OASC Bulletin 8
Over the next few weeks, we will be taking a journey through the entire application and selection process from the Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) to, in this case, starting Initial Officer Training (IOT). During the journey, we will try to capture as many of the items that we have already submitted in order to contextualize what we have written. Since the publication of this piece the Boarding Process programme has changed. However, the essence of the journey is unchanged and therefore has not been edited.
The Background
The journey starts with an imaginary person, called John, who has just turned 25 years old. He has 10 GCSEs grades A-C (B in Maths), 3 A-Levels grades A-C and a 2:ii degree in Sports Science. John left university at age 21 and has since worked in a department store in his hometown. He applied to the RAF as a pilot just over 2 years ago and, although producing solid aptitude scores, didn’t achieve the standard required in the Exercise Phase of the selection process. Therefore, during his performance review, he was told that he needed to go away and work on his confidence and problem solving skills. To achieve these aims, he was advised to join the Police Specials or a First Response Ambulance Team to help build his confidence around adults and, to improve his problems solving skills, practise distance, speed, distance calculations and try to think more ‘big picture’. However, he was also told that a future application for pilot would not be possible because he would be unable to enter IOT before his 24th birthday; this was disappointing news and caused him to lose interest in a future application.
However, 2 years on, John noticed on the RAF Careers website that the age for pilot had been increased from 23 to 25. As he had just turned 25, he decided to check with the RAF Careers Information Line (CIL) what the new age limit meant; as a result, he was told that the new limit required him to have commenced IOT before his 26th birthday. This gave him a year to re-apply for his dream job, which was just enough time. Although he knew that, theoretically, the entire selection process could take just 6 months, this was a best case scenario and did not leave any flexibility should there be any delays with medical issues or if the IOT dates did not fall right. Also, he noticed on the RAF Careers website how seriously fitness is taken; however, this did not worry him as he ran 5 miles, 3 times per week, and attended the gym a further 3 times. Nevertheless, he noted the Selection Fitness Test (SFT) standards and began work to ensure that he could easily pass this required element, knowing that the SFT was a pass/fail event.
He registered his interest with the CIL and waited for their reply. In the meantime, he continued with his general fitness preparation and increased the amount of research he was undertaking into the RAF, NATO, the UN, current affairs, air power, and the branch that he was applying for - so that he could shine during his interview. Appreciating the short time-line, John also decided to visit his local optometrist to have his eyes thoroughly tested to make sure he was not wasting his time. He decided that he would take his results with him to his officer presentation so that his AFCO could forward his results to OASC should he pass his officer filter interview.
In the next submission, John will complete the initial application process through to attending the OASC at RAF Cranwell.
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
Last edited by OASC; 8th Jun 2011 at 08:52.