Corporal Gareth Fisher
Job role: RAF Regiment Gunner in the RAF Reserves

Joined the RAF: September 2002

Overseas travel: Cyprus, Belgium, France, Germany, Scotland, Jersey

Career highlights:

• Completing my training and becoming a member of the RAF Regiment Reserves.
• Completing active operations in both the Afghanistan and Iraq.
• Being promoted to the rank of Corporal.

‘I was a mortgage advisor working for a small firm in Lincoln. Following the credit crunch, I was made redundant. That gave me chance to follow my true passion, by joining the R.A.F Reserves full time. I’m now an instructor, training reservist gunners for the RAF Regiment.

‘Being a part of the Reserve Forces is excellent. My advice to someone thinking about a career in the RAF is just do it!

‘As a Reserve you are required to attend training for a minimum of 27 days a year, 15 of which will be en bloc as part of Annual Continuous Training (ACT), which could be a military exercise, training course, or a Squadron-organised camp. The remaining 12 days are made up of monthly training weekends.

‘The best thing about recruitment training was learning about the different weapon systems and being presented my ‘mudguards’ at the end. The gunner training is by far the best element of the training package. Live firing on ranges is hard work but still a great buzz even now!

‘I’ve had two operational deployments Iraq (2006) and Afghanistan (2009/10). It’s always great to put the training into practice and to deploy on ops (operations). You never really know what to expect until you hit the ground, but the training is always first rate. As soon as you settle in you realise that you are ready for the task.

‘Two of the best things for me are being a part of it all and the mates that you meet. I’ve got friends all over the country through the Regiment. The social side is excellent, and I’ve been skiing, canoeing, rock climbing, cycling, sailing and much more.

‘I report to RAF Cottesmore in Rutland. I’m really looking forward to settling into a new full-time instructor role at the County of Nottingham Reserve Operational Support Squadron in February. I’ll be producing a high standard of reservist gunner who can be deployed on ops with great success alongside our regular comrades.’

Web Chat session with Corporal Gareth Fisher - Wednesday 27 January 2010

Jamie: Hi Gareth, have you anay plans on becoming an officer in the RAF? Im planning on becoming an ATCo

Gareth Fisher: It's ultimately my ambition within the Forces, the regiment. However at the moment I'm looking forward to my role as an NCO (Non-commisioned Officer) Instructor . I'm a through and through soldier there's no life for me in blue I'm afraid. But good luck with that anyway.

Jivan: why be a reserve? why not just join the RAF full time?

Gareth Fisher: Many reasons. None of which I can think of straight away!!! Some people have a civillian career which they're happy with, but still want the military side to their lives. Some people have been in the military earlier on in their lives and come back to it at a later date. As I've got many friends that have done. Some simply use it as an excuse for fitness training and another side to the social life that you get paid for. (That's okay as long as you appreciate that you might have to go to war). There's no particular right reason - for me joining the forces full time was just something I never got around to doing!

Eddie :): Hi gareth, just wanted to ask what is the difference between the RAF reserves training and the normal RAF training???

Gareth Fisher: The difference - mainly it's just the time-frame. 80-90% of Reserves training is conducted at weekends. A high standard is still met. The training is very vigorous. The difference between the Regulars and Reserves the difference is made up when you deploy off on operations abroad. There's often a 5 month build up package with the regulars to bring you up to their standard and to learn the current tactics, techniques and procedures.

Jack: hi gareth, what is a normal day for you when your at the RAF?

Gareth Fisher: As a Regiment Gunner, it can be varied. When on the Squadron you could expect to do fitness daily, weapons training, CBRN (Chemical biological Radiological and Nuclear training), we don't do a lot!!! (Kidding!) But on operations it can be patrolling in vehicles on foot, helicopters, or in fact on boats as we were in Iraq. I love this and wouldn't swap it for anything. It makes me cold to think about my civvy career. Just working for the money, it was just soul-less.

FionaW: Hey Gareth, I'm interested in joining the RAF and becoming an ATC officer. One factor that interested me in this job is the chance to travel and work abroad. What were your experiences like?

Gareth Fisher: I'd reccomend you investigate fully any trade or branch in the air force that you want to go for. Speak to your AFCO maybe (Careers office). Air Traffic isn't an area I know about sorry. You could see Vanessa Neilson's webchat (on the previous web chat page) she's an Air traffic controller so that might give you some info.

garethf81: Due to the fact your a reserve is the recruitment and application process the same as a full RAF emplyee?

Gareth Fisher: Yes the recruitment procedure is similar if not the same. You just get filtered another way when you go to RAF Halton. You know where you're going to end up. You get a good chance to meet all the people you'll work with. And you get to socialise with them too. Most of your recruitment is handled by the squad you want to join not just the AFCO. So you get a better idea of whether you like the role or not. Only difference is the age difference (lots of info on line about this on careers site).

Jordan: Hello Gareth , do you have any say on were you get based ?

Gareth Fisher: Absolutely. You can actually pick your squadron according to which one's closest to you. (Although I would always reccomend that 504 at Cottesmore is worth a decent commute -plug plug!) You do get to choose where you're based and according to which squadron you're going for and if that sqaudron is recruiting or not.

