Squadron Leader Paula Willmot
Job role: Reserve Officer

Joined the RAF: 1986

Overseas travel: Croatia, Corsica, Italy and Iraq

Career highlights:

• Starting the reserve sqn at RAF Cottesmore from scratch. A huge task achieved in very little time
• Escorting Jonathan Charles from the BBC during the Iraq war
• Getting promoted to Sqn Ldr and looking after the recruiting on 20 Reserve squadrons

‘I had originally wanted to join the Navy but on leaving school went to M&S as a young manager working in the Islington branch. After 2 years I walked into the careers office, the Navy weren’t recruiting so walked next door to the RAF, the rest is history.

‘I had a great 6 year career as a supplier in the regular RAF and came out during the strategic defence review. I went back to M&S who were a great employer for dealing with those in the reserve forces. M&S appreciated the transferable skills gained from having both a civilian job and a reserve one.

‘The highlight for me was being able to come back into the reserves as a full time career after a part time one. I loved working with the helicopter sqn, No 606 at RAF Benson as well as the Harriers at RAF Cottesmore (504) Sqn. But by far the most rewarding job has been looking after the recruiting on all 20 reserve sqns. I have the best job in the RAF as far as I am concerned. Every day brings completely different challenges. You can be escorting the press in a war zone one minute to designing recruiting literature the next.

‘Right now I am helping to design the new RAF Reserves website….coming soon! It’s been a great project and will let the whole world know what we are all about.’

Web Chat session with Squadron Leader Paula Willmot - Thursday 28 June 2007

Fruitloop: Wot is it about being in the RAFreserves that most appeals 2 u?

Paula Willmot: Having two careers. You've got your own home life / work and then you're in a military uniform. How great is that!

Fruitloop: As a reserve do you get to work alongside regular RAF personnel? And is it difficult to fit in?

Paula Willmot: Yes we do. It's a seemless transition. They enjoy the life experience that we bring in a military environment.

Mando-LifeonMarsfan: What was it like flying with a helicopter squadron And what did u have 2 do?

Paula Willmot: Extremely exhilarating and my main job was making sure that the cameraman was safe on the baclk of the helicopter and didn't fall out because he was so excited. I won't name the cameraman.

Rachael: Are there any opportunties for full time work within the RAF reserves?

Paula Willmot: Definitely, Rachael. Good question. Normally you would start on a reserve squadron and when the opportunities were advertised you could apply.

Jane: Is there flexibility to do monthly continuation training “weekends” during the week?

Paula Willmot: Hi, Jane. Yes there are plenty of opportunities esp. when it's busy. Normally you could do up to two or three days in the week depending on the role of the squadron. If it's a helicopter squadron there's lots of opperational bit and pieces to get on with like liaising with the weather man, gettin flying reports and making sure everybody is up-to-date with their training.

ollieparsons: im going into the raf for my final interview very soon.what can i expect them to ask me??

Paula Willmot: Well I can't give everything away! But make sure you're up-to-date on your current affairs and most importantly you can recognise all our aircraft otherwise you're stuffed.

Mando-LifeonMarsfan: Do u have to work a lot of weekends? And if you do does that affect yr social life?

Paula Willmot: Assuming you have a social life, it's not going to be too badly affected, depending on the squadron you choose, one or two weekends a month are the norm. You will gain a social life from joiing the reserves. Sat. nights in the bar are legendary.

Poppy: Hi Paula - I know you need to be fit to be in the RAF, do the reserves need the same fitness level?

Paula Willmot: Hi, Poppy. Yes is the basic answer. You need to be the same level of fitness as the regular RAF as you will deploy alongside them but the training is fun and you're with lots of likeminded people so go for it!

Jane: How long is the recruitment process typically to join the reserves?

Paula Willmot: Three for five months, Jane is normally the time it takes depending on whether you join as an officer or another rank, it depends on the length of time. Officer selection is 6 months typically

sportster-star: What are the main things that keep you in the RAF?

Paula Willmot: Definitely the uniform! The excellent training and the transferable skills that can apply between a civilian job and a military one.

tracy: Hi Paula, How difficult are the psychometric tests for officers and aircrew and have the raf done any psychometric tests booklets for officers and aircrew to practice especially maths questions

Paula Willmot: Hi, Tracy. I can't give anything away but if you can play a playstation and have good spacial awareness, you'll fly through. Booklets - no, that really would give the game away

ollieparsons: how is the best way to prepare for my final interview paula???

Paula Willmot: I suggest you relax, look good, polish your shoes, cut your hair and feel very confident on the day. We like that!

Rachael: Universities have air squadrons, but how compatible would is being a student with the RAF reserves and how do the two differ?

Paula Willmot: Rachael, we have a number of students on our squadrons who enjoy the extra money being a reservist gives them and also during a summer break they're able to do quite a number of weeks with their squadron which is very useful for the student debt. From a comparable perspective, it depends what you're interested in - if you were, eg, a student nurse it would be very beneficial to belong to one of the medical squadrons as the roles would be identical

filmbuffgeek: Did you ever get any resentment from civvie colleagues because you would work you said in Marks and Spencers a short while then go back to the RAF? If you did how did you deal with it?

