The Carrot Has Been Dangled

[Angry Lizard]

After the best part of 19 years in the RAF Regiment and the demise of the branch commission I visited the AFCO yesterday to explore my options regarding a conventional entry commission. During the chat I jokingly mentioned the chances of applying for ALM. To my amazement, and after a phone call to whoever makes the decision, I was told to apply but there would be no guarantees. The fact is I'm 37 yrs old now! Is the branch really that short?

I have wanted to do this since I was a child and did indeed attempt and fail many years ago. There are many questions posted here asking for advice on how to pass OASC etc. I would like to ask the following:

Is there anything going on in the ALM branch that I need to know about?

A very broad question I know but until I can cut away from work to have a natter with some ALMs on squadrons then any advice/pointers/hints/sarcasm/banter posted here will be gratefully accepted.

I hope to be able to speak to some of you in much more pleasant surroundings than when we normally meet at the end of the SCSR sponsored Cornish Camping Holiday.

The Lizard

[rivetjoint]

Regiment Officer is going?

[Training Risky]

No, Regt offrs are not disappearing. What the Lizard means is the end of the 'Branch' commission (only open to 35 year old SNCOs, who got very good terms of service and special salary scales. And I think had to serve up to 55).

That's all gone now, for non-aircrew, there are PCs, SSCs and WO entry (which consists of a week of lectures).

About the ALM jobs:

I am not an ALM, so cannot speak from personal experience. But I know the training is going to become more modular and aircrew cadets at Cranditz will eventually become 'streamed' either RW or ME a lot earlier then usual.

Also there is no ALM anymore. From 1 Apr 03, all graduates (other then pilot) from Shawbury and Cranditz will be awarded the Weapon Systems Officer/Operator brevet. This is a 'crowned' "RAF" + half a wing.
(WSO/WSOp: depends if you are commissioned or not)

WSO will encompass: Navigator, commissioned AirLoadMaster, commissioned Engineer, commissioned AirElectronicsOfficer and commissioned AirSignaller.

WSOp will encompass: SNCO/MACR ALM, Eng, AEOp and AS.

I believe that those currently wearing either a Nav, ALM, Eng, AEOp or AS brevet can continue to wear either the old or the new one.

(I personally think its a bit of a crap idea as the job of a Chinook crewman is very different to that of an Air Signaller on the Nimrod R1: yet they will both wear the same brevet.)

Sorry, I don't know the current age limits.

I hope these insane ravings help.....

good luck.

[Jerry Can]

Take a look at this site there's some good gen on there.

Good luckhttp://www.airmenaircrew.freeserve.co.uk

[Throttle Pusher]

As I was led to understand the the new NCA system, you will join as rear crew, not as an ALM, Air Eng or AEOp. Theoreticaly from May 1st any NCA can apply for a posting to any NCA post regardless of specalisation, so an AEOp can apply for C17 an ALM for Nimrods or Air Eng for Chinook. (I believe a fixed wing ALM is testing the system by asking for an Air Eng job.)
I am prepared to be corrected by those more knowledgable but you could apply wanting to do a loadies job and end up down the back of a Nimrod. :confused:

[Angry Lizard]

yep, the very lucrative branch commission is no more. I have been assured that currently applications for ALM specifically are still being accepted as opposed to the lottery that will soon be in place.

I spoke to the very nice people at 55 Sqn today and have been even further fired up to do this. The general opinion is that should the application be accepted (and I am fully aware that there are many variables that may scupper it) then I could be at OASC sooner rather than later. The carrot is firmly in place approximately 6" in front of my nose and it is wiggling nicely!

Any top tips for this crusty old Rockape?

The Lizard

PS If anyone is open to bribary to get me this opportunity then I shall bring to the bargaining table my full armoury of goodies to tempt you with:

a. Extra gassing sessions as often as you like
b. A double issue of ammunition at next annual shoot

AND as a bonus for the person who helps me the most; the opportunity to take your clothes off and chat to a few of my friends in a small room somewhere!!

I await the rush!

[Judge Rembrandt]

Lizard,
Good luck with your application! TR and TP are broadly correct in what they are saying, however the course structure/fine details/implementation is still 'work in progress'. Some aspects of these proposed changes are very appealing but the level of skill required by many of these specialisations may make the application of this re-structuring a little harder to achieve than some are willing to accept. I hope they have the marketing strategy correctly in place....... I would be interested to hear peoples views on whether they would be willing to 'sign up' not knowing what aircraft/role or their location is likely to be. Indeed, depending upon your streaming, you may find commisioning opportunities as WSO harder to apply for than the currentsituation I will post updates for those interested as more info becomes available.
JR