Officer Training
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: UK
Age: 55
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: iPSWICH
Age: 41
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I want to become an officer in the regiment but want to go to the AFCO clued up with respect to what to expect and how it all works. I am also looking for information on what I need to know so that at the AFCO they don't delay my application in any way. Basically I was looking at going to Sandhurst but the RAF is more appealing. I would be grateful for any advice
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Usually on Earth
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The site that Rev linked to above is a good starting point - I too am applying to the RAF and have read through that site before. It'll only take you 30 minutes or so to read through everything on the site and it'll give you a great idea of what you'll need to do when you get to OASC.
Try and talk to some pilots too, get in contact with your nearest base and see if you can arrange a visit etc. Not only will they be able to give you advice about getting in, but they'll be able to tell you what it's like once you are actually in!
From what I can ascertain, motivation is a big part of getting accepted - if you can prove you've put in the legwork then they'll be much more impressed. Don't aim to do enough to "pass", aim to excel. Training is tough (even tougher if you want to fly FJ) and they need to know you won't fold under the pressure, and can push yourself to succeed.
This info comes from someone as inexperienced and new to it all as yourself however, so don't take what i say as gospel! This is just from what I have picked up from talking to ex/current RAF and my own researching. Unfortunately I am only really going to get one stab at this (I am so old my bones are creaking - 22, coming on 23!) so I am doing everything I can to give myself the best chance - I would suggest you treat it as though you only have the one opportunity too, it's a great motivation factor!
Try and talk to some pilots too, get in contact with your nearest base and see if you can arrange a visit etc. Not only will they be able to give you advice about getting in, but they'll be able to tell you what it's like once you are actually in!
From what I can ascertain, motivation is a big part of getting accepted - if you can prove you've put in the legwork then they'll be much more impressed. Don't aim to do enough to "pass", aim to excel. Training is tough (even tougher if you want to fly FJ) and they need to know you won't fold under the pressure, and can push yourself to succeed.
This info comes from someone as inexperienced and new to it all as yourself however, so don't take what i say as gospel! This is just from what I have picked up from talking to ex/current RAF and my own researching. Unfortunately I am only really going to get one stab at this (I am so old my bones are creaking - 22, coming on 23!) so I am doing everything I can to give myself the best chance - I would suggest you treat it as though you only have the one opportunity too, it's a great motivation factor!
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by browning
I want to become an officer in the regiment but want to go to the AFCO clued up with respect to what to expect and how it all works. I am also looking for information on what I need to know so that at the AFCO they don't delay my application in any way. Basically I was looking at going to Sandhurst but the RAF is more appealing. I would be grateful for any advice
The best thing to do is try to get a visit to an RAF Regt Sqn. The AFCO should be able to help arrange this. In essence, by time you get to OASC, you want to be able to go into the interview and talk about where the RAF Regt are based, where they train, what their role is in very broad terms, how they are structured in very broad terms (Sqns, Wgs etc). Also, if you can have a rough understanding of how you career is likely to develop (Eg, Basic Trg, Flt Cdr, GDT, Sqn Ops Offr, Instructor, Joint Posting, Staff tour, Promotion) it would demonstrate that you haven't just wandered in off of the street and thought "I fancy being a soldier in a blue uniform".
Your best port of call is the AFCO, they are there to help and will send you to OASC when they think you are ready. I don't know how old you are, however, if you are under 23 don't worry about rushing, the next JROC starts in Jan and you won't get through the system by then. If everything goes smoothly for you, the JROC after that starts towards the end of 2007 so you still have a bit of time to play with.
Talk to a pilot if you want, I've never got any sense out on one in the 10 years I have been in the RAF. You'll only end up looking on trying to stifle your giggles as they do a good impression of Goose in Top Gun "We turn this way, he turn that way, Maverick said where'd he go, I said where'd who go....." (Insert appropriate waving of hands to simulate air to air combat etc)
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
You are not too far from the depot at RAF Honington, you could even try calling direct in advance of any formal acquaint courses. If goes without saying that you are fit?
You mentioned Sandhurst. That will be a certain question at OASC and one for which you will have a cracking answer.
You mentioned Sandhurst. That will be a certain question at OASC and one for which you will have a cracking answer.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Norwich, UK
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Heres a post which you may or may not find useful. More aircrew orientated than Regt funnily enough but might be some crossover.
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...highlight=OASC
Edit: Some of the IOT course info may be out of date as I think the course has changed to 30 weeks, new structure, content etc. Specifics on what the course entails will be better coming from someone 'in the know'. Sorry.
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...highlight=OASC
Edit: Some of the IOT course info may be out of date as I think the course has changed to 30 weeks, new structure, content etc. Specifics on what the course entails will be better coming from someone 'in the know'. Sorry.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Up there somewhere
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: iPSWICH
Age: 41
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thats great thanks for the heads up. Explaining the Sandhurst thingy should be ok. My brother is already in the regiment so he has told me certain things but planning to go to the AFCO next week. Fitness isn't a problem.
Passed my RCB (sandhurst selection) last year but my Speed distance time calcs will need some work
Passed my RCB (sandhurst selection) last year but my Speed distance time calcs will need some work
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Scotland
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Raf Regt
An important part of the selection with the apes is the banana eating test, try to get some practice in, if you bite your own fingers whilst under pressure, they will fail you........
(Before you start stalking me, I have the greatest of respect for the rocks!)
(Before you start stalking me, I have the greatest of respect for the rocks!)
Last edited by side salad; 9th Aug 2006 at 14:11. Reason: beer eyes
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by side salad
An important part of the selection with the apes is the banana eating test, try to get some practice in, if you bite your own fingers whilst under pressure, they will fail you........
(Before you start stalking me, I have the greatest of respect for the rocks!)
(Before you start stalking me, I have the greatest of respect for the rocks!)
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Salad,
Noted.
I shall put your chit in the pile that includes, I have a cut on my hand, my knees click when I adopt the kneeling position, and, a personal favourite, I can't go in the chamber because my son has Asthma!
Noted.
I shall put your chit in the pile that includes, I have a cut on my hand, my knees click when I adopt the kneeling position, and, a personal favourite, I can't go in the chamber because my son has Asthma!