Paula Willmot: Hi, filmbuffgeek (good name! - what's your favourite film?). No resentment, just lots of questions and interest and many wished they had done something similar when they were younger

ollieparsons: my trade im going in as is a mechanical transport driver.i was just wondering if it would be easy to swap trades ounce you've been in there for a few years???

Paula Willmot: Hi, Ollie. It's not usual but not impossible - for instance, if you wanted to join as Airman aircrew you can volunteer while serving in another trade (as an example) - and there are many one off opportunities that will be nothing to do with your trade so there's plenty of variety

Poppy: What sort of jobs do the reserves do? I'm not very technical so would enjoy admin work. Are there such opportunities available?

Paula Willmot: Definitely, Poppy. We're crying out for people who can do basic admin. and this would normally be in a squadron HQ - but when you deploy, you'll wear greens and do the same thing and it can get very exciting!

Rachael: Do the roles that are available in the RAF reserves depend on the individual squadrons?

Paula Willmot: Most definitely. Every squadron has a specific role - many of the aligned to the regular RAF but we have Drs. and nurses, intelligenc ops, metreorologists and soldiers

filmbuffgeek: Hi Paula thanks for that. My fave film is Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind. Do you have a fave film? Anyway that's not my real question. Did any of your civvie colleagues decide to pursue a career in the Raf after you'd shown them what it was like?

Paula Willmot: Yes, Local Hero. To answert the question - Yes, definitely. One or two were interested - esp. during the gulf war - wanting to do their bit.

Sarah: Do full time reservist roles exist in all squadrons? If not, where are they most common?

Paula Willmot: Sarah - yes there are full time roles on all the squadrons but it's easier to join the squadron 1st as a part-timer and then you can see what's available. The full time roles tend to be training or admin.

David: what key skills do the raf look for in potential piolet applicants?

Paula Willmot: David - hi. We don't have pilots in the reserves but I am feeling kind today so I'll answer your question. You need to be very switched on and confident, good with maths and physics and a natural leader is always helpful!

emma: So have you/ would you have to be called up to go to Afganistan or anywhere?

Paula Willmot: Hi, Emma. Nice to hear from you. I am a high readiness reserve so I am waiting.

Rachael: I am v interested but I live a long way from my local base and dont drive. Should this put me off?

Paula Willmot: Yes, Rachael - this could prove to be a problem unless you have excellent public transport - or have colleagues you could bring along with transport. The hours tend to be Fri night and Sun. night for travelling to give you an idea.

Poppy: Paula - whats been the best and worst experience you have had working as a reservist?

Paula Willmot: Hey - that's two questionbs for the price of one! Best: being deployed to Corsica; just lovely. Worst: spending 8 hours in my gas mask in the Iraqi desert not knowing what was going on overhead and my mask filling with sweat

ollieparsons: how many times a year are you usually deployed to other countries??

Paula Willmot: Excellent question: you would be deployed 4 - 6 months at a time every 3 years

Sarah: What is the typical age profile of reservists?

Paula Willmot: Hi again, Sarag - good question. Our average age span is 27 - 42 but we go up to 50 and dcwon to 17.5

emma: and how would you feel if you got called up?

Paula Willmot: Just waiting for my 4th call-up now - I hope it's with the press, what fun cause they are such lovvies

filmbuffgeek: You said just now you'r on high readiness reserve. Are there different levels reserves have then? (please explain_ And are you called up accordingly?

Paula Willmot: Important question, geeky-person. Yes, there are 2 basic levels; 1 type you do 27 dqys p[er year = roughly 1 weekend per month, another type you would complete up to 180 days per year - and that depends on the role of the squadron. And yes, you would be called up accordingly - for example, our regiment squadrons are away 1 6 month stint in 3 years as a regular occurance whereas our nurses would maybe wait every 5 years for a stint depending on the needs of operations (no pun intended)

tracy: Hi again Paula, Is there a web page for the Raf Reserves

Paula Willmot: Hi, Tracy - yes, very nearly; I am working on it but you can have a look at www.RAFreserves.com until the new saite goes live in August. It will bve full of exciting news and even me in person!

Sarah: Paula, iin what role did you join initially as a reservist ?

Paula Willmot: Initially Sarah, I joined as a real part-timer 27 days a year which is what M&S agreed I could do. But I got bitten by the bug - the people, social life, training. It was just really exciting

Jane: I’m very interested in Intelligence and note that there are 3 RAuxAF intelligence Sqns. Do I need to approach all 3 Sqns separately to identify where/if relevant opportunities exist

Paula Willmot: No, Jane - what you need to do is apply to one and they will invite you to a generic selection weekend and you can then decide which one you prefer, although one of them 7630 squadron requires that you have a language skill.

