Debts before going into the RAF or Navy

rdchick

Hello lovely people,

first post in a long time, I have around £7K in bank debt (Credit cards, loan, overdraft) but am hoping to apply for the RAF in November.

They say you shouldn't have debt or debt you couldn't service on the first wage of £13000. I obviously want to get my debt down but it's incredibly hard and I know all the tips and tricks of stopping spending money but I don't know where to begin.

If I was to close my credit cards will this affect my credit rating if I pay them back the amount I am meant to (I am not behind on anything as I can pay the amounts but it's very tempting to just use the money again) same with the overdraft, what can I do with that other than move my money else where and pay it back... I am still paying £60 a month (£2) a day until I am have paid £500 back.

What I am wondering is, what do the RAF / Navy look for when signing up... will my debt hold me back? I don't want to ask the careers office incase it goes on my file with them or something...

Odette

They actually do a credit check like a bank and will not let you join if you have adverse credit. There is literally no wiggle room on this rule as far as I know.

Odette

Sorry if thats disappointing btw I suggest you pay them off before you start your application.

rdchick

Thanks for your reply!

That's what I thought, long ol' struggle for me! Do they accept some debt like just a loan with a small minimum payment ie: you would have more than enough to pay it back each month? or is it literally no debt what so ever? xx

antonic

They *could* reject you (like the Police could) on the grounds that as you have debt you could be a security risk because the debt could lead you open to blackmail.

They *could* also reject you if your in an IVA or bankrupt for the same reason.

Sorry for being the bearer of bad news.

Devon_Sailor

The Armed Forces take a pretty common sense approach (unlike many walks of life these days).

What wage are you currently on?
Are you servicing your debts (ie, making all the payments) or are you defaulting on some of them?

The main thing recruiters are looking for are advance indications of an irresponsible personality or nature. If you have debts but meet your commitments, and you can continue to do so once in service, it shouldnt be too much of a problem. If you are in major arrears, then it will show them a lack of common sense, immaturity and financial irresponsibility....hardly good character traits for someone aspiring to hold positions of trust and responsibility.

I had a larger loan outstanding than you when I went through the application process and it didnt flag up any problems.

D_S

rdchick

Thanks for your help, I know they could reject me for it which is why I would like to get it down to as low as I can. I am petrified about it all though as my dream would be to be in the RAF as a nurse, and I would really like to get in this year. I work 2 jobs to get some extra funds and earn about £17000 between them so I guess I will just have to knuckle down and pay it all back as quick as I can... basically half my wage needs to go on servicing debt before November! eeep!

rdchick

I have a clean credit file, no CCJ's defaults or anything, pay everything on time and I can manage. I am currently on £15K with my main job and around £2K with my little cleaning job, I would still be able to service the debts on £13K (which in the RAF I would only be on that wage for 6 months before going up to £17K) So if I got it down the best I could I should be ok...