These videos have been a Godsend!! I'm heading to Halton at the start of December. Couple of questions: Are sliders ok instead of flip flops? Do you mind sharing the make of iron you bought? Do they allow personal photos ie bluetacked to your locker? thanks again!
@@lydiaroselatham no problem I’m glad you have found them useful 🙂 I’m pretty sure sliders are ok instead of flip flops. Yeah it’s a Braun Carestyle 5 (it’s rather expensive but it kills creases). Yeah they do I did especially for my final that’s a big plus as it ‘distracts’ them so they won’t dig into your locker any further defo a plus to do. Good luck with it let us know what flight you’ll be in.
Went through Halton back in '22, the one thing I wished I took was de-ionised water (also sold as battery top-up water) rather than a water filter to stop my iron being clogged with limescale.
@@stormwell it is a decent shout but fortunately my iron has a built in filter but I would defo back this idea for more normal irons as they are a nightmare.
Hi mate thanks for the vid really helpful. When you went to basic how did you mark everything you had ? Did you mark your first and last name only or your first and last and your service number? … also with the ironing board and SG iron they are big is there somewhere to store them as presumably they wont fit in either of your lockers? Thanks
@@joolescrabbe9475 no problem, glad you find it helpful 🙂 so it was surename and last 3 digits of your service number. Yeah for your ironing board, suitcase/luggage bag and iron will be stored in the storage room (an annex room in your bedding room, usually at the end of the corridor).
Congrats on passing phase 1 mate and thanks for another very informative video, they've really helped me out a lot through the application process and preparing myself for Halton! Just a few questions if you don't mind. For the first few days the kit list I have says to bring suitable clothing (smart trousers, jeans or chinos and a smart t-shirt/shirt) would I get away with wearing slightly baggy jeans and a smart t-shirt or do you think I should go out and buy some smarter clothes. Was just wondering if I could get away with that and what kind of clothes everyone else wore? Are you allowed to and from your car during training? (Thinking of bringing extra kit and leaving it in my car incase I need it) Do you keep your suitcase in your room where you sleep and can you keep everything you don't display in your lockers inside it? How many normal hangers and trouser hangers would you recommend taking? The kit list says to bring extra large and medium sized zip lock bags. Would you recommend bringing any other sizes for the exercise?
Thank you and no problem glad they helped! :) I did see a few people (one of them were in my room) where they wore baggier jeans than the rest of us and as far as I know they didn't get pulled up on it but just look as best as you can with what you have in your wardrobe I wouldn't go and spend a crazy amount of money on buying a suit or whatever for just one or two days. Well they told us in the beginning that you can't leave anything in the car but I did and nothing happened so as long as your car ain't stuffed with bags etc then I can't see why its an issue. I would recommend waiting till the weekend when time is your own before travelling to and from. So in your rooms you will have what we call baggage rooms which is like a small annex, as soon as you walk into where you are sleeping where all your ironing boards, suitcases, iron's etc etc will go and that's where your suitcase will be. For military kit that you don't display generally speaking will be kept in your hodall (ops bag/big black bag) somewhere in your military locker. Virtually everything has to be box folded in there. Good question, for me I would bring between 8-14 like wooden shirt hangers and maybe like 5-8 trouser hangers (with clippy bits) also keep in mind they all have to be the same meaning if you have one wooden shirt hanger the others all need to be wooden as well. This applies the same with trouser hangers but both of them don't need to be the same equal between the two if that makes sense? So all trouser hangers need to be the same within themselves so if you decide to pick wooden t-shirt hangers but plastic trouser ones that's fine as long as all the other trouser ones are plastic and the shirts are wooden. Hopefully that makes sense. Na I personally had small and large just because of chance more than planning and it worked out but the naffy (shop) on base does large waterproof bags in there and their not majorly expensive either so it'll be worth grabbing and few and having some left over in case some break (which they will). Hope this helps.