CW2007: Are there opportunities for doctors in the RAF Reserves?

Paula Willmot: Most definitely - we love you! The squadrons you need to look at one www.rafreserves.com are no 612 and no 4626 squadrons. There are some really exciting opportunities for you there

Poppy: Sounds really cool Paula! What is they best way for me to find out whats available in my local area?

Paula Willmot: Hi, Poppy - if you go onto www.rafreserves.com, you'll see what's available and a lot more info besides. You'll be able to make a good choice

sportster-star: Did you feel apprehensive when you first went from part-time reserve to full-time? And what made you make that change?

Paula Willmot: Most definitely. But I knew the training would see me through and my colleagues were fully supportive of my change of direction. I can still shop at M&S without having to hide.

Sarah: Which is/are the best squadron(s) to join for admin/training opportunities?

Paula Willmot: Well, Sarah. These are available on all the squadrons so there's plenty of options depending on where you are in the country as every squadron needs a well organised HQ and good training staff

Fruitloop: What would be your top tips for someone wanting to be in the reserves?

Paula Willmot: I would definitely make sure I had the time - by that I mean at least one free weekend a month and if I had a family they were fully supportive of this, as it's not cool to disappear when the lawn needs mowing and the car washing

xwave18: Does being responsible for recruiting across so many squads make it hard – particularly where more than one squad needs the same job filled?

Paula Willmot: Not at all - because of geography. this allows you to get the best from each area of the country. E.g. therre are 2 medical squadrons - one at the top (in Scorland), one at the bottom (Wiltshire) so this makes it easy for some people. We even have people fly from Europe to attend squadron training (and we can reimburse some of the travel costs). Not 1st class though!

Mando-LifeonMarsfan: Following on from your last question = do you think then having a family would make being a reserve a prob?

Paula Willmot: Again, very good question, Mando. Normally, partners are quite keen to get rid of the other half for a weekend. But seriously, we try to involve the families as well with lots of events and parades to which they are always invited. If your family is supportive, it's a lot easier of course

Mando-LifeonMarsfan: What would you change about your job if you could change something?

Paula Willmot: Creating the new website is causing me one or two headaches as I am not a computer nerd - but we'll get there and it is all good stuff

xwave18: What are the main things that keep you in the RAF?

Paula Willmot: The reserves are a great bunch of people from all walks of life. Apart from the networking opportunities (socially and professionally - it's an ecellent forum. It's a great team to be part of and I believe I am a better person for it (although my mother does say I drive my car like a tank)

leftwing: Are there any entry qualification requirements needed to join the reserves?

Paula Willmot: Hi, leftwing. Nice to hear from you. It depoends if you want to go in as an officer or another rank. For an officer, 5 GCSE's and 2 'A' levels. For other ranks, just come as you are.

Moderator: This chat session closes in 10 minutes.

Sarah: Are there reservist roles that give you flexibility to change your station of operation every couple of years for geographic reasons ie if your partner was already in RAF and posted to another part of the UK?

Paula Willmot: Again, goodf question. Yes, definitely opportunities do exist but it would be a good idea to have a look at these ahead of the game (before applying). EG If you joined an Oxford squadron, it would be very easy to transfer to East Anglia as the squadrons have similar roles

Paula Willmot: Anyone who has missed the session or wants to know more can contact me directly on reservesrecruiting@hotmail.com - and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have

filmbuffgeek: Why did you especially choose to be a reserve and not the RAF regular (or whatever the proper title is!)

Paula Willmot: Hi there - y3es, I was a regular for six years. And then came out to experience a bit more of life (M&S?) and I missed the service while I was out in civilian life so the reserves was an ideal combination of both

Sarah: Thanks but I do not know where he will be posted next....! Are there trades that would accomodate flexibility more than others ?

Paula Willmot: Sarah, you will find every squadron will be as accommodating as they can be, depending on operational requirements but we welcome all volunteers and work hard to make sure we can use their potential - but it does have to work both ways and for both parties

Matt: I wud like to join as an engineer i have contacted the phoneline on your website nd have sent off the for and was wondering wat are the next steps?

Paula Willmot: Hi, Matt. You should be getting some info this week. If not, contact me (email above) - your skills would best be used on our meteorology units as we really need engineers there. How do you fancy some warm sun for four months (and no floods).

Sarah: Thank you very much for answering my questions Paula. Just one more...Are there full time reservist opportunites overseas?

Paula Willmot: No, Sarah. Unfortunately not - but if you are called up, of course, you get to spenf 4 - 6 months full-time in some really nice places but more often than not, it's the desert

sportster-star: What other things do you get up to in the reserves?

Paula Willmot: Well, sportster. One of my duties is looking after the RAF boxing association which means I have to write match reports ringside (which you can see in the RAF news). I also run tours around the RAF college for military organisations from all over the world (I've just hosted a visit from the Dutch airforce).

Paula Willmot: Thanks, guys for all your questions. really nice to speak to you all. And hopefully I'll see you real soon!

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