Corporal Simon Wray
Job role: Physical Training Instructor

Joined the RAF: May 2005

Overseas travel:

Career highlights:

• Becoming a mountain leader and learning loads of new skills on my PTI course
• Seeing how much people learn and how much fitter they get
• Winning the 2008 series of Gladiators

‘I’d always wanted to work in fitness, but the idea of being stuck in a gym all day just didn’t appeal. When one of my friends said he was planning to join the RAF, I decided to look into it too. Being a PTI sounded great – loads of variety, lots of outdoor activities – so I applied, and got in. I love it. It’s a brilliant job.

‘I’ve been based at RAF Boulmer up in Northumberland since I finished my training. On a typical day I’ll be running circuit training sessions, sports and weight training and we might fit in a boot run, too. I also test people’s fitness and design personalised programmes for them if they need a bit of help. Every Tuesday we run an expedition, where we take people out for the day. I’m now a qualified mountain leader so I might take people up into the hills, or we’ll do some kayaking or mountain biking.

‘Earlier this year I was on the TV show Gladiators. It was a really great experience. Of course I was nervous at the start but I soon got used to being on telly. When you’re on the show the adrenaline’s really pumping. I ended up winning, which was a bit unexpected! The feedback I got from everyone was great. I knew all the guys were watching me, in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as at home. It was great to show that the RAF can do it too. It made me really proud to be in the Air Force.

‘In January, I’m being posted to RAF Cranwell. I’m really looking forward to teaching the officers. I find it really rewarding, comparing where people are at the start of a programme with where you can get them to at the end. I like to educate people too. It’s not just about getting them to go for a run one day, it’s about giving them the knowledge and skills they need to stay fit and healthy for the rest of their lives. I think sport and fitness are vital to the work of the Air Force. We’re building people’s confidence and keeping morale high.’

Web Chat session with Corporal Simon Wray - Wednesday 26 November 2008

ollyc: hi im wanting to be a fire fighter in the raf but im stil in school in my last year i know you have to be 17.5 to join but can u advise me anything to do while i leave school until then i appy?

Simon Wray: Just basically you need to keep yourself fit. And keep up to date with knowledge on the Air Force and what qualifications you need. Because on your aptitude test you'll need to get a certain score - to be a firefighter. So as I said, basically keep fit and look at the website www.rafcareers.com.

Will Smith: Hello Simon, I am 16 years old ,studying sports science at college for the next 2 years , would you advise me to join up at 18 after my years at college. Or go on to uni ? Thanks

Simon Wray: It's entirely up to you. I never went to uni so I wouldn't be able to say what that experience is like. But if you want to join the RAF and you're ready at 18 then go ahead and do it. Maybe speak to a few of your friends that are going to uni or people you know who've been already and decide from there. It also depends what trade you want to go in to as well.

Nick: Hi Simon, Ive been trying to find out fitness requirments for the 3day PTI Vetting at Cosford and all I can find is that PTIs need to achieve the highest band possible. can you tell me what those are for max sit ups/press ups in 1minute. 1.5 mile run, and bleep test. I have found out for swimming.

Simon Wray: If you want to join to be a PTI and you're between the age of 17-29 the minimum standard is 20 press ups, 35 sit ups and level 9.10 on the bleep test (The bleep test is running between two fixed points and being timed). This is the minimum standard and if require to be a PTI you need to massively exceed this. Possibly gaining to around 50 press-ups 45 sit ups and over level 13.00 on the bleep test

sam: Hi Simon, have been looking at the physical training instructor and physical ed officer jobs. What would you say are the main differences between the two in terms of roles?

Simon Wray: The differences between a PTI (Physical training instructor) and a PEDO (Physical Education Officer) - are that a PTI's role is more hands on educating people on fitness, taking fitness tests, training up new recruits and playing sport. Whereas - a PEDO runs the gym and is highly involved in administration for example; finances, physical education policies and he takes more of a managerial role.

scottdundee: Hi Simon, what sports did you play before joining the R.AF

Simon Wray: I played football, athletics, played some Rugby league as well. I was basically an all round sportsman but enjoyed the role of fitness which is why I became a PTI. What sports do you compete in now? Let me know!

PerAdUK: Hello Simon, congratulations on your Gladiators success. Would you be able to tell me how competitive selection for PTI is, and what the promotion is like?

Simon Wray: Thanks very much for the congrats! It's highly competitive to become a PTI. But if you can get in to the job, the promotion's brilliant. As you would come straight in as a Corporal. And within five to six years you could be up to the level of Sgt depending on career goals and what you achieve.

Nick: Is it possible to do tours in all three areas, ie PJI, AT, and Remidial?

Simon Wray: Generally you just need to specialise in one of the three areas. It is possible to maybe do two of the three specialisatons but generally one is enough. The specialisations are; Parachute jumping instructor, Adventurous training instructor, and Remedial instructor.