@@JakeGchannelhi mate, just on the car thing. So I am allowed to drive down to Halton and park on base? Was wondering how I’d get down aha was going to get a train but if I could drive it’d make it much easier. Also, I’ve read that on a weekend you only get local leave, I heard you mention it in the video, is that all the time? Would I be able to visit home during the 10 weeks (I live in Leeds) or is that a strict no? (I’m assuming it is, I was just wondering if anyone in your recruit or yourself personally visited home and if that would be an option)
@@Kobey-m8i yeah you basically get a car pass and park on the base, it’s good for insurance as well I saved over £300 a year just changing my location to there. You only get like 3 local leaves or so during the 10 weeks and you can only go up to an hour away from the base on local leave as you only have a period of time away from base.
hi my boyfriends about to start his basic tomorrow i was just wondering whether it was common for people to get sent things by family/loved ones while on basic that you know of, for example care packages with sweets or chocolate, cards or photos and stuff they might be needing stocked up on, or whether this would just embarrass him in front of his room mates hahah thanks
@@livvygiulianotti1806 yes it was very common and he shouldn’t be embarrassed at all as everyone in there wants thing from their family members. Plus it’s a huge morale booster and will help him remember what he is doing it for. Please pass on my best wishes for him to pass with flying colours.
@@radwilkes3067 nice work! good question, the main piece of advice is don’t quit, it is difficult and uncomfortable but the 10 weeks will come to an end at some point no matter how far away it seems just stick it out to the end you won’t regret it. For your room mates working with each other is a massive one, allowing banter to flow through the room will ease the day out but obviously it’s also a roll of the dice with who you get I was extremely lucky my room were a really good bunch of lads who can have a laugh as well as help each other out massively. Remember your reasonings for joining is a big one. Engage and be apart of it although it’s only basic training you can still grow as a person there and learn some new things about yourself, take the opportunity to do as much as you can with 100% effort especially at the age you’re going in it’ll be a big benefit when you are older I promise you. Last bit of advice enjoy it for what it is, you’ll never do basic training again (in raf) and only graduate once so make the most of it so you can look back with a smile as many of us here at our phase 2 are doing. Hope this helps.
@@JakeGchannel cheers I don’t know weather it will be hard is I recon Ile be put with people alot older coming up on 18 pretty soon hoping it’s not long now till I’m their 👍
Hello mate, do you normally get a month off after the basic? As i thought you would go into your 2nd training straight after a few days of packing for it
@@purple414 it all comes down to your trade every trade is different and they all start at different times. For example, I had one guy graduate on the Wednesday and then started his phase 2 on the following Saturday or Sunday. Other guys from my intake who were aircraft techs (mech and av) started two weeks after graduating. He
@@JakeGchannel Thank you for the answer back. Also, about hangers in the video, could I get away with using the shirt hangers as the trousers ones as well?
@@purple414 if you mean using shirt hangers for trousers no, they will have to be the clippy ones for the inspection. Civilian locker you’ll probably get away wit.
I am off to Halton in a few weeks for phase 1. Weekends - generally how much time do we get to ourselves each weekend? to catch up on washing etc. also - what times do days finish in the weekday? I understand its super early starts but are they super late finishes also? and final question, can we bring our own pillow? and did anyone bring a thin mattress protector/ could one be used to add comfort to the bed. Thanks so much!
@@islajane1038 oh nice! Overall the weekends are your own fully unless you are doing a working weekend, for us that was only the first week every other week was our own. Washing you will be doing every day, you might be able to get away with not doing it for like a day or so but I never risked it as I did washing virtually every day. The time you work usually finishes at around 5pm but I didn’t stop doing things, polishing, ironing, washing, do theory practise exams, practicing exam practical drills etc till 11pm most nights even later on inspection nights. We were up usually at 4:40am every day sometimes we were lucky and got a little lay in but it was rare. I didn’t know anyone who brought their pillows or a mattress topper so I cannot say whether it’s ok or not but you need to make your bed to inspection standard everyday. Mattress topper will need to go away, pillows you might be away with but if the staff see any differences than issued ones they will pick you up on it so bear that in mind. Hope this helps.
@@JakeGchannel hello! More questions for you, hope you can help! Does room have to be to inspection standard every morning? What does inspection standard consist of? I’ve got Tupperware boxes for everything so nothing is loose and all organised, is that the better idea? My afco recommended it… How often do things have to be presented eg toiletries and what has to be presented? Final question, if I were to bring a few bits for my bed, I’ve read elsewhere that there is a bed inspection once a week, apart from that as long as it’s tidy they don’t mind. Is that correct? If not - can I leave a few bits in my car? Assuming cars are parked close? Thanks!
