britarg

Really? Ive read somewhere in another forum that the selection process in very similar pretty much the same. Where can I find out info about what its really like so I can properly prepare myself :S thanks for the help

OneFifty

Go to your local AFCO and ask for the DVD!

Spearmint-R33

It is pretty much the same selection process.

Make an appointment with your local AFCO and attend a P2 presentation. It and more will be revealed there.

I'm currently in the process of applying to become a WSOp what with 11.44yrs (According to JPA) under my belt as a TG1 AV (JT so I'm old school).

However, I never received that email which apparently was sent to me on the 15th April 2010. I know it's not my email account at fault as I have received all other correspondence on this matter successfully.

Fingers crossed I can achieve some leeway and understanding.

Anyway, best of luck.

Spearmint-R33

Further to my previous post which you'll not see until a lovely moderator has approved it. Look up 'OASC' on Youtube.

You'll find a couple of vids which are just a copy of what you get on part of the DVD that you'll receive from the AFCO at the P2 presentation.

Herc-u-lease

spearmint,

how are you not a cpl yet? meant in the nicest yet still inquisitive way. hats off to you for going the wsop route.

Herc

Spearmint-R33

Oh believe me, I have spent many a day wondering the same. Never been in trouble, considered above my peers when it comes to trade knowledge, secondary duties up the ying-yang including charity work etc etc. If you were to read my last 5 assessments you would think I pass gold during my daily visit to the throne.

I have in retrospect found myself placed at a reasonable position on this years promotion board.

Regardless of the fact if I get my two-banana or not, I am still aiming for WSOp.

downsizer

^^^^How dare you cheat on us with another forum...

OASC

Last week John completed the application process prior to attending the OASC. After filing his interest with the CIL, he attended an Officer P2 Presentation, followed by an interview. He subsequently received a call-forward letter from the OASC to attend in 3 months time. This week we will follow John through arriving at RAF Cranwell to the beginning of the Exercise Phase.

John drove to RAF Cranwell on Tuesday afternoon arriving at the Main Guardroom at about 1700hrs. He parked his car behind the Main Guardroom and went in to obtain his passes to gain access to the base. He was given direction to the candidates’ accommodation and the car park, which he duly followed. He went to the Candidates’ Mess Reception to get his room key and, after unloading his car and settling into his room, he walked back to the Candidates’ Mess to see who was around. He met up with a number of other candidates in the Mess where he chatted over a drink until dinner at 1800hrs. At 1830hrs, all of the candidates congregated in the Television Room in the Candidates’ Mess for an arrival briefing delivered by the OASC Duty Officer. The briefing outlined a few mandatory points, general administration information and summarised what to expect during the selection process. The candidates also received a number of forms that had to be filled in and handed to the OASC Reception the following morning. After the briefing, John had another drink and a chat to a few more of the candidates before heading back to his room to carefully fill in his forms, paying particular attention to the legibility, accuracy and coherency of what he was writing, after which he got an early night in preparation for the intensive 1st day of the selection process.

The candidates were awoken by a bell at 0600hrs the following morning and, after a quick shower and change, they all went to breakfast. John made sure that he had all the required documents and his sports kit packed in his bag. He also decided to take his notes that he had made throughout his time researching about the military, his chosen branch and current affairs so that he could use them to revise if he had any spare time. He then made his way across to the OASC building by 0650hrs. On arrival, the candidates weremet by the Aptitude Testing Team and given a brief about the procedure for the aptitude testing phase. Before he knew it, John was concentrating intensely on a range of aptitude tests. The tests took John about 7 hours in total taking into account scheduled breaks. Once he had finished the tests, he went back to the candidates’ waiting area and used his time wisely by reading through the notes that he had decided to bring. Eventually, he was called forward for a review of his aptitude performance. He went into an office with the reviewing officer where he was given the good news that he had scored well on his aptitude tests. John was delighted. The Reviewing Officer then outlined his performance in more detail and gave John a few words of encouragement for the Exercise Phase. Now buzzing, John went back to Reception. After a short wait the candidates were told to get changed in to sports kit and then they were issued with green coveralls ready for the next phase. Now back in Reception the candidates were given numbered bibs to put over their coveralls which identified what candidates were in which syndicate. Next, the candidates had their photos taken and then they were told to sit and wait for a welcome briefing from Group Captain OASC.

