Hello

[dougrobertson]

Hello all,
Had this forum recommended by the guys over activeboard RAF forum. Just thought I'd introduce myself, I'm 22 and applying to become an officer in the RAF. I have my first presentation on wednesday and thought it would be good to speak to some guys with experience. Also I was wondering whether anyone studies Eskrima on here ?

thanks,

Doug

[Pontius Navigator]

Eskrima, er no, but I am sure that it will make a fascinating topic as OASC.

Your first presentation? Is that at the AFCO?

There is plenty here on this forum over the last couple of days. Look at 'after the RAF.' Give you one clue, you are doing better than others on a first post.

[SALAD DODGER]

Eskrima, ooh sounds itchy! Try some cream old boy.

Or did you mean Eskimo?
I am an expert...
http://www.joecorreia.com/photojournalism/Eskimo%20Web.JPG

Sorry Doug, I agree with Pontius. Try a search of previous posts as you are the latest of a long line of keen potential applicants, and there are some real jems hidden in the depths of pprune going back years. You will be able to trawl up a hell of a lot of good info, and it is sure to help.

You did not say what branch you are interested in or what you wanted to talk with us about, so you may get some banter.

[joe2812]

Not serving, not ex-mil...infact a student studying a second-rate degree at a second-rate-and-ex-polytech-uni.
However, another wannabe and I did do this which might be helpful?

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=166273&highlight=OASC

And another helpful thread here... kinda:

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=216586

[Pontius Navigator]

Salad Dodger, if you don't know what Eskrima is then be very careful with this person.:cool:

[SALAD DODGER]

No fear, I have my crack Eskimo close protection team on standby.

[South Bound]

Not sure I like the sound of 'Limb destruction' as a technique in Eskrima - quick someone, let him in!

[SALAD DODGER]

You don't scare me I have seen your web page
http://www.dougrobinson.com/
or is this you being beaten by a girl?
Stunt Man (http://www.bondpix.com/doug_robinson.htm)
http://www.bondpix.com/images/large/Avengers%203(C)ABC.jpg

[dougrobertson]

haha you've caught me out Salad, yes I can see how it may look like a woman...but be weary not all is as it seems..ever been to Thailand ?;). Err yeh back on topic ;) Yeh the presentation is at AFCO in Leicester. Some great tips on here, I can see I'm going to have to delay my application for abit to bolster my chances, as I havn't done any volunteer work and havn't played Rugby since I left school ! So I'm thinking that needs to be sorted out :)
My primary choice would be Intelligence Officer and secondary Regiment Officer, though I'm long sighted in my left eye so I'd expect this may disqualify me for the Regiment ? Also in regards to references, one of my relatives(mother's cousin's husband) was a squadron leader (used to fly Vulcans) is it to my advantage to have a ref. from him and then say one from someone in the private sector ?

As far as Eskimo and Eskrima they are a little bit different ;) but fear the eskimo trained in eskrima :D http://www.zubu-kali.co.uk and http://ww.yuli-romo.com Eskrima is infact a generic term for filipino martial arts (somtimes called arnis or kali), as the Philippines is made up of circa 7000 islands, there are many distinctive systems/sub systems and usually trace to a family/clan style. I'd recommend it to anyone, the novice and experience martial artist.

Doug

[Pontius Navigator]

Don't delay. You can always take two runs at it. Yes, it is a positive advantage to have a 'professional' referee. As I intimated to sicky, instructors etc soon get an instinctive feel for potential.

As far as 'involvement' goes, if you 'had' but do not 'have' involvement then it is better to have a good argument to backup the 'do not have'. If you wanted to chose the 'have' route then you have to have sufficient time to do it otherwise it looks like a put-up job.

Regiment? Can't comment. Intelligence? Interesting, however when I looked at the numbers about 6 years ago there were 137 fg off/flt lt IOs (Junior Officers) and 337 fofl supply officers. The ratio 1:3 is probably still valid and serves to show how small the Int specialisation is. And a small specialisation has a greater competition for entry. Certainly IO is a very popular one.

IMHO I do not see Regt and IO as being similar types of career. One question you need to answer would be 'why not join the Army?'.

[dougrobertson]

Ah goodpoint thanks Pontius, I had thought of my secondary choice as being something i'd also like to do and had relevant skills/abilities etc.; I see now that it's important to have a secondary that is closely related. On a side note, I've struggled to find much specific information on IO, other than that on the various RAF sites. Does anyone have any specific recommendations on intelligence work ?

thanks for your time,

Doug

[Pontius Navigator]

As an IO at the bottom end you will know diddly squat except what was taught at the school. Your first tour would probably be as a goffer or as a sqn int o.

My experience is a little dated now but much will still hold good.

Your first problem is credibility. You will know as much about what and how the sqn operates and what the crews need to know as you do about intelligence. You will also find in the training environment that the crews will not really be interested in intel as it is usually a bolt on to the main activity.

There was a move to get the into involved on the operations side, not flt ops which is an oxymoron, but real flt ops or mission briefing - ingress, egress, CSA, EnE etc. This opens up the job considerably and put you into books and charts in areas where you become the expert. At one time the diehard intel weenie refused to do this, they saw their job as studying RED, not even ORANGE was worthy of their time.

You could ask the school if you could do a visit and also seek a friendly airbase where they could show you around. Don't know if Sqn Ldr Broome is still at Cottesmore but you could try their Media Communications Officer and ask for a visit. She really wanted this to be done after AFCO. You could also contact Honington and ask them if a visit is possible. In both cases you may be polite and informal using their first names if they give them.

And one final thing, Regiment Officers try and command men, IntOs try and command respect.

[peppermint_jam]

And one final thing, Regiment Officers try and command men, IntOs try and command respect.

Sage words mate!!

[Squirrel 41]

Doug, hi
I think that the first challenge is whether we're actually recruiting regular IntOs at the moment - I had a couple of mates apply earlier this year who would've been strong candidates at any other time, to be told "sorry, all full".

Assuming that the wheels have turned again, PN is spot on: it's all about your personal credibility in front of the crews - especially in the training environment so that it's natural that the crews know where you fit in when time comes to do it for real - and the key to this is really getting in to the Sqn and working out how you can add operational value to very busy people (some of whom may even be aircrew :p ). Not sure whether the school would give you a visit - you can always ask.

Having said that Rock Ape vs Spook is a reasonably unusual pairing - unless of course you actually want to be in the Army Int Corps!

Best of!

S41

[dougrobertson]

THanks for the advice guys, I'll be sure to take up the recommendations you've made. Off to the AFCO for the presentation tomorrow morning..just got a haircut especially ! :D

thanks,

Doug