jamier

This is just a message to say thanks to everyone for all the information and help i recieved whilst waiting to join the RAF. I graduate tuesday from RAF Halton so a big thanks from me!

jl1505

Ladies and Gentlemen. I have my OASC coming up shortly and I have being doing my homework on my training pipelines for my chosen options.

One of which happens to be Weapons Systems Officer. On research I have found that the training (powerpoint flowchart) pipeline provided by No. 22 Group differs hugely from the information provided by the No. 55 Sqn website, which is responsible for training WSO's.

Naturally my first port of call was the AFCO, who were unable to provide me with the relevent information I required. Next I rang Cranwell, who could only direct me to my AFCO, again. After a few more phone calls to various other people I still have not been advised on which training pipe to learn.

Is anyone able to offer advice/suggestions?
Many Thanks

J

Pontius Navigator

J,

Put Admin Officer on your potential list.

Mackay

On the note of hayfever,

got a letter the other day from OASC explaining that because ive got hayfever on my record i have to wait till 2011 (exactly the same response as the navy), BUT... the Army Air Corps have put me forward for an Aircrew medical at RAF Cranwell. (Barely in mind exactly the same information has been disclosed)

Im naturally apprehensive, but im curious as to the effect that the RAF position insisting i wait will have on my raf application when the army have said its alright for me to proceed. Im confuffled . I dont want to arrive and then get sent home straight away.

muppetofthenorth

They have different standards.

Mackay

yeah but it strikes me as odd being they fly the same helicopters and in the same areas of operation.

airborne_artist

Only in training. The AAC does not operate any helo types also operated by the RAF. They do have one type in common with the RN, though!

muppetofthenorth

Yes, but the RAF doesn't recruit helicopter pilots, they recruit pilots. It's only once you've begun training that you get role disposed. An applicant has, in theory, as much chance of ending up on the Typhoon as they do of ending up on the Chinook.

With the Army, you're basically guaranteed helicopters.

ChecklistPlease

OASC will send a Medical Questionnaire to your doctor. Don't go and see your MO.... unless you really have too!

anony_mouse

Taking on board what pontius navigator says (I'm going back to page 162 here!), just wondering what has happened to the facebook group for iot 18? Just found out I'm (almost certainly) on it SO excited and just wanted to get a feel for who else is going to be there.
See you all there!

muppetofthenorth

The group is both well-populated and active, you'll find all you need there. Just do a search for 'IOT 18'.

anony_mouse

I can only advise on my own experience, I don't know whether this was considered good or bad (but I got in so can't be disastrous!). I decided in the end to just pick one and stick to it. You could even say when they ask you 'there was some conflicting information out there, but according to document x, the answer is..' I went with the flowchart in the end because it was the most detailed I found for my branch. I think the important thing is to show that you are enthusiastic and well researched.

anony_mouse

Yea, I tried that the other day and no luck... it's not hidden or restricted or something is it? I found groups for IOT 15,16,17 and 19, d'oh! I'll have another look this eve. Cheers.

muppetofthenorth

You have to request to join, but no, other than that, not restricted or private.

aaron5150

If anyone is intrested... im running a blog for my raf pilot application. quite long but hope it will help some of you. Blog is here

ryanp1992

im 17 and considering joining raf as wsop. iv just finished my first year of an engineering apprenticeship. i am going to qualify next august and afco told me to go back in december. iv done alot of research on the internet mostly good. just wandering what are the bad points of the job, the raf in general, where im likely to be posted, how competitive this field is etc. any feedback welcome. thanks

BluntM8

Mate, I'll get this in before the sabre-toothed do!

You'll get torn apart for using text-speak and lazy typing such as "iv" when you mean "I've". A big part of selection is presentation - think about being an ambasador for yourself - and your initial impression counts for a lot.

Secondly, a lot of your questions seem rather broad, which suggests a lack of research. I'm sure that a couple of hours with Google, a good newspaper and the PPRuNE search facility could enlighten you. Again, a cynic could use such broad questions to infer a degree of laziness in your research.

To answer one of your questions, however, I would say that you need to think for yourself about whether you consider certain aspects of the service life as "bad points" or just challenges. For example, during training you can expect to move often, which can place strain on your social life but offers the opportunity to see parts of the UK you otherwise may not have visited. Every cloud, and all that...

Blunty

isaneng

Oh boy, are you likely to get some interesting answers!

Bad points:-

1. You can't join for a specific WSop trade anymore, so make sure you are ready to accept whatever is on offer. Whilst the concept of retraining to other specialisations within the WSop sphere is laudable, people tend to stay within their initial trade for some time.

2. Life doesn't follow the brochure! If you ask some of the younger guys here, I'm sure they can PM you with real life experience.

Good Points:-

1. You get out what you put in. The job spec is still interesting ( max repect to my rotary brethren in the land of sand, VERY interesting at times for them), there is still a chance to travel, to work with some great people (and some idiots too!) and to do something rewarding.

2. On a more mundane point, there is decent pay and long term contract employment.

Beware of:-

1. People who tell you it isn't what it used to be. Everything changes, both service and civvy. Accept the current terms and conditions for what they are and make up your own mind.

2. People who tell you there is too much niff naff and getting messed around. Happens in civvy street as well.

Good luck and best wishes. After 23 years, I still love it, but you'll never know unless you give it a go!

ElSupremo

For anyone interested it appears that the RAF have relaxed the asthma criteria. An application will now only be rejected if you have had asthma within the 4 yours (i.e. the same rules as for the Navy). How on earth you prove you've not had asthma for the past 4 years is beyond me!

Pontius Navigator

Easy, if you haven't seen the Doc in 4 years then you haven't got it, OK?

A Doc is only a general practioner. This means they follow a system and usually only diagnose what you knew already. You need to see a doc to get a prescription or a referral to a specialist.

For instance I knew I was deaf, the audiologist knew I was deaf. I then had to go to my GP who agreed I was deaf. I then went back to the audiologist but had to see a specialist before I got my hearing aids. Complete jobsworth nonsense. I now see the audiologist every 6 months of so, he is far more specialist than the docs.