On 14th February, a group of Afro Caribbean Community Leaders, from Birmingham, visited RAF Brize Norton to gain an understanding of what the Royal Air Force can offer young people.
The group visited several areas, including Number 47 Squadron, where they were shown the inside of a C-130J Hercules and were able to chat with personnel about the role they play within their Sections. There was also a tour of an accommodation building, the gymnasium, and the group received lunch in the Mess, all of which helped to highlight the lifestyle of RAF personnel.
The visit proved to be a fantastic opportunity for us to demonstrate the range of careers available in the RAF, and enable us to raise awareness of the RAF in areas where exposure to the military service, and the way of life, is limited.
“Today has been so exciting. It has been a real eye opener and what has come across has been the welfare and how well the people who have joined are looked after. If I was younger I would definitely join the RAF, it is wonderful. It’s a career that more young people should be considering to develop themselves. I feel that there are so many bright and talented young people who would be an asset to the RAF but for one reason or another they don’t know about the it or have been misinformed as to what the RAF are all about. I am a youth deacon so I will be taking this back and hopefully organise a group of young people to come and see what is on offer.”
Ms Patsy Mair
Youth Deacon Cannon Street Memorial Baptist Church
“In places like Birmingham the young people aren’t exposed to the opportunities of a career in the military. My motivation is to offer the young people of a Birmingham an alternative and the group here today are all leaders in their communities and they can influence the young people who they meet and explain the different career options. Plus, I had such a fabulous time in the RAF, I had 24 years and it was brilliant.”
The Reverend Bryan Scott
Pastor at the Cannon Street Memorial Baptist Church
