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-   -   OFFICER and AIRCREW 'CANDIDATES' PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST! (https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/405176-officer-aircrew-candidates-please-read-thread-first.html)

muppetofthenorth 4th Jan 2011 22:45

If you want an answer, apply. The only people who are qualified to give the say so are OASC's optometrists.

Just because the standards were brought into line with the FAA's, it doesn't mean they'll take you if they get another 100 applicants who have better eyes than you.

Airborne Aircrew 5th Jan 2011 01:06


Try something like E-goat, AARSE type them into google.
PotentialPilot:

You are joking, right???

The Mil forum on PPRuNe is a lesser source of information than E-Goat and ArRSe for a potential military pilot???

There's a reason you will always remain "potential"... :ugh:

Admin_Guru 5th Jan 2011 05:11

The RAF are aware that wholey suitable pilot candidates have in the past been lost due to eyesight standards of expectation. They are also aware that most aircrew beyond age 40 wear spectacles without any deteriation of operational capability.

I am not an OASC Staff Officer and therefore do not have a finger on this particular pulse, but I was in a meeting in which the Chief of the Air Staff stated that aircrew eyesight issues were under review and that it was hoped that the outcome would be that the 'best man for the job' would get the job even if that meant entering into flying training wearing spectacles.

Therefore one can reasonably deduce that entry standards are fluid; can and do change. The bottom line is for all potential recruits to go to OASC and give 100% in all aspects of the selection process. It is impossible for you to self criticise, and you may well have done well in an interview that you perceive as the nightmare from hell. The medical aspects are objective and you will either pass or fail: simples.

letsgoandfly 8th Jan 2011 15:12

Hi! Hopefully I can get some advice please, my brother wants to join as an Officer as he wanted to join as NCA but hasn't got maths B and has been told by AFCO that they're not recruting at the moment anyway. He's now looking at RAFP or Regt Offr but, whilst he's got the 5 GCSEs C>, he only has 1 A-level above a C, the other A-level is a D. He's got a music production degree at 2.1 however if it's worth anything.

Will he be wasting his time as the careers website specifically says 2 A-levels C> and doesn't mention degrees counting for much in those branches? I'm currently NCA and he's wanted to join for years but kept putting it off - it would be a shame if he'd missed the chance so any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Thanks, L

OneFifty 8th Jan 2011 16:53

Letsgoandfly

He should be ok, the degree can be used to offset the A level deficiency. It can't be used to offset GCSEs, but can for A levels. Get him to ask the AFCO to double check with the education specialist at Cranwell.

letsgoandfly 9th Jan 2011 08:03

Thanks OneFifty, the message has been passed on and he will investigate next week. Thanks again, L

Smegward 11th Jan 2011 12:55

Any news?
 
Afternoon all,
Just wondering if anyone in this forum has been to OASC recently since I was curious as to whether the process has changed much since i last went 2 and a half years ago. Also does anyone have any idea when they'll be looking for personnel support officers? Practically chomping at the bit here waiting to get the ball rolling with the application (I have registered for the forms through the telephone service).

Thanks in advance!

Herc-u-lease 11th Jan 2011 13:49

I must have had my head in the sand when they announced Admin Os were to be renamed "Personnel Support Officer"

Even as a serving officer, I hadn't realized just how much some of the trades had changed i.e. Aerospace Battle manager!? Aerospace Systems Operator - I'm guessing that's the old AATC?

Back in my day....grumble...whine

Pontius Navigator 11th Jan 2011 15:12


Originally Posted by Herc-u-lease (Post 6172781)
Even as a serving officer, I hadn't realized just how much some of the trades had changed i.e. Aerospace Battle manager!? Aerospace Systems Operator - I'm guessing that's the old AATC?

Back in my day....grumble...whine

ABM I will give you but ASOps were around when you were still in shorts :}

Herc-u-lease 11th Jan 2011 15:27

I'd never heard of the ASOPs trade. I assumed it was a new variant of Assistant Air Traffic. Either shows my ignorance or the lack of visibility this trade gets on the dirty end of the RAF :)

Pontius Navigator 11th Jan 2011 16:20

Herc, very true. Unless you were associated with the trade you would never know. The majority lived as troglodites on the east coast and thought working at Waddo in buildings with windows was the bees knees.

OASC 13th Jan 2011 09:18

OASC Bulletin 25
 
In the next 2 submissions we will cover details of the Potential Regiment Officers Course (PROC); success on the Course is a pre-requisite to be further considered for selection into the RAF Regiment as an officer. The first submission will cover an overview of why the PROC is conducted and the Physical Fitness Assessments. The second submission will look at the presentations and interview.

Potential Regiment Officers Course (PROC) - Part 1 of 2

What is the PROC?

