OASC 'CANDIDATES' and WANNABES, PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST!
to quote allan907
I can imagine what their reaction was after you lay your hands on them! Flight Commanders...all the same! 
I swallowed my pride and spent the next 2 years asking every officer I could lay my hands on just what they did and what their reaction was.
Ignore those that tell you the recruiting situation is bad, or paint the most pessimistic picture possble. I have seen all sorts of wrong rumours typed by people who are purely speculating here. They are still recruiting aircrew. Maybe not quite in such numbers, but the cuts are not as dramatic as some make out.
Go with a positive attitude and enjoy it.
Go with a positive attitude and enjoy it.
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Ignore those that tell you the recruiting situation is bad, or paint the most pessimistic picture possble. I have seen all sorts of wrong rumours typed by people who are purely speculating here. They are still recruiting aircrew. Maybe not quite in such numbers, but the cuts are not as dramatic as some make out.
Go with a positive attitude and enjoy it.
Go with a positive attitude and enjoy it.
Join Date: Feb 2005
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OASC.......3 weeks today.......
Hi,
I came away from OASC exactly 3 weeks today and i was told whilst i was there that i would hear within 2-3 weeks. If the letter doesn't arrive today do you think it would be wise to give them a call or leave it for another day or two?
Cheers.
Rich.
I came away from OASC exactly 3 weeks today and i was told whilst i was there that i would hear within 2-3 weeks. If the letter doesn't arrive today do you think it would be wise to give them a call or leave it for another day or two?
Cheers.
Rich.
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Forget where I read it but some guy phoned up Cranwell only to find they'd misplaced his letter.
Just ring up, worst they can say is you're socially inept and didn't have a hope in hell's chance in the first place.
Or they can say you're in.
Ring 'em.
Just ring up, worst they can say is you're socially inept and didn't have a hope in hell's chance in the first place.
Or they can say you're in.
Ring 'em.
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Forget where I read it but some guy phoned up Cranwell only to find they'd misplaced his letter.
No harm in phoning them, you should have been given a number to ring about your application.
It just depends when the air boards sits and when you happened to go through, as to when you find out I think.
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i called them this morning and it has been posted today!!! its like waiting to be shot!!!!!
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Oasc.....
Hi,
I received the long awaited letter and it was a no. They have given me things to work on for applying next year and said they will be holding a meeting in january and may consider me for NCA. They basically said my interview was strong and with a credible fitness test score i was recommended for phase two but apparently during the exercise phase my confidence wavered and i tended to blush when put in the spot light especially when my own ideas were exhausted! but they have said if i improve my problem solving skills and leadership then i may stand a better chance next year.
So if anyone could suggest anything i could do to improve these then it would be most appreciated.
Cheers for the pre-OASC help and advice too!
Rich.
I received the long awaited letter and it was a no. They have given me things to work on for applying next year and said they will be holding a meeting in january and may consider me for NCA. They basically said my interview was strong and with a credible fitness test score i was recommended for phase two but apparently during the exercise phase my confidence wavered and i tended to blush when put in the spot light especially when my own ideas were exhausted! but they have said if i improve my problem solving skills and leadership then i may stand a better chance next year.
So if anyone could suggest anything i could do to improve these then it would be most appreciated.
Cheers for the pre-OASC help and advice too!
Rich.
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Never mind mate. Valiant effort. Good to see your hopes are still there, which is very commendable. I failed 1st time and have gone on to savour the delights of FJ flying. Don't give up.......
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Lord Flash-Hart.
Sorry to hear that OASC didn't go according to plan. I am sure that there are many on here who have far more experience and advice to give, but I'll throw in my thoughts to get the ball rolling.
Would it be worth considering, between now and your next attempt, trying to fit in some Adventure Training either in the UK or overseas. As a student I went away to Belize for a three month Expedition with Raleigh International. Aside from the fact that I had a great time, saw a bit of the world I wouldn't have seen as a tourist and had a break from my studies, I genuinely feel the experience improved a lot of my personnal skills. At the end of the exped, I returned to the UK with a better understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses, improved confidence and a real understanding of what teamwork and leadership really mean. You can try to simulate challenging situations in the sterile environment of a hangar or work through exercises with a pen and paper but there is no substitute for first hand experience. There are a growing number of charity organisations out there that run expeditions to far flung corners of the world, so it may be worth having a look and see if any take your fancy. At the end of the day, even if you come back from an exped completely unchanged (highly unlikely), should you get asked at OASC what you did to improve your chances, "I help build a school in Bangladesh" or "I lead an exped through the Andes" is bound to impress. Just a suggestion and I am sure there are far more people on here with their own thoughts and experiences, but it may be worth looking into. Good luck and keep smiling...
Sorry to hear that OASC didn't go according to plan. I am sure that there are many on here who have far more experience and advice to give, but I'll throw in my thoughts to get the ball rolling.
Would it be worth considering, between now and your next attempt, trying to fit in some Adventure Training either in the UK or overseas. As a student I went away to Belize for a three month Expedition with Raleigh International. Aside from the fact that I had a great time, saw a bit of the world I wouldn't have seen as a tourist and had a break from my studies, I genuinely feel the experience improved a lot of my personnal skills. At the end of the exped, I returned to the UK with a better understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses, improved confidence and a real understanding of what teamwork and leadership really mean. You can try to simulate challenging situations in the sterile environment of a hangar or work through exercises with a pen and paper but there is no substitute for first hand experience. There are a growing number of charity organisations out there that run expeditions to far flung corners of the world, so it may be worth having a look and see if any take your fancy. At the end of the day, even if you come back from an exped completely unchanged (highly unlikely), should you get asked at OASC what you did to improve your chances, "I help build a school in Bangladesh" or "I lead an exped through the Andes" is bound to impress. Just a suggestion and I am sure there are far more people on here with their own thoughts and experiences, but it may be worth looking into. Good luck and keep smiling...
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Sorry to hear about your knock back from OASC. The big thing now is to show them that you have listened to their advice and have undertaken activities to improve your weak areas.
What can help with practical problem solving skills and can also give you something more to talk about in the interview is a week long working holiday with the National Trust where you build wooden fences/repair walls. It is pretty straightforward to get yourself booked onto one (via their website) and they are more fun than you think. Granted, the adventurous training expeds would be ideal but if you cant get yourself onto an exped, a working holiday will help.
All the best
What can help with practical problem solving skills and can also give you something more to talk about in the interview is a week long working holiday with the National Trust where you build wooden fences/repair walls. It is pretty straightforward to get yourself booked onto one (via their website) and they are more fun than you think. Granted, the adventurous training expeds would be ideal but if you cant get yourself onto an exped, a working holiday will help.
All the best
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Go to the Army Careers office and say you want to join. If you can get on the Regular Commissions Board then it's good experience and you might even get into the Army. But, in all seriousness, once you've been to Westbury, Cranwell is very tame!!
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Or try the AIB at Gosport.
The Senior Service is wanting people to join as aircrew, and the uniform is nattier than the blue/grey crab alternative.
Unless worn by Flt. Lt. Kathy West, that is..........
The Senior Service is wanting people to join as aircrew, and the uniform is nattier than the blue/grey crab alternative.
Unless worn by Flt. Lt. Kathy West, that is..........