JessTheDog

Lots of stns run commissioning/NCA groups with after-hours discussions on OASC techniques, current affairs and the occasional leadership exercise or visit. If there isn't one near you, then consider getting involved in setting one up.

littlepom

I am due to attend OASC in a few weeks time and currently gathering together some last bits of info and found this site courtesy of a very helpful RAF pilot.

I have been advised by all military personnel that i have spoken with to totally condone any drug use. I do not consider myself a drug user by any means and only drink alcohol and do not smoke. However, at the initial interview at the Careers Advisory Centre when asked if i had EVER used drugs I admitted that I had at university once tried cannabis which was then questioned as to how it made me feel etc and what were my current opinions on it to which i truthfully replied that I understand it is illegal and think it is wrong to engage in such activities particularly when as part of a respectable organisation or one where professionalism and concentration is required at all times. therefore anything that may infringe on one's job commitment even in personal life must be condoned. She seemed to accept my reasoning and honesty and indeed has forwarded me to Cranwell. Now everyone is telling me I should lie. Is this the case? If i tell the truth will i be automatically discarded from selection? Please can someone help? I hate lying but I dont want to ruin my chances if everyone else lies too. Surely they will have my answers anyway with them from the original interview?
Sorry about this little panic but as you can see from all of the other potentials we all get a bit panicky as our time nears! Many thanks for any help and advice.
T-L

Feneris

Realistically, a proportion of people who go through OASC will have tried/used drugs, and I imagine most would lie about it. They take blood/urine samples at the medical and I assume they will test for drug use. However these will only show use in previous 6 months or so. I doubt wether the actual interview notes from the Careers Liaison Officer will be present, but you cannot be certain.

Admitting it in the initial interview was maybe not the best thing to do. However now you've done it, I would recommend repeating it at OASC. The interview is very, repeat VERY fast paced and a short concise answer is what they ask for. They may not even ask if you have personally tried drugs, but they will certainly cover the drugs topic. I would state that I fully understand that drugs and service in the armed forces are totally incompatible etc. If asked wether you personally have tried them, I would say along the lines of...... 'I once tried cannabis at Uni, it made me feel sick, I regret the incident and have never, or will never repeat what was a foolish incident'. I doubt they will press much further on the subject.

In the above post I've used the words.....imagine, assume, doubt, maybe......because you never know quite what OASC are after. However I know for an absolute fact that if you are caught lying/misleading the interviewing officers you will fail selection.

F

Gingerbread Man

I would imagine they will respect your honesty if you tell the truth, especially with the expanation of your views that follow. You may want to check the definition of 'condoned' though. I think it may mean the opposite of what you think it means . Be prepared for a difficult question though, they do try and make you think on your feet (but you will be sitting down ).
Oh, and best of luck .

Gingerbread Man

Gainesy

Don't lie.



Good Luck.

BEagle

That was one of the questions we used to have to ask UAS candidates. Along with views on homosexuality and involvement with the police....

Used drugs? Not wanted. Good-bye! Dress it up how you like, but that's how we kept self-confessed drug abusers out of our UAS. Plenty of other folk who'd had more strength of character to choose from.

SACrIGGER

Hopefully this won't sound too stupid guys, but what in your opinion would you say is the best tabloid newspaper to read in relation to current affairs ( one that give a RAF side point of view!) Oh and thanks for all the advice so far great help also very encouraging Cheers.

Gainesy

Rigger Mate,

I'd suggest you just skim the tabloids and read the Daily Telegraph/ Times and possibly, ( incoming flak to me) the Guardian, to give you a balanced view.

[On an SAC's wages, nick 'em from the Zob's Mess next day. If you find Grauniad has been read, report to Plod.]


How nice to find someone keen & positive, Good Luck to You.

D-IFF_ident

Don't lie, trust me

Green Meat

Littlepom, the genie's out of the bottle now, so I agree with the others who say don't lie. These things have a habit of catching up with you particularly in the OASC interview - they will get you if they think you're not being straight. Remember your personal integrity!