The purpose of the PROC is to assess whether you have the motivation for the RAF Regiment and the potential for training on the Junior Regiment Officers’ Course (JROC). It will also allow you to have a closer look at the Regiment and decide if it is a suitable career path for you. A positive recommendation from the PROC is an essential pre-requisite for anyone seeking selection for a commission in the RAF Regiment.

If the RAF Regiment is your primary branch choice and you pass your filter interview, the AFCO will arrange a date for you to attend a PROC at RAF Honington. In most cases this will be prior to your visit to OASC. If the RAF Regiment is not your primary branch choice and you pass your filter interview, you will be called forward to OASC for selection for your all your branch choices. If you are unsuccessful for your primary choice(s) and still wish to be considered for RAF Regiment, a PROC will then be booked for you by OASC if it is considered you have shown enough potential for training.

How Do We Assess You on the PROC?

During the PROC your suitability for the RAF Regiment will be assessed in a number of areas:

Physical Fitness

Excellent Physical Fitness is essential to be a Regiment Officer. The first hurdle you will face on the PROC is the RAF Fitness Test (RAFFT). This consists of three elements; a Multi-Stage Fitness Test (bleep test), one minute of press-ups, one minute of sit-ups. Regardless of age, you must meet the minimum standard for an 18 year old male. Further details of the RAFFT can be found on the RAF Careers website. However, due to the high physical demands of RAF Regiment officer training and beyond, PROC candidates require levels of physical robustness and determination beyond those tested in the RAFFT. Therefore, while on the PROC, you will undertake several other physical assessments to determine if you have what it takes:

(1) A swimming assessment – this will involve showing that you are capable of swimming 4 lengths and treading water for 4 minutes.

(2) A five mile run in boots – this will be conducted as a squad as a run/walk in 2 legs, with a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) setting the pace. You will pass the test as long as you maintain a pace of around 9 minutes per mile and stay in formation.

(3) An Assault Course – you will complete a timed circuit, after receiving detailed instructions and demonstrations from a PTI. You must complete the course within the briefed time of just over 5 minutes. Significantly you must also show that you can successfully get over a 9ft wall unassisted.

(4) A 3 mile run in sports kit and trainers – this is undertaken in 2 stages. An outward 1˝ mile run as a squad with the pace set by a PTI (≈ 8 min/mile pace) then, following a very short water break, a return leg of 1˝ miles at your own best effort pace. You must complete this return leg in less than 10 minutes 30 seconds (minimum 7 min/mile pace).

(5) A battle fitness session called “Skirmish” – this is purely and simply a test of your determination in physical activities that are designed to replicate battlefield conditions. There is no minimum level or time that you are required to achieve but it is very demanding physically. You will pass providing that you don’t voluntarily remove yourself from the session.

For more information regarding any of these areas highlighted, please contact your AFCO and they will be able to give you more detailed information regarding specific cases.

Please note that, although OASC will endeavour to answer generic questions that arise, we will not be engaging or commenting on individual cases. In those cases, the individual is advised to contact their nearest AFCO who will be able to deal with any queries. All information published is for information only. Information regarding a career in the RAF can be found at http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers

OASC 13th Jan 2011 13:00

OASC Bulletin 26
 
Potential Regiment Officers Course (PROC) - Part 2 of 2

How Do We Assess You on the PROC? (cont)

Group Presentations

The ability to communicate confidently is a key skill required by all RAF Regiment officers. Therefore, your presence, confidence and bearing are assessed during a ten minute presentation. This presentation is prepared and delivered in groups and the topics are sent out with your joining instructions to enable you to undertake pre-course research.

Low Ropes Exercises

Teamwork, communication and leadership are key components for all aspiring RAF Regiment Officers. To assess your potential in these attributes, you will be given a variety of team tasks to complete on a Low Ropes course.

Interview

The final element of the course is an interview with an assessing officer. Your knowledge and motivation for joining the RAF Regiment will be explored. If you have been unsuccessful at any stage of the course you will be debriefed and the assessing officer will provide feedback on your performance, suggesting areas for you to improve before attempting the course again.

What Do We Present to You About the RAF Regiment?

The PROC also aims to give you enough information about the Branch for you to make an informed decision about whether it is the right career path for you at an early stage of the selection process. We make no bones about the fact that training to become an RAF Regiment Officer is extremely demanding both physically and mentally. You will only succeed if you are committed to Regiment as a career; it is in nobody’s interest to discover that it is not for you once you have started training. Therefore to develop candidates’ understanding of the RAF Regiment, as well as the process that lies ahead if you are successful on the PROC, there are a number of presentations that will be given to you between the assessed elements of the course. This is a great opportunity for you to look more closely at the RAF Regiment and (hopefully) confirm that this is the career for you. These presentations include:

(1) RAF Regiment. This will tell you about the capabilities of the RAF Regiment, and its role in current operations. This will also cover the career opportunities for officers within the RAF Regiment.

(2) Junior Regiment Officers Course (JROC). Delivered by current staff members, this will include the details of JROC and what to expect during your training with them.