Jameson: Have you been on any exciting adventurous training overseas Gareth?

Gareth Fisher: I've been international milatary skills in Belgium. I've spent nearly 3 months in Cyprus doing all sorts of outdoors sport. Canooing, mountain climbing stuff like that. I've been skiing in Germany, been adventure training in Wales. And of course Afghanistan, Iraq. All as a reserve! I'd love to do some more skiing. And I'm a hot weather soldier - so any time back in Cyprus would be appreciated!!!

campbelljam: As you just mentioned your civy career what did you do before and what made you change

Gareth Fisher: I was a mortgage broker working for an independent firm in Lincoln. I found myself in a bit of a rut. Considering my options of getting back in to the regiment full time. And my hand was forced by the recession, (Sometimes good to have a push if you know what I mean).

Ben Morrison: Hi Gareth did you have to go through a filter interview at an AFCO to join RAFreg.?

Gareth Fisher: Actually mine was done at my local squadron. All of the Reserves are done through the local squadron. I think this gives you a better insight in to things. The squadron gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect so you don't waste any time kind of thing. All my regular counterparts went through the AFCO. If they can do it anyone can! (Only joking lads!)

Steve81: What’s the difference in being a full time RAF reserves regiment gunner and being an RAF regiment gunner?

Gareth Fisher: Mainly it's the committment. RAF regiment regular, are committed to a full-time career and train as profesional soldiers on a day to day basis and are in fact excellent at what they do. As a Reserve, your training is conducted mainly at weekends. And though it's done at a very high standard - there's only so much you can fit in at the weekends. And the difference has to be made up when you deploy on operations with a regular squadrons. Up to 5 months can be spent getting up to the standard of the regular gunners in their squadrons. (Not always easy, but essential).

Jameson: You say your a soldier through and through, why not the Army?

Gareth Fisher: Infantry's infantry. And although I wouldn't take anything away from what the Army do (they're doing a very good job), the RAF regiment are specialists in force protection and Air minded infantry. So in answer to your question I also had an interest in aviation and the Air force, but on learning more about the RAF regiment I felt that was more for me.

Guy: How often do you go to Afghanistan and places like that, and for how long?

Gareth Fisher: A normal field squadron tour is between 6 and 7 months. As a Reserve, the normal committment that you would be expected to give is one tour (including build up and leave) that adds up to a year. One year in every three you may be expected to go away.

JOHN: how long did it take you to reach the rank of corporal?

Gareth Fisher: 8 flaming years! I looked at the option of a Reservist commission as well and still may do that. That would involve time at Cranwell and parts or all of the JROCs course (Junior Regiments Officer Course). and that would be at RAF Honnington.

billy scanlon: hi gareth i have my PGSC fitness test this monday coming is there any tips you can give me to help me pass . thanks

Gareth Fisher: If you've got it next Monday there's not much more advice I can give you on your training routine. Just dig in and give it your best effort and the best of luck! I did lots of road running and trying to run with some weight on your back but not too much. I had to concentrate on my swimming as I'm a poor swimmer and still am (a bit! But less so now of course).

Tom: When on tour, what are the conditions like in camp? The rooms and washing facilities for example. Are they comfortable to an extent?

Gareth Fisher: Conditions were excellent on camp. However, I only saw them four times a month! As a Regiment Gunner, you're expected to live in the field. In Kandahar we spent weeks at a time living out of control bases miles away from the main camp in order to protect it. These aren't always comfortable, but as any soldier you have to just make the best of a difficult job. Plus you'd get bored of going for pizza all the time if you just lived on camp!

JB: What is it like, landing in a 'Combat Zone' - i heard the pilots pull off stomach-churning moves when flying low to try and avoid possible enemy attacks (The thought of flying is the only thing that seems bad about wanting to join the RAF Reg)

Gareth Fisher: No there's nothing stomach churning about it. It is a strange feeling when the crew turn the lights off and shut all the blinds as we come in to land. But I imagine anyone would be nervous the first time in a country in Iraq or Afghanistan - but you're too busy to have too much time to dwell on it! I did feel nervous at first - I was if nothing else just tired after a 7 hour flight. I just sat there and let the Air crew do their job and focussed on what I had to do.

Holly: what did you find was the most difficult aspect on training at RAF Halton??

Gareth Fisher: I didn't in fact go to Halton. That's a new part of Reserves training to do Basics at Halton. I'm told it's fairly straight forward when you get to Halton. And the main gunner training begins when you get to your squadron and the instructors start working with you. The difficult part for me personally was bayonet fighting. I'm sure any Regiment Gunner would say the same.

Davey: what is your favourite part of your job

Gareth Fisher: Live field firing! Shooting big guns! And working with the lads is always good. It's why most guys join the regiment.

Eddie :): What are going to do when you leave the reserves?

Gareth Fisher: Probably join the regulars actually. I'm only 24 so at present I have no idea yet. There's plenty of time to figure that out. The Air force whether it be reserves or regular I intend to make a career out of it.