Beags, I agree with your policy of not wanting drug abusers in your UAS, but as someone who these days works a great deal with what I suspect was Littlepom's agegroup at the time of the 'incident', the attitude towards drugs is not the minority, fairly hidden thing it once was and I do think that for Littlepom to try it and then decide it's not for him shows at least a reasonable strength of character given the peer group mentality I observe. I speak as someone who went through university mildly disappointed never to have been offered drugs in order that I could refuse! On the other hand, having seen the effect that regularly smoking cannabis for even a short time does to the reactions and situational awareness of young people, I wouldn't have let them within a mile of a 'dog (or Teutor - must keep up with the times!).

JessTheDog

Education Centre will have the newspapers, often used for resettlement - job pages.

stuk

Re Cannabis.
I'm sure I read in the popular press that Prince Harry had a go and he's shortly got his interview at Sandhurst.

Sorry - pressed wrong button and ended too early.
As someone who\'s been there and done it at OASC then can\'t emphasise how much I agree that now you have opened the can of worms you must admit, say it was a terrible mistake and will never, ever do it again. And by the way DON\'T do it again or you will not be wanted in charge of one of her majesty\'s aircraft where you will do lots of damage to others whilst under the influence.

tokentotty

Agree - just skim the tabloids!

If you don't have time to go through Times/Telegraph every day I suggest you get hold of a magazine called "The Week". Summarises most current events in pretty easy to read format. Also The Economist - not as boring as it sounds - provides a much more international view on current affairs.

Good luck and definitely visit your STDO/OC TDF - they keep a pile of stuff to go through before OASC which is much more comprehensive than the stuff they send out from Cranwell.

rivetjoint

From people I've spoken to recently they've tried to find out your views on the subject as well as your experiences, how you'd react to finding your mate having a quick dabble etc, although I suppose they're looking for good answers all over!

Asking anyone for a Rizzla in the Mess is probably best avoided too!

teeteringhead

BEags mate

you're a bit out of date. It's no longer a automatic no-no, and answers along the lines of "Tried it once, didn't like it, prefer beer!" go down ok.

The RAF can't afford to miss out on the vast number of youths who have "experimented".

Mad_Mark

As has been said already, come and talk to those of us that are doing the job. At Lossie you are in good position to pop over to 202 and spend a day or 2 over at Kinloss on one of the Sqns. We are always happy to host people like you and take you up in the Vomit Comet for a few hours

Good luck

Mad Mark!!!

TheBeeKeeper

Agree with tokentotty,

Economist worked for me! Not only does it give you whats happening now, but also the history behind a subject which helps you best formulate your opinion. And stick to it, don't be bullied into changing your opinion to tell the boarding officers what they want to hear.

I managed to get by on 4 copies of the Economist and two days of Telegraph just before interview.

Ready for incoming flak now, but IMHO, I believe that the boarding officers will have made their opinion, certainly about the way the interview is going to go, within the first 2 minutes!

Clean shaven, smart suit, polished shoes, cheery disposition, strong handshake etc.... then in the chair, sat upright, not fiddling with anything....

People put a huge emphasis on current affairs on the interview, but in reality it only makes up about 5-7 minutes'ish of a 40 minute interview. More important, is that you are fully aware of the job you are applying for and associated training etc.

Goodluck

TheBeeKeeper
(DH82b)
(Ex TG2, and no, it wasn't me the got the trade its nickname!)

PPRuNeUser0172

If you have already said to the RAF at interview that you have "tried it once at a party blah............." then you better stick to your guns as they will have this on record. I know several people who have admitted to it in that context and are now in the mob, so it wouldnt seem to be an obvious stopper. However, also heard a guy once told them he did and was unsuccessful (dont think the two were related!) and subsequently re-applied. This time he " forgot" to mention the fact he had tried it and they showed him the door quicker than his feet could carry him.

Moral of story, dont tell porkies at OASC, at all....... ever!!!

BEags, well said!

rivetjoint

Surely if you've told the officer at the careers office and he's still putting you forward for OASC it can't be a showstopper in his eyes???

albert the first

As far as I know what teeteringhead said is correct, and has been for the last few years.

And anyway by what I have seen of the military drugs seem compulsory once you get to the higher ranks, bhah