RAF WSOp application advice

[tl202]

Hi all, I'm currently very conflicted on whether the time is right for me to apply for a WSOp position with the RAF and am wondering whether anyone on here could give their thoughts.

Essentially, I am 26 years old, torn between whether to apply now with the RAF or take 2 years working abroad. Up until recently, I had always planned to go to Canada on a temporary work visa for 2 years, return when I was 29, and apply with the RAF. Recently however, I have heard from several people that you are less likely to pass selection if you are closer to the maximum age restriction. If anyone on here had any insight on this I would be incredibly grateful? In an ideal world I would be able to do both but with age deadlines on both options I recognise this might not be possible.

One more query, I recall reading somewhere that if you pass stages of selection then your results stand for a year if you do not accept a position immediately. My reason for asking is that if I go through the selection process now, after applying for the visa I am interested in (which there is no guarantee of receiving), I can then make a more informed decision end of the year when I know for certain which paths are open to me.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Door Slider]

Tl202,

It's a difficult question as you have to do what you feel is right for you. However, WSOp recruitment is at at a historic high at the moment due to older platforms being extended and new platforms coming into service. I would imagine that this will be the case for at least a few years.

26 is a good age to join as NCA leaving it until 29 as a direct entrant is leaving it a bit late but that's only my opinion. Applying at 29 will not be detrimental to your chances of being selected, you will still be able to serve a minimum of 12 years which is all the RAF are looking for initially.

I believe that your aptitude scores are valid for one year according to friends who have been through the system recently.

I don't know what your plan is in Canada but as a WSOp you will travel the world anyway, I would reel off a list off places I have visited in the last 12 months but that would just be showing off.

You only live once do what feels right, good luck.

[chinook240]

Unless you are confident you'll pass the aptitude and medical tests first time, I wouldn't delay. My son started applying in his mid 20's and has taken years to get thro the medical system run by Capita.

[Avtur]

If you are really that interested and want to be a WSOp, you should do it now for many reasons.

[Door Slider]

I'd give it a miss if I were you. It's a non job.

Considering the roles and variety of aircraft open to NCA that's quite a sweeping statement. Given that this chap is looking for advice from people doing the job, may I ask what your NCA role is or what involvement you have had with NCA?

[camelspyyder]

Originally Posted by heli-wings

I'd give it a miss if I were you. It's a non job.

Yeah, I was told that as well at Biggin Hill in 1980 by a bitter knocker going for his ground commission. Luckily I ignored him, and am just about to retire after 30+ years as NCA.

[Pontius Navigator]

You don't say what your two years in Canada will involve. It could increase your experience and employability if it was seen to develop leadership skills. I know of a wg cdr engineer who worked in Antarctica and the oil exploration in Arabia before joining.

[betty swallox]

Please don't listen to heli-wings.

The WSOp job is immensely satisfying, challenging and fulfilling. And it's bloody interesting.

I'd recommend it extremely highly. I'm not a WSOp but fly daily with these utterly professional aviators.

Do it!

[PingDit]

Apply now. It's a brilliant job with some of the best in the world (Although after 39 years as NCA I'm a bit biased). Bearing in mind that they want the best, how will you feel competing against 18 year olds in physical fitness? Sure you want to leave it another couple of years?

[Adam Nams]

how will you feel competing against 18 year olds in physical fitness?

A few cries of 'keep up at the back' will help out, I'm sure.


I was NCA for 24 years, am still in rotary and enjoying the job. My advice would be to go for it now. You will still have time to travel later. Best of luck.

[Seedin]

I am in the application process for WSOp right now and it's fair to say it has been going quite quickly for me (in comparison to others). Provided I pass everything I am likely to start training by October/November.

Originally Posted by Adam Nams

I was NCA for 24 years, am still in rotary and enjoying the job. My advice would be to go for it now. You will still have time to travel later. Best of luck.

Rotary WSOp sounds like a fantastic job however I am trying to lean more towards the SO side of things and hopefully work on the new P-8 aircraft.

[Bladdered]

Chinook240 - don't you mean C(R)apita . RPP a complete disaster and the MoD PMs should get grip quickly else people like tl202 will quickly become disenchanted during the application process.

[Bugs to forty]

Originally Posted by Pontius Navigator

You don't say what your two years in Canada will involve. It could increase your experience and employability if it was seen to develop leadership skills. I know of a wg cdr engineer who worked in Antarctica and the oil exploration in Arabia before joining.

But if you apply now, you'll do CBAT and know if it's actually an option. If you fail, try again in 12 months. I'd say do your expeditions when you have a realistic plan.

[5aday]

If you manage to get this job, just use it as a stepping stone. There are much better careers leading to a much improved way of life. Get a decent pension scheme and never take your eyes off that ball.
5aday.

[tl202]

Crumbs, take one evening away from the PC and plenty of reading material to come back to! Thanks for all the responses.

In answer to the question of what I would plan to do in Canada, I would be looking at a combination of archaeology (my current profession), and volunteer work. Whilst obviously I don't want to make any assumptions about passing/failing any one part of selection, I would think that my logical weak link is a lack of leadership experience and I would be looking to gain experience here abroad.

Just going over my thoughts, my primary concern RE the visa is that you are only eligible until your 30th birthday. With the WSOp limit being 32 my natural inclination has always been to go for the visa first. I don't see my fitness being an issue at all in late 20s but am concerned about getting caught up in the system or failing at the interview stage after returning and having to really cut it fine to reapply. I believe I will take the approach of going for CBAT and seeing how I do, then taking some time to assess the situation. Would it count against me at interview stage if I had held off progression after CBAT?

Thanks again.

[ancientaviator62]

The advice I would give you is simply to just apply. It was the advice I gave all my 'troops'. There are far too many people who later in life utter the words 'if only'. I did 35 years as an ALM and have no regrets at all about my decision, retiring 20 years ago as a Spec Aircrew S/L.
Good luck.

[Lima Juliet]

Good advice AA62. I wish I had applied and joined earlier at 18 rather than 22.

For tl202 - I would advise going for it as early as possible. You can always dig when you leave and I know some guys have done a bit of digging at old aircraft crash sites and also when stationed at Akrotiri - so you could carry on as an amateur digger after you join. If you fail your selection then you have a further chance to go away and come back - leave it too long and you'll only get one shot.

Good luck

LJ

[ancientaviator62]

One more thing to consider. Recruitment is not static (they only take what the need at any given time) it can and does fluctuate as to educational requirements and especially age . If you wait too long you may find the goal posts are out of sight.

[muppetofthenorth]

Hate to burst your bubble, but have you checked the residency requirement for WSOp?

From the RAF careers site:
"To meet RAF residency requirements, you should have been a UK Resident for a minimum of five years immediately preceding application, and have spent no more than 28 days per year outside the UK within those five years."

[downsizer]

Residency can be waived. Unless you've been to some "exotic" places it isn't a show stopper. However onus is on the applicant to produce police records, itineraries, addresses etc for their time abroad.

FWIW, I think the OP should apply now. They might totally bomb CBAT anyway making it a moot point.