Senior Aircraftwoman Melissa Stoner
Job role: Caterer (Cabin Crew)

Joined the RAF: September 2000

Overseas travel: Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Cyprus, Canada

Career highlights:

• Serving the Queen at the Officers' Mess during her annual visit to RAF Marham in 2006
• Flying in an RAF Tornado GR4 over Kuwait on New Year's Day 2003
• Being presented the Queen’s Plate by the Queen at the Royal Windsor Show where I was part of the RAF showjumping team

‘After training I worked in both Officers' and Sergeants' Messes on private and official functions. The Sergeants’ Mess is quite laid back on most bases, with a self-service buffet on offer, whereas in the Officers’ Mess we provide table service.

‘I’m currently stationed at RAF Brize Norton where I serve as cabin crew on 101 Squadron. I’ve flown all over the world including Cyprus, Canada and America. One day we could be flying families over from Cyprus, the next we could be bringing troops home from Iraq. Although we follow a regular shift programme, I could be called up at a moment’s notice if another Steward is sick or an emergency flight is needed.

I’ve always loved horses and I’m extremely proud to be part of the RAF showjumping team. I compete at the Royal Windsor Show every year and have been in the finals for the last two years. The last big competition of the year, the Loriners Trophy, is on at RAF Cranwell in September. I’m nervous but really looking forward to it.

‘There’s always something to do here – an adventure course to sign up for or a training course to do. I’ve already been hill walking and skiing with the RAF and I’m hoping to do my assistant riding instructor’s course with their support. The RAF really looks after you, you just have to choose what you take out of it.’

Web Chat session with Senior Aircraftwoman Melissa Stoner - Wednesday 22 August 2007

All questions were moderated for content and suitability.

Aquadiva: If you’ve had a really awful day, who is the first person in the RAF you would go to and why?

Melissa Stoner: If I've had a really bad day I ring my mum first then go next door to my friend. My Mum's normally good though because she has the answer to everything (she does!!!)

Hannie: Hey! My Name is Hannah and I just Wondered What and How made you to go for this particular job?? and at what age did you know for sure that you wanted to be an air steward?

Melissa Stoner: Because I went in to the AFCO (careers centre) and I thought I didn't want to ride horses anymore and I was stuck on the idea of being an Air Steward (only being 16) that's what I wanted and that was that! The other reason why I decided to join the RAF and be an Air steward was because there was more options open to me than there was in Civvy street.

Hannie: What courses did you take to get to where you are 2day?

Melissa Stoner: When I joined up I had a couple of GSCe's. And since I've been in the RAF I've done courses for my trade. And through the RAF I've had to do them (if you know what I mean!) There's a lot of courses open to you from the education centre, which you get learning credits every year that you can spend on courses that you'd like to do. So I did more of my study when I got in.

Nick: What is the best thing about joining the RAF?

Melissa Stoner: Not having to live at home with my Mum! And being out there on my own I suppose. The other good thing - you meet so many different people from diff backgrounds. And since I've been in I've had more life experience in the last 7 years than I have in my whole life before I joined. I've been given a lot of opportunities to do stuff. And they look after you even though you have left home. They look after you.

Stacey: have you got any tips for getting really fit over the next 2 years prior to being 18 and joining please?

Melissa Stoner: I don't know. I rode horses I had four ponies at home so I did all my fitness from riding horses. I never joined gym before joining up. You do fitness as you go along. So they know you're fit enough to do it. You don't have to be an olympic athlete! But you do need a reasonable level of fitness so you don't struggle.

Patrick: Is you job different from a normal air steward in the RAF ?

Melissa Stoner: Yes and no - no and yes! Yes it is very much like a commercial air steward when you're travgelling families from Cyprus to the UK. But when you're taking the troops back from Canada there's quite a lot of banter on the journey home and they're quite laid back and you can have a chat to them. Because at the end of the day everybody is doing the same job as such. Everybody has to do something for everything to work. You ask them what they do and they ask you so you get to know what everybody's been doing. You don't get that on Civvy. And you always see people you know!

Stacey: going to AFCO is this a good starting point? i mean initially how do i apply?

Melissa Stoner: Yes go to the AFCO and see the RAF careers desk. They people in there are really helpful or try the advice line: 0845 605 5555). They don'/t push you in to anything they ask you what you're in to and what you want to do. What your interests are. They try and get an intrest in who you are. I said 'i've done horseriding all my life' and they pulled out a brochure on it and said I could show jump for the RAF one day (and now I do!)

shorty: For your job, you have to join for 9 years. Did it ever feel like forever?

