Liklihood of RAF Aircrew to Officer?

[BigHeadNuts]

Hi,

I am currently in the process of applying for the RAF as NC Aircrew.

Could anyone tell me the possibility of becoming an Officer later in an RAF career? For example has it ever been heard of for a WSOp to become a WSOfficer?

I know i am not even in the Force yet but i would still like to know my prospects and this has been a question i have long been wondering the answer to.

Any help would be great,
Keep up the good work guys,
Thanks.

[Mightycrewseven]

BigHeadNuts

Firstly, good luck with your NCA application. I spent many happy years in the WSOp fraternity (admittedly, some not so happy!)

Once you become an established WSOp then apply to become a WSO. There are current WSO (AEO's) and WSO (ALM's) all commissioned from the respective WSOp branches. However, the RAF in their incredulous wisdom, have stopped Commissioning into these branches. Therefore, the only WSO branch left open to all NCA is WSO (Nav).

So, you can either join as a WSOp now and try and compete for a WSO (Nav) space later on in your career (bearing in mind that the branch is getting smaller and smaller each year), or you apply for WSO (Nav) now, see how you get on and have WSOp as a fall back if you don't make it. Either way, both jobs are exceptionally rewarding.

Unfortunately the RAF is not what it used to be (as you may gather from the tones of other ppruners in some of the threads in this forum) however, you have to make the best of it. Besides it beats having to work for a living :E

Hope this helps

MC7 Sends

[movadinkampa747]

Why not go for Pilot if you have the right qualifications.

[DaveyBoy]

Hallo, BigHeadNuts
For example has it ever been heard of for a WSOp to become a WSOfficer?
Most certainly. It used to be relatively common on the Kipper Fleet, as they required a steady stream of AEOps to be commissioned and become AEOs. This has died down recently, as the imminent introduction of the, er, Nimrod 2000 [is that right? - ed] has meant that PTC has been loathe to create any more AEOs. There are recent examples of Nimrod WSOps who have been commissioned into the Pilot or WSO(Navigation) branches, but all things considered it's probably easier to become a pilot or navigator straight from civvy street, as then the RAF only has to train you as a stick monkey or nav, as opposed to recruiting and training someone to fill your NCO Aircrew slot and then train you as a stick monkey or nav.


So... why do you ask? If you ultimately want to be a WSO, you may be better applying as one and waiting until you're accepted instead of joining as a WSOp first.


I believe that a small number of the WSOp(Crewman) trade [that's an Air Loadmaster, then - ed] are commissioned now and then... perhaps some of my 2 Gp or rotary bretheren can give more information on that?


Dave

[BigHeadNuts]

Thanks for all the your help and advice guys,

Il take in all on board and have a think.

Thanks again,
BHN

[Mach2]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news , but there is no longer an option for a WSOp to be commissioned within his/her trade specialisation (ALM/AEO or whatever) - WSO is NOT a commissioned WSOp, it is a totally different branch. If a WSOp wants a commission, he/she has to apply for another branch, (which could be WSO or even pilot if the aptitude scores are ok) and compete for vacancies with everyone else.:\