good 1st impression when going into the ATCO

[A330 Dreamer]

Hi,

I'm curious to know if anyone can give any tips how to create best impression/dress code etc when you go into the ATCO to apply to the RAF?

ps - never mind the callsign of A330 Dreamer - change it to typhoon dreamer - its an old callsign!

[LateArmLive]

Wear something smart, get a haircut, good firm handshake, appear confident but not cocky, read up on the RAF/your chosen branch/current affairs.
But you probably knew all this already

Oh, and be prepared for a lot of banter on this thread.................

[Molesworth Hold]

Firstly make sure you are going to the right place I thought it was AFCO (Armed Forces Careers Office.) If you intend going into an ATCO as in Air Traffic Control Officer I believe it's good manners to be "lubed up" beforehand.

[newt]

Trilby hat, tweed jacket and cavalry twill trousers should do the job!!
It did it for me in 1966!!

[Pontius Navigator]

Newt, and a good broadsheet newspaper.

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Wear something smart, get a haircut, good firm handshake, appear confident but not cocky, read up on the RAF/your chosen branch/current affairs.

Yes, and be clean-shaven - stubble/goatees still not welcome in Aunty Betty's Flying Circus. If you're simply going on a fact-finding mission (getting brochures etc), it's not quite so important, but if you're going for an interview, the smarter the better, including polished shoes, ironed shirt and trousers, etc. Good luck...oh, and don't forget your sense of humour - when I got my kit list for Cranwell, this was actually on the list!

[c130jbloke]

True story:
Don’t get arrested in the OC's AFCO's office......
After eventually being released by the cozzers (taken in on suspicion of shoplifting the shirt and tie (also a good idea) I wore to the pre OASC interview) because the by now found receipt proved my innocence, I retuned to said AFCO expecting to out on my a§§. Imagine the scene, 18 and a bit years on the clock and the dream is over before it began, because of one to§§er of a M & S store detective who saw me run out of the shop holding said apparel - after watching me slap a tenner on the counter to cover the cost !!
Anyway, back at the AFCO, an extremely emotional C130JB is told by the Flt Lt that he knows the story, ( I am innocent !!) its of no matter and did I want to finish the interview, or go home and stop crying.
I chose option (a) and my fairly ropey interview resulted in a strong rec for OASC, because I carried on despite being §hit scared I had blown it big time.
Moral of my story,
No matter how you think its going at the AFCO / OASC, keep going and STAY POSOTIVE. If you want it that badly you will get it.
DO NOT SHOP AT MARKS AND SPENCERS !!!!!
PS: On the plus side, the shop assistant who ID'd me as having paid in the police station, gave me back my 1p change - the shirt & tie combo was only 9.99 !!!

C130JB

[Dunhovrin]

And, as a true Ascoteer, I bet you still have that shirt in the bottom of your suitcase covering your Detskank.

Priceless story, me old, well done.

[ZH875]

How to create the best impression

Tell them you can run a mile in four minutes, do 200 press-ups, 200 sit-ups and achieve level 14.4 on the bleep test.

[Wader2]

ZH875,

Tell them you can run a mile in four minutes, do 200 press-ups, 200 sit-ups and achieve level 14.4 on the bleep test.

Yes, this works.

We had one guy on the course, 100 yards in 10.2, great bloke but lazy as s t when it came to bulls t when it came to his kit. Paid others to do it for him - infrequently.

Selected to run for the Group at White City. Didn't win. Got chopped.

[Doobs]

Try wearing some of the new RAF leisure range. You are sure to impress !!

[Junglynx]

I believe the correct dress for an RAF interview is a polyester suit, trousers slightly too short. This allows the display of white nylon socks contained within the obligatory slip on shoes.

This will allow you to blend seamlessly into any RAF Officers mess in the country.

Hope that helps.

[Il Duce]

Anecdote from a colleague who worked at the Manchester AFCO:
Lad walks in and declares he wants to be a fighter pilot.
"Fine", says AFCO chap, "Can you name three types of jet that the RAF operate?"
"Em... uh.... Harrier and....em...nope."
"Never mind. How about three helicopters that the RAF operate then?"
"Em....uh....small, medium and large?"
"Thanks for coming in, the exit is just over there."

[spekesoftly]

Given the RAF's continued reduction in size, those two questions are increasingly difficult to answer!