RAF ground crew to aircrew
Is the reason that you are not applying for aircrew directly because you do not have the necessary academic qualifications? If so, you would still need to obtain those qualifications before being able to apply for aircrew, even from within the service.
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To give the OP a serious answer, I've seen it happen successfully many times before. Some people who just missed the grade initially who then gain a few more years of life/service experience are perfect for aircrew. Go for it 
Avoid imitations
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Carl Dixon was ex-RAF Regiment. He did OK....
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I was a Flt Systems Techie for 7 years before commissioning as a pilot. I would never have passed in a million years if I had tried to do pilot directly. The 7 years of experience got me through.......... just.
I haven't done too badly since then..........
I haven't done too badly since then..........
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I asked a very confident airwoman with 4 A levels why she hadn't gone for a commission. Her answer was quite reasonable. She didn't believe you could lead unless you had been led. Ie she wanted to be one of them before she was commissioned.
And another who wanted to wait until her SNCO husband retired. In the event she got her commission and was shot down while he was still serving.
While it might seem harder to cross over, it has always been done and mostly to good effect.
And another who wanted to wait until her SNCO husband retired. In the event she got her commission and was shot down while he was still serving.
While it might seem harder to cross over, it has always been done and mostly to good effect.
Last edited by Pontius Navigator; 10th Aug 2015 at 17:10. Reason: dear predictive text (drat)
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Thanks to Wander, I am reminded that there used to be Commissioning clubs, I don't know if they still exist, but were evidence of an active route to a commission.
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This has been (if not still is) possible, although luck and sheer determination would appear to play a role. I'm personally aware of one who failed initial pilot selection, joined as firefighter (with no real intention of fighting fires, but keen to get in), re-applied and eventually went on to earn his wings. Another who initially joined as engineer and was later put forward for pilot selection due to both his service record (and presumably alot of ass kissing) and simply being in the right place at the right time. Lucky boy!
Tho as other have said, certainly go direct if you can.
Tho as other have said, certainly go direct if you can.
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"I asked a very confident airwoman with 4 A levels why she hadn't gone for a commission"
It still amazes me that people are surprised that not everyone wants to be commissioned.
Lots of my my ex colleagues were better academically qualified than our commissioned leaders and were very happy with their chosen path.
Getting a commission certainly never interested me.
It still amazes me that people are surprised that not everyone wants to be commissioned.
Lots of my my ex colleagues were better academically qualified than our commissioned leaders and were very happy with their chosen path.
Getting a commission certainly never interested me.
Op, yes you can. One of our fine 29(F) armourers did it. Quite surprised to see him walk in and ask me to polish his helmet 
That was on the mighty Puma, and seems far to long ago. 
That was on the mighty Puma, and seems far to long ago.
Some very good thoughts being put out here, but I notice the OP is conspicuous by his abscence. Are you there and reading or did you chuck in a hand grenade and depart?
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Certainly wasn't a problem in the early 90's. The PE'd flight and education section used to run excellent courses to prepare a candidate for the Station Board and OASC. That was a long time ago though and a different RAF, I'd say go for it now.
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AC to CAS?
Originally Posted by Wander00
Has anyone made it from airman to CAS. AFAIK only one guy in the Army (to CIGS) - Sir William Robertson during WW1
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Hi everyone one thanks for the advice and this thread has certainly made my mind up about joining up.I just got back from my AFCO were I signed tons of paper work and now I'm just waiting on him calling me to tell me the date for my aptitude test so fingers crossed I pass