Oneflewnorth,

How tall are you exactly? (in cm)

Rito

It was actually my sitting height from head to seat. From memory the limit is 95 and I measured 95.5cm. I was pretty disappointed, especially considering I would measure under that as the day goes on. I'm considering appealing to be measured again but it is what it is.

I was told that there is an "at risk" (of injuries etc) category which is between 92cm and 95cm. Apparently they can take you if your "at risk" but if you exceed 95cm you fall into a "high risk" (or similar) category and you are unlikely to be considered.

How tall are you standing? Just trying to work out if I would be in a similar category (if you are a similar height)...

If your over 95cm sitting height, your made 'medically unfit' for Army entry. I know this all too well. My advice, go for a long run before your medical. :E

Raaf intake later this year. Not sure of numbers though.

Standing I'm 183cm. There really isn't anything you can do about it so don't stress. And a standing height doesn't mean much, you may have long legs etc.
I'm considering appealing but it can take forever and hold up my application so undecided at this stage. Anyone had any experience with appeals?

cj, how did you find out the intake dates?
Thanks

ADF Recruiting Policy
 

Below is a link to the ADF Recruiting Policy:

http://www.defence.gov.au/foi/docs/d..._Documents.pdf

It contains information on educational requirements, medical requirements, education/medical waivers, appeals, interview process and questions etc.

It is available under Freedom of Information legislation.

Flight apptitude testing
 

If anyone wants some info on ADF flight app testing i am happy to give some tips.

I have just passed it in the last week or so.

lesnak,

PSA and DFR told me the other day RAAF was doing an intake later this year, so who knows!!! :confused:

OTS holds two courses per year, one in Late Jan/Feb and the other Jun/Jul (maybe even Aug). There will also be the ADFA intake late Jan 12

They are restructuring a few things though so that may change. Wait out for official word from someone in the know (that generally doesn't mean DFR).

Since I was told RAAF were doing intake later this year and OTS courses being Jan/Feb, I'd imagine the offers would be coming out later this year rather than the actual intake. I want Army bad but as I've found out, SSO has halted intakes.:{ Certainly wont turn down an offer from another service though.

Hopefully I can make the deadline as today I was made class3 at my dental due to some minor issues( I hope):ugh:. Have to see a civvy dentist and have a thorough clean out and then present back to RAAF dentist in Oct. Hopefully offers don't come out before then!

http://www.airforce.gov.au/psa/docs/schedule2011.pdf

That's the 2011 schedule.

Going off that, they shouldn't release offers until, at minimum, mid November for DEO but generally it'll take a little longer.

If you want Army bad enough, go GSO. Do your 18 months at funtroon and be possibly one of the most operational pilots in Australia.

If you're interested in holding hands, singing songs around a camp fire, enjoying a quiet cuppa' in the mess, crafting cute and fluffy bears for your friends, wearing blue and being in the top service, have a shot at OTS.

Has anyone had a call regarding the DEO FSP running in October/November?

Sounds like a bit of an over sterotype there Zulk.

I Certainly would take a GSO offer as well. I'm just not really keen on 18 months at RMC though. 32 years old now and want to get to flight training asap and SSO was the obvious choice. That and SSO is regarded more as a flying role rather than GSO but as we know now SSO is on hold for the foreseeable future. Failing flight school as a GSO is also nasty as you are then still a GSO but not a pilot. I would probably cry:{

The big question though is do you take a RAAF/Navy offer or wait for an Army offer? Don't know if I could turn down an offer from any service and roll the dice hoping for an Army offer that might not come. Don't think I could live with myself if it backfired.

Why do you want Army? Because SSO is a fast track? Or are you genuinely interested in the way Army does things as opposed to RAAF/Navy?

If you're simply after a fast track, put it aside and take an offer from one of the other services. No matter where you go, training is going to take time. However, if you're keen for the Army because you're green through and through, sell yourself to them.

Zulk nailed the RAAF/Navy mentality quite well. Who'd have it any other way?

Mate, my application is 2 and 1/2 years old so I'm not impatient that's for sure.. I've had every thing thrown at me in the selection process, been recommended twice and still here, no question of giving up.

Army is for me because I want choppers, simple as that. That's where it's at for me. If RAAF still had the choppers, that would be my 1st preference. Like I said though, I wouldn't turn down an offer from any service but my passion lies with the choppers, low level, in the weeds and carrying the troops!

October Flight Screening Program (DEO)
 

Hey Avena,

I got a call last Friday telling me I'd been invited to the October 8th course for DEO candidates, I'm super excited about it! If anyone is on the same course, PM me so we can get in touch.

Jimbo88. Age 23. Knows all about the "RAAF/Navy mentality".:rolleyes:

You should work for an ad agency, mate ... you may also possibly not be a pilot at all, but go to one of the other corps where your closest encounter with an aircraft will be when one drops you a hotbox in your muddy shell scrape, if you're lucky!

CSD,

Looking at jimb88's age and location, if he is a pilot we could blame you!!:}

PS: While choppers are **** hot, bear in mind the differences in flying training between the services.

