RAF Interview!

[Martin4]

I received a letter today inviting me up to the AFCO for a interview for the FOA job!!

Just wondering what kind of stuff i should be learning and reading up on?

So far iv been researching General RAF Info (motto, who created it and when, number of personnel, number of aircraft, who the CAS and asst CAS is etc etc), aircraft, the variants of the aircraft and what there role is, where the aircraft is based, stuff about initial training, stuff about trade training (not much information on that one actualy...) and finaly RAF deployments (could do to find more about that one to...)

So, is there anything else i should be reading up on?


Also, the job is open on a competition, anyone know if the FOA job needs a lot of people to join?


Many thanks,
Martin

[enginesuck]

I think if your able to blink and breathe at the same time you have a good chance of getting the job

[Martin4]

LOL,speedy reply, ill interpret that as iv learned enough yes...

Is there anyone that could tell me what other deployments and involvements the RAF are currently in, dont need to go into detail, ill search it on google.

So far iv only got:
War in Iraq & Afganistan - Aircraft type and there role, and the RAF Reqiment squadron.
The Balkans/Bosnia - Meteorogical, Bomb Disposal, Tactical Medical and Supply wings personnel.
Northern Ireland - No. 203 Puma Squadron and No. 3 RAF Regiment Squadron
The Falkland Islands - Aircraft - C17, Herc, Tristar, VC10, Tornado F3 fighter, Sea King and a Chinook all based at Mount Plesant

[sirsaltyhelmet]

Originally Posted by Martin4

Also, the job is open on a competition, anyone know if the FOA job needs a lot of people to join?

If you are good enough on interview you will get an offer. It isn't just one job slot Martin, there will be numerous places available within the trade

[teeteringhead]

That's 230 Pumas in NI ..[possibly 2 finger typing trouble]

[enginesuck]

General knowledge about whats happening in the Raf is all well and good, though from what i remember what they'll want to know more about is you, to figure out your suitability for military life - which is something you cant really gen up on - good luck though let us know how you get on dude.

[Martin4]

Originally Posted by teeteringhead

That's 230 Pumas in NI ..[possibly 2 finger typing trouble]

Yeah its a type error

[Motleycallsign]

Timmy Tristar now no longer on South Atlantic schedule due to more pressing engagement to the east of Waterloo - just to update your folder.

[Skeleton]

If you can blink and breathe at the same time as counting to 10...sorry 5, cut out the middle man and go for Ops Officer m8

[Molesworth Hold]

I wouldn't get too stressed about your knowledge of the RAF. Since you have finally decided to join as a Flight Ops Assistant you may wish to ask the AFCO to try and arrange a visit to a Station where you can see the type work that you will be doing and talk to some of the people doing it.

Without questioning your motives for joining or to examine the motives of those already in, I would suggest that the subject of aviation lags somewhere behind football, alcohol and sex.

[JAG3]

Go to the RAF website, it will tell you where in the world they are deployed and with what strength, they will also provide good info on each aircraft. Also look through the search engines to find the roles they played in certain areas. By the way what made you pick FOA?

Good Luck

[Martin4]

Skeleton - Cant join as FOO, dont have the GCSE's.

JAG3 - With the limited choice due to qualifications, FOA seemed to be the best choice i could make, and closest to flying/flight operations/ATC as my options could allow. Id also like to be a civi airline pilot after the RAF, and, with some advice from Scroggs on the forum and other ex RAF and current RAF serving lads, this was the way to go

Thanks for the replys so far guys ,
Martin.

[JAG3]

Sorry to hear about the qualifications, would you ever think about resitting any exams to gain qualifications or are you too old. Good luck to whatever you do and hopefully you might get a chance to be commissioned during your career for ATC. I'm reading through the airmen careers booklet now (though i'm going for officer) and have found some other interesting roles eg. air cartographer and intelligence analyst.

Also good to hear from someone as young as 17 like myself on here.

[Roadster280]

Lads,

Spot on for effort. I'd just advise you to have an eye on the future, and not to "pigeon hole" onesself too much. Air cartographer is all well and good, but how many postings for them are there? 1 AIDU I bet, (Northolt), after that...?

Intelligence analyst? Great, fantastic job, sexy secrets et al, but what about when the time comes to hang up the uniform? If you are planning to join "for life", as it were, then it doesn't matter how obscure your trade is. But if there's any possibility you might leave in time for a second career then I would advise keeping your options open in terms of trade selection.

Also have an eye to what might happen in the future. 15 years ago, we had many Military Hospitals. Now there are none. So all those military medical trades got seriously thinned out. Just as an example.

[JAG3]

Roadster, I was only giving some other roles for Martin and it's not me going for any trades.

[Roadster280]

Like I said, spot on for effort lads.

[Martin4]

Thanks again guys.

JAG3 - Yeah id really like to do exams (not a re-sit, didnt do them in the first place, was bullied at school and left early)
As far as im aware i can do GCSE's and things in the RAF cant i....

EDIT:

Just reading through the page they gave me titled "Questions you should be able to answer"
I wondered if anyone could help me here, some i think i know the answers but id like to be sure:

1 - "Explain your rights of discharge"
2 - "What is reserve service"
3 - "How long is it for"
4 - "At what point do you formally join the RAF"
5 - "After assestation can you change your trade" (the AFCO say you cant change trade... but people already serving have told me you can... so in the interview is it best to say you cant change trade or?)

Thanks,
Martin

[JAG3]

Sorry to hear about the bullying, awful thing to happen but I would think like the navy you still could do GCSE's and other qualifications because my cousin in the navy is presently going towards A levels and he received hardly any qualifications like yourself. Regarding the questions I would do a google search but I think the reserve service is just the Royal Auxillary Air Force and do you not formally join when you swear the Oath.

Hope i'm right and Good Luck

[Martin4]

aha, thanks for that DS!! just what i wanted, thanks a lot!

[enginesuck]

Of course, once you are in, you have every chance to better yourself by applying for NCA/Commissioned Service if you wish and are qualified.


Better yourself ????

So there is a Master Race then ???!!

Why would i be bettering myself to become NCA or commissioned?