JOHN: what was the most difficult thing about in a war zone?

Gareth Fisher: One of the hardest things for me is just being away from home. Often you can write letters to home. It's always nice to get parcels and packages from your family. We've also got a satellite phone we can use. Because we're out on the field we don't always get a chance to get back to camp. We also did some rebuilding projects, it's not all fighting. Working with the Afghan national police and army, giving out blankets and foods to civillans and helping to build a school.

Tom: What does the swimming test involve?

Gareth Fisher: Mine involved swimming several lengths of the pool in combat uniform. Treading water, and I think there might have been a dummy drag or something. It was a long time since I did one sorry! I just don't like swimming because I look a bit stupid when I do it - I've got no technique! I'm just rubbish every time to be honest - but it's something you have to do!

lateralTHINKA: How did your civvy mates react when you told them you were joining up full time to the RAF reserves?

Gareth Fisher: Just curious, intrigued! Some of them wondered what I was going away to do. But to be honest none of my mates were looking to follow me in to. I was actually in the Air Cadets when I was a kid. (If 27 squadron get hold of this I'll never hear the end of it!) Anyway - and so it was a natural progression. My Dad was also a Reservist for a time. And that's where I learnt about the RAF Regiment Reserves really. If nothing else - it was a good way for me to earn money while I was at 6th form.

Jake: Hi, From first deciding you wanted to join the RAF, how long did it take for you to actually join?

Gareth Fisher: Probably quite short. As a reserve once I had my initial interview, my basic training came round quite quick. Actually filling out application to going on training only took 2 months. But it does depend on your fitness, interviews, etc so it might take longer. But my forms did come through quite quick as they were recruiting at that time.

Tom: How might a degree help me when I apply to the RAF, do applicants get picked on their level of education along with physical ability?

Gareth Fisher: If you're looking at taking a commision, as a post-graduate you might be offered slightly different roles. As a Regiment gunner or Regiment officer a Degree is not a requirement. Although I've never personally struggled with education - working has always interested me more than doing a Degree. But that's just my choice.

Jameson: Have you represented there RAF in any Sporting competitions?

Gareth Fisher: Not at all! I'd like to be better at sports. I've played 5 a side football and squash poorly! You don't have to be sporty to join the RAF. But if you are sport minded it's a great place to be. It won't hold you back if you're not - but you do still need to be very fit.

Holly: How much time do you spend with the RAF?

Gareth Fisher: As a Reserve, you could expect to spend one weekend as month and a 15 day continuous training package every year. That's the minimum. There's always chances to do extra activities, courses, adventure training (as long as you can work it round your civillian life and career). I'm now going to be working at RAF reserves everyday. I've just done 6 months non-stop. I'm on leave at the moment (that's why I've got civillian hair at the minute!) But I've come in to do the chat today! I've even had my first shave in 2 weeks today!

lateralTHINKA: I guess most of the people you train are only part-time? So does this mean that most of the training you do takes place at weekends? And how hard does that make getting across complex procedures?

Gareth Fisher: It's broken down in to modular training. And it's the key elements that get taught. It can often take longer to get to a certain stage, but rather to take longer and get things done properlly I guess.

Kris: Is there any advice you have for me, and what was your best part during TG?

Gareth Fisher: The best part of the gunner training for me was learning about the weapons systems. And firing on the ranges. My advice would be to listen, keep your head down but be confidant. Try and have fun with it. And don't lose heart it's worth it in the end.

Davey: What part of the job do you enjoy the most??

Gareth Fisher: I enjoy the soldiering side of things. I'm definitely more of field soldier than a classroom soldier. I also enjoy operations, but I'm not in a hurry to do another one right now! (I need a break).

Jivan: What Role does your job play and what do you do?

Gareth Fisher: Not sure if you mean RAF regiment here or myself? The RAF regiment is responsible for aggressively protecting RAF assets (I mean like aircraft, personnel, buildings, equipment that kind of thing). By dominating the ground and making it too dangerous for the enemy around the area of the air bases. My role in Afghanistan was as a Rifle Flight 2IC (which meant I looked after a fire team of regiment gunners on the ground). In my new role I'll be teaching reservists and bringing them up to a standard where they can deploy with a regular squadron on operations.

David Butler: Have you trained as anything aside from a gunner trainer?

Gareth Fisher: I was a Gunner first - I trained as a rifleman - but worked in Iraq as driver and Rifleman. And in Afghanistan as a Section 2IC (see my explan above for definition!).

rowels: Hi Gareth, was the intial training for the RAF regiment really testing?

Gareth Fisher: Yes very testing! It's hard work. Any infantry training is hard. And in the RAF regiment they have an exceptionally high standard. It's all worth it when you get your mudgaurds though! (RAF badges of recognition).

Gareth Fisher: Thanks very much for all your questions! It's had me sweating here! And hopefully the lads in my regiment won't take the micky out of too many of my answers. Good luck to any of you looking to join. And then again I'd reccomend RAF 504 Squadron based at Cottesmore! Ask for "fish" (that's me by the way!)

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