RAF Re-branch

[QJK05]

Unfortunately I'm facing re-branching to a ground trade (due loss of medical) and as yet have little idea as to what's ahead. I know that a number of aircrew and trainees are heading the same way at the mo due to various reasons, and hope that someone can enlighten me as to what the process is (other than a trip to OASC a la No1s) and a likely timescale. I've been drifting around in the system for far too long and my only hope now is that there's a desk somewhere with my name on it!
Cheers
QJK05

[BigGrecian]

After your paperwork is back from PMA, it is sent to OASC where you are given an interview by Sqn Ldr Re-selection. This is informal where he advises you on the state of the Air Force etc (Don't let him dis-hearten you) and where you stand etc. Your then given 5/6 weeks to look round the Air Force, at any branch you wish, with certain "suggestions"(I.e if you wish to be considered for re-selection in these branches-you need to visit these locations) of places to look for certain branches. About a week into this you'll receive a date for your ORB(Officers Re-selection board) with some information on how you can claim the journeys you've made etc, and what to expect. About a week before this date you have to send back some forms, with your three choices, or if you want to VW the relevant sections filled in. Off to OASC at 0815(They recommend No 2s now rather than No 1s especially at this time of year) for a Height/weight check, quick chat with the Sqn Ldr Re-selection, before having your interview. There is no set format for the interview, but they tend to focus only on your time in the RAF and your motivation for joining. They have been known to ask info on current affairs so brush up. The Gp Capt watches on the CCTV and then after lunch(sometimes before) your called to see the Gp Capt who asks you a few questions then advises you of what branch you have been re-selected for.
Be aware that places in all branches are limited at the moment but they've already spent money on you and (should) have proved your worth to RAF in past so they're likely to offer you something but whether it will be your first choice is another matter.
Good Luck!
Feel free to PM me if you want further info.

[Spotting Bad Guys]

It happened to me too....and a few sage words would not have gone amiss at the time.

Preparation: Have an idea of which area you want to work in. Ops? Engineering? Supply/Logs? Admin? Each has its merits and career promotion opportunities. If you want to stay near the aircraft I'd suggest Ops or maybe Int would be good choices - but it has to be what you want to do. In these days of cuts and reductions, many of the branches can afford to select very carefully and the proportion of re-selectees to each has diminished. Once you have decided on a couple of choices, find a couple of colleagues/flt cdrs etc who know people in the Branches of your choice - this is by far the easiest way to get to visit places of likely employment in those Branches. When I was a Flt Cdr at the 'Secret Norfolk Airbase That's Not Closing', I would regularly get phone calls from mates along the lines of "I've got this chopped pilot stude who wants to re-select. Can he come and visit? He's a top bloke with the right stuff for your lot." this wold always open the door a little wider!

Visit varied stations and areas of employment i.e. if you want to be an engineer: visit a FJ station and see a Sqn JEngO, visit the bays, go to 2nd Line (if they have it). Visit other stations with different ac types to see how they do it. Visit Wyton (yes, I know - no fun but it's a big part of the Eng role these days). And make sure you get EVERYONE to write something nice to OASC on your behalf. Even something along the lines of "Fg Off Bloggs visited **** on Blah Sep 04, turned up on time, was smartly turned out etc. Visited ** Sqn, AMF etc and impressed all who spoke to him. Bloggs is a good candidate for re-selction to the *** branch." Give the board as much evidence as you can to demonstrate that you are a good officer, that your re-selection was forced upon you, that they HAVE to keep you, and that they should re-select you into a Branch of YOUR choice!


