South Bound

Makes me laugh all this rubbish about what degree we all got. Bottom line is that you don't need a degree to join and it makes no difference once you are accepted anyway. Relax about it, you will get your extra year of seniority with a 3rd, it seems like a lot of us here did (and I need mine for my job!)

sonicstomp

A 3rd from Oxford automatically outclasses any degree from any other university, and a sensible recruitment officer should recognise this.

A 3rd from Fenland Poly (Cambridge) - now that would be difficult to worm your way out of...

6foottanker

If it all goes t1ts up, I know one sponsored bursar who failed his final year but didn't tell the RAF until he was part way through IOT. Rather than kick him out or expel him for lying, they just altered his terms of service to reflect he wasn't a graduate entry any more! And now he flies fast pointy things. Jobz a goodun!

raf_wannabe

What do graduates get in comparison to non-graduate entrants in, say, pilot branch? The literature is confusing. Faster promotion?

Wader2

Faster promotion? Not really. As best I can recall,

Given a non-graduate starting at the same time as the undergraduate starts university the non-graduate should have his wings and be a substantive fg off and near his first operational aircraft at the same time as the other becomes a graduand.

The graduate will then start at the same rank as the non-graduate has now reached but 3 years behind the drag curve as far as pay and expertise goes.

Yer pays yer money and yer makes yer choice

teeteringhead

Remember reading a 1369 (RAF Officers' Confidential Report) once on a newly promoted sqn ldr who (poor s*d) was posted to MoD on promotion. His 1st reporting officer commented on the "adventurous suits" he wore - clearly not pukka MoD pinstripes.

A subsequent very senior reporting officer (1* or 2*, a "spirited" officer IIRC), who had clearly read the academic details on the front page, finished his write up with:But the subject retired as a wg cdr, so must have got something (w)right!

TMJ

A basic entrant pilot or nav starts IOT as an officer cadet, gets promoted to APO on graduation, to Plt Off after a year, to Fg Off after another year and to FLt Lt after a further 3 1/2 years.

A graduate starts IOT as a Plt Off (for pay and sentiority purposes). After 6 months thy're promoted to Fg Off and 2 years later (1 year for most non-Scottish 4 year degrees) to Flt Lt.

To the best of my knowledge the class of degree, or its Honours status, matters not a jot for these purposes as long as OASC have accepted it. There's no mention of honours in the relevant AP (yes, I spent too long in IofR, so know exactly where this gen is) except for applicants for bursaries for the Eng and Trg branches. However, in the current cut-throat environment whether OASC would accept it or not is a moot point.

raf_wannabe

Okay. Thanks for that. But how would I, a 22 year old graduate, progress in comparison to a guy of 18 straight out of school starting the same day at IOT? I realise pay and promotion are not the be all and end all, and that ranks are probably given out at an individual level. It would just be useful to know whether I will be at an advantage or not (should I get in that is... OASC is 3rd October!).

I just want to be in a cockpit at the end of the day!

Antelope

Exactly as TMJ said, age is irrelevant:
And as far as degrees go a first from Oxford/Cambridge will get you the same rank/pay as a pass from an ex poly (provided they're both 3 year courses).

Ant

Spike2552

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to improve my chances of joining the RAF as a pilot.

I am in my second year at college, and yes i have been to the AFCO, I am studying Maths Physics and Biology, I have 11 GCSES.
My fitness is good and i do a bit of mountaineering and climbing.
Any advice would be appreciated

XL319

My advice is that you have to stand out from the crowd....i guess a lot of people can pass the tests at Cranwell, but they want people who go above and beyond your "ordinary" guy. They will look at what you do in your spare time and what positions of authority you have held, which can range from Treasurer of your University/College sporting club to helping voluntary with a group such as mencap/ATC or other similar organisations. Use your imagination. They can afford to be choosy...so my advice is stand out from the others....remember tho there is a lot of guys in the same position and may well be doing exactly the same. Oh and team work is paramount!!!

MattCollins

First off, ignore all those er's who try put you down.... no names mentioned.

Obviously, passing the tests is a big thing... however also fairly obvious.

You need to gather (and learn) as much information on the RAF, NATO, EU, MoD etcetc that you can find.

You need to practice interviews, leadership and teamworking as much as possible. If you're generally quite quiet, try doing as much public speaking as possible to build your confidence.

The fitness test is difficult, but as you say you do quite a bit of exercise, it shouldn't be a problem, although you may find it useful to practice bleep tests, press ups and sit-ups.... wearing kit.

Practice some problem solving exercises as they will be useful both in the aptitude tests and in the team ex's.

Keep up to date with current affairs, such as uk and worldwide events, politics, that sort of thing, and form you own ideas about them. Don't be swayed by media (or interviewer) pressure!!

Learn about yourself! As in, memorise important dates (use calender dates, not "in year 10 I....") and be prepared to boast a bit about what you've done and what you thought about it. Also think of things you would like to do and why.

Join lots of clubs/societies/ATC?/etc to show you are keen and well organised and motivated.

However, the main thing is to be 100% certain that the RAF is for you, and that you are the best thing for the RAF. Make sure you have reasons!

Not much then!!

I wish you much good luck, and please don't be put off by certain people to ask here (or anywhere) for help!

Matt

Mr C Hinecap

Aye - good advice - but this but worried me:

What sort of kit? You'll not be expected to do the Fitness Test naked, but please don't think you need to train wearing military kit.

Mick Strigg

As an outsider looking in........

Judging by the number of people that whinge and moan about being in the RAF in this forum, it appears that you should be steering well clear!

Whereas, the majority of dark-blue on this site have nothing but praise for the RN, so perhaps you should be looking there.

Not many AAC seem to use this site, so it is difficult to state an opinion of them. Try AARSE.

Hirsutesme

NO, dont try AARSE, you are still young and innocent. Go for the RAF, and good luck.

Remember you will be under observation pretty much at all times whilst at Cranwell, and act accordingly.

side salad

Think why you should get in instead of the many others who apply each year, think what makes you special, yes, blow your own trumpet just a little bit, but don't go OTT.

Good luck

GlosMikeP

Remember there are quotas for each role. if you are intent on pilot and won't accept any other role, be certain of it and don't give in to offers such as "You'd make a great navigator/AEO/engineer but you're only borderline pilot, so we'd like to offer you nav/AEO/eng".

Stick with the borderline pilot. I was conned in my youth in exactly this way.

Pontius Navigator

Lots more pilot slots than WSO. They don't offer if you don't ask. There may be exceptions but don't count on it.

tabloz

With regard to current affairs revision, the economist.com is a very useful site and the 'backgrounders' section provides useful information for virtually any major news issue. Great for your interview.

airborne_artist

You could also read up the good Falklands War pages on the RAF site. Quite a good review of a still-recent expeditionary war that re-taught loads of lessons to all three services.