OASC 'CANDIDATES' and WANNABES, PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST!
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i did actualy just read on google about the end of service for the Gr4 currently being 2018 - and as you say, Things generallly happen later rather than earlier in life.
Will any new WSOs be trained for it though? Will be a minimum of 9 years away till its gone so i guess if everything was to go to plan i would be at the WSO training stage at the end of 2010/2011, (obviously im just using complete guesswork on that). Would they still be training for it at that stage?
Obviously theres nimrod and a few others available but can somebody confirm what sort of job i could have eg 10-15 years down the line if i was to become a WSO.
yea wings i wasnt referring to it as if the raf wasnt officer first pilot second i meant i wouldnt mind officer first pilot second in the raf because it looks in general more of an appealing life to me. (Love the sea but not sure if id wanna live on a boat for ages?) lol.
Thanks for the advice i think i will take it and "go for it". Pilot then WSO and let them knock me down if my eyesight is a problem.
Will any new WSOs be trained for it though? Will be a minimum of 9 years away till its gone so i guess if everything was to go to plan i would be at the WSO training stage at the end of 2010/2011, (obviously im just using complete guesswork on that). Would they still be training for it at that stage?
Obviously theres nimrod and a few others available but can somebody confirm what sort of job i could have eg 10-15 years down the line if i was to become a WSO.
yea wings i wasnt referring to it as if the raf wasnt officer first pilot second i meant i wouldnt mind officer first pilot second in the raf because it looks in general more of an appealing life to me. (Love the sea but not sure if id wanna live on a boat for ages?) lol.
Thanks for the advice i think i will take it and "go for it". Pilot then WSO and let them knock me down if my eyesight is a problem.
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Without wishing to sound sarcastic - officer! Hopefully senior officer with command potential and an ability to produce solid & analytical staff work. With qualifications obtained during your operational flying career (eg. QWI, EWO etc) you could find yourself at the forefront of operational planning in HQ Air or MOD or working in procurement which can lead to lucrative industry careers if you do decide to jump ship at 38.
Foldie
Foldie
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cheers, you 2 sound alot more optimistic than some of the stories ive read along the lines of "the raf will be full of WSOs running round looking for jobs" lol.
Im 23 at the end of this year so im pretty sure ill be starting the process off to apply at some point next month.
Im 23 at the end of this year so im pretty sure ill be starting the process off to apply at some point next month.
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Keep bashing the door down at the recruiting office. Don't let them sit on your application and ensure that they are aware of the age issue and any delay. My daughter did recently and she was in officer training 6 months after applying!
All the best.
Foldie
PS. The RAF recruiters will arrange Station Visits for you before an OASC date; pick wisely Lossie/Kinloss or Marham sound best given your circumstances.
All the best.
Foldie
PS. The RAF recruiters will arrange Station Visits for you before an OASC date; pick wisely Lossie/Kinloss or Marham sound best given your circumstances.
Red On, Green On
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My sixpennies:
1. Check your eyesight - take both the RAF and RN standards to your optician and ask which you would pass.
2. Go to the RAF and RN officer careers officers and ask for station visits etc. The RN run sixteen aircrew officer acquaint courses a year, (eight each at Culdrose and Yeovilton) that last four days, which will give you a good insight.
Take with a pinch of salt the RN "officer first, aircrew second" - it's only true up to a point, and the reality is that they are hardly going to select and train a pilot and then make him spend most of his time in charge of the anchor party.
1. Check your eyesight - take both the RAF and RN standards to your optician and ask which you would pass.
2. Go to the RAF and RN officer careers officers and ask for station visits etc. The RN run sixteen aircrew officer acquaint courses a year, (eight each at Culdrose and Yeovilton) that last four days, which will give you a good insight.
Take with a pinch of salt the RN "officer first, aircrew second" - it's only true up to a point, and the reality is that they are hardly going to select and train a pilot and then make him spend most of his time in charge of the anchor party.
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Minotur,
Probably something you've already seen, but there is another RAF flying role in the WSOp's. It's not a commissioned role, but it can be just as rewarding and pays almost as well, and there is not talk yet of it ending! Plus there are more aircraft types to serve on.