The process can seem very harsh, especially following a 'chop' or medical loss of flying cat. I'd advise you to try to get over your disappointment as soon as you can, because otherwise it will show during your interview and the interview board will home in on it. My board was conducted by a Sqn Ldr and a Wg Cdr. The interview included OASC, DIOT and all of my holding and training posts following graduation from IOT. They went through my IOT reports, highlighting problems and successes, and asking me to comment on various aspects of each. What I think they were looking for was integrity, a willingness to to recognise my failings but to have worked on areas of weakness. One or two points I felt were dealt with particularly harshly, but I stood my ground, argued my case in calm and respectful fashion and - so I found out later - this is exactly what they were loking for. The interview lasted about 90 minutes and was quite challenging throughout. I had absolutely no idea how it had gone, it was that difficult to tell. A colleague who had also gone the process the same day felt the same.

When called in to see the Gp Caot in the afternoon, he immediately relaxed the atmosphere, telling me that he was going to re-select me for another branch, the only difficulty being which! (This was good news as I was married + 2 kids and really didn't want to face civvy street). The rest of the interview was easy; he went through my file, reading out parts of various reports through training - most of which I had never seen and were very illuminating!

Anyway, I've droned on enough. Best of luck matey, if you want any more advice, PM me.

Cheers

SBG:ok:

[Grimweasel]

Just how stiff is the competition in light of the recent cuts? One wonders after making stage two @ Oasc. I hear that pretty much all Officer trades are closed due to the re-trading of serving O's apres the cuts?
What news?

[Big Cheese1]

Hi Grim,

I was just about to ask that very same question as I'm in the same boat as you mate.

I would imagine it very much depends on the branches you're going for, however from the face of it, all branches seem to have put a hold on recruitment.

When were you at OASC?

[BigGrecian]

Unfortunately competition is rather fierce at the moment. However, don't let that put you off. If you've got the right stuff, they'll keep it on file.(Those who have just been through OASC) It does without saying, it does depend on what branch you've applied for, as different branches have different requirements. If you don't get in this time, apply again. That is assuming you really want to join the RAF.:D

[SIKWIZZO]

You can add me to the list too guys! Imagine it, just graduated from XV(R), move to Marham, 2 days before first day on my first squadron - struck down with loss of med cat! Any ideas what is likely to happen from now on in - PMA are very quiet and the clock is ticking louder and louder each day!

Strength and Honour.

SW

[Grimweasel]

Sickwizzo...

Heartfelt sympathy me old! Loss resulting in no flying any trade??

[BigGrecian]

Just a quick note - should the worst come to the worst you need to be aware of QR2905, QR2876 and GAI 6021. They provide information on the financial implications if all should fall through. Basically says that you owe them in certain situations to leave for uniform costs etc, as well as the Officers Tax Allowance.
It swings in roundabouts as to whether they implement it however, depends if you were chopped/downgraded/vw/vw after accepting another branch etc. Best person to speak to is OASC4e (as not to mention names).
Apologies to those who have already seen relevant paperwork.
I hope everyone gets the branches they wish for.
BG

[Snakecharmer]

Think very carefully!

How serious is the medical problem? Would it preclude the issue of a CAA Class One medical? If so, your chosen path seems wise for the moment. If not, and flying is in your blood, I'd suggest at least thinking about civil aviation.

Some of the ground branches are pretty non-welcoming at the best of times and if you'd really rather be flying, there is a chance that you'll never really be content.

But I'm biased... after 17+ yrs in a ground branch, I'm taking my option... to go flying!

[exrotarybooty]

I had to re-branch back in the '80s when I was GD(P)(H) and lost my medical cat.

The re-selection guys couldn't have been more helpful, but dangled the carrot of a 2 year 'special posting' to a job, "You would give your left arm for"!

I had decided to go Supply/Movements, but was very tempted to go for what seemed an extremely interesting opportunity to escape boredom. However, I stuck with my Supply Branch choice, and was then told they were hoping that's what I would decide! :confused:

They still wouldn't tell me what the other job was, as they reckoned I would kick myself for turning it down! :rolleyes:

My first Supply posting, as OC TSF, was to RAF (Full of Helicopters) Odiham, so the posters DO have a twisted sense of humour after all!