At 1450hrs, the Group Captain entered the waiting room and welcomed the candidates to the OASC. He explained that the candidates were joining the RAF at a very demanding and challenging time therefore standards were high. He went on to encourage everyone to give the Selection Process their all and contribute fully to all aspects of the next phase. The briefing really fired everyone up. The atmosphere was filled with nervous energy as the candidates waited for the Board Members to come and collect them to commence the Exercise Phase.

Next week, we will continue John’s journey through Day One of the Exercise Phase.

For more information regarding any of these areas highlighted, please contact your AFCO and they will be able to give you more detailed information regarding specific cases.

Please note that, although OASC will endeavour to answer generic questions that arise, we will not be engaging or commenting on individual cases. In those cases, the individual is advised to contact their nearest AFCO who will be able to deal with any queries. All information published is for information only. Information regarding a career in the RAF can be found at http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers

Spearmint-R33

Well you know, I like to diversify.

NDW

Good Afternoon all,

After much decision making & speaking to the parents, I have decided to join the RAF as a WSOp.
( Note : I have decided = I will try)

I am currently studying for my AS levels at college in History and Geography and will be concluding them in June this year, after which I will not be continuing them into the A2 phase.

This decision was made after the college that I am studying have completely ruined my A level course ( ie the subjects I should have been taking, I couldnt get onto due to lack of lecturers) and also the fact that the college is filled with morons, and other social misfits

I am taking 1 year out after this year, as currently I'm working for a flying school at my local airport as a Operations Assistant,so I will therefore try and complete my PPL and also to get myself as fit & healthy as possible.

So fingers crossed that this time next year I could be well on my way into the RAF.

Many Thanks

NDW

camelspyyder

Good for you - go for it.

Although you may want to learn a little tolerance - I am at WSOp school myself and it too is filled with "morons and other social misfits" - some students, some staff

CS

onrey_oleuk

Hi all,

I am currently studying for my A Levels. Taking Politics, English and PE. I am going to be applying as soon as i have finished my exams in order to revise for the interview. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice for the interview and also if anyone knew what the current waiting time is for Piloting Officer at OASC?

cheers

OASC

Last week we saw that John had driven to RAF Cranwell, settled into his accommodation and met some of his fellow candidates. Having completed some more paperwork, he underwent the aptitude testing process. He was informed that he had been successful in his aptitude tests having scored strongly. Now, wearing his green overalls and sitting patiently with his syndicate, John awaited the arrival of the Board Member to commence the Exercise Phase.

The Board member walked into the waiting room and announced ‘Echo syndicate, this way please’. This was it! Time to go to work! John’s syndicate of 6 people lined up against the wall and the Board Member introduced himself. After a brief chat he escorted the candidates to the syndicate room pointing out the medical reception, the toilets and the candidates’ waiting area opposite the syndicate rooms along the way. After a short wait outside the syndicate room, the candidates were called in. They sat against the wall in number order while the Board Chairman delivered a briefing covering the Exercise Phase process and what was expected of them. The candidates seemed quite nervous at this time but the Chairman stated that this was quite normal and that once the exercises were underway they would soon settle down.

The first exercise of the afternoon was the Group Discussion. They were given a briefing explaining that they would be given 3 random topics to talk about and that the exercise would last for 15 minutes. John had been through the Exercise Phase before where his performance was compromised by his lack of confidence, so this time he was adamant that he would involve himself whole heartedly with determination, enthusiasm and urgency. He was not about to waste this opportunity. The syndicate was told to rearrange their chairs into a semi-circle before the Board Member announced the first topic. John made sure he started the discussion with a couple of good points and then slowly others started to join in. John noticed that candidates 3 and 5 were very quiet so he decided to try to bring them into the conversation. Before he knew it the syndicate were on their final topic. Everyone seemed to be joining in apart from number 5 who seemed to lack confidence; the very thing that prevented John from progressing last time. John thought that he would try to talk to number 5 during the break between exercises to encourage him to contribute more. After the Discussion, the candidates were told to go to the candidates waiting area to wait for the next exercise to begin. Less than 10 minutes later they were lined up outside the syndicate room again.

