Getting some in: part 1

In September 1990, I joined the RAF.

I would go to RAF Swinderby near Lincoln for basic training for 6 weeks of square bashing and general military training before passing out in November and going to RAF Cosford near to Wolverhamton for trade training as a weapons mechanic.

I wrote to my parent regularly, and upon clearing the family house out, I cam across a folder will all my letters to them.

Here is the first:

Dateline: 20th September 1990, 20 Flight, RAF Swinderby.



Dear Mum and Dad,

It's 21:40 at the end of the second day here.

A typical day:

05:30 Get up

05:30 to 06:10 was, press uniform

06:15 to 07:00 Breakfast

07:00 to 07:30 Tidy (16 man) room

07:30 inspection

08:00 to 12:00 Activities (drill, PT, general service knowledge (GSK)).

12:30 to 13:00 Dinner

13:00 to 17:00 Activities

17:00 to 18:00 tea

18:00 to 23:00 (at least) bull/clean block/room/kit

We've got a good group of lad (and lasses), out of 20 only two can't do drill, so they get shouted at. On Saturday training really starts. But we have no flight staff, which means that training is a bit of a patch up so far, we've been promised them on Monday. Mile and a half run on Tuesday.

Week's leave from October 14th.

We've got so much equipment our lockers are bulging.

Thanks, all for now.

Miss you lots,

Ian.