Pontius Navigator

ole, that is half your problem sorted. Now read the sticky again to find out what advice has already been given.

Aerouk

My first visit to the AFCO (both RAF and the RN) was a really nervous occasion, they were really nice to me but I had to ask for the officer to come and speak to me because the recruitment ratings weren't able to give me a huge amount of information on the whole officer recruitment process.

I would just say make sure you write down some questions and look smart(ish). For example I wasn't 100% sure what the Observer role in the RN involved so he clarified it for me and gave me some extra details.

Try and get your hands on as many information brochures and leaflets as possible and have a good read at them all. Now is the time to start reading the RAF News and getting up to date with world affairs.

seafuryfan

And have an OPINION on issues, one you think you can argue with some degree of persuasiveness if questioned. They're not looking for a memory retention drone.

Aerouk

Does anyone have any information on what the shifts/deployments are like for aircrew in the Navy?

Are they based on land more than sea? If they are away at sea how long are they usually away for? How does leave work during training and while on an operational squadron?

I'm just trying to gain a better understanding of how the RN aircrew live while serving.

airborne_artist

Very hard to generalise on time ashore/afloat, as it will vary by aircraft type, for a start.

Leave during training will normally follow the station's block leave programme, which will be two weeks three times a year. On a squadron it'll be in part driven by the tasking, but if the squadron/you are ashore then you'll probably take leave during the station's block leave.

Pontius Navigator

Aero, to put A_A's point another way; you will have no control over what you do for the first years. Your private life will fall a distant second to the Service but you will soon get used to that.

Actually it could be likened to a busy job in civvie street - you would be limited to only 2 days a week off and no choice. The hours would be long. You would spend lots of time travelling in combined spaces with people you don't know and who stink.

At least afloat you will know who they are and they won't stink (much )

PPRuNe Pop

Everyone will be interested to know that a new thread for OASC 'Candidates' and Wannabes is about to open to replace this one, which will remain in view for two or three months but closed to new posts.

The reason for this is that we responded to an approach from OASC with a view to participating in, and offering to prospective candidates, a guiding hand from the inside as it were. We think that this will put those who seek help and advice in a very advantageous position and we at PPRuNe are delighted that we can help. The new thread should start next week.

'OASC' will therefore become a username for one of the senior officers at RAF Cranwell who will monitor the posts from would be candidates. How he/they decide(s) to approach any subject in any post will be entirely in his hands, and we feel sure that the benefits OASC bring to our wannabes is the VERY best you could hope for and it is up to you to take the opportunity in both hands.

Notwithstanding the above we will not countenance idiot posts or those wasting OASC's time, or indeed that of the moderators and PPRuNe.

Best wishes.

airborne_artist

What about people with taste who want to join the Senior Service? Will the light-blue be advising them too, or could you persuade someone from DNR to take part as well?

risk is adventure

Hey all, I am new to this forum and would like some advise on RAF WSOp and SAR.

Basically I have been interested in joining the RAF since age 17. The RAF careers centre advised me to go to university, get a degree and gain some volunteer experience.

After university I went on to volunteer in an adventure sports teaching program for 6 months.

I enjoyed the course so much I decided to continue and gain many qualifications in leadership training, adventure sports instruction and managament.

Cut a long story short I specialised in avalanche safety, search and rescue and emergency first aid in the wilderness, mainly in mountain environments.

I have applied to the RAF as WSOp crewman and would like to eventually be considered for SAR operations, but realise this is a highly competitive branch.

I have researched a great deal into the recruitment/selection process and initial training.

I am 26 now and realise its probably older than most candidates heading to the OASC but hope my experience in leadership and management may be an advantage.

So here are a few questions:

* What abilities are WSOp assessed on to determine their specialised branch? eg, acoustic, crewman etc.

*How exactly can a crewman eventually apply for SAR? Is it based on length of service, merit, suitability to role etc?

*Do you think my experience in SAR and advanced first aid protocols will help in the selection process for WSOp crewman and SAR?

If anybody can help with these questions or give me contact details for people in these roles that would be great

Thanks a million

Aerouk

I thought SAR operations were going to be passed over to civi street within the next couple of years?

camelspyyder

It is true that SAR is going to change hands, however the RAF element will be last to go. Friends in the know at Valley think that new arrivals on SAR now could plan on getting 2 full tours in that role, before having to move on.

As far as WSOp recruiting goes, it may be that there are not many vacancies coming up. With the nimrod MR2 gone, and VC10 and Tri* nearing the end of the line, it seems that we have lots of NCA in service now looking for jobs, and therefore less need to recruit new people.

However, at 26 you're definitely not too old, we've had students through 55 Sqn aged up to 38 lately. And though it has not been the norm before, senior mates on SAR are looking to get hold of first tourists straight out of training as well as experienced guys.

good luck with your application

CS

risk is adventure

Hey thanks camelspyder and aerouk for your replies. Thats sort of a mixture of good and bad news. Shame the SAR operations will eventually be handed over but good to hear they are looking to snap up new tourists straight from training!!

