Engineer Officer
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Engineer Officer
I know some of you will complain as i am not a pilot or what not. but i have a few questions that i would like some help on from people who have experience in this area.
I am in the process of applying for Engineer Officer in the RAF and have to do the usual thing and go to Officer Selection. so far i have learnt that potential engineers do all the same aptitude tests as pilots.
But what are the RAF looking for in people in my situation whilst they are undergoing there selection? do they look at all your aptitude results or do they look at your leadership skills? as after all i am going to be in a management/leadership posistion.
all help will be greatly apreciated. cheers guys
I am in the process of applying for Engineer Officer in the RAF and have to do the usual thing and go to Officer Selection. so far i have learnt that potential engineers do all the same aptitude tests as pilots.
But what are the RAF looking for in people in my situation whilst they are undergoing there selection? do they look at all your aptitude results or do they look at your leadership skills? as after all i am going to be in a management/leadership posistion.
all help will be greatly apreciated. cheers guys
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Herk Erk - what is the relevance of your comment, to someone who is asking about joining as an Engineering Officer?
Why not post your unhelpful comments on the Lyneham Village website, which is full of people who complain about the 'problems' of being near Lyneham but would be up in arms if it was closed?
Why not post your unhelpful comments on the Lyneham Village website, which is full of people who complain about the 'problems' of being near Lyneham but would be up in arms if it was closed?
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Thread gallop
Moving too fast to be thread creep .....
They will be upset when Lyneham has closed as an RAF unit and been taken over by the Army / Open Prison / Asylum centre / pick your own after RAF life /....
However, back to the question. Cranwell give every candidate the tests, someone not applying for aircrew may be suitable for conversion
They will be upset when Lyneham has closed as an RAF unit and been taken over by the Army / Open Prison / Asylum centre / pick your own after RAF life /....
However, back to the question. Cranwell give every candidate the tests, someone not applying for aircrew may be suitable for conversion
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Originally Posted by L1A2
Cranwell give every candidate the tests, someone not applying for aircrew may be suitable for conversion
Obviously aptitude and leadership are paramount. Bear in mind you could be the BENGO on a shift on the largest Sqn in the RAF operating vintage aircraft and commanding up to 70 hairy ar$ed engineers who are probably older and many more qualified than you.
The ability to listen to your experienced seniors, even if you dont use their advice, and then make a balanced (and maybe unpopular) decision is of utter importance. However this does not help you in your interviews!
My advice from the enlisted scums perspective is: Be yourself, think of the 'team' especially their welfare and most of all dont dither
A positive and approachable attitude is well respected by us oily ticks.
Oh and remember the GE is always right and can easily save your ass
The ability to listen to your experienced seniors, even if you dont use their advice, and then make a balanced (and maybe unpopular) decision is of utter importance. However this does not help you in your interviews!
My advice from the enlisted scums perspective is: Be yourself, think of the 'team' especially their welfare and most of all dont dither
A positive and approachable attitude is well respected by us oily ticks. Oh and remember the GE is always right and can easily save your ass
Surely you meant conversion old chap!! Officer material?
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Ha well spotted there rock dove. and 12 twists i am going in on the electrical and comms side instead of the aerosystems. and in terms of qualifications i have a degree in computing and electrical engineering. but like u said some engineers might be more qualified then me but at the end of the day its the 24 weeks of officer training that makes me more qualified then them.
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Originally Posted by dhurst
at the end of the day its the 24 weeks of officer training that makes me more qualified then them.
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Actually, he's quite right, but its best never to tell them that.
Six months of officer training may convert a raw civilian into an officer, but once on the squadron, one must remember that until you're at least a Flight Lieutenant you're still under training...
Six months of officer training may convert a raw civilian into an officer, but once on the squadron, one must remember that until you're at least a Flight Lieutenant you're still under training...
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Blacksheep i think i can agree with you on that one. i might still be a civilian but i grew up with a military background. My father served 22 years in the British Army, my Grandfather was a pilot and my sisters husband is a pilot based at RAF Benson. And i know that dosnt really give me any experience but i kind of know how it all works.
so any more advice for my original question?
so any more advice for my original question?
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Your 24 week course will make you an officer but you need to realise that there is more to leadership than being ''in charge''. When you get to your squadron I suggest you spend time getting to know your NCO's because they will have the experience to keep you out of the poo. Work on your people skills and remember to talk to people, not at them.
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Here's a little story to illustrate my point.
Many moons ago, I was on ops with my Regiment in a badly civil war ravaged country. We had Ptarmigan as the main communications system. The mobile part, SCRA, has two types of equipment, the Central, and the Terminal (ie the user). In our regiment, we had "inherited" 5 or 6 of these Centrals that were badly u/s.
Now in R Signals, there were two types of techs in my day, radio and systems. The systems techs fixed Ptarmigan. Now, out in the field, the systems guys had looked at these Centrals, and failed miserably to fix them. My Regimental Foreman of Signals (equivalent to an RAF JENGO, though a WO), asked me to go look at them. Now as a Radio tech, I could have told him "Sorry sir, but I dont know the first thing about these". Which was true. Or I could have said "OK sir, can do". So I went and sat in the back of these things, and struggled with a mountain of AESPs(~APs), hand cranking diesel generators in -10 conditions. After a day or two, I got three of them working.