@@islajane1038 Yes including your bed spaces otherwise they'll flip your bed. It consists of hoovering, polishing brass, ironing kit, dusting, making your bed etc. You get put into 'barrack block' job lists when you're there so you might be in charge of hoovering or mopping or something like that. Yeah Tupperware boxes are a big plus that I missed off as I didn't use them but our staff said to as on formal inspections (when you stand by your bed space and they check your locker) it looks more neat. Same as bringing family photos and sticking them onto your locker door. Toiletries has to be presented every single day and if they are not 'clean' or dry (like toothbrush) then its an instant hygiene fail. For guys its razor, toothbrush, toothpaste and towel and for girls I'm pretty sure its just toothbrush, toothpaste and towel but don't quote me on that. Bed inspections where everyday for us, so during the working day when we are away doing stuff the staff would go into our blocks to inspect our bed spaces as well as the block itself so I would defo not risk leaving things our during the day. To be honest it'll be hard to juggle using things at night like your bed stuff then putting it in your car as the car park is quite the distance away and it would be hard to do so in the morning as it will be short timing. Plus the staff will almost question why you are up at the car park area. Hope this helps.
@@masteryoda7207 na I done it all there but as soon as you get kit I named them. My towels I did later as (believe it or not) people stole towels all the time.
@@connordoherty1646 oh that’s good to hear! And no idea yet until I pass my phase 2 but looking at Lossiemouth mainly but there’s also another part of cyberspace call RAID but I don’t know where they are based.
@@connordoherty1646 oh right it’s possible I’ll find out a bit more once I get to phase 2 whether or not I’ll be able to tell anyone of course is a different story 😄
@@JakeGchannel yeah lol I know boulmer is where phase 2 is for cyberspace and coms is I think as I had a mate who went there for there phase 2 but that was a couple years ago
@@olioster8881 that’s great! Good luck for it let us know how it goes. I would also suggest (unless it’s too late) to get pictures of pets and loved ones as this we’ll help distract them on inspections. If you’re already there then just get your family to mail them into you. What intake will you be on?
@@Jackson-gb5hk if you mean in terms of brand I have no idea as my partner ordered one for me, otherwise it’s just called an ankle support or ankle support brace or something like that.
Electric toothbrush. !! You gotta be kidding me. ! When I did my Boot Camp 50+ years ago, we not only had razors, we actually used them every day ! Get some time in son, and get your knees brown. Good luck overall, it's a good life if you can 'hack it' Always remember "If you can't take a joke you shouldn't have joined"
@@BenJamin-tx7ol yup welcome to the modern day 😄 damn you guys breath must of stunk if you only had razors 😂 I defo will! Looking at joining sports clubs already. Well I’ve been telling people about the joke thing and most people can but unfortunately there’s more and more coming in who can’t take jokes so it’s a pain in the arse. Thank you 🙂
@@iheartvenom.4098 when I was there no and I haven’t heard it changing so you’ll get like 3 days in the entire 10 weeks that you can leave for a specific amount of time. These are called local leave.
![Gunna - HIM ALL ALONG [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/w7Wf0h1Q8a4/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks mate your the only person on RUclips who has made a video like this
@@ThecoolAviator I’m sure there must be others out there some where 😄 but I’m glad you have found it useful.
@@JakeGchannel yea but the others just talk for about 1hr you actually made a video on the kit you need
@@ThecoolAviator oh right I usually do that like on my other videos 😄 but I’m glad you have found it useful 🙂
These videos have been a Godsend!! I'm heading to Halton at the start of December.
Couple of questions:
Are sliders ok instead of flip flops?
Do you mind sharing the make of iron you bought?
Do they allow personal photos ie bluetacked to your locker?
thanks again!
@@lydiaroselatham no problem I’m glad you have found them useful 🙂 I’m pretty sure sliders are ok instead of flip flops. Yeah it’s a Braun Carestyle 5 (it’s rather expensive but it kills creases). Yeah they do I did especially for my final that’s a big plus as it ‘distracts’ them so they won’t dig into your locker any further defo a plus to do. Good luck with it let us know what flight you’ll be in.
