility and provides recruits an alternative to MGs. The facility conatins games and entertainment for the recruits in the form of pool tables, air hockey, gaming systems and accommodates up to 120 people.

Low Ropes
Our designated low ropes course at RTS is designed to bring out and test some of the values important to the Royal Air Force, teamwork, listening and problem solving skills. The low ropes course affords the instructor some scope to stop the exercise, discuss any points that have arisen and then allow the recruits another go. The low ropes course consists of various problems and exercises, which are all approximately 30 centimetres from the ground. The problems are not difficult but normally take the brainpower of a team to resolve.

MGs
MGs is a social club where the recruits can go from 7 in the morning until approx 11 in the evening. Television, DVD player, books, magazines, internet facilities, tea and coffee, sofas and a pool table are all available within these times. MGs is used especially at weekends by recruits who are unable to travel home and those under 18 yrs, who are not permitted to drink.

RAF Halton Facilities
The facilities across the rest of the site are open to the recruits, the same as they are for everyone on the station. If the recruits have spare time in their busy schedule they may use some selected facilities on camp.

Swimming pool
Halton has its own swimming pool on camp and the recruits have some physical training (PT) sessions there. This encourages confidence in the water and allows recruits the opportunity to learn how to swim, if they are unable to. This paves the way for further adventure training opportunities such as kayaking, canoeing and diving when recruits are in the Royal Air Force.

Cinema
The cinema is open on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and costs £3-4. The films shown are quite up to date, and often only about 2 weeks behind civilian cinema releases.

Spar Shop
The Spar shop is provided so that recruits can buy essentials without having to wait until the weekend, when they are sometimes able to leave the camp. Here, recruits can buy Royal Air Force essential purchases such as shoe polish, dusters, polish and bungees for their trousers! The more basic luxuries, such as chocolate bars, soft drinks, crisps, magazines etc. are also available for purchase!