Should I sacrifice my braces to attempt to become a pilot in the RAF?
"You have to want to fly so bad that you dream about it, talk about it, work very, very hard to get it, give up other things that are not directly relevant to it, take every opportunity to experience it. Anything less will be quickly identified as an indication of lack of commitment".
Guy spent 5 years doing it and some growing issues prevented them signing him, in a different year they would have waited BUT his cohort included their Youth dream team, yup Beckham, Scholes, Nevilles etc.
He stated that what was different between them and him was he started getting interested at 16 in girls and stuff where as they were driven by a passion to succeed in football and even then he knew guys who had that passion but an injury at wrong time left them way behind.
Image gear has it nailed on the head that anything other than 110% commitment and doing everything to get in there means you just not ready.
Your teeth can come later.
Hang on to the braces.
Nobody wants a pilot with his trousers round his ankles.
Come to think of it .......................
Nobody wants a pilot with his trousers round his ankles.
Come to think of it .......................
Jacko,
I am finding it hard to understand why you have been told that you would be unacceptable with orthodontic braces. It is worth writing to the Inspectorate of Recruiting and Selection and asking what the policy is before you accept any of the well-meant advice here and start on a course of action that either you will regret or that will cost you money needlessly.
The judgement on your medical/dental fitness for military service will be made by the medical board at OASC using the standards laid down by the Surgeon General's Committee on Aircrew Medical Standards. There may be implications for the officer training side of things, but there will be a policy laid down for this too.
You are right to want to avoid re-taking the aptitude tests as there is a factor applied to reflect the learning element from earlier tests.
I suggest a polite letter (avoid any emotion...) pointing out you have passed the test in advance and have been asked to apply but that you have been told at the AFCO they are unable to accept you for a filter interview until you have had your braces removed. As your orthodontic treatment is incomplete, this would mean considerable personal expense to replace them should you be unsuccessful at the filter interview or a later stage in the process You would be grateful to know what the recruiting and selection policy is for people with ongoing orthodontic treatment. Don't mention the AFCO or the officer, let them work that out.
If the reply says 'no braces', then the choice is entirely yours. If you really want to fly in the RAF it is a no-brainer.
Good luck.
I am finding it hard to understand why you have been told that you would be unacceptable with orthodontic braces. It is worth writing to the Inspectorate of Recruiting and Selection and asking what the policy is before you accept any of the well-meant advice here and start on a course of action that either you will regret or that will cost you money needlessly.
The judgement on your medical/dental fitness for military service will be made by the medical board at OASC using the standards laid down by the Surgeon General's Committee on Aircrew Medical Standards. There may be implications for the officer training side of things, but there will be a policy laid down for this too.
You are right to want to avoid re-taking the aptitude tests as there is a factor applied to reflect the learning element from earlier tests.
I suggest a polite letter (avoid any emotion...) pointing out you have passed the test in advance and have been asked to apply but that you have been told at the AFCO they are unable to accept you for a filter interview until you have had your braces removed. As your orthodontic treatment is incomplete, this would mean considerable personal expense to replace them should you be unsuccessful at the filter interview or a later stage in the process You would be grateful to know what the recruiting and selection policy is for people with ongoing orthodontic treatment. Don't mention the AFCO or the officer, let them work that out.
If the reply says 'no braces', then the choice is entirely yours. If you really want to fly in the RAF it is a no-brainer.
Good luck.
Seems to be a recurring issue:
Dental Braces.... [Archive] - E-Goat :: The Totally Unofficial Royal Air Force Rumour Network forums
Dental Braces.... [Archive] - E-Goat :: The Totally Unofficial Royal Air Force Rumour Network forums
jacko
For what it is worth here is my 'fivepenn'th'.
Follow your dream! Go back to the orthodontist and ask to have the permanent braces removed and replaced by a brace that can be worn at night while asleep and taken off during the day.
