Applying to the RAF

[matthewlancs]

Having been rejected by NATS for a position as an ATCO- naturally, I looked into the RAF and when I saw they urgently needed ATCOs I rang up and was sent out an interest form.

However, I sent this back about 4 weeks ago! I rang up 2 weeks ago to check and I was told that it was in the system and I would hear soon.

As of now, I still havnt heard anything! Have you guys had any experience of applying to the RAF? It seems a bit odd considering they say they URGENTLY need controllers!

Matt

[Pontius Navigator]

Matthew, all I can say is patience. 3-4 months maybe.

I know someone who was called for the AFCO for a naval interview. They came away with a fountain pen that said Naval Officer.

They later had an interview with the RAF.

A letter was received from the RN 3 days later with a 1st class stamp. By the end of the following week a phone call to the RAF elicited the information that a letter was in the post. It arrived the following week, 2nd class post.

I know another who was fobbed off for 6 weeks as the interviewing officer was posted.

Note the underlying points.

[SirToppamHat]

Matthewlancs

Get yourself to an Armed Forces Careers Office in person. Explain the interest and at least you know someone is looking at your application. My advice (yes I am biased) is to express and interest in both ATC and FC - at the end of the day you will be talking to aircraft (OK pilots/WSOs). Who knows, IDC they may both be the same Branch anyway.

Coat ... getting

Darn those Thursday Happy Hours!

STH

[matthewlancs]

What is it you do STH?

[SirToppamHat]

Matthew

Check your PMs. I have no problems with your joining as an ATCO, just don't discount FC until you have taken a look - and don't just rely on the AFCO view - get yourself to Boulmer or Scampton and Waddington (and Swanwick and ScATCC!) before making your mind up.

STH

[RNGrommits]

If the crabs are slow on the uptake, why not apply to become a Naval ATCO. The pay is the same, we have a wider variety of jobs and are arguably of a better standard (sooooo going to hell for that one!). We also are normally fairly desperate for people through the door - especially with the uplift required for CVF.

[L1A2 discharged]

why were you rejected by NATS??

by what measure do you consider that you may be suitable for a similar role in HM Armed Forces - as that appears to be a knee jerk selection process. If you wanted to be in the RAF why did you not apply to them first?

[Irish Tempest]

Grommit check yr PM

[matthewlancs]

NATS policy is not to give feedback- it specifically states this on the email they sent me. It is really not very helpful- as I could have failed on any of 6 or 7 tests!!!!

I think I might pop down to my local AFCO and discuss my options regarding ATCO/FC.

[Pontius Navigator]

Matthew, given your age, I would not shut out a NATS career either. Keep your options open each way; you have plenty of time ahead of you.

[L1A2 discharged]

try, try again. Shame they don't do feedback on reasons.

Are NATS overwhelmed with applications?

Revisit the AFCO, try to get some unit visits for familiarisation (if any are local enough). Be keen but not excessively 'pushy'.

Also check out the sticky thread at the top of the page about joining, OASC etc. Some good info therein.

Good luck!:)

[Papillon83]

Matt,

Having found myself in a similar situation to yourself 2 years ago, I read your post with interest. I too applied to NATS (was unsuccessful at final interview stage - like you, no feedback) and then applied to the RAF for ATCO. It took around 5 months after registering my initial interest with the AFCO to be invited to OASC.

If you are invited - be prepared for questions along the same vein as L1A2's thread
''If you wanted to be in the RAF why did you not apply to them first?''

And more importantly be sure that you really do want to go the military route - it was made very clear to me that you are assessed on your potential to be an officer first and foremost.. and your potential to be an ATCO takes the rear seat. And remember if you are successful at OASC you may not even be offered an ATCO position - I was strongly advised to choose more than one branch during the application process.

After four days at Cranwell I knew being an ATCO was more important to me than anything else (also obvious to my interviewers!!), and so I reapplied to NATS... put in a lot of hard preparation, and this time was successful!!

So, do your research... be sure of your priorities...and if you need to, reapply - it certainly shows great motivation!

Good luck to you, whichever route you choose! :ok:

[samuraimatt]

Have you guys had any experience of applying to the RAF?

I am not sure you are on the right forum if you are after anybody who has been in or is still in the RAF.:suspect:

[The Scottish Fg Off]

Matt,

Whist taking on board what the above have said about keeping your options open during the AFCO and subsequent OASC stages of RAF recruitment, be very wary of what people in Careers Officers and, for that matter, those at the end of day 1.5 of OASC try and sell you.
They are very good at pushing people into the boxes that need filled!

Sure FC is a good career choice, (im told) but in terms of the primary task, and location during the first couple of tours, it rural North England or Lincolnshire, and I promise you, what ever a scopie might try and say otherwise, Boulmer is just weird. Someone, a snappily dressed adminer WRAF type, who bless her, knows only a limited amount about each RAF carreer will no doubt be danglling the stick of FC and AWACs from day 1, or after "a sucsessful first tour" unlikely.

Us Air Tragickers on the otherhand can be sent to any flying station in the UK straight off JATCC or, if your breeze the course, straight to one of the centres which, all good SATCOs will tell you is the best controlling going, coupled with numerous anecdotes along the lines of "there was this one time on East.........."

I did the NATS tests a couple of months ago, and inspite of holding radar and tower endorsments for four years didnt manage to pass their cheap and nasty paper tests, which appear to have very little to do with basic ATC skills and alot to do with an easy way to cull of the lions share of their applications. But hey i, not bitter, honest......... Why would anyone want to work for one of the UKs top 20 employees???

Good luck, trust me, no matter what alot of people say, on this forum and elsewhere, the RAF is still an absolute hoot and a cracking career!