Considering joining the RAF after college, or going to UNI first

[JOF01]

Hello everyone,

First of all I apologise if this is the wrong forum I didn't quite understand which one was best.

I am 18 and in Year 13 at college studying Music and Media. I'm at the step where I have to choose my next path, and my dream job since I was young was to be a pilot. I've recently been reading up in EVERYTHING you need to join the RAF, as part of the Aircrew, and have seen there are several different roles available.

Both the roles I'm interested in (Pilot and WSOp) both require a B in English and Maths at GCSE, I only have grades C - but I do have a B in physics. My BMI is within the guidelines, but I know I need to get my fitness up before applying.

My UNI choice is to study Media and Communications based around a modern foreign language for 3 years.

So, finally (after my long introduction), my question is - do I go to Uni and get my degree and have a boring office job, or do I retake my GCSE's in maths and English, get my fitness up, and join OR go to UNI, retake my GCSE's and then join the RAF. :confused:

If anyone replies, thank you for your advice on advance!

Cheers :ok:

[Pontius Navigator]

Right forum but wrong thread. Look at the OASC sticky where you will find lots of advice.

Regardless of your decision for direct entry or post-graduate you need that GSCE first.

If you then decide on direct entry then university remains a fall back. Go the other route and you gain some life skills first.

[Toadstool]

Hi JOF01

Firstly, possibly before some of the less tolerant members of PPrune get on here, good luck with what you do.

You mention that you have always wanted to be a Pilot, but that you are happy to accept another role as Aircrew. Everything you need to help you prepare is at the sticky at the top of this forum. There are some excellent tips etc.

I would encourage you, based on your dreams, to concentrate on getting your grades up to the standard required. This would also give you time to improve on your fitness. Once you have done this, apply in the usual way. This would only postpone University for a year. After a year, you can apply to Uni and also apply for pilot/WSOp at the same time.

I can assure you that, should you be successful with your dreams, you will have a lifestyle and career of which others can only dream. Yes the RAF is not what it was, but with new/relatively new and future aircraft types the future is exciting.

[Force For Good]

I would suggest that you take a year out before going to uni to achieve the extra grades you need, possibly at a college.

You don't sound like you need to re-take too much so make the most of the year, you could even do an extra subject that interests you for any potential plan b) such as starting a language.

Take up a new team sport, or get active in another way which you can use at OASC to demonstrate your determination and commitment. Team activities come across very well on application. Perhaps even consider something like the Duke of Edinburgh Award. This will all help with the fitness too (which really isn't too tough given a few months of hard work).

Join the ATC if you aren't a member already. (I joined when I was 18 specifically because I regretted not doing it when I was younger and to gain a little insight into the RAF, not withstanding that I knew it would at least look like I put some effort in prior to OASC.)

Remember also that you can still apply to the RAF when you finish uni, or before, but with an offer to start with the RAF when you finish uni. Furthermore, plenty of people these days join the RAF without a degree but complete one with the Open University or similar during their military career (the military even puts a significant amount of money forward to help with this).

[Mal Drop]

Having bailed from uni to join up I'd suggest the degree before joining. You'll have the time to work on the sorts of skills needed for a successful application and could get a 'taster' with a UAS.

[unclenelli]

Music & Media do not seem to be the right subjects for a future pilot!


If you'd have taken maths & physics at Uni, then yes, but I'd say you'd be best entering as Admin/A1/J1 - use your quals in your favour!

You're prob too old for ATC, so I'd suggest joining UAS if available, if not, then a local ATC as an instructor (it comes with training)



Otherwise, if RAF is your ultimate goal, then consider lowering your sights and join as an Airman, to work your way up.

That's what I envisaged 20+yr ago, but I would then I'd have been in the bracket for redundancy in 2011. Thankfully I joined as an AC and have worked my way up - I still have a secure job!!

[Wander00]

ISTR a Lightning jock with a degree in music - he seemed to do OK, but maybe other subjects could be more relevant.......

[downsizer]

Unless applying for engineer, legal or medical branches type of degree is wholly irrelevant to the raf today.

