RAF transfer
 

Can a young army officer transfer into the RAF without having to do the 7 months training? If so what are the procedures that one would have to proceed through to transfer. Is there anyone in particular that I should speak to who would know whilst obviously keeping my anonymity.

Re: RAF transfer
 

I know of several RN officers who have transferred without going through IOT, but they had been on exchange as fighter controllers for lengthy periods beforehand.

Hopefully there is someone on here from Cranditz to provide truth, but I suspect that if said officer had completed Sandhurst and initial professional trg satisfactorily, the main requirement would be to complete the SERE (Special Entrant and Re-Entrant) Course, if that's what it is still called, which lasts just a few weeks and is aimed at providing those who have the requisite skills with the additional knowledge required for service in the RAF.

Re: RAF transfer
 

I went on a SERE course. Just lots of running round in the dark, getting wet and/or lost. Did I tick the wrong box or sumfink?

Re: RAF transfer
 

Hey Boredryder,

Your dad aint called Charles by any chance, got real estate down in the west country and just recently married?

Re: RAF transfer
 

I don't think there is a strict set of rules on this one.

Known plenty of Ex RN and AAC mates who have transferred. For the officers, if they have been experienced aircrew then, many of them have gone merely to collect uniform and are Flt Lt XYZ That day.

Others have done the short course (was called SERE, no idea what it's called these days) I suspect that doing this course is merely a mechanism to let some of the previous experience rub off on the other cadets. (Pure conjecture)

It does seem though that the more qualified/experienced you are the more you will be able to bargain your way out of doing the SERE thing and just going to Cranditz to collect your uniform.

What are you qualified to do?

Re: RAF transfer
 

Go to stores, give them your chunky watch and tell them you want your brain back.

Re: RAF transfer
 

Very unlikely to have to do IOT or much if any officer training. I certainly know of (at least) one army captain who left work on a Friday as a captain and started on the monday as a flt lt - and not at the same location either.
He was an infanteer who became a rockape (RAF Regt) so I guess that was easier. Which illustrates the fact that it depends what you want to do in the RAF. If you know, then a good initial POC would be the appropriate JO desk officer at PMA at Innsworth - the RAF's MS equivalent.
You should be able to find out who you need from the RAF intranet sites, which, if you are serving, you should have access to. If not, ask a friendly crab...

Re: RAF transfer
 

Well the opening message suggests Army so at a rough guess the answer to your question is
"Dig holes, carry heavy stuff, walk a Labrador, wear pink chords with a clashing yellow shirt and needlessly stout Brogues, and play lots of polo."
:}

Re: RAF transfer
 

For officers looking to transfer to the RAF, you will need to apply to OASC and if you are a graduate of Sandhurst then there is a good chance you will not have to undertake the full IOT course.
You are looking to apply for what the RAF call Specialist Entrant or Re-Entrant Officer.
If you are suitably qualified as an SRO, you will undertake a medical, aptitude tests and an Interview with Boarding Officers to ascertain why you wish to transfer and to find out more about you. The Board will then make a recommendation based mainly on your interview as to whether you:
a. Deserve further consideration (you will then complete the full selection procedure)
b. Have not been Recommended for a transfer
c. Whether you can bypass the rest of the selection procedure. At that point a recommendation is made as to what type of Initial Officer Training, if
any, that you have to undertake.
If you PM me with more details I will be able to direct you to the right person.
Well Travelled Nav