RAF Senior Aircraftman: Ben Rodgers
Lincoln UTC has always worked closely with the armed forces. In Key Stage 4 students benefit from team building and communication workshops with the RAF at Wittering and Cranwell. Students participating in the Royal Navy Engineering Challenge will also travel to Portsmouth and stay overnight on a battleship at HMS Sultan.
Each year a selection of our leavers choose to pursue a career in the forces, and we recently caught up with a 2019 graduate, RAF Senior Aircraftman Ben, to see how he was getting on...
Ben said: "I have always been interested in pursuing a career within the RAF, so in 2017 I made the decision to join Lincoln UTC because their links with the armed forces and the specialist STEM curriculum would help me to achieve this goal. Whilst studying at the UTC I had the opportunity to work with the RAF during workshops both at college and during trips to RAF bases, which gave me a great insight into the career I was heading for.
"Following the completion of my GCSEs in 2019 I joined the RAF and completed phase one training. In April 2020 I successfully completed phase two training and achieved the SAC Luders Champion Shot Award for exceptional marksmanship on the course. Once I had graduated, I was posted to 15 Squadron RAF Regiment and since joining I have gained the rank of SAC (Senior Aircraftman).
"I have already taken part in an introduction course to basic sniping and am looking to become a qualified sniper in the future. I also hope to complete both the pre para and jumps course to eventually become an Airborne Infantryman. Other ambitions of mine include working with the Special Forces and going on tour to protect the country overseas. There are many opportunities within the RAF and I am looking forward to my future in the forces."