Went through Halton back in '22, the one thing I wished I took was de-ionised water (also sold as battery top-up water) rather than a water filter to stop my iron being clogged with limescale.
@@stormwell it is a decent shout but fortunately my iron has a built in filter but I would defo back this idea for more normal irons as they are a nightmare.
Hi mate thanks for the vid really helpful. When you went to basic how did you mark everything you had ? Did you mark your first and last name only or your first and last and your service number? … also with the ironing board and SG iron they are big is there somewhere to store them as presumably they wont fit in either of your lockers? Thanks
@@joolescrabbe9475 no problem, glad you find it helpful 🙂 so it was surename and last 3 digits of your service number. Yeah for your ironing board, suitcase/luggage bag and iron will be stored in the storage room (an annex room in your bedding room, usually at the end of the corridor).
Quality vid thanks mate, I’m off in couple weeks so well needed info
@@bendonald5604 no problem glad you found it useful and nice what intake will you be on?
Congrats on passing phase 1 mate and thanks for another very informative video, they've really helped me out a lot through the application process and preparing myself for Halton!
Just a few questions if you don't mind.
For the first few days the kit list I have says to bring suitable clothing (smart trousers, jeans or chinos and a smart t-shirt/shirt) would I get away with wearing slightly baggy jeans and a smart t-shirt or do you think I should go out and buy some smarter clothes. Was just wondering if I could get away with that and what kind of clothes everyone else wore?
Are you allowed to and from your car during training? (Thinking of bringing extra kit and leaving it in my car incase I need it)
Do you keep your suitcase in your room where you sleep and can you keep everything you don't display in your lockers inside it?
How many normal hangers and trouser hangers would you recommend taking?
The kit list says to bring extra large and medium sized zip lock bags. Would you recommend bringing any other sizes for the exercise?
Thank you and no problem glad they helped! :) I did see a few people (one of them were in my room) where they wore baggier jeans than the rest of us and as far as I know they didn't get pulled up on it but just look as best as you can with what you have in your wardrobe I wouldn't go and spend a crazy amount of money on buying a suit or whatever for just one or two days.
Well they told us in the beginning that you can't leave anything in the car but I did and nothing happened so as long as your car ain't stuffed with bags etc then I can't see why its an issue. I would recommend waiting till the weekend when time is your own before travelling to and from.
So in your rooms you will have what we call baggage rooms which is like a small annex, as soon as you walk into where you are sleeping where all your ironing boards, suitcases, iron's etc etc will go and that's where your suitcase will be.
For military kit that you don't display generally speaking will be kept in your hodall (ops bag/big black bag) somewhere in your military locker. Virtually everything has to be box folded in there.
Good question, for me I would bring between 8-14 like wooden shirt hangers and maybe like 5-8 trouser hangers (with clippy bits) also keep in mind they all have to be the same meaning if you have one wooden shirt hanger the others all need to be wooden as well. This applies the same with trouser hangers but both of them don't need to be the same equal between the two if that makes sense? So all trouser hangers need to be the same within themselves so if you decide to pick wooden t-shirt hangers but plastic trouser ones that's fine as long as all the other trouser ones are plastic and the shirts are wooden. Hopefully that makes sense.
Na I personally had small and large just because of chance more than planning and it worked out but the naffy (shop) on base does large waterproof bags in there and their not majorly expensive either so it'll be worth grabbing and few and having some left over in case some break (which they will).
Hope this helps.
@@JakeGchannelhi mate, just on the car thing. So I am allowed to drive down to Halton and park on base? Was wondering how I’d get down aha was going to get a train but if I could drive it’d make it much easier. Also, I’ve read that on a weekend you only get local leave, I heard you mention it in the video, is that all the time? Would I be able to visit home during the 10 weeks (I live in Leeds) or is that a strict no? (I’m assuming it is, I was just wondering if anyone in your recruit or yourself personally visited home and if that would be an option)
@@Kobey-m8i yeah you basically get a car pass and park on the base, it’s good for insurance as well I saved over £300 a year just changing my location to there. You only get like 3 local leaves or so during the 10 weeks and you can only go up to an hour away from the base on local leave as you only have a period of time away from base.
Hi Jake, sorry just I got one more question if that’s ok. Were you allowed to wear Apple Watches during basic training?