Spam
Probably something you've already seen, but there is another RAF flying role in the WSOp's. It's not a commissioned role, but it can be just as rewarding and pays almost as well, and there is not talk yet of it ending! Plus there are more aircraft types to serve on.
Spam
)
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
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Okay then, you are all thinking it so I'll say it.
Not a very good start. Don't worry everybody he will have a degree. What in? Underwater basket weaving?
Next..............
Is this really the type of person we should be encouraging?
And finally, as there are too many posts to comment on.................
I like the last bit about being knocked down for eyesight. I think you might have other problems as well. Can I be there when they read your application form?
I am only a humble Airman and even I can see he has no hope.
I almost definatly want to join the military for various reasons. Im 22 and will hopefully have a degree in a few months(fingers crossed). Id love to be a pilot wether its FJ or not but unfortunatly im ever so slightly short sighted so im 99.9% sure the raf would reject me.
I have looked at the role as WSO but i have heard some very bad things being said, how they have a short shelf life, how all the fj's will soon be 1 manned, and how once your shelf life expires theres not realy any options available for you. Where as a pilot has civil aviation jobs available etc etc.
Ive read all this in various places including here but most of the threads are a few years old so i thought i would bring it up again.
Read some stuff about the FAA too, which my eyesight would be ok for but everyone has the opinion of "naval officer first pilot second". I realy would love even being in rotary though, But i think being an RAF officer appeals to me much more than being a naval officer.
Just want to know some opinions on the WSO role, is it realy as much of a dead end career as everyone says?
I have looked at the role as WSO but i have heard some very bad things being said, how they have a short shelf life, how all the fj's will soon be 1 manned, and how once your shelf life expires theres not realy any options available for you. Where as a pilot has civil aviation jobs available etc etc.
Ive read all this in various places including here but most of the threads are a few years old so i thought i would bring it up again.
Read some stuff about the FAA too, which my eyesight would be ok for but everyone has the opinion of "naval officer first pilot second". I realy would love even being in rotary though, But i think being an RAF officer appeals to me much more than being a naval officer.
Just want to know some opinions on the WSO role, is it realy as much of a dead end career as everyone says?
Next..............
i woudlnt mind the role of a WSO as the raf would be my preferd choice but obviously by the time im trained there will be no place on FJ for a WSO but still i wouldnt be too disheartened by that im more concerned about in 5-10 years there wont be any place for a WSO in the raf and it would be a dead end.
i just made a post but it needs to be accepted by a mod i think cos i posted a link so ill just repeat what i said there (as this post posted without awaiting approval) basically on a pdf titled raf_july_07 it states that the army/navy requirements to be a pilot are not as strict as the raf. (has the numbers for eyesight requirements etc ) and i would meet the requirements for rn/army but not raf eyesight.
Obviously once again im completly aware that you must adopt the opinion of "RN officer first pilot second" and i would never join a force just to use it as a stepping stone to be a pilot which is why im basically trying to find myself a place in the RAF where i would enjoy but obviously im concerned about the future role as a WSO.
i just made a post but it needs to be accepted by a mod i think cos i posted a link so ill just repeat what i said there (as this post posted without awaiting approval) basically on a pdf titled raf_july_07 it states that the army/navy requirements to be a pilot are not as strict as the raf. (has the numbers for eyesight requirements etc ) and i would meet the requirements for rn/army but not raf eyesight.
Obviously once again im completly aware that you must adopt the opinion of "RN officer first pilot second" and i would never join a force just to use it as a stepping stone to be a pilot which is why im basically trying to find myself a place in the RAF where i would enjoy but obviously im concerned about the future role as a WSO.
And finally, as there are too many posts to comment on.................
yea wings i wasnt referring to it as if the raf wasnt officer first pilot second i meant i wouldnt mind officer first pilot second in the raf because it looks in general more of an appealing life to me. (Love the sea but not sure if id wanna live on a boat for ages?) lol.
Thanks for the advice i think i will take it and "go for it". Pilot then WSO and let them knock me down if my eyesight is a problem.
Thanks for the advice i think i will take it and "go for it". Pilot then WSO and let them knock me down if my eyesight is a problem.