It sounds like you're set on helicopters, and that's not a bad thing at all. An operational helo conversion teaches you all kinds of good stuff, and with the types in service these days, stands you in good stead for post-service flying too.

However, the 2FTS path with its fighter slant takes you that bit further, in my opinion. If I was king and money wasn't an issue, I'd put all our military pilots through 2FTS, then send them off to train on fighters, helos, maritime, transport or whatever.

This is pie-in-the-sky stuff, but in a relatively small defence force aviation community like ours, the ability to swap pilots between types and roles, even services, would be very beneficial in many ways, not just for surge capability.

Anyway, I digress.

October Flight Screening Program (DEO)
 

oemar,
Congratulations on receiving your FSP course in October. I haven’t received a call yet; hopefully I will get a call soon, fingers crossed.

Fail 2FTS at the right time and you can go to the army!

Slightly on that topic of 'Arm out the window' and Captain Sand Dune would probably be the best person to ask, what would be the chances, hypothetically speaking of course :E, of someone transferring from say RAAF/ Navy to Army during BFTS or at the completion of?

.............

If there are any current ADF Pilots in this forum, I would like to hear from you. Please send me a Private Message.

Regards, James (fly_surfbeach)

That has happened in the past, however Army has recently seen the light and reversed the policy of accepting another services rejects.

Mate, the answer is always "no" if you don't ask! BFTS's establishment includes a senior Army officer (Major type). Go and knock on his door.

No, it's not actually.

Hello folks,

A question to those who may be in the forces or have more information than I do -
if you do get recommended after attending FSP, what are the chances of being selected while in the pool? Let’s assume a worst case scenario and you end up with a recommendation but at the bottom of the pilot pool - is there an estimate of the number of recommended candidates in the list and the number that get to training?

Thanks. Hope that made sense. I’m just trying to gauge and make long term plans and would like to know.

In the current situation mate, I hate to say it but if you've got a low recommendation, it's unlikely you will get a spot. so few spots are being handed out, only the top ones are getting the nod. Army SSO is stopped completely so there's one avenue out of the picture. My first time around, I found out I had a low recommendation, was made medically unfit for Army and didn't get picked up for Raaf or Navy. I'm better placed this time around but where exactly in the pool, they wont tell you. But let's face it, you could be tenth place and if only 9 spots get offered, you miss out. Then again, a big intake maybe just around the corner. It's out of your hands at this point and I know it's hard but just stay with it. 10 years ago, it was a different story I am told, there were more spots available than people in the pool!

If you don't get a call, you can do it all again. If you want it.

Sep,
don't forget the other part of the pool, which is it is continually being added to. So even if you are competitive and the intake numbers are down it dosen't neccssarily mean you move up in the pool when some are taken out.

Somewhat inspiring
 

To all those who doubt whether or not they are capable of achieving a spot in any of the forces as a pilot( or aircrew for that matter), let me paraphrase something penetratingly insightful and inspiring:

"Everyone who attempts selection has the basic mark-one body:two arms, two legs, one head and one pumping set of lungs. What makes the difference between those that make it and those that don't is what goes on in here," ( touching chest), " heart is what makes the difference. Only you know if you have got what it takes. Good luck"

-a senior , ex-SAS officer

Thanks cj and finestkind. It is quite disheartening to be left in a state of uncertainty even after being recommended, albeit a low one at that. I’ve still got medicals to complete, and my eyesight hopefully gets through as a marginal issue.

However, I went in to FSP with no flying. I now know what I can be and what I really am missing out on. I am more determined than ever to do whatever it takes and wait for however long the system requires me to, in order for me to wear the flying suit again, this time around with the Australian flag and my name tag on it.

Afraidofheights,
Very true Sir. I drew most of my inspiration and support from these forums and the internet, so thanks for sharing.

cj0203, I wasn't referring to yourself champ.

Good luck to those in the pool!

Goodluck to those waiting out for ADFA, if you get an offer it makes all the school stuff worthwhile.

;)

NicKM91,

Apologies mate and cheers.

Would be good to know how many, roughly, were in the pool? I thought it was around 150 when intakes are at their normal pace but I was told recently it may be as little as 50 applicants, but I can't see that being quite right? I have "heard" not as many people are getting recommended lately due to the fact that they don't want to have an overcrowded pool.

I stress, these are just things I've "heard".

Was just booked into an assessment day in two weeks time! I have scoured this thread, however, perhaps someone who has recently attended their assessment day can suggest some particular area to concentrate on, or criteria the interviewers are targeting more recently! Cheers and good luck to everyone working hard towards any part of the recruitment process, keep your heads up, and remember "the only difference between 'try' and 'triumph' are varying degree's of umph" - bear grylls

If you were talking to me Nick (pot meet kettle etc), I'm afraid that you have the wrong person....:= Never considered swapping... but I know people who have

Cj, my advice would be not to worry with things that are out of your control. The issue isn't whether or not there are 50 spots or 150 spots or any number above, below or in between. Make yourself as competitive as possible. The harder something is the more rewarding it is. Whether you outclass 1 person or several hundred- do your best and the universe( and the forces) will decide whether you have what it takes. All the best mate!