Melissa Stoner: I didn't really think about how long I was going to have to join up for. But it doesn't work like that. I've signed up for 9 years, and it goes dead fast! It really does! I can't believe I joined up when I was 16 and now I'm 23 now! If you want further info you can go look out on the rest of the website which has lots of info.

Dinger: Hello, im Dinger and i want to know what made u join the RAF?

Melissa Stoner: My Mum decided that I was going to join the RAF so I did! Because there is nothing else to do in my home town that would get me anywhere and she was worried I'd fall in to the wrong crowd and stuff. I went along with it. But when I got in to my training (my mum bet me I'd be home next week and not being able to hack it). I got half way through my training and thought if I went home I'd never hear the end of it. So it was a dare! but it worked! And I've not looked back since.

Poppy: Hi Melissa, Do you get time off work to compete in show jumping?

Melissa Stoner: Yes I do - lots of time! Especially because when I'm show jumping for the RAF management see it as a good thing. It's good for the squadron to say one of their SAC's is showjumping for the RAF. I do do showjumping outside the RAF too. They're very supportive of it. Why do you showjump yourself?

ATC_Nick: Hello There! I just wanted to know how the postings work. If I became an air traffic controller, which I want to do, would I be sent off to Mount Pleasent and never be seen again? Or do the RAF ask where you would like to go?

Melissa Stoner: It depends whehter you join as a junior rank or an officer. Juniors are generally posted for four years (I think). And officers every two years. But you can choose to move and also going to the Falklands (Mount Pleasant) is only a detachment for four months. And there's plenty of social life there too!

MNM: whats the main craft u work on

Melissa Stoner: The mighty VC10! She may be an old girl but she's awesome! I think it's better than the Tri-star (that's the other squadron that goes from Brize). People from squadrons are very loyal. ie we're the best squadron in the airforce!

JoJo-Shetland: Does A RAF Steward Have The Perks Of the Job Like A Civvy??

Melissa Stoner: You're joking aren't you! You don't get any as a civvy! You don't get free flights but you do get to travel and get cheaper flights to the locations that the RAF aircraft fly to. But you've got all of the perks of the rest of the RAF as well like sport opportunities. When we're not flying we're not working. We get paid the same every day it doesn't matter what you're doing. You could work a 17 hour day and get the same as if you're working zero hours a day. And you get flying pay as well (when you work on the ground in a mess you get the wage as it is, when you go on a squadron you get extra money).

Michael: How long does it take you to start actuall work in the RAF after you send your application? That is if you get accepted.

Melissa Stoner: It depends what you want to do. From initially going to the AFCO - I started my training at Halton in september - it was about six months but it depends. With some of my friends it's been less. It can be shorter or longer. Just keep in touch with the AFCO (I rang them every week!) I'd say "when am I going in - I need to go and buy shampoo and stuff!" My mum would take me shopping and get me bits too. (My Mum's awesome!)

JoJo-Shetland: How hard is your job? Is it very demanding?

Melissa Stoner: Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't! Sometimes it can be stressful. The Akrotiri sight I did a few weeks ago we had a lot of children on there. And a very stroppy passenger who tested our patients! But if you get any real problems you can go to the Air Load master and he can sort it out for you. Other flights are very laid back and the passengers are good will chat to you. Some days I'm really busy and others I'm not. Sometimes you get back off a flight absolutely knackered and other times you're raring to go out with your mates (they sense that you're back! It happens every time!)

Poppy: Hi Melissa - I don't do much showjumping but I'm really into dressage. My friend told me that some RAF bases have riding stables is that true?

Melissa Stoner: Yes some of them do - not many now it's kind of being phased out. But generally there are stables round every camp and there's always somebody that rides on camp. There's saddle clubs usually on unit. I guessed that you were in to horses asking about the show jumping! We do dressage, but sometimes it's more mixed. It can be both or One day events (ODE) against the army and navy.

aj: Do you spend like your christmas and summer in the raf or do you get like summer break or xmas break?

