GPMG

Hi,
I realise that there is another thread regarding Wsop here but I don't want to hijack it with my questions.

I have checked the requirements for this role and was quite interested to note that the upper age is 36. Now being an ex bootneck at 34 this perked my ears up so to speak.

Now being an idiot at school and only caring about joining the Corps I didn't put any effort in and I only attained one GCSE at C grade or above (Chemistry). However my Namet is 5/5, would this count towards the Maths and English or would I need to do a crash course to get the two remaining GCSE’s?

I was talking to my brother a couple of months ago and mentioned that one of my regrets was that I didn’t try for a transfer to the RAF as a loadmaster (seemed to be several lads doing it at the time).

Is this some kind of pipe dream? Am I destined to continue the dull task of managing teams in IT for the rest of my career?
Or could I be purchasing a pair of Ray-Bans soon (or whatever it is that Crewmen wear)?

timex

GPMG, you could always re-join the Corps and ask to go Junglie crewman!

Tiger_mate

Rumour Control or Careers Information Office? ...think about it.

FWIW I do not think that you stand a chance without the minimum educational requirements, and you would not be the first mature student striving to fill the gaps. I have not heard the 36 year old upper limit but I do know that people over 30 find the course...shall we say: Challenging, both physically and mentally.

You do need to visit a RAFCIO, and you do need to convince the staff therein to make a few phone calls regarding lateral recruitment even though you have left the service. Please do not forget though that we are critically short staffed, not desperate!

Wader2

GPMG,

There was an AAC WO door gunner who wanted to transfer across a couple of years back. It got as far as OASC (after he had been led down the garden path) and he was rejected on age ground IRRC.

Similarly the Maths/English bit is also immutable. There was one applicant with a degree but no GCSE in English and Maths. He was also rejected.

Best you ask the AFCO.

ramp_up

GPMG,
Just a quick one reading some of your previous quotes. Why are you considering joining the SH Fleet, when you claim that the RAF will only turn up when it's not raining. Clearly you are very mis-informed, currently it is the heavy callsigns that are taking and drawing most of the enemy fire when picking up IRT casualities not the AH. Not putting the AH down they do a fantastic job; I have relied on their airborne skill a number of times in the last few years, whilst underfire picking up injured Booties ot Toms. Haven't had any complaints from any of our customers. To put it blunt best you dry your eyes or take a hike.

GPMG

ramp_up, wind your neck in sunshine.
Those comments are reference to the amount of times that we were due a RAF Puma pick-up in South Armagh yet ended up yomping back in due to supposed poor weather (what seemed to be drizzle). However if we ever had a Sea King pick-up we were pretty definite that it would turn up.

If during the pre patrol brief, we were advised that it would be by Puma there would be groans all round the room, if it was Sea King we knew that we could plan for after the patrol and it was smiles all round.

On the other hand one of my most enjoyable rides was in the back of a Chinook leaving NTH for the last time, very pleased to see tha back of that grotty little pit.

Those comments are part of what is called banter, perhaps you need to look it up someday, might stop you getting all precious and throwing hissy fits.

Regarding the other posts, thank you for the comments both positive and negative, as well as the supportive PM's. It has given me a lot to think about, although I would have to pull my finger out if I was to go for it.

cheers

moosemaster

I think the best advice has already been given, but for what it's worth, as my old grandad used to say;

"When you look back on your life, you should only regret the things you DID do, never the things you DIDN'T do!"

Judge Rembrandt

GPMG,
Ask, and Ye Shall Receive
Ye Have Not, Because Ye Ask Not

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

here endeth the first lesson!

See your pms
Kind regards,
JR

Seldomfitforpurpose

GPMG,

Admittedly almost 20 years ago but I was 31 when I remustered to ALM and did not and still don't have a single cse/gcse/o level/ a level to my name.

I had spent almost 14 years as an avionics technician and had reached the rank of Sgt before, like you I had the feeling there was more to life out there.

I was advised to contact Finningly/Biggin Hill as it was then and let them make the decision based on my previous service history. They decided that because I was a "techie" that exempted me from the maths and science requirements and because I achieved a merit pass in the old Comm's skill's exam that took care of the english so the ALM powers that be at RAF Finningly agreed that I could give the selection process at Biggin Hill a try....................and the rest is history

I am not sure who now would be best to contact at Cranwell, maybe someone on here can help but as it worked that way for me maybe as you are in a similar situation that would be your best chance of getting a definitive yes or no

Whatever best of luck......................although having spent 2 and a bit years on the plastic pursuit ship schneebling round in the mainly awful weather that is South Armagh I ought to say **** you ungrateful barsteward.....................

AC Trainee

Hello, I am presentley at RAF Halton at RTS. I think that I may have made a mistake in my choice of career. I am going to be trained as an ICT Specialist. Anyway I would like to know if it is possible to change jobs at this stage to train as a WSOp. I have all the necessary qualifications. I would have posted this on egoat but this is an aircrew forum and I guess this is where the proper information is likely to be gleaned. I have looked into the job of WSOp and am fully up to speed. I have also looked at the thread at the top of the page , but I saw this one running so I thought I would ask. Any help would be well helpful Thankyou

shandyman

AC Trainee: Check your PM's (Private Messages) and all will be revealed.

klubman

As the Judge says, if you don't ask you don't get.

On the last Thursday of each month 55(R) Sqn holds a 'wannabee' day for all those interested in WSOp training. Get your name down for one of those (Cranwell ext 6699) and they should be able to answer your questions regarding qualifications, etc. As a former WSOp Course Commander I know that quite a few have transferred from other branches, and also that the requirements for GCSE's, etc. can be flexible if the candidate is a good prospect.

Just remember, though, that it is a common course initially, and that SH Crewman is not a garaunteed slot come the streaming.

Hope this helps, and good luck!