Q Answered Catering - RAF or civilian?

[Wastitas]

Hello all I'm coming out of college and want to go into catering. However I can't decide if I want to go into the industry into a normal job or do it in the military (most likely RAF) - I was wondering if anyone else here has gone into catering in the RAF or any military branch, and could go over what life in the military is like? On the finance side it sounds like private would be a better choice for raw income, but living on military bases is insanely cheap compared to normal rent. I've been told after basic training and a year or two of trade specific training I'd be earning around £18,000 a year in the RAF, which sounds great along with good career progression opportunity, which is very tempting. Which would be the better choice?

Thanks

 

[Bombardier]

A few years in the Military will do your career in catering no harm at all, in fact I would guess it will provide you with skills as a chef/caterer that no civilian company could ever provide you, and you will love the life too IMHO

Welcome to MI.Net

 

[bdpopeye]

My ex-wife worked as a civilian for the USN as a food service supervisor from 1980 until 2010. She started a cottage business catering business. Mostly catering Filipino weddings. She was successful. She stated she learned much about food service from the USN....plus she was a great cook/chef anyway.

 

[BravoZulu]

@Wastitas ,I would second the advice @Bombardier gave you, service life cannot be duplicated in civilian life. If you decide to gon into the services I would advise that you go in with the attitude of serving your country and not for the income you will make however, your life outside the service has to be in your calculations also.

Emigrate to Australia mate, join up and get paid around 30,000 quid ($60,000aud) for exactly the same job....., just pulling your leg mate!