Kyle: Also i really want to be in the RAF but im really struggling with fitness, i am not over weight but i do however smoke. i have started to spead walk but truthfully im becoming bored with trying to build my fitness, i dont enjoy it and i dont enjoy the feeling afterwards like you are suppose to i dont push so i feel sick but i do get out of breath, any tips ?

Simon Wray: Yeah STOP SMOKING FOR A START! Seriously you'd need to cut down. That's a massive barrier to get passed if you're trying to improve fitness. The smoking could well not have a good effect on your fitness generally too. If you don't like running and the things that are boring you - try and get involved in a sport. Eg mixed martial arts, rock climbing, adventure training, football any of those sports are fine even swimming. And swimming is a great way to keep fit.

katie: Hi Simon, I'm 17 years old and I'm looking at wanting a career as physical training instructor within the RAF. I would like to join some point within the next two years after I have finished college, but I was just wondering if you could advise me on anything that would help me for when I do choose to join, such as how to get my fitness training up higher to what it already is now.

Simon Wray: You need to start with a fitness programme. It all depends how fit you are at the minute as to how many times a week you train. You've just got to decide on what you like to do ie running, playing, sport, swimming any of those types of fitness. It's hard to reccommend how you need to improve your fitness, because as a physical training I need to do this on a 121 basis. Examples - fitness levels at the minute - are measured on what you want to achieve, when you need to achieve it. If you've got any barriers to overcome like time, college work things like that. But there are many websites you can look on for general tips on fitness.

Sam N: Hi Simon, My long term aim is to become a PEDO or PTI with a definate interest in parachuting, how am I best to go about this?

Simon Wray: You need to start by going down to the careers office (AFCO) and gaining some information on a physical education officer's role. They will be able to advise you on what qualifications you need and if you are successful in becoming a PEDO then you need to apply for it and see if you can get on to the parachute school. But for now just look in to the role to see if that's what you like. As you can become a parachute jumping instructor as a PTI. Which I believe would be more beneficial if you enjoy parachuting.

Adam: First and foremost congrats on the gladiators championship. I watched every episode wishing it was me on there. I have passed all stages of raf application so far and now face the 3 day vetting at cosford on march 30th. I want to specialise as an ATI. I am aware of the vigorous competitive nature of the pti trade. Simon, what can you recommend i do besides the fundamental fitness beasting?

Simon Wray: To anyone who's never hear of 'Beasting' by the way it's not anything scary by the way! It's just a military word for hard physical training. Thanks for the congrats glad to hear you watched. The three day vetting comprises of various fitness activities. But also you need to be able to public speak as you do a five minute talk on your life so far. Mobile team challenge exercises, where you become a leader of a group, which shows how you control people. And you do sports skills. So maybe brush up on your skills, learn to be confidant and when you're down there just try and be yourself.

blythy: simon do you have to be a good swimmer to get in the raf been a pti

Simon Wray: You definitely need to be a good swimmer to be a PTI. On the three day vetting you'll do 200 metre swim using three strokes and you also need to tread water for 2 minutes. If you're concerned there's people around to give you advice. There's always areas that you can improve. And if you're not good in a certain area, they will give you chance to have another go of things. So if you don't hit the right criteria straight away they will give you another chance. And if they see that you're trying your best then that can always be a plus.

Cully: My problem is im marridge and my wife thinks it will have a strain on our realationship as she doesnt want to live on camp. will i be away for month at a time or do we come home weekends?

Simon Wray: I don't live on camp. You do have to for initial training - you get to go home every other weekend. It's not a problem if your wife doesn't want to move, because you can always commute. My base is up in Newcastle, and I live in Leeds! So I travel back every weekend to see my girlfriend. But as long as you can cope with being away from eachother Mon-Fri you'll be fine.

Bianca: can i just ask, how did u do when u first applied for the raf in the tests etc, where there some people that dont always do that well but make it through as they show potential? ive always been into sports and fitness but am not that great at public speaking, im fine one on one and when i know what im doing and have the knowledge.

Simon Wray: I'm always nervous and shy when it comes to public speaking. But it's something that comes with experience. I'm not the most extroverted person in the world - but you learn to adapt and overcome it. And if you show potential in other areas like sport/fitness you show potential, then you'll do well. When I first applied on the aptitude tests I needed to score 58 to be a PTI, and I got 59!!!! So I scraped in there! And all I can say is I tried my best. I don't think I was the best at everything, but as long as you try your best and show you're interested in fitness and teamwork etc, then the people at the centre will see potential in yourself.

scottdundee: what is your daily routine ? and what would you say is the best part of your job ?

Simon Wray: My job changes all the time. On an average day I'll start work at 8. Do a circuit training session in the morning for personnel, then I'll do fitness tests (like bleep test and pressups and stuff). Then in the afternoon, I'll be taking trainees where I can do things such as boot runs (running in boots and combats), circuit training, weight training, which is just teaching them how to do the certain aspects of fitness. And then I may from 5-6pm do sport with some more personnel. But my day changes so that's probably just an average day. But I do various things in the week like adventurous training, playing sport, and doing personal training for certain individuals.