My son, who had the same dream as you, had to wear the sort of brace I have described during his mid-teen years.
He said he wanted to be a Jaguar pilot when he was 8 years old, applied to the RAF when he was 16 and was awarded a Sixth form scholarship. Joined at 18, and started on the Jag' OCU when he was 21.
My advice is to forget university if you have a genuine chance of being offered RAF pilot training. You will have lots of hurdles to jump and if 2 or 3 years down the line you haven't succeeded, university will still be there - my feeling is doing it the other way round may not bring the desired result.
Incidentally, even if you end up with better teeth after your treatment is over, you could still lose them playing sports such as rugby or cricket
.
Good luck - I hope you fulfil your dream!
Follow your dream! Go back to the orthodontist and ask to have the permanent braces removed and replaced by a brace that can be worn at night while asleep and taken off during the day.
My son, who had the same dream as you, had to wear the sort of brace I have described during his mid-teen years.
He said he wanted to be a Jaguar pilot when he was 8 years old, applied to the RAF when he was 16 and was awarded a Sixth form scholarship. Joined at 18, and started on the Jag' OCU when he was 21.
My advice is to forget university if you have a genuine chance of being offered RAF pilot training. You will have lots of hurdles to jump and if 2 or 3 years down the line you haven't succeeded, university will still be there - my feeling is doing it the other way round may not bring the desired result.
Incidentally, even if you end up with better teeth after your treatment is over, you could still lose them playing sports such as rugby or cricket
.Good luck - I hope you fulfil your dream!
Brian
Interestingly I held pre-OCU on FJTS and worked with your son briefly. I flew with him once on my first ever Jag trip in a T2(38000' overhead Boscombe Down on NVGs watching traffic in and out of Paris and Manchester simultaneously, followed by an engine surge when we exceeded about 20 degrees AOB).
His is always the case that I quote when discussing the University versus DE dilemma. By the age I had finished the Jag OCU, your son was on his third front line tour. So despite the fact that he will never have experienced the life affirming delights of watching Countdown whilst existing in abject poverty that I did during my four years of Uni' he seems to have done alright for himself!
Food for thought perhaps.
BV
His is always the case that I quote when discussing the University versus DE dilemma. By the age I had finished the Jag OCU, your son was on his third front line tour. So despite the fact that he will never have experienced the life affirming delights of watching Countdown whilst existing in abject poverty that I did during my four years of Uni' he seems to have done alright for himself!
Food for thought perhaps.
BV
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As a RCAF pilot I cannot think of a single reason why the OP shouldn't have braces? Doesn't stop at least two QFIs that I know from flying!
Should I sacrifice my braces to attempt to become a pilot in the RAF?
I'm afraid I couldn't possibly tell you where else I shave.
I'm sorry, did things just get a little weird?
BV
I'm not helping with the Jag banter am I?!
I'm sorry, did things just get a little weird?
BV
I'm not helping with the Jag banter am I?!
Affirm. Still am, but no longer shaving my legs!
Anything to make a Jaguar go faster .....
Jack
PS I always knew that that smiley would be wholly appropriate one day!
Anything to make a Jaguar go faster .....
Jack
PS I always knew that that smiley would be wholly appropriate one day!
Should I sacrifice my braces to attempt to become a pilot in the RAF?
We apologise wholeheartedly Genstabler. Please feel free to dazzle us with your sparkling wit and repartee.
Bob
Bob
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Ditched the Braces!
Well I got them off last Friday! Definitely the best decision. I should have another interview within a few weeks.
Thank you so much for all your replies! Really helped me make the right decision. I was surprised how many I got! CHEERS!!!!!
Thank you so much for all your replies! Really helped me make the right decision. I was surprised how many I got! CHEERS!!!!!
Good luck. Fifty five years ago had a problem with a latent squint. Long argument with parents over having an operation for it, but fortunately got it fixed with exercises, and has never been a problem since. Hope you get selected and make it into a flying career.