I am only a humble Airman and even I can see he has no hope.
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AIDU - Wind your neck in. Your assessment of the kind of "people the type of person we should be encouraging?" is hardly backed up by you slagging off somebody who has come onto this forum to ask an honest question.
If you have nothing better to do than to sit around and criticise others for their lack of grammar skills it begs the question of are you the kind of person we want???
If you have nothing better to do than to sit around and criticise others for their lack of grammar skills it begs the question of are you the kind of person we want???
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Oh dear... i will have a degree in computer science not underwater basketing or whatever it was you said.
Why should you not want to encourage me to join the service?
I want to join the military because i want to challenge myself to my limits and serve my country and i am not motivated by sitting in an office for the rest of my life writing software with my degree in computer science.
There are plenty of reasons why i want to join thats why i said "various" reasons because im not here to explain to you why i want to join and why i would be an asset to the forces im here to ask some questions.
Dont even know why im making an attempt to explain myself, your obviously someone whos never happy. I love to proove myself so im tempted to send you my application form but on the other hand i dont think someone like you is worth it.
Its a forum im hardly gona faff about trying to write proper english grammer am i.
i type fast its a forum so i dont care about grammar and spelling in this instance.
Anyone whos sad enough to sit there correcting spelling mistakes on a forum or even think that i would send a job application off with spelling and gramatical errors is a deeply sad individual.
I have an A in gcse english. a B in A level english, and soon a computer science degree.
Theres a time a place for grammer. this is not it as far as im concerned.
I thought bus was havin a laff about the incoming FLAK grammar thing haha.
Why should you not want to encourage me to join the service?
I want to join the military because i want to challenge myself to my limits and serve my country and i am not motivated by sitting in an office for the rest of my life writing software with my degree in computer science.
There are plenty of reasons why i want to join thats why i said "various" reasons because im not here to explain to you why i want to join and why i would be an asset to the forces im here to ask some questions.
Dont even know why im making an attempt to explain myself, your obviously someone whos never happy. I love to proove myself so im tempted to send you my application form but on the other hand i dont think someone like you is worth it.
Its a forum im hardly gona faff about trying to write proper english grammer am i.
i type fast its a forum so i dont care about grammar and spelling in this instance.
Anyone whos sad enough to sit there correcting spelling mistakes on a forum or even think that i would send a job application off with spelling and gramatical errors is a deeply sad individual.
I have an A in gcse english. a B in A level english, and soon a computer science degree.
Theres a time a place for grammer. this is not it as far as im concerned.
I thought bus was havin a laff about the incoming FLAK grammar thing haha.
PN
SHAR maybe but the Jaguar was still in service way past its original OOD and the F3 still is. Wasn't the Nimrod due to be replaced by Nimrod 2000? The VC10 was due to have been replaced already and I guess the C130 is hanging on for the A400 (again late ).
SHAR maybe but the Jaguar was still in service way past its original OOD and the F3 still is. Wasn't the Nimrod due to be replaced by Nimrod 2000? The VC10 was due to have been replaced already and I guess the C130 is hanging on for the A400 (again late ).
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Vasco, I was stretching a point, but the Jag had had a major upgrade there could have been considered a premature retirement, certainly Jacko would say so.
The F3 looks as if it will be retired before the end of its useful life although many query whether it ever had a useful life in the first place. Certainly had EFA2000, like Nimrod 2000 arrived on time then the F3 would be gone and we would have had many more Nimrod.
My reference to Nimrod, VC10 and C130K was that they still have navs but only the Nimrod 4 will still have them. For a force of 12 you would be hard pushed to justify more than 48 WSO(N).
As a job, the Mk 1/2, was seen as pretty adjacent to a FJ Nav as far as skill sets were concerned.
The F3 looks as if it will be retired before the end of its useful life although many query whether it ever had a useful life in the first place. Certainly had EFA2000, like Nimrod 2000 arrived on time then the F3 would be gone and we would have had many more Nimrod.
My reference to Nimrod, VC10 and C130K was that they still have navs but only the Nimrod 4 will still have them. For a force of 12 you would be hard pushed to justify more than 48 WSO(N).
