NDW

From the RAF Medical requirements page;

All Congenital, chromosonal and genetic disorders
• Severe allergic reactions and/or anaphylaxis
• A need to carry adrenaline injections (EPIPEN, etc)
• Confirmed food allergy
• Any history of a Type 1 allergic reaction regardless of cause
• Latex allergy
• Specific vaccine allergy (including tetanus allergy)
• Gluten sensitivity (Coeliac disease),
• Any confirmed food intolerance which results in symptoms
• Chronic fatigue syndrome or associated disorders

Barksdale Boy

NDW

Thanks for that.

Wander00

Amazed anyone passes the medical these days - what would maritime rear crew have done with peanut allergy (only joking)

RearEntry

Possibly a daft question, but I can't see an answer in the thread.


After visit to AFCO, interview by staff, interview by RAF officer, and a day trip around a station, my son is still waiting for an appointment to have his medical. He'd been told by AFCO that six weeks without hearing anything is normal and that there is nothing he can do so speed up the process. He's applying to become an Engineering Officer.


Understandably he's nervous about rocking the boat by hassling the AFCO staff, but is it really the case that after almost two months of being told that a medical has been arranged on the system he's still not heard anything?

Bugs to forty

It's a real shame but sadly the wait is a necessary evil as it is in the hands of a contractor - Capita. Having said that, he would not be rocking the boat if he chased the AFCO; the AFCO are there to support him and the engineering officer branch is in surge so he's worth progressing quickly.

proac

RearEnd

Capita in Scotland are V busy at the moment because university units for RAF Navy and Army are all recruiting for the new academic year. No harm in asking the AFCO to chase things up though.

NDW

Good evening all,

Been umm'ing and arr'ing whether to post such a question for a while, but I'm asking this for honesty, not as such, advice.

How many times would you consider a suffice amount of attempts at CBAT? Say from an OASC Selection officer P.O.V.

The reason behind is that I'm now re-entering my third RAF WSOp application, this will ultimately be my second attempt at CBAT, after slightly missing the required score in Sep'15.

I never wish to sound defeatist or I'm not one to give up easily, however, I have to be realistic and honest with myself that if after say 2/3 attempts at CBAT, if theres no significant progress shown, it might be time to call it a day.

I appreciate that each applicant has different aptitude abilities, but I've heard that your Aptitude doesn't change that much from each attempt to the next.

I hope the above makes sense and not some garbled nonsense. I'm incredibly passionate about joining as Aircrew (as I'm sure many of you know) and have been for a very VERY long time, but time is moving rather quickly now and I need to start assessing and being honest with ones self.

Thanks all.

Pontius Navigator

Realistically your next attempt should probably be it. At your last debrief they may have said come back in a year. What do you imagine next?

Just may be, application within the Service after another couple of years just might cut it. But think positive.

NDW

Thanks PN,

The debriefing officer offered the opportunity to re-apply and re-test for the next year and I'll certainly jump at the chance to re-sit.

Personally, its always been Aircrewman (WSOp) or bust, which I know to some may sound very ignorant as there are other fantastic opportunities available in all three services, however its always been about the flying and if I were unsuccessful, I don't personally feel anything else would come as close (again to reiterate I'm not being ignorant or arrogant about any of the other roles available).

I've got my positive hat on.

Best regards.

Melchett01

If you want to fly more than you want to join a specific service, then I would suggest being open to the potential of flying in any of the services. I only say this because whilst all services have similar requirements in terms of leadership and personal qualities, they did at least weigh their aptitude tests differently.

For example, when I was going through the application process, oh God was it that long ago?, the RAF required you to get a score of something like 110+ to pass for pilot, whereas the AAC only needed 90+. So, all things like medical, leadership and personal qualities and slots available being equal, if it's just about getting up in the air, you might want to consider all options. Just be prepared to answer the inevitable question of "so you've tried for X 3 times and failed and now you've come to us???"

NDW

Melchett01,

Thanks for your reply.

I presently have an application in with the Royal Navy as DE Aircrewman (just need to complete my PJFT, then I'll be ready to attend FATS).
As of early October '16, I re-applied to the RAF (I'm aware of the implications this can cause for attending FATS/CBAT and the 12 month wait between each attempt) as when I spoke to the AFCO back in Sep '15, I made it clear I wanted to re-apply as a WSOp when the time allowed.

However, since then the role of D.E Aircrewman in the FAA opened and I jumped at the opportunity.

At the end of the day, I never wish to waste anyone's time, however I've wanted to keep any other options available and the AFCO(s) seem happy to help and offer any advice.

Thanks again gents.

NDW

NDW

https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/roles/roles-finder/aircrew/weapon-systems-officer/

downsizer

WSO won't be open long for DEs given the number they are after.

RearEntry

My boy has now had a medical, apparently went OK, but because he had a few bumps and scrapes along the way - "have you ever had an x-ray for a suspected fracture?" - Capita are calling for more reports. That was over a month ago and weekly calls to the AFCO are not really helping although he is on first name terms with the staff now :-)

He walked into the AFCO at the end of June, today he told me he's fed up of the bar job he's taken to tide him over until the RAF kicks off and is going to apply elsewhere.

Serious question: What other organisation would countenance a recruitment system that has spent over six months since application and has still not got to interview let alone job offer?

MBA Question: How many good candidates are lost in the "system"?

VSO Question: What are the anticipated long term effects of the current recruitment process?

downsizer

Rear entry,

I'm not defending the system, so don't shoot the messenger! The extra GP notes requested by capita, has your sons GP provided them? IME the majority of the delay after medical is because the applicants GP sits on the request. Has he hassled his GP to ensure they've been forwarded to capita?

Hope this helps.

RearEntry

Medical reports sent from GP early November, AFCO yesterday: "six months is really quite quick for the process" and "to be honest, most people drop out"

Is he likely to make the February intake? Apparently not something he should rely on.

As a parent I find it upsetting, as a taxpayer I find it offensive.

Pontius Navigator

RE, if that 6 months is the whole process time I can appreciate the problem. In my day it took me 4 months; there was an initial training course every month. It was a bit like a cog wheel with 12 teeth, easy to mesh. Now, with only 3 entries per year, you might have to wait 3 months longer. So, 6 months is not unreasonable.

NDW

Morning all,

Well, I sat my CBAT for WSOp a few weeks back & sadly I didn't make the required cut off for WSOp........again (on my second attempt). .

Fairly demoralising. However, I had improved on areas I fell short on last time.

I know my weak areas and I'm constantly working on improving them, however, I do feel is it worth giving it one more attempt (third time lucky and all that)?.

However, as an optimist about most things , I need to be realistic and appreciate that If I can't pass CBAT, then the chances of me passing technical training and further training are slim.

Any advice?

Thanks all,

NDW

downsizer

NDW

What do you mean "technical training" and "further training"? If you don't pass CBAT you won't be getting in as a WSOp.

muppetofthenorth

My interpretation was that he meant if he worked his proverbial off and then *just* achieved the pass mark to get in, it would probably indicate he might have similar issues on course.


NDW, that's not necessarily the case. The idea is if you have the aptitude then you would be able to cope with what's being thrown at you, so while I get your point, it might not be as cut and dry as you think.
However, you don't know that until you get in. Let them make that decision for you.

What guidance were you given after your recent test?