The syndicate were invited in once again and the candidates immediately noticed that the room layout had changed. This time the candidates were sat behind 2 tables with some paperwork in front of them. The Chairman then briefed the candidates that the following exercise was a Group Planning exercise and the syndicate had to create a joint solution to a problem in which they found themselves. The exercise was split into 3 phases. First was a 20 minute private study period, followed by a 20 minute group discussion phase concluded by a group question phase. The private study phase commenced and John read through the scenario very carefully, making notes and endeavouring to fully understand what his team needed to do and the limitations that had to be taken into account. As he put the finishing touches to his notes, the Chairman introduced the next phase. Over the next 20 minutes the group pieced together a plan to solve the problem. John made sure that he got all of his points across in the group and took a turn in leading the discussion to formulate the plan. Although John tried to engage candidate number 5, he still looked very uncomfortable. Finally, the candidates rearranged the tables into a straight line so that the candidates were facing the Board. The chairman then fired questions at individuals about the scenario and the plan. John did well, answering all questions accurately and concisely. He was also pleased with his performance when he was put under pressure and asked to think on his feet. After the Exercise, the Board Member handed out some notes and the Chairman delivered another briefing outlining the timings for the following morning. The Chairman also explained that the candidates should take the time to read through the notes on selection, conditions of service and training, and the notes on Exercise Hangar protocol.

John and the rest of the candidates then made their way to the Candidates Mess for a well earned rest. Next week, we will follow John through the second day of the Exercise Phase.

For more information regarding any of these areas highlighted, please contact your AFCO and they will be able to give you more detailed information regarding specific cases.

Please note that, although OASC will endeavour to answer generic questions that arise, we will not be engaging or commenting on individual cases. In those cases, the individual is advised to contact their nearest AFCO who will be able to deal with any queries. All information published is for information only. Information regarding a career in the RAF can be found at http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers

Mr C Hinecap

onrey. You might want to read the posts on here by 'OASC' and do some more research - possibly on TheStudentRoom website as well. There is no such thing as a 'Piloting Officer' - there are Pilots, there are Pilot Officers, indeed there are still Acting Pilot Officers - but no Piloting Officers.
'Times' are as long as a piece of string. Lots of applicants, few places.

Spearmint-R33

For anybody who is re-mustering from a ground trade like myself, as of the 1st May 2010 you have to successfully complete the Psychometric tests as per a civilian.

FWIW I have now passed my P2 interview and I have these tests this coming Friday.

Slowly but steadily I am getting there.

Spearmint-R33

Aptitude tests now passed. Not a bad job considering my age and for the last 11.5 years of my life my brain has been trained to work a different way. So I had best get some more practice in for Aptitude testing to remove any room for error.

Spearmint-R33

There is a link on the SDT test site that I have been using for a few weeks but I am unsure of its validity.

Succeed at RAF OASC

My question is, has anyone used this product and if so how would you rate it?

neildo

I did not use any preparation type sites/guides for sale. Some people on my board did use them. However strangely enough the ones that said they had, did not get through in the end. All of the information on that link is available freely I am sure between this and other sites (such as the student room - was a gold mine for me).

As these "products" are certainly unofficial and clearly not endorsed by OASC or the RAF I would be interested to hear their take on them.

Spearmint-R33

Indeed, I was expecting such an answer really so I'll not be partaking with my cold hard cash this time round. I think I'll stick to the more official and freely available techniques such as the Commissioning Club and of course, my own prep work.

Aerouk

When they work out the UCAS points, such as the 180 for the RN, do they use Standard Grades/GCSEs?

According to the UCAS site, Standard Grades for band 1 or 2 (A or B in GCSEs) are worth 38 points for a 1 and 28 points for a 2.