@@JowanHandford ask away 🙂you are I believe but just not for pt I think like all other watches.
hi my boyfriends about to start his basic tomorrow i was just wondering whether it was common for people to get sent things by family/loved ones while on basic that you know of, for example care packages with sweets or chocolate, cards or photos and stuff they might be needing stocked up on, or whether this would just embarrass him in front of his room mates hahah thanks
@@livvygiulianotti1806 yes it was very common and he shouldn’t be embarrassed at all as everyone in there wants thing from their family members. Plus it’s a huge morale booster and will help him remember what he is doing it for. Please pass on my best wishes for him to pass with flying colours.
Hi mate I’m 17 -18 in October and have just passed my PJFT any tips coming onto basic just obviously for mainly getting used to people
@@radwilkes3067 nice work! good question, the main piece of advice is don’t quit, it is difficult and uncomfortable but the 10 weeks will come to an end at some point no matter how far away it seems just stick it out to the end you won’t regret it. For your room mates working with each other is a massive one, allowing banter to flow through the room will ease the day out but obviously it’s also a roll of the dice with who you get I was extremely lucky my room were a really good bunch of lads who can have a laugh as well as help each other out massively. Remember your reasonings for joining is a big one. Engage and be apart of it although it’s only basic training you can still grow as a person there and learn some new things about yourself, take the opportunity to do as much as you can with 100% effort especially at the age you’re going in it’ll be a big benefit when you are older I promise you. Last bit of advice enjoy it for what it is, you’ll never do basic training again (in raf) and only graduate once so make the most of it so you can look back with a smile as many of us here at our phase 2 are doing. Hope this helps.
@@JakeGchannel cheers I don’t know weather it will be hard is I recon Ile be put with people alot older coming up on 18 pretty soon hoping it’s not long now till I’m their 👍
@@radwilkes3067 you’ll be fine everyone is going through the same stuff just soldier it out and chat to each you’ll be fine 🙂 let us know how it goes.
@@JakeGchannel I will do mate
Hello mate, do you normally get a month off after the basic? As i thought you would go into your 2nd training straight after a few days of packing for it
@@purple414 it all comes down to your trade every trade is different and they all start at different times. For example, I had one guy graduate on the Wednesday and then started his phase 2 on the following Saturday or Sunday. Other guys from my intake who were aircraft techs (mech and av) started two weeks after graduating. He
@@JakeGchannel Thank you for the answer back.
Also, about hangers in the video, could I get away with using the shirt hangers as the trousers ones as well?
@@purple414 if you mean using shirt hangers for trousers no, they will have to be the clippy ones for the inspection. Civilian locker you’ll probably get away wit.
I am off to Halton in a few weeks for phase 1. Weekends - generally how much time do we get to ourselves each weekend? to catch up on washing etc. also - what times do days finish in the weekday? I understand its super early starts but are they super late finishes also? and final question, can we bring our own pillow? and did anyone bring a thin mattress protector/ could one be used to add comfort to the bed.
Thanks so much!
@@islajane1038 oh nice! Overall the weekends are your own fully unless you are doing a working weekend, for us that was only the first week every other week was our own. Washing you will be doing every day, you might be able to get away with not doing it for like a day or so but I never risked it as I did washing virtually every day. The time you work usually finishes at around 5pm but I didn’t stop doing things, polishing, ironing, washing, do theory practise exams, practicing exam practical drills etc till 11pm most nights even later on inspection nights. We were up usually at 4:40am every day sometimes we were lucky and got a little lay in but it was rare. I didn’t know anyone who brought their pillows or a mattress topper so I cannot say whether it’s ok or not but you need to make your bed to inspection standard everyday. Mattress topper will need to go away, pillows you might be away with but if the staff see any differences than issued ones they will pick you up on it so bear that in mind. Hope this helps.
@@JakeGchannel hello! More questions for you, hope you can help!
Does room have to be to inspection standard every morning? What does inspection standard consist of? I’ve got Tupperware boxes for everything so nothing is loose and all organised, is that the better idea? My afco recommended it…
How often do things have to be presented eg toiletries and what has to be presented?