(3) Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre (OASC). For those that pass the PROC, the next stage will be to undergo selection at OASC, RAFC Cranwell. An Officer from an Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) will be on hand to deliver a presentation on the selection process and will also be available for you to ask any questions that you may have on the process.

(4) Initial Officer Training (IOT). This is a closed forum discussion in which a newly graduated officer will talk frankly about IOT and answer any questions you might have.

(5) Current Weapon Systems. The weapons systems currently employed by the RAF Regiment will be displayed. This will allow you to familiarise yourself with the dismounted close combat weapons systems you would learn to use whilst on JROC.

(6) Officers’ Mess Tour. On one evening, PROC candidates will receive an introduction to, and a tour of, the Officers’ Mess. This is where officers from RAF Honington live, eat and socialise. Current serving officers from the station, including some undergoing JROC if they are available, will be in attendance to answer any questions you may have.

For more information regarding any of these areas highlighted, please contact your AFCO and they will be able to give you more detailed information regarding specific cases.

Please note that, although OASC will endeavour to answer generic questions that arise, we will not be engaging or commenting on individual cases. In those cases, the individual is advised to contact their nearest AFCO who will be able to deal with any queries. All information published is for information only. Information regarding a career in the RAF can be found at http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers

PBI 14th Jan 2011 11:31

WSOp
 
Afternoon all,

That's me done playing around in the sand, and now Im back trying to get in as a WSOp. I recieved an email when I was two months shy of my tour finishing, but my recruiter at the AFCO told me to leave filling it in till I got back, now I'm back and obviously the trade is closed.

Im aware there are a few who work in recruiting/OASC who peruse this site, so my question is if anyone is able to give a rough timeframe for WSOp trade to open for recruiting again?

Many thanks.


(edited for fat, ape like, fingers.)

PBI 14th Jan 2011 13:07

Judging by the "Pipeline Clogged" thread, I'm picking a sparkling time to join up!Really wish I'd ignored the AFCO and sent that application off in September!

OneFifty 14th Jan 2011 15:30

PBI

The latest regarding WSOp is that we won't be recruiting for the role for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, I can't give you anything more specific than that. Remember, when it does open again, you'll need to have GCSE maths at grade B or above to apply.

Applying in September wouldn't have made any difference I'm afraid; we (the AFCOs) had to withdraw a lot of WSOp applicants during their application phase as there were no jobs for them. Even some who were in phase one training found themselves without a job...

PBI 15th Jan 2011 11:44

OneFifty

Thanks for the swift response, it was as I expected.Looks like I have some serious thinking to do.

PBI

TheOttersNest 18th Jan 2011 22:08

Rumours on vision criteria
 
being 0.25 short sighted will selection for pilot still be realistic or is it a no? apologies if repeating someone!

Regards,
TON :ok:

Herc-u-lease 19th Jan 2011 00:37

TON,

Have a look at page 22 of this thread, post #436 onwards. Only the OASC medics can decide. However, with cutbacks/competition as it is I'd keep your options open.

H-u-L

OASC 19th Jan 2011 09:00

OASC Bulletin 27
 
CHANGE IN ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY TO RAF IN APTITUDE RELATED BRANCHES AND AS OFFICERS.

The academic requirements for selection at OASC have recently been raised in 2 areas:

GCSE Mathematics for Aptitude Based Branches

All applicants for aptitude based branches are required to have achieved GCSE Mathematics Grade B, or equivalent.

Evidence shows that the likelihood of success in the numerical elements of the aptitude tests correlates strongly with achievement at Maths GCSE or equivalent: those that achieve Grade C generally fail to achieve the required standard in the aptitude tests – hence the numeracy requirement has been raised. In setting this standard, we are also aware that those taking the foundation level GCSE Maths will be unable to achieve the Grade B requirement, as this can only be reached through the Higher Tier syllabus.

In the context of the Scottish Standard Certificate in Education, the minimum standard is a Grade 2 in the Standard Grade Credit examinations.

Officer Entry – A-Level Requirement

The previous academic standard for entry to commissioned service was 2 A2-Levels at Grades A-E; this has now been raised to 2 A2-Levels at Grades A-C or equivalent. Whilst it could be argued that a Grade B and a Grade D should be aggregated together to equate the same level of achievement, our view is that this demonstrates an academic weakness in not achieving the Grade C minimum standard in each subject.

It has been noticed that those with A2 results at Grade D or below struggle with the analytical skills required of an officer. However, the majority of the population taking A-Levels achieve Grades C or above, and so that is the portion of the population we seek to recruit from, as this is expected to reduce the amount of additional instruction required to reach acceptable standards in training.

Please note that, although OASC will endeavour to answer generic questions that arise, we will not be engaging or commenting on individual cases. In those cases, the individual is advised to contact their nearest AFCO who will be able to deal with any queries. All information published is for information only. Information regarding a career in the RAF can be found at http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers


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