commisioning...the age factor

[Stitchbitch]

Ladies and Gents, I have a few commisioning questions which hopefully somebody here can answer. I have done a search previously and haven't found exactly what I was looking for, I am a middle aged airman on the wrong side of 32 with 'high rec' assesments and a 'can do' attitude. I am currently working in a 'purple enviroment' overseas, which I enjoy. I am studying GCSE with a view to being qualified enough to join either the air ops or logistic branch, and I hope to be ready to go by the end of next year. My questions are:

Am I too old for a commision
Am I being 'restrictive' in my branch choices
If I fail my maths again, will I have enough time to retake and still be on the boards radar, or should I just accept that my head maybe in the clouds and carry on aiming for my next trade rank?

Any comments welcome
:}

[Avtur]

I thought you needed A levels these days to apply for a Commission? Good luck with your GCSEs though.

[Hoop Stress]

Quals for Air Ops:
1. Have an ability to ignor the requests and needs of the aircrew you "support".
2. Provide irrelevant, innacurate and out of date information in an untimely manner.
3. Be able to blame others for your own gaffs.
4. Have no concept of military aircraft operations.
5. Blame "leaning" for your own incompetance and that of your subordinates.

Quals for Logs:
1. Don't have what people need, when they need it.
2. Don't give it to them if you have.

If you feel that you are especially capable of being rude to others, have a superiority complex, are totally inflexible and unable to apply common sense to simple situations, then consider being a mover.

Hope this helps.

[SASless]

Since when did brains become a requirement for a commission? One would assume possession of any would be a bar to selection as demonstrated by most I have met. But then, being a lower limb monkey looking up....maybe my perspective is skewed a bit.

[FormerFlake]

Quals for Air Ops:
1. Have an ability to ignor the requests and needs of the aircrew you "support".
2. Provide irrelevant, innacurate and out of date information in an untimely manner.
3. Be able to blame others for your own gaffs.
4. Have no concept of military aircraft operations.
5. Blame "leaning" for your own incompetance and that of your subordinates.



Hope this helps.

I take it you know the difference between 'support' and 'do all the jobs aircrew are too lazy to do'?

Your not at Lyneham by any chance?

To the question in hand they keep changing the rules, talk to PSF if you they are not shut for a 'training day' etc.

[Danny_Boy]

The cut-off age for non-WO's is 45 (I think). As you are over 32 I will guess you have been in for more than 10 years. In that case you need either: 4 x GCSE (Eng, math + 2) OR 3 x GCSE (Eng, math +1) and JMLC and TMT1 (ie be a Cpl) OR 2 x GCSE (Eng + math) and IMLC and TMT2 (ie be a Sgt).

An ability to provide helpful advice to those around you is definately an advantage. Don't know how (or even if) Hoop slipped through the net.

The oracle or all of this is AP 3393. if you are on a military computer this link should work: http://www.publications.raf.r.mil.uk/live/system/raf/rafpubs/docindex.asp?DocIDNo=259

If not try your unit PSF (HR Admin!!)

Good luck

[nutcracker43]

Stichbitch

Ignore the bitter people and those who are unable to spell correctly...consult
Admin or see at: http://www.publications.raf.r.mil.uk...sp?DocIDNo=259. The last mentioned is worth of a try.

Good luck

SASless: surely not every one you have met?

Stirch: the post you have just been sent by me, and I note by someone else, is not working...will get back to you later.

NC43

[SASless]

Nuts,

Every now and then the system allows the odd exception wend it's way threw the weir and someone with real wit, humour, and ability gets in. Usually, however, they find themselves looking elsewhere for entertainment and leave when the time is right.

I know a few that particularly fit that description as you well know.

[Radar Riser]

Formerflake

Don't want to put too fine a point on it, but up here at ISK we've got rid of the Ops Support branch for the very reasons that Hoop Stress has mentioned:E

Guess who's doing their job now? Yes, aircrew! If you want a job doing well, do it yourself, and not Navs, but NCA by the way.:ok:

I'm not looking for a slanging match by the way, just pointing out what's happened here. In fact I believe that the Ops Support branch is going to be phased out. It started out as a good idea, but I don't think the training package was thought out well enough and so the people didn't get the training they deserved.

That said, best of luck Stitchbitch, even if you are crossing to the dark side!

RR

[FormerFlake]

RR

Having spent some time at ISK I am aware of the issues there. Training, or lack of it, was the key point. There was an arrogance around ISK at the time (2000ish) that meant it was far easier not to train the Ops Support guys properly and then slag them off for not knowing everything.

The Ops Support Branch is not dead, despite some internal bleeding and back stabbing. I hope it survives.

[SpotterFC]

I assume you're all talking about the Flight Ops Specialisation of the Ops Support Branch being useless,rubbish and pointless, otherwise you're also trying to get rid of FC, Int, ... Regt....and......the RAFP. OK, I'll get me coat.

[SirToppamHat]

Bluddy Hell Spotter, now you've done it!!! (And don't forget ATC in that lot).

Dons helmet, awaits general branch abuse.

STH

[Stitchbitch]

Thanks for the good gen Danny_Boy and nutcracker43.
I am in the 3 x GCSE (Eng, math +1) and JMLC and TMT1 category and desperately chasing Maths..simultaneous equations are proving a big let down for me at the moment, however I have a 3 month det soon (to revise in..and plenty of Army aircrew brainpower to help me out...no sniggering at the back:) ) so I should make some progress.
As for the I.T. issue, we don't all have access to DII here, let alone JPA and our nearest admin mates are in Holland...:E

[Training Risky]

Just remember this top tip:

When you make Sqn Ldr they remove your mouth...
When you make Wg Cdr they remove your brain...
When you make Gp Capt they give you your mouth back!

[SASless]

Stitch,

Now watch out for that sense of humour....if you get found out as having one...your chances of promotion shrink tremendously.

[Pontius Navigator]

Stitchbitch, don't know what triggered the nonsense, most of the people here help those seeking a commission.

You certainly need to work on other areas too. One is world knowledge, read papers etc, or if that is too difficult listen to the world service on BBC.

You need to make sure you do not have 'airman tendencies'.

[Stitchbitch]

You need to make sure you do not have 'airman tendencies'.
Thanks Pontius Navigator, will have to get stuck into the common affairs, however I am intrigued to know what the above means ....:eek:
SASless , will keep it buttoned from now on ;)

[Pontius Navigator]

It is a phrase used at IOT and is also recognised at OASC. If you were rejected first time round you might be for AT. Naturally they would debrief you.

It can be anything, either standing back and not takine charge to pushing in based on your previous experience which may then be revealed as limited. It could refer to lack of initiative (which people who come here tend not to have). It could be behaving like a subordinate even when in a command position etc etc.

[Stitchbitch]

Strike an even balance then? Would you say that ex-rankers have to work harder to please at IOT than new entrants due to thier previous experience or is the playing field fairly level?

Thanks..:ok:

[Pontius Navigator]

Stich, see PM

[teeteringhead]

A chum of mine told a tale against himself which he always said showed "airman tendencies".

In his first (unsuccessful!) go at OASC, when told in interview that he could smoke (how unbelieveable does that seem now!), he produced his packet and lit up. In his own words: "I don't know which was worse - not offering the interviewer a ciggie or lighting up a half-smoked one that I had saved!" ;)

But then he did retire as a squadron leader......