Military Aircrew/Officer Info?

[Karhu]

G'day guys.

Was only put onto PPRuNe yesterday and having now read the info in several of the boards wished it was years ago I found it.

I am about to put in again for Military Aircrew and was hoping some people about the place might have some inside info on what 'exactly' the military are looking for in their officers.

I have already sat and passed to the highest levels (Level 1 & Gauss 12) the pilot specific aptitude testing, but fell over in the officer interview.

Prior to my last testing I had taken the liberty of contacting around half a dozen or so operational RAAF pilots seeking info on what they believed the recruiting officers were likely to ask. As my luck would have it, I ended up with an Army officer who grilled me to within an inch of my life on topics I just had not prepared for - given my inside goss.

I wish at all costs to avoid a repeat performance of my last venture and would like to hear your input on the not so obvious qualities required of military officers. Particularly from the guys who read these boards who have already passed this step in recruitment.

I promised myself a long time ago during work experience with the RAAF that my flight in a CT-4 trainer wouldn't be the last time I ever sat in one of those birds. Given this, Tamworth and the PSA are firmly within my sights as an immediate goal.

Any thoughts or feedback on the officer aspect would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys.

Karhu

[TheNightOwl]

Just a thought, Karhu, but I feel you might be better served moving this post to the "OTHER AIRCREW FORUMS" - "MILITARY AIRCREW" forum, there it would be read by a wider range of experiences.

Good luck in your endeavours, don't be put off by the snide comments you will undoubtedly encounter!

Kind regards,

TheNightOwl. :ok:

[Pass-A-Frozo]

Here's not too bad either.. Military Aircrew forum is predominantly UK Military.

I reckon the main thing is just don't B*ll$h^t them.. if you don't know the answer to something ... say so..

[Karhu]

Took the liberty of throwing the thread on the Military Aircrew board as well.

Was in two minds whether to do it previously as I didn't want to get brained for having multiple threads of the same content on different boards.

Anyway it's there now.

cheers,

Karhu

[Di_Vosh]

Hey Karhu,

Are you wanting to join the RAAF (Hornets, F111's?) or the Army or Navy (various helo's?). The officer requirements will be different for each arm.

Further, if you're wanting to join the army, is it as an SSO (basically a pilot who is also an officer) or as a GSO (a "real" officer)? Again, the interviews will be different, as the expectations are different.

(My experience is with the army)

In any case, in your interviews be absolutely honest! Do not lie about anything, and if you don't know an answer; say so. If you try to second guess an interview panel (i.e. try to be someone that you're not) they will catch you out. After all, you'd only be the thousandth person to try.

Good luck.

[Keg]

Try the Defence Force Careers forum (http://www.aafc.adfc.gov.au/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=39) on the Australian Air Force Cadets Bulletin Board (http://www.aafc.adfc.gov.au/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi).

The forum is visited by RAAF recruiting personnel as well as pilots and trainee pilots in the ADF. There will be lots of gen there on being an 'officer'. Also, I also suggest calling your local RAAF Recruiting centre and asking for the contact details of a pilot at a base near you so you can call and have a chat. You want to talk to a Flying Officer or Pilot Officer- IE, someone not long out of 2FTS.

Hope that helps.

[Karhu]

Therein lies the problem guys.

As you will be no doubt aware, a candidate pilot for ADF service is no longer assessed specifically according to their preferred service.

A candidate pilot can potentially find themselves in any of the three services depending upon demand - preferences aside.

That is the biggest point of contention for me thus far. Because you could end up anywhere, you really do have to know the in's and out's and operational requirements of all three services - including officer qualities, duties and responsibilities.

That's where I'm trying to go to school a little on the experiences of those of you who have already been through the recruiting officer interview and, ultimately, the final panel.

As per your suggestions, I have already been in contact with several operational pilots (ranging from 2FTS grads - FLTLT) to obtain feedback and this is where it starts to get confusing. For RAAF requirements I thought I had it pretty much covered, but the Army recruiting officer who got a hold of me was questioning me on things that I was not told to research and know.

To answer your question Di_Vosh. My first preference is and always has been the RAAF, but I would be equally happy flying a helo in either the Navy or Army as an SSO.

cheers, Karhu

[griffinblack]

It seems like the best COA is to find out and research as much information as you can about all the services. Perhaps you could obtain magazines/papers such as Navy/Army news. Research on the net. Ask recruiting. Read the papers. Phone up Sqn’s and schools – 723 Sqn, SAA, AHS and operational Sqn’s.

And the last piece of advice – be yourself in the interview. If you put on an act or try to second guess the “right” answer you will blow it.

[Keg]

You're welcome Karhu. :ok: :D

[Waypoint 74]

G,day Karhu

I had my interview under the old single service system where you were going for the service of your choice, in my case direct entry RAAF. The interview panel had 2 pilots & a female psych (civillian).
One pilot asked questions strictly about a/c, ie What engines does a Hornet have? Number of Squadrons/Roles/Locations/plans for future bases etc, the other pilot asked officer related questions only and the psych, family/life experience questions interspersed with stuff like, count back from 109 in lots of 7!!??
As said before, be honest in answering there questions and if you don't know something just say so, quite often I think there just looking for answers with integrity. I don't think there's a set formula for success, certainly a bit of luck is involved as with any recruitment process. I can't lend much advice for the current tri-service process. I was nervous as heck for the interview but somehow got a guernsey!!
Hope this can be of some assistance. Good Luck - hope you get a gig!
W74 :ok: