It might surprise you to know that all VRT officers undergo a Cranwell-endorsed OT course within their squadrons and then have to pass a 2-week intensive IOTC at RAFC Cranwell before they are commission confirmed!
Things have indeed changed
chevvron, but not as much as Bloggs suggests.
Not all Sqns have a "Cranwell-endorsed OT course" embedded - the better ones do have local training, but it is not mandatory, nor is it officially "endorsed" by HQAC at Cranwell. If it were, it
would be mandatory.
The VR(T) candidates do go through OASC - but without medical and fitness test. OASC grades them in a "batting order", but the yes/no decision is made by one of the Regional Commandants or the HQAC COS, who acts as overall Board Chairman. They then wear the insignia of Officer Cadets - white tabs and cap band - until their commission is confirmed after the
one week initial course at the ACO Adult Training Facility (ATF) at Cranwell. They are then Pilot Officers. When appointed as Sqn Cdrs, they undergo another one week course at ATF before they are paid in the rank of Flt Lt (Fg Off is time promotion at present).
Apart from OASC, not that different from that which
chevvron describes.....