Final question, if I were to bring a few bits for my bed, I’ve read elsewhere that there is a bed inspection once a week, apart from that as long as it’s tidy they don’t mind. Is that correct? If not - can I leave a few bits in my car? Assuming cars are parked close?
Thanks!
@@islajane1038 Yes including your bed spaces otherwise they'll flip your bed. It consists of hoovering, polishing brass, ironing kit, dusting, making your bed etc. You get put into 'barrack block' job lists when you're there so you might be in charge of hoovering or mopping or something like that.
Yeah Tupperware boxes are a big plus that I missed off as I didn't use them but our staff said to as on formal inspections (when you stand by your bed space and they check your locker) it looks more neat. Same as bringing family photos and sticking them onto your locker door.
Toiletries has to be presented every single day and if they are not 'clean' or dry (like toothbrush) then its an instant hygiene fail. For guys its razor, toothbrush, toothpaste and towel and for girls I'm pretty sure its just toothbrush, toothpaste and towel but don't quote me on that.
Bed inspections where everyday for us, so during the working day when we are away doing stuff the staff would go into our blocks to inspect our bed spaces as well as the block itself so I would defo not risk leaving things our during the day. To be honest it'll be hard to juggle using things at night like your bed stuff then putting it in your car as the car park is quite the distance away and it would be hard to do so in the morning as it will be short timing. Plus the staff will almost question why you are up at the car park area.
Hope this helps.
when going to halton, do we need to bring our own ironing boards as well?
@@pixiedust1383 I would recommend doing so as they only have a limited supply of them plus you’ll be ironing a lot so it’s worth getting your own.
Did you name everything before you went, or are you supposed to wait until you're there?
@@masteryoda7207 na I done it all there but as soon as you get kit I named them. My towels I did later as (believe it or not) people stole towels all the time.
@@JakeGchannel Okay, got it, thanks.
Where you gunna be stationed for phase 2 as when I eventually get through P1 I’ll be at MOD worthy down
@@connordoherty1646 oh that’s good to hear! And no idea yet until I pass my phase 2 but looking at Lossiemouth mainly but there’s also another part of cyberspace call RAID but I don’t know where they are based.
@@JakeGchannel that might be RAF boulmer in Northumberland not too far from where I live lol
@@connordoherty1646 oh right it’s possible I’ll find out a bit more once I get to phase 2 whether or not I’ll be able to tell anyone of course is a different story 😄
@@JakeGchannel yeah lol I know boulmer is where phase 2 is for cyberspace and coms is I think as I had a mate who went there for there phase 2 but that was a couple years ago
@@connordoherty1646 oh really? It’s changed since then I guess and now it’s at Cosford. Is he still in there?
thanks jake
@@olioster8881 no problem, thank you for watching 🙂
@@JakeGchannel I’m starting RAF Halton in a week so this really helps
@@olioster8881 that’s great! Good luck for it let us know how it goes. I would also suggest (unless it’s too late) to get pictures of pets and loved ones as this we’ll help distract them on inspections. If you’re already there then just get your family to mail them into you. What intake will you be on?
What is the ankle support called?
@@Jackson-gb5hk if you mean in terms of brand I have no idea as my partner ordered one for me, otherwise it’s just called an ankle support or ankle support brace or something like that.
@@Jackson-gb5hk yeah might be worth trying to get one as it’ll help defo!
Electric toothbrush. !! You gotta be kidding me. !
When I did my Boot Camp 50+ years ago, we not only had razors, we actually used them every day !
Get some time in son, and get your knees brown.
Good luck overall, it's a good life if you can 'hack it'
Always remember "If you can't take a joke you shouldn't have joined"
@@BenJamin-tx7ol yup welcome to the modern day 😄 damn you guys breath must of stunk if you only had razors 😂 I defo will! Looking at joining sports clubs already. Well I’ve been telling people about the joke thing and most people can but unfortunately there’s more and more coming in who can’t take jokes so it’s a pain in the arse. Thank you 🙂
is that an raf house?
@@benedict-4965 no that’s my home home but will be having my own raf house soon.
are you allowed to go out on weekends during basic training
@@iheartvenom.4098 when I was there no and I haven’t heard it changing so you’ll get like 3 days in the entire 10 weeks that you can leave for a specific amount of time. These are called local leave.