Did you UAS?
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So is it still worth having them?
I had fun on mine, and got plenty of flying done, but I have to say I had a better time with my friends at Uni. Possibly something to do with that fact that at Uni you can choose your friends, whereas on a UAS you are forced to be with the people recuited with you. I didn't appreciate this much as I just couldn't put up with their wannabe pretentious attitude. The UAS is not something to brag about. Especially the one I was on!
I had fun on mine, and got plenty of flying done, but I have to say I had a better time with my friends at Uni. Possibly something to do with that fact that at Uni you can choose your friends, whereas on a UAS you are forced to be with the people recuited with you. I didn't appreciate this much as I just couldn't put up with their wannabe pretentious attitude. The UAS is not something to brag about. Especially the one I was on!
Bear with me on this, and don't jump down my throat, 'cos I'm not being rude, but.......
Since UASs now use standard RAF selection tests and a squadron interview (conducted by exactly the same sort of GD(P) officers who do the same job at OASC, and who are probably following similar guidelines) the average UAS may still represent a relatively realistic microcosm of the wider Air Force. Certainly it would be surprising if it did not recruit the same type of young, keen, enthusiastic wannabe FJ pilots, and I'd be surprised if Squadron life doesn't still enjoy some similarities with service life.
If you didn't enjoy it, and if you didn't get on with your squadron mates (many of whom will go on to join up), maybe it's a pointer that you'd also be out of step in the RAF proper?
Just a thought.
Since UASs now use standard RAF selection tests and a squadron interview (conducted by exactly the same sort of GD(P) officers who do the same job at OASC, and who are probably following similar guidelines) the average UAS may still represent a relatively realistic microcosm of the wider Air Force. Certainly it would be surprising if it did not recruit the same type of young, keen, enthusiastic wannabe FJ pilots, and I'd be surprised if Squadron life doesn't still enjoy some similarities with service life.
If you didn't enjoy it, and if you didn't get on with your squadron mates (many of whom will go on to join up), maybe it's a pointer that you'd also be out of step in the RAF proper?
Just a thought.
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I think it was just them, coupled with the fact that I had lived quite a distance away from them i.e. I was at a different Uni. I have a large number of very good friends who were not on my squardron.
I agree with what you are saying Jackinicko, but I do/have enjoyed the RAF and the UAS system as a whole, but think it's important to have a good Uni life too.
I agree with what you are saying Jackinicko, but I do/have enjoyed the RAF and the UAS system as a whole, but think it's important to have a good Uni life too.
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Whatever the format, your time on a UAS is always brillaint. I have had the good fortune of being associated with four - initially as a student (1980 - 84) and then as QFI, CFI and Boss (1993 -97). Yes the days of the VR flying club have long since gone, but what they have to offer is still fantastic. During my final stint as Boss the rules changed so that the VR students were effectivley streamed on their performance before they had even joined up - which was a bit harsh. However, you soon worked out who the guys and girls were that you would want to join and if the cracked the syllabus to an acceptable standard then they got a FJ rec. Even with the cutbacks and limitations of the system the good ones still shone through. The greatest crime of all though is not now going on summer camp - great memories. It is fantastic to now keep bumping into ex-students and see how they have progressed - although 3 different UASs as an instructor I find it difficult to remember all the names let alone which UAS!
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UAS
I was on Oxford UAS in the early 90s. I had the space cadet, flying schol background and thought this to be the normal progression. I had a very good social life with the squadron but found that there was not much of a meritocracy going on.
If daddy was a senior enough officer then you were considered good regardless of dedication or ability and the favourite student thing got a touch annying if you weren't part of the Strike Command Offspring elite.
In fact it showed me that the RAF seemed only to care about individuals and not teams at all. The RAF officer became to me the epitomization of self centre. It was get ahead first, even if it meant taking the credit for someone else's labour and leadership was something to be frowned at lest it get in the way of looking good as opposed to being good.
I subsequently went Army Air Corps and at RMAS realized that there was leadership in the British Army but also now having served since then realize the that different types of officer I encountered in those days was due to the vastly different roles encountered in service.
Of course, I think that RAF officers would rather sip G&Ts than spit napalm and those I still know and meet I find to be civil, professional, dedicated but a little lacking in the big picture. RAF officers will never lead a coy/sqn group across the line of departure but then at leas they fly enough hours that they can do more than stay current.
I found the army through the RAF and look back on those days with fondness now they have been tarnished by the reality of operations across the globe. It was however an invaluable learning process that saved me from mistakenly going to IOT where I would probably have not been quite at home.
I think that the way that they have gone by rumour sounds good. It should be that only those who are going to join get to stay and further those who arent good enough are seen as such in the streaming process. I missed out on not being in a meritocracy. If you are good enough you will always get through.
Happy flying
If daddy was a senior enough officer then you were considered good regardless of dedication or ability and the favourite student thing got a touch annying if you weren't part of the Strike Command Offspring elite.
In fact it showed me that the RAF seemed only to care about individuals and not teams at all. The RAF officer became to me the epitomization of self centre. It was get ahead first, even if it meant taking the credit for someone else's labour and leadership was something to be frowned at lest it get in the way of looking good as opposed to being good.
I subsequently went Army Air Corps and at RMAS realized that there was leadership in the British Army but also now having served since then realize the that different types of officer I encountered in those days was due to the vastly different roles encountered in service.
Of course, I think that RAF officers would rather sip G&Ts than spit napalm and those I still know and meet I find to be civil, professional, dedicated but a little lacking in the big picture. RAF officers will never lead a coy/sqn group across the line of departure but then at leas they fly enough hours that they can do more than stay current.
I found the army through the RAF and look back on those days with fondness now they have been tarnished by the reality of operations across the globe. It was however an invaluable learning process that saved me from mistakenly going to IOT where I would probably have not been quite at home.
I think that the way that they have gone by rumour sounds good. It should be that only those who are going to join get to stay and further those who arent good enough are seen as such in the streaming process. I missed out on not being in a meritocracy. If you are good enough you will always get through.
Happy flying
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Is there a ULAS in the house???!! Had a blast, even though I was a lowly ground branch stude.
Have to say I disagree slightly about the individual vs team thing from VT. I'm one of few ground branch officers on my sqn, and feel very much part of the team. Maybe it's cos all the pilots get to fly so much, the sqn is a well bonded fighting machine!!!
Have to say I disagree slightly about the individual vs team thing from VT. I'm one of few ground branch officers on my sqn, and feel very much part of the team. Maybe it's cos all the pilots get to fly so much, the sqn is a well bonded fighting machine!!!
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Just put down my G+T (bought on my own - no rounds for this non team player) to agree absolutely with the idea that UAS is a good social filter. Those who didn't fit in may well have gone on to pastures greener, but it doesn't mean you'd want to sit down and have a beer with them (individually purchased of course).
Joined LUAS in 96 (Horrace perhaps we know each other) and the only bit of me that regrets it is my liver. Dunhrovin - you must have caught us on an off day!
Lets go f*&^%$n mental, lets go f#$&&n mental, ah laa laa laa.
PS Vortex Thing - was probably because you were on OUAS. Rest of us were far more welcoming to those not to the manor born
Joined LUAS in 96 (Horrace perhaps we know each other) and the only bit of me that regrets it is my liver. Dunhrovin - you must have caught us on an off day!
Lets go f*&^%$n mental, lets go f#$&&n mental, ah laa laa laa.
PS Vortex Thing - was probably because you were on OUAS. Rest of us were far more welcoming to those not to the manor born