Melissa Stoner: If you're working in the UK you put in leave (holiday) for Christmas usually. For Christmas usually the whole camp shuts down apart from guards and technical people. Skeloton staff really. But any other time in the year you can put leave in. You get 30 days a year (I think). But saying that I spent Christmas in Kuwait once. And actually it was really interesting. It was nice to be somewhere else for Christmas. everyone got together and had a party. Everybody's in the same boat. So we had a big do in the mess and everyone really enjoyed it. One of the best Chrismas's I've ever had actually. It was a good laugh (better than being in the UK).

Clarky: where did you stay during training?

Melissa Stoner: In a block with lots of girls. It can be 4 or it can be 12 (always same gendre). But actually it's better - you need people around you when you're training. I used to be good at polishing boots so I did lots of poeple's boots. Your mate might be good at sewing so they'd do all that for you. You find out everybody's little quirks and what they can do and use it. You have a bit of a giggle.

KATIE: HI MELISSA. HOW HARD DID YOU FIND LEAVING CIVVY LIFE AND GOING TO HALTON?

Melissa Stoner: Not that difficult. Mum drove me to the train station and gave me a 'push' really (really hard!) But it's because I'd just left school it was new and exciting. I was really nervous first going there. You get talking to people though. Nobody really knows what to expect. Once you get in to it you make new friends away from home. I've got more in common with them than my friends at home now. In everything you do no matter what trade you meet people. It's just a team work thing.

JoJo-Shetland: Have You Ever Been In A Dangerous Situation??

Melissa Stoner: Yes I have. I was out in Kuwait when the Gulf War2 kicked off. I was out there before hence why I was out the for Christmas and it started in March. And there was scud missiles flying overhead. But we'd been trained to deal with the situation. So I was scared, but at the same time everybody was in the same boat. Everybody got on with it and go inthe bunker. There was lots of air raids. we were sat in the bunker 3 hours playing cards in our respirators. The army beat us at cards! We were trying to amuse ourselves is why. You have to make a bit of a laugh out of it to keep the morale up really.

bc art: Did you join ATC before joining up?

Melissa Stoner: No I was never in the ATC (Air Training Corps). I didn't have a clue really about the armed forces. I just joined up and went with it. None of my family were in the RAF or the army.

Stacey: is polishing boots and ironing kit a MEGA task in the RAF? is it frowned upon if done incorrectly

Melissa Stoner: In training yes you have to do it a certain way and there's no question about it. So just for training just get on with it to maintain the standard required. ONce you're out of training you have to remain clean and smart. (There is a reason for it). People when they have finished training eg might iron shirts differerntly.

shaun: Ive just got back from RAF Odiham with the ATC and i really enjoyed it, exceopt from the camp beds lol, could you please tell me what your job actually entails?

Melissa Stoner: It's hard to answer in one line but if you look at my biog there's info on there and the rest of the website has info too. Yeah, camp cots are a nightmare but you can always take a pillow and roll mat to put on top with a nice thick doss bag (sleeping bag!) that'd sort it.

becks: Does the life in RAF live up to your expectations?

Melissa Stoner: Yes it does!

Aimee: if you could do a different job in the RAF, what would it be and why?

Melissa Stoner: RAF police - because I'm in to animals and would like to be a dog handler. I'm an 'animally' type person. So if I was told I could train for that I'd do it.

Poppy: Do you have any regrets about joining the RAF or has it been as you'd hoped?

Melissa Stoner: No I don't have any regrets about joining. I have toyed with they idea of leaving, but decided to stay. Because I spoke ot a few people. I was going to leave and join the cavalry but when I looked in to it it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I'm glad I stayed because I enjoy my job as air steward a lot!

Emily: Whats the best part of youre job?

Melissa Stoner: Going to places that I'd never go to if I was a civillian ie Canada, America, Cyprus for instance. I'm going to Belize soon so that will be really interesting because it's not somewhere I'd go if I wasn't doing this job.

charl: Hi- Are their many opportunities to do things after a days work? I know you mentioned show jumping- but are the options rather varied?

Melissa Stoner: Yeah there's lots to do after work. You can either choose to go bowling, go to the gym play a sport. Go out for a drink. Or you could go shopping or round a friends house for a barbecue. Anything you'd normally do.

Alex: Hi Melissa! Ive passed the aptitude test and Im going for my first interview at the AFCO in a couple of weeks. whats your best advise for me and what should I expect?

Melissa Stoner: Just be yourself! Try to relax and be yourself (wow you go the last question in there!)

Melissa Stoner: Thanks for all your questions sorry I didn't get to answer all of them there's been a heck of a lot!

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