Sam N: If I do become a PTI or PEDO what's the likelyhood of being sent to the frount line?

Simon Wray: The RAF is a military organisation so everybody has to be trained as a soldier first. If you're out in Afghanistan and the RAF regiment are short of people then you may be taken from the camp to go on a patrol and help them out. This is just how it is. And you need to be prepared to cover every role and not just one. You do get used to it and you're not alone so you just have to brush yourself down sometimes and crack on.

blaine: Is it essential to have worked as fitness instructor before or not?I have an OCR level 2 gym instructor certificate but do not work as an instructor at the moment.

Simon Wray: That's brilliant! When they look at your application they always look for fitness roles or qualifications you've got in the past. So just because you're not an instructor at the minute doesn't mean you won't become a PTI. Make sure you put that on your application as it can only be a plus for you. It's not even essential that you have instructor or sports qualifications. Hope that helps!

Lauren: Hey Simon, i really want to join the RAF in the police. Do you know a really good fitness plan that would help me to to improve my fitness level?

Simon Wray: There's some info on the careers website so have a look around for that http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/nextsteps/fitnessprogramme.cfm. It's quite difficult to say specifically in a short answer sorry! Generally training three times a week is a good idea. And mixing it up with things like 2-3 mile running, circuit training, swimming for 40 lengths things like that that will benefit you.

blaine: Can PTI,s get posted abroad or are they normally based in the uk?

Simon Wray: You can get posted abroad. I mean you can go on a detachment for 4 months to Afghaistan or Iraq. There's also other places like Cyprus which is a three year posting. But that's about it as far as abroad is right now. I've never been posted abroad yet and I've been here 6 years. But if you wanted to go abroad you can always put in an application for it and you go further up the list.

Anna: Hi Simon. Are there many female PTI's?

Simon Wray: There's LOADS! There's a lot more women that are joining the Airforce now. There's no specific criteria when you want to join as a PTI male or female. As long as you have the key attributes and skills then that's all you need I 'spose.

brett: hi Simon, im 19 and going into raf next july as MT Driver, how easy was it for you to apply to do mountain leader course? as that i think is rather hard?

Simon Wray: Very easy. All you need to do is send an application in to the PTI's and they'll look for a date for the course you want and you get on the course. The good thing about the RAF is they pay for all the education / courses you want to go on (once you're in it) so you get out of the office to do it. The course itself is a difficult course, but it's not something in which you can't achieve. I never had any mountain walking experience beforehand. But the instructors are really good and they help you throughout. There's people with all kinds of abilities. So you can get people that are and aren't good at certain aspects, but you just need to help eachother.

PaulN: Whatz it like being on TV? Do you get recognised when you are out and about?

Simon Wray: Yeah but it's more locally, round my local area. And I had quite a funny story - there was a little girl of about 7 thought I was Russel Crowe from the film Gladiator (so I pretended I was and signed her card for her). I don't get recognised as much as I expected but I do though. I'm doing another Gladiators thing on December 8th a champion of champions thing. So watch that!

brett: becuase you have done mountain leader. any thoughts on possibly doing All arms commando course? or P company

Simon Wray: Not really! (Sorry!) I've heard it is a good course and it's tough. It's not something I couldn't achieve, but it's not something I want at the minute. For the time being I'm enjoying my role as a PTI.

katie w: i have done mountain walking in one of my school courses (BTEC sport) is that any help for becoming a PTI ?

Simon Wray: Yep. I actually did a BTEC national diploma in sport which is the same qualification. It definitely helped me in becoming a PTI as everything on that course is sort of a miniature guide to the PTI course.

PerAdUK: As an "Explorer" I have done various mountain activities such as the West Highland Way and the 3 Peaks, will these improve my chances of getting a place on the Mountain Leader Course? Is there anything else I can do to improve my chances?

Simon Wray: Getting on the course it doesn't matter what you've been previously - it's just putting yourself out there and doing the course. You do need some hill walking experience so it's good that you've done that. But you should get a log book and note how many days you've done on the hillls as that counts towards your mountain leader qualification. So as long as you tell the instructor when you're on the course that that's what you've done you may be able to fast track to it.

scottdundee: what would you say is your favourite part of the job ?

Simon Wray: That's a hard question - because everything's brilliant. The best part of my job probably is teaching the new recruits. Because at the start of their 18 week training they come in and don't know anything about fitness. And then I show them different forms of fitness, explain to them why they do it, show them physically the different types of fitness eg Anaerobic and Aerobic training. And then at end of the 18 week course, it's brilliant to see the improvements and education that they've learnt.

Simon Wray: We've had so many of you writing in! Thanks for all the questions, I hope my answers have been helpful. Good luck for all of you wanting to join! And don't forget to watch me on Gladiators on December 8th AWOOGA! (As gladiators say).

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