[Dave Sharpe]

Hi---I became a member of the Royal Air Force as a Potential Engineering Officer while at University--I learnt a lot from other student Members and the Permanent Staff at the University Air Squadron about the ways of the Service through Flying Weekends and the Summer Camps which were spent spent on active units which really stood me well on my first posting after the Cranwell Training--In my time there were many Aircrew Officers who had degrees that were out of the so called mainstream-University in not just about the education but the whole experience---You will get some negative comments here but if that is your aspiration just go for it ---Good luck--
And I should say thanks to all who taught or guided me in the early years

[Jollygreengiant64]

Or you could go the RN Rating aircrew route like me, and be useful while you fly:ok:. Sorry chaps:E.

But seriously, I was in exactly your situation with regard to GCSE grades, I could have gone back to get them easily. Like you I had always been RAF orientated, But finished my passable A levels right when the cuts came in and the recruitment dried up (Nimrod gone:mad:).

I got my head down at work and saved up a bit of money, waiting. I heard about , and applied for RN direct entry Aircrew (2 GCSE above grade C!!). It will be coming up on 1 year since that day by the time I start in Feb, assuming my Flight Medical clears. It could have been about half of that if personal circumstances had permitted.

As It stands I will get exactly the same, if not better, job as a crewman on either the RM or ASW Merlin as the RAF. For a negligible, but not insignificant drop in pay and rank, it's still the amazing job that flying ever was. I will say this though: The RAF applicants I have met with over the past few months have had extra hurdles to overcome, for instance I haven't had to undergo OASC, and the lack of leadership experience has shot them down. I haven't had to contend with that, and I really would recommend looking into the Navy for a career.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do and if you want any more information you're welcome to PM me.

[Bob Viking]

I'm a bit late to the party but please allow me to add my thoughts.

Firstly your choice of A levels and Degree are basically irrelevant as long as you can explain why you chose them (a reason more compelling than having a crush on the music teacher would be a good idea!). The way you carry yourself at interview will count for far more than what subjects you chose to take.

To give you an idea my A levels were in Maths and PE and my grades were rubbish. My degree was in Sports Studies and Primary Education. Either the OASC staff saw something in me at interview or there was a paperwork error but I was selected for pilot at my first attempt.

As for the GCSE grades it appears there is no way around it so I would suggest a re-take to put the matter to bed.

Motivation is key if you want to pursue it as a career. Therefore get cracking with anything that will help you. There's no harm in applying at the end of your A levels. If you get in then problem solved. If not then you can head off to university knowing you have a second chance.

There are pros and cons to either route. Entering the RAF at a younger age has worked for many people I know and can lead to a more rosy career due to your relative age when you reach promotion boards. Conversely the experience gained at university may stand you in excellent stead and will provide a back up plan.

Whatever you decide upon don't rely on others to make your decision for you. Give it your best shot and don't give up until you are told to bugger off.

Finally don't let people on here grind you down. This is just a chat forum. Some advice will be good and some will be rubbish. Who knows where my contribution will rest. The RAFCO will have the definitive answers you seek.

Best of luck regardless.

BV:ok:

[Pontius Navigator]

Downsizer, to a degree :), however my daughter, with a history degree, says that a BSc was preferred for Loggies though her BA hasn't held her back. BV has the size of it - be coherent at interview.

[The Old Fat One]

Since we are chipping in here...

Hi.

I've done the PSOC (the course the RAF use to train/select OASC personnel), worked with DORIS (department of recruitment and selection) and worked within the recruitment funnel.

Lots of good advice above and in other related threads...so I will restrict myself to one, hopefully key, piece of advice.

When during your interview you get to say this...

and my dream job since I was young was to be a pilot.

You WILL be asked to substantiate it. Think about how you are going to answer that and remember you will be competing with lads and lassies who WILL have logged many hours in gliders and light aircraft since they were knee high to a grasshopper.

I'm not saying that is the be all and end all of selection...I'm saying its a hugely competitive process and you will need to walk the walk as well as talk the talk.