OASC - 3rd Time Lucky
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Hiq et Ubique
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Will be attending Cranditz for the fourth time since the age of 16 this summer.
Major point is to get a copy of your debrief from the last attempt, and read the narrative to get the true impression from the board and work on the negative points.
Also check to see on their recommendation to return to OASC- they don't ask everyone to go back, so follow their advice and re-apply when they tell you to.
It is true about the aptitude, 2 attempts only, but just because you may have passed for certain branches last time, doesn't mean you will automatically pass this time. They change the goal posts regularly, and you may find that those great scores from last year may have slipped under the drag curve, and you have no chance of re-taking them!
Although I believe there is a bit of a game to play down there, a way to act as it were, I strongly advise you to say exactly what you feel. They see people all year round, hear the same buzz words all the time, and will see through you if you are trying to act the way you think they want you to act. Was totally blunt and truthful last year, and was highly praised for it in the debrief- just didn't have what it took last year to get 6 people over a couple of barrels. Hopefully have it cracked this time!!
And finally, BIG TIP: don't wear an England football shirt underneath that lovely white shirt with your suit, and then take off your jacket infront of a couple of Squadron Leaders, the night after you've sunk 7 alchopops in the bowling alley and forgotten to shave!!!
MB
Major point is to get a copy of your debrief from the last attempt, and read the narrative to get the true impression from the board and work on the negative points.
Also check to see on their recommendation to return to OASC- they don't ask everyone to go back, so follow their advice and re-apply when they tell you to.
It is true about the aptitude, 2 attempts only, but just because you may have passed for certain branches last time, doesn't mean you will automatically pass this time. They change the goal posts regularly, and you may find that those great scores from last year may have slipped under the drag curve, and you have no chance of re-taking them!
Although I believe there is a bit of a game to play down there, a way to act as it were, I strongly advise you to say exactly what you feel. They see people all year round, hear the same buzz words all the time, and will see through you if you are trying to act the way you think they want you to act. Was totally blunt and truthful last year, and was highly praised for it in the debrief- just didn't have what it took last year to get 6 people over a couple of barrels. Hopefully have it cracked this time!!
And finally, BIG TIP: don't wear an England football shirt underneath that lovely white shirt with your suit, and then take off your jacket infront of a couple of Squadron Leaders, the night after you've sunk 7 alchopops in the bowling alley and forgotten to shave!!!
MB
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It took me 4 attempts to persuade the RAF I was worth their time - applied for VI Form Scholarship, Bursary, Final Year Cadetship & Direct Entry. UAS Boss recommended I consider applying for Loadmaster. Now I fly Harriers.
So keep applying and ignore the Rough Drivers of the world.
So keep applying and ignore the Rough Drivers of the world.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Wrexham
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well been and done it again - and it WAS fun again (Mr C Hinecap)
Went a lot better this time, got a reply within a week - I've been short-listed. Don't know if this is overly good. Not bad enough to say 'no' straight away, but perhaps not good enough for an immediate 'yes' either?
We'll see.....
Still I could try again next year!
Al
Went a lot better this time, got a reply within a week - I've been short-listed. Don't know if this is overly good. Not bad enough to say 'no' straight away, but perhaps not good enough for an immediate 'yes' either?
We'll see.....
Still I could try again next year!
Al
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Fort Worth, USA
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
im in the same boat as Al, having visited on 28th may for DE pilot, have to wait again then i guess. Can i get debriefed does anyone know at my local AFCO? and does anyone know what 'short listed' implies for my future, i know what it means literally, but what sort of success, if any, has anyone achieved after being in this same situation.
Thanks, good luck to those attending Cranwell!
Lee
Thanks, good luck to those attending Cranwell!
Lee
Gentleman Aviator
Leshodge et al
I hope I can elucidate, although my info is a bit (about a year) out of date.
OASC has 5 levels of response to candidates who complete the full selection process.
1. Yes please, when can you start!
2. "Shortlisted" - of which see more below.
3. Not yet, try again in 1 year.
4. Not yet, try again in 2 (or in some cases more) years.
5. Never darken our doors again!!
So well done for a start, you're in the silver medal position! It means that you have produced an acceptable standard for officer training, without being a star. (Don't worry too much, "No 1" letters are few and far between).
So why haven't they offered you a place? The short, if somewhat cynical answer, is that someone better may turn up! The training system of the RAF (and much of the rest of it!) now has to run on business lines, and there is a limited number of places in each branch funded per (financial) year.
Moreover, the recruiting is not constant throughout that year. We are about to experience the big glut of applications coinciding with the end of the academic year, from both graduates and school leavers. OASC are "probably" (no guarantees!) holding their horses to see how you compare with later applicants. Your "shortlisted" letter may (but need not necessarily) contain a date (possibly a month or 2 hence) when you can expect to hear something. If it DOESN'T, then 'phone whoever signed the letter and ask!
That's the theory anyway! In practice chances are better for aircrew, quite simply because there are more places to compete for.
I hope I haven't depressed you too much! In my (long) experience, as you've got through OASC as a pilot (and remember, "shortlisting" means you HAVE acheived the standards), then your chances of getting to IOT are good.
But there are no guarantees.................
does anyone know what 'short listed' implies for my future
OASC has 5 levels of response to candidates who complete the full selection process.
1. Yes please, when can you start!
2. "Shortlisted" - of which see more below.
3. Not yet, try again in 1 year.
4. Not yet, try again in 2 (or in some cases more) years.
5. Never darken our doors again!!
So well done for a start, you're in the silver medal position! It means that you have produced an acceptable standard for officer training, without being a star. (Don't worry too much, "No 1" letters are few and far between).
So why haven't they offered you a place? The short, if somewhat cynical answer, is that someone better may turn up! The training system of the RAF (and much of the rest of it!) now has to run on business lines, and there is a limited number of places in each branch funded per (financial) year.
Moreover, the recruiting is not constant throughout that year. We are about to experience the big glut of applications coinciding with the end of the academic year, from both graduates and school leavers. OASC are "probably" (no guarantees!) holding their horses to see how you compare with later applicants. Your "shortlisted" letter may (but need not necessarily) contain a date (possibly a month or 2 hence) when you can expect to hear something. If it DOESN'T, then 'phone whoever signed the letter and ask!
That's the theory anyway! In practice chances are better for aircrew, quite simply because there are more places to compete for.
I hope I haven't depressed you too much! In my (long) experience, as you've got through OASC as a pilot (and remember, "shortlisting" means you HAVE acheived the standards), then your chances of getting to IOT are good.
But there are no guarantees.................
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Annapolis, MD
Age: 86
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Best of luck to all you young folks waiting to start the great adventure.
I went through my OASC at Hornchurch, a long time ago, but from the
look of the advice being given in this thread things haven't changed too
much.
Look 'em in the eye, give straight answers, don't waffle, and don't give up.
Best wishes to all of you.
BC
I went through my OASC at Hornchurch, a long time ago, but from the
look of the advice being given in this thread things haven't changed too
much.
Look 'em in the eye, give straight answers, don't waffle, and don't give up.
Best wishes to all of you.
BC
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good luck
Hi,
im off to oasc in August for the pilot sponsership, my first time, i heard that if you have a reasonable knowledge of 12 significant events over the past 12 months you should be ok.
Can you give me any adivce, whats the arithmetic side of things like
Regards
TP172
im off to oasc in August for the pilot sponsership, my first time, i heard that if you have a reasonable knowledge of 12 significant events over the past 12 months you should be ok.
Can you give me any adivce, whats the arithmetic side of things like
Regards
TP172
