RAF Terms and conditions etc...
Join Date: Aug 2006
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It is instructive to look at the Cranwell graduation lists. While it does not answer the 'from where' and 'in what' questions and it also leaves hanging the question 'to what extent', the majority passing IOT seem to have degrees.
A quick eyeball also suggests that there are more BSc and BEng than BA and there is a fair sprinkling of LLB. The numbers of non-graduates will include those commissioned from the ranks as well as DE.
Subjectively this suggests that DEs are in the minority and perhaps contentiously will be would-be aircrew.
A quick eyeball also suggests that there are more BSc and BEng than BA and there is a fair sprinkling of LLB. The numbers of non-graduates will include those commissioned from the ranks as well as DE.
Subjectively this suggests that DEs are in the minority and perhaps contentiously will be would-be aircrew.
Join Date: Mar 2004
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The recruiting process seems to put less emphasis on this than it used to - there used to be (this would be mid 80s) an RAF Careers publication that detailed the rank, salary and progression timescales for differing levels of qualification upon entry/completion of IOT.
Level of degree was a factor in where you started on the ladder, and the timescale to 'automatic' promotion.
Having had a quick look at the website (and based on the OP), there is nothing similar these days.
Presumably suitability of degree/academic institution these days is sorted out at OASC?
Level of degree was a factor in where you started on the ladder, and the timescale to 'automatic' promotion.
Having had a quick look at the website (and based on the OP), there is nothing similar these days.
Presumably suitability of degree/academic institution these days is sorted out at OASC?
Seniority
Big Cheese, I joined up after 10 years in the University of Life, studying exactly the same subjects as I do every day now, and following 4 years commissioned in the RAuxAF doing the same again. I got no seniority at all as it was all deemed "irrelevant". (The Oggie Sqn were not pleased to be told that what they did was irrelevant to the wider Air Force, as you can imagine). I took a huge drop in wages and my final Mess Bill from IOT was more than my wages that month, but it was a great party....
The decision on the award of seniority was made by a civvy sitting in OASC, and I imagined she was just v busy so it was easier for her to say "no" than to work it out, and as I was an Offr Cadet by then I had no voice and just had to accept it.
Eventually a very dedicated OC Admin wrote on my behalf and I got just over a year seniority backdated, which was nice.
However....
When I was then working in an AFCO I wrote several letters to her on behalf of my candidates who I felt deserved some recognition for their experience, and most of them got it. I'm not sure how receptive your OC AFCO would be to writing that letter, but if you can provide evidence of relevant leadership skills/quals picked up in yr civ job then its worth a try for the sake of a stamp.
Now, as a career flt lt, I'm not in it for the money, (which is still pretty good though) but for the people, the challenges and the pension. Hope you enjoy what you're about to do, and good luck!
The decision on the award of seniority was made by a civvy sitting in OASC, and I imagined she was just v busy so it was easier for her to say "no" than to work it out, and as I was an Offr Cadet by then I had no voice and just had to accept it.
Eventually a very dedicated OC Admin wrote on my behalf and I got just over a year seniority backdated, which was nice.
However....
When I was then working in an AFCO I wrote several letters to her on behalf of my candidates who I felt deserved some recognition for their experience, and most of them got it. I'm not sure how receptive your OC AFCO would be to writing that letter, but if you can provide evidence of relevant leadership skills/quals picked up in yr civ job then its worth a try for the sake of a stamp.
Now, as a career flt lt, I'm not in it for the money, (which is still pretty good though) but for the people, the challenges and the pension. Hope you enjoy what you're about to do, and good luck!
I joined at 24 having had a meteroric (but dull) career in the Civil Service, not previously having been to university. My grade was equivalent to Sqn Ldr (if you believed the rubbish they taught us at Cranwell) and I was informed on joining that I would get a one, possibly two year's seniority as a result of my experience. After graduating and told I was going to be an Acting Pilot Officer at the age of 25, I asked what happened to my promised seniority.
"Ah, that would only apply if you were going into the Admin Sec or Supply branch" was the answer.
It was a bit galling as a thirty year old Flying Officer seeing my peers reaching Flt Lt at the age of 26 because they got a 2.2 in Geography.
But I got over it! And being a 30 year old with one stripe gives you a good excuse for some very bad behaviour
"Ah, that would only apply if you were going into the Admin Sec or Supply branch" was the answer.
It was a bit galling as a thirty year old Flying Officer seeing my peers reaching Flt Lt at the age of 26 because they got a 2.2 in Geography.
But I got over it! And being a 30 year old with one stripe gives you a good excuse for some very bad behaviour