Ah well ill just give it 120% at OASC and see what happens from there.

Thanks again

Aerouk

From what I've heard there are two companies trying to get the contracts, Soteria and AirKnight and that they will be using both military and civvie crews for the role.

OllieB88

Hey all,

Reading above about grades above prompted me to ask a question on this thread.
I have never claimed to be a natural born genius when it comes to the academic side of my life. For GCSE's i have English C,D Science C,C Maths D, D&T D, History D.

I never went on in school to do A-Levels, as i thought i would most bypass them and go straight to college.

But in 2007 i decided, if i really wanted to be a pilot in the RAF, which i had from a rather young age, i should prove to myself i can be a pilot! Instead of college i did a full time JAA-PPL(A), and have since gone on to do a Degree in Aviation in New Zealand, recieving my NZCAA-CPL(a) Multi Engined Instrument Rating in 2009.
To complete my Degree i had to also do the instructor course; Unfortunately, shortly after finishing Theory modules the company went Bankrupt.

Enable to fund anymore training, and having finanical problems due to money not being released from the company, i returned home to the UK in September 09 with out a Degree.

I have now began my Application, and i will most probably send it on its way tomorrow.

What i would like to ask is:

- Just because i don't have As and Bs in GCSE's will i just be completely over looked?

I heard from some pilots in the RAF and friends who i know personally in the RAF, Grades aren't always important, A good character can be the most important thing to bring with you to an Interview! ??


And,

- What "things" do the Interviewing officers like to see from the ideal candidate?


To prepare myself for selection im revising like a mad man subjects like, Maths, Principles of Flight, Navigation, Current Affairs. Even self teaching Spanish, to prove i have the ability to better myself, more than what the grades on a few peices of paper say.


Thanks all,
Any information from you would be excellent,

Ollie

muppetofthenorth

The grades themselves aren't the most crucial things, someone with the minimum requirements has the requirements and can go on from there.

However, and this will be blunt, you don't.

You need to have C or above at GCSE and you have to have at least 2 A Levels.


Seeing as you don't have a degree either, you don't really have a leg to stand on to ask for a review at an AFCO.

If you want in, your only route is to correct those D grades at GCSE in English (unless your C was in English Language) and Maths and make sure you've got 3 other GCSEs at C or above, AND then get yourself 2 A Levels.


After all that's happened, I would be wary of the age limits too, as you'd be getting very close to them already, despite all the extra work you will need to do.

Frankly, if you wanted to be a pilot in the RAF, why didn't you find out what was required for such a position, rather than go off on your own steam down a route that was basically useless?


Anyway, to answer your question:
"Just because i don't have As and Bs in GCSE's will i just be completely over looked?"

Basically, yes. Not because of the lack of As and Bs, but the lack of enough of anything.

Because of that, the other questions are largely irrelevant.

Aerouk

OllieB88,

When I visited the AFCO officers a couple of months ago, the first thing they asked was what grades I had. The RAF were looking for the grades mentioned above and the RN were looking for a UCAS score of 180 and above.

risk is adventure

hey Aerouk

Yes it looks like Soteria won the contract. It will come into place from 2012 and looks like a 25 year contract. The following is a cut from their website:

Today the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Department for Transport (DfT) selected Soteria as the preferred bidder for the Search and Rescue - Helicopter (SAR-H) programme.
SAR-H is a single harmonised Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter service in the UK which will replace the current SAR helicopter service with a bespoke capability. It will ensure that military aircrew will develop their SAR skills and experience that will be transferred back to the expeditionary forces.
The Contract is a 25-year Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and Soteria will work in partnership with the MOD and DfT to replace the current service with initial service provision in 2012.

Do you think the RAF will still be looking to recruit new SAR crew members with this new contract in place?

Any views from any people would be great........

neildo

I visited and got trough OASC last week, would be happy to post up an account/rough run of events etc in the new thread if anyone would be interested. A lot of the info in this thread is obviously severely outdated now.

Neil

Aerouk

Neil,

Would you be willing to PM me with the details?

WILSON231

Afternoon all,

I'm currently thinking about joining the Royal Air Force as a WSOp, but heres my drawback.
I'm currently studying for my A Levels, which I enjoy, but the College I am with is .
So, I'm thinking about finishing my A levels at AS level in June this year.

What would the interviewing officer at the AFCO think about my abrupt end to doing my A Levels, would it look as if I had no motivation, or could I still join up as a WSOp with respect from the AFCO.

I achieved in my GCSE's :

Maths : B
English Language : B
Science Double Award : CC
Geography : C

and the rest are mostly D's which I am embarrassed about

So would and could I still join up as a WSOp or in your personal opinion would you change college/ school, complete your full A levels and then join the RAF?

Thats my problem in deciding?

Thanks