The next day, I happened to be on duty bod, during the Regimental management conference. Cue Regt FofS, when it came to his report. "Good news, I have three SCRA Centrals now serviceable. Without the likes of Cpl Roadster, I would be dead in the water." Now the CO knows I was a good egg. Guess what, I got an A confidential.
Wind the clock on several years. I need a favour from Manning & Records (our Innsworth). Who's the big cheese? My old CO. "No problem, Sgt Roadster".
I didn't have to help my Regt FofS, and my old CO didn't have to help me.
Some lessons in there, methinks.
Many moons ago, I was on ops with my Regiment in a badly civil war ravaged country. We had Ptarmigan as the main communications system. The mobile part, SCRA, has two types of equipment, the Central, and the Terminal (ie the user). In our regiment, we had "inherited" 5 or 6 of these Centrals that were badly u/s.
Now in R Signals, there were two types of techs in my day, radio and systems. The systems techs fixed Ptarmigan. Now, out in the field, the systems guys had looked at these Centrals, and failed miserably to fix them. My Regimental Foreman of Signals (equivalent to an RAF JENGO, though a WO), asked me to go look at them. Now as a Radio tech, I could have told him "Sorry sir, but I dont know the first thing about these". Which was true. Or I could have said "OK sir, can do". So I went and sat in the back of these things, and struggled with a mountain of AESPs(~APs), hand cranking diesel generators in -10 conditions. After a day or two, I got three of them working.
The next day, I happened to be on duty bod, during the Regimental management conference. Cue Regt FofS, when it came to his report. "Good news, I have three SCRA Centrals now serviceable. Without the likes of Cpl Roadster, I would be dead in the water." Now the CO knows I was a good egg. Guess what, I got an A confidential.
Wind the clock on several years. I need a favour from Manning & Records (our Innsworth). Who's the big cheese? My old CO. "No problem, Sgt Roadster".
I didn't have to help my Regt FofS, and my old CO didn't have to help me.
Some lessons in there, methinks.
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24 weeks of officer training that makes me more qualified then them.
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I guess you don't have to bother with the last 6 weeks of Officer Training because you already know the way it works then?
30 weeks on IOT at Cranwell now chap.
30 weeks on IOT at Cranwell now chap.
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Originally Posted by maxburner
You might try learning to write in English.
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Officer Qualities ...
Originally Posted by dhurst
"... some engineers might be more qualified then me but at the end of the day its the 24 weeks of officer training that makes me more qualified then them."
If you display one ounce of this attitude at your selection board - I can guarantee that you will be sent packing out the front gates of Cranwell faster than you can say: "I'm not young enough to know everything!"
Be reminded that your academic qualifications, coupled with Officer Training, DOES NOT place you in an immediate position where you are more qualified or, superior to non-commissioned engineers - or for that matter; any other category or mustering.
An attitude such as you have displayed with your comments, will immediately become apparent to those subordinate to you, and to those with whom you are subordinate.
Remember, as an officer, your 'troops' are your number one priority - full stop! Treat them as you would a member of your own family. These are the people who can make you, or break you (sorry about the cliche).
Respect their experience and knowledge base. Use your officer 'skills' to draw upon their collective wealth, in order to make prudent and well informed decisions.
Show an interest in their work and be a 'leader' above all. Make timely decisions and ensure you keep the 'troops' well informed at all times!
Often it is best to keep your ears open and your mouth shut - at least until such time that you actually know something.
You will not gain respect by demonstrating an aire of superiority or cockiness. A degree and a Queen's Commission does not buy respect.
I am an Officer Cadet (OFFCDT) in the RAAF and am currently undertaking training at the RAAF Officers' Training School (OTS).
Previous to this (in my 'other' life), I was a Police Officer where over the years I had the misfortune to meet some Commissioned Officers' who displayed less than admirable leadership traits. Funnily enough, many of these same people ended up falling by the wayside due to identified issues relating to their inability to command. These people were usually promoted rapidly due to possession of outstanding academic ability/qualifications ... but totally lacked CDF !
In other words - these people were promoted well beyond their abilities!
If you are genuine about becoming an RAF Officer, then might I suggest you make the effort to visit a few RAF bases and speak with those people whom you maybe working with in the years to come.
I might recall a recent incident on my Officer Training course, where a trainee ENGO (FLGOFF) was back coursed to week one after failing to convince the Directing Staff that he possessed appropriate RAAF Qualities. This guy is one of the nicest people you could possibly meet, but his attitude was less than desirable. In effect, he has now been put behind 37 weeks! The sheer fact that an Officer trainee possesses a degree is inconsequential on Officer Training courses. I also saw a situation on my course where two medical doctors were nearly back coursed as well!
Start with the basics my friend and learn to pay attention to detail. You could possibly start by addressing the atrocious grammar displayed in your previous threads.
If you want to be an Officer - start now by showing leadership. Lead by example.
Before you can lead, you must learn how to follow.
Cheers,
In Oz
"Common people sleep soundly at night in the knowledge that rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf" - George Orwell
Last edited by Aussie_Aviator; 9th Jul 2006 at 15:49. Reason: HTML coding appears in original post?
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Originally Posted by Aussie_Aviator
Start with the basics my friend and learn to pay attention to detail. You could possibly start by addressing the attrocious grammar displayed in your previous threads.
Otherwise a very well written first post. I agree!