A word about risk

The risk of being in the armed forces can't be known exactly because:

1. the armed forces are posted to different places in the world where the risks are different
2. not all armed forces jobs carry the same level of risk
3. it is impossible to predict risk in the future - for example, the Falklands War in 1982 took everyone by surprise and large numbers of troops were sent unexpectedly to fight in a short war that killed 255 people on the British side.

Every job in the armed forces carries some level of risk.

Most common combat risks in Iraq and Afghanistan

Researchers asked armed forces personnel who had been deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanstan which threats they most commonly faced.  This is what they found:

• About half had seen someone wounded and killed (about a third had experienced this more than once)
• About 15% had seen a comrade shot or hit who had been near them at the time
• About a quarter had experienced an IED (roadside bomb)
• About half had come under small arms fire
• About three quarters had come under rocket/mortar/artillery attack

For those in front-line roles these experiences would be more common; in support roles like logistics, less common.

Risk of death

In 2008, 18 RAF personnel died.  The mortality rate (the 'death rate') in the RAF in 2008 was about 33 in 100,000, according to the official statistics - this is the lowest in the armed forces at the moment. The risk for front-line troops posted to Afghanistan or Iraq (e.g. marines) is higher, the risk for non-front-line troops is lower.  The mortality rate in the RAF is lower than that for the civilian population (because people in the armed forces are fitter and more resistant to disease).

Risk of serious injury

The risk of serious injury in Afghanistan or Iraq is about twice the risk of death by hostile action. In 2007, 131 armed forces personnel were seriously or very seriously injured in Afghanistan or Iraq; most were army personnel.  Of course, there is risk of serious injury in some civilian careers as well.

Risk of psychological harm

The risk of psychological harm in the RAF is higher than the risk of serious physical injury or death. A report in 2006 showed that about 4% of armed forces personnel showed symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (sometimes called 'shell-shock'). The rate was higher among troops with combat duties (6%) than those without (3%). There are several other psychological problems that are linked to exposure to warfare; these include depression, alcohol- and drug-dependence and relationship problems; they can happen to even the toughest of recruits.  See the article on combat stress.

Summary

Most RAF recruits suffer no serious physical or mental harm as a result of their work but for those that do, life may never be the same again. These are risks that you need to consider before enlisting.

[Sources: Defence Analytical Services Agency, 2009; Ministry of Defence, 2008; Lancet, 2007 and 2010]

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