I did find later that having a pair of wings as an OC Supply and Movements Squadron on a Tornado Base helped open a lot of crewroom doors that were firmly closed to my predecessor, and made the job a lot easier. Moreover, it was a hell of a lot better than facing civvy street!

Best of luck.

[SIKWIZZO]

exrotarybooty - in total agreement with you on the brevet opening crewroom doors thing - shame the desk officer is already talking about me losing mine!

Grimweasel - looks pretty much like all flying duties are out of the window - although I am exploring certain avenues at the moment....

How would you guys react to an IntO who wears a brevet?

Strength and Honour

SW

[Spotting Bad Guys]

There are few of those around, albeit most are now too senior to be on the front line (SqIntO etc) as the numbers of re-selectees going into the Int Branch has reduced. Your experience in the cockpit would stand you in good stead but at the end of the day, credibility on a squadron is gained by how good you are in your job, rather than the fact you wear a brevet.

Best of luck

SBG

[SmilingKnifed]

The only younger IntOs I know who still wear brevets are those (mostly ex-NCO aircrew) who served on Sqns. The majority of others with a GD background had to surrender brevets due to having not passed CR checks.

I myself have just VW'd from the Int course having been chopped from the Jetstream towards the end. There are some great people in the branch, but I made the choice to keep flying.

I would advise caution with the VW procedure, it is swift and brutal. I'm currently in the situation of being a serving Officer, despite having had my pay suspended since 16 Aug.

Look for me sitting in Mansfield high street if you're ever visiting, you can toss a coin into my SD hat (if they let me keep it!) :ugh:

[SpotterFC]

SIKWIZZO

Can you still get A2G1Z1? If not pse disregard, otherwise have you thought about following the WSOs currently at Boulmer heading for the E3?

Might be worth at least chatting to them - even if you can't ever go flying again they can give you a WSO biased view of the world from the Ops Room - can't for the life of me remember the crewroom number for the CRC there (been posted all of 2 days ago!), but the good old MoD operator might get you through after 4 - 50 attempts!!!

I'll probably get killed for suggesting this and squeezing out yet more FCs but there you go.

[SIKWIZZO]

Hey Guys thanks for the tips - I'm currently A4G3Z5 :mad:
Hoping to get back to A3 and see what might happen. Currently it looks as if ATC and FC are out the window too - as i have one of the two conditions that the RAF are still petrified of! I'm desperate to stay in and keep as near to the sharp end as I can! Please guys keep the advice rolling in! :O

Strength and Honour

SW

P.S. SmilingKnifed might I know you from Lossie me old?

[Training Risky]

SmilingKnifed,

Check your PM's!

Student 13

[Green Meat]

SmilingKnifed

Have you VWd all the way out, or off the course (or is that tantamount to the same thing?) I was under the impression that VWs retained serving status and were paid up until the day that the paperwork was completed at PMA? Don't bet on them letting you keep the hat! (H&S bolleaux and all that)

[SmilingKnifed]

SICKWIZZO, not been to Lossie, but know a lot of guys up there. Keep smiling mate, I hope things pick up for you.

Green Meat, I VW'd completely from the RAF (May) to try commercial flying. I was told to expect 6-9 months of med rehab following a knee reconstruction in June. What I got was a phone call from OC PSF a month after the op (just off crutches!) telling me I was due out in 10 days. Written confirmation arrived after I was due to leave the mob.

I appealed, went to my local MP (Hoon - waste of space) and got a 7 day extension to appeal. I've now heard nothing for 2 weeks, everyone is denying responsibility and my pay was stopped on 16 Aug.

What can I say? I currently find myself unable to start a new job as I can't give a date, not being paid and not starting my ATPL course until next year. Not a happy bunny!

If anyone has any ideas, I'd appreciate a PM. I've held back from starting a thread in the hope that things would be sorted. But this is now beyond a joke.

[frodo_monkey]

SIKWIZZO,

Check your PMs me old!

Frodo_Monkey