As a job, the Mk 1/2, was seen as pretty adjacent to a FJ Nav as far as skill sets were concerned.
Red On, Green On
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this is a forum, a type of chatroom and theres no need for highly correct grammar here
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I have an A in gcse english. a B in A level english, and soon a computer science degree.
Theres a time a place for grammer. this is not it as far as im concerned.
Theres a time a place for grammer. this is not it as far as im concerned.
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minotur,
Rest on your laurels and your classic education and a computer science degree might stand you in good stead in a 21st century air force - thankfully nobody on here is likely to be assessing your suitability for becoming an officer in any of the Services and some show their unsuitability for such a position by expressing their gripes and antipathy for the officer corps by hiding behind their anonymity on PPRuNe. Although, in fairness, he did admit to being an airman earlier on.
Foldie
Rest on your laurels and your classic education and a computer science degree might stand you in good stead in a 21st century air force - thankfully nobody on here is likely to be assessing your suitability for becoming an officer in any of the Services and some show their unsuitability for such a position by expressing their gripes and antipathy for the officer corps by hiding behind their anonymity on PPRuNe. Although, in fairness, he did admit to being an airman earlier on.
Foldie
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Jump Or Not??
Hello,
I am only 15, yet I am very interested in joining the RAF after Uni. I need to ask a couple of questions however:
1) When training to become a pilot, do you have to do any sort of jumps out of a plane or parachuting etc??
2) Once you have completed your intial training can you choose which type of plane you fly as I looked on the RAF website yet it is unclear of a definate answer??
Thanks and I hope you can help...
I am only 15, yet I am very interested in joining the RAF after Uni. I need to ask a couple of questions however:
1) When training to become a pilot, do you have to do any sort of jumps out of a plane or parachuting etc??
2) Once you have completed your intial training can you choose which type of plane you fly as I looked on the RAF website yet it is unclear of a definate answer??
Thanks and I hope you can help...
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OASC 'CANDIDATES' and WANNABES, PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST!
you don't have to do any jumps, but the opportunities are there. If the thought of jumping from an aeroplane fills you with fear, do some things similar to that which will challenge your resolve. I only say that because the training system will often ask you to do things which you would not normally do, to try and expand your horizons and test your character under pressure. Use this time during your GCSE and A-Level years to expand your CV to help you get into a good university and secure a better career if the RAF doesn't work out for you. Being afraid of heights is not uncommon amongst aircrew, but how you deal with that fear (or any other) often marks out those who will be successful and those who fail.
As for choosing your aeroplane type, no you can't choose. You can express a preference, but it is the RAF which comes first. You may be the best elementary flying course they have ever seen, but if there are no spaces on your chosen course (helicopters for example), but they need multi-engined pilots, then you go to the multi course. Other things may also stop you. I had a friend who was an exceptional pilot only to find he had grown since joining up and when he went to RAF Valley to start flying the hawk, he was too big to fit and had to re-train as a multi-engine pilot. I'd say luck has a huge part to play in getting to the place you want to be in the RAF. Some of us are very lucky to have achieved that. Good luck and read the wannabes forum to get answers to everything else you wan to know.
As for choosing your aeroplane type, no you can't choose. You can express a preference, but it is the RAF which comes first. You may be the best elementary flying course they have ever seen, but if there are no spaces on your chosen course (helicopters for example), but they need multi-engined pilots, then you go to the multi course. Other things may also stop you. I had a friend who was an exceptional pilot only to find he had grown since joining up and when he went to RAF Valley to start flying the hawk, he was too big to fit and had to re-train as a multi-engine pilot. I'd say luck has a huge part to play in getting to the place you want to be in the RAF. Some of us are very lucky to have achieved that. Good luck and read the wannabes forum to get answers to everything else you wan to know.
and (with my pedant hat on, and aware that Shakespeare couldn't spell either), spell check anything you send regarding any application.
Most worthwhile careers have more applicants than places. Shortlisting has a range of criteria, and care in writing initial letters is an easy one to apply.
You might like to put your first post above through a spell checker.........
Most worthwhile careers have more applicants than places. Shortlisting has a range of criteria, and care in writing initial letters is an easy one to apply.
You might like to put your first post above through a spell checker.........