Any news on a training pipeline? Didn't know the UAVs are set to operate with a WSO.

If I was a betting man I'd put money on WSO filling from the ranks this year.

And then some. There is no pipeline for ab initio WSOs. Apart from the ANT at Cranwell, there's no WSO training apparatus out there. There's no MFTS plan to train WSO's. And so on...

Royal Navy Aircrewman
 

Good afternoon all,

Just thought I'd throw this into the mix. If anyone is looking at or has applying/applied to the Royal Navy as Aircrewman and wants to know any info ref. the current recruiting process, feel free to PM or quote this post and I'll be happy to help.

I'm currently awaiting my AME Medical date and hopefully all should be culminated by September this year after Cranwell FATS/Aircrew Med (with the view that I'll hopefully pass everything).

Rgds,

NDW

Any rumours if WSO will have the chance to stream FJ? Is it likely with WSO training for ISTAR that WSOp will me pushed out? I'm slightly confused how it can be justified pay and rank responsibilities for a WSO and WSOp to do exactly the same job? This is an argument for not down banding WSOp by the way, not that WSOs are in anyway superior, I'm fully aware in terms of capability each can do the job proficiently.

You are making the assumption that while the job for WSOp and WSO may be the same that the rank responsibilities are the same too. They aren't.

Admittedly a multi-tour NCA will have more mission experience than an an initio officer, and pay too, the latter ultimately will have more responsibilities.

Surely they'll need to start recruiting WSO's before they're streamed to any aircraft type?

No chance, Tornado OCU shuts next year. Any future WSOs will be ISTAR - within that I include RC135, E3D, P8 and Reaper/Protector/whatever is in ISOs at Waddo.

Jack, all candidates. It is not a test of maths per se but a test of ability to reason. SDT is not only a question of miles and minutes in s jet but also in many other situations.

Does anyone have a good contact at OASC to discuss a medical issue with please?
My Daughter is very keen to join but has a medical issue that appears to preclude even applying

OASC don't deal with medical issues. The Department of Occ Meds do that.

Thanks DS, would you know how to get in contact with them please?

From Google....

R&S DOM
Adastral Hall
PO Box 1000
RAFC Cranwell
Sleaford
Lincs NG34 8GZ

But, I'm not sure how much joy you will get. My advice would be to apply, fill out the Medical Supplement Leaflets which will then get formally reviewed by the DoM.

Thanks DS, will make enquiries....
We wanted to get some answers whilst she is 16 so that she can make some career/uni decisions during Lower 6th.
I'll put her through a CAA Class 1 this autumn and see where we stand on that too

I have to disagree with this. IMO just filling in the forms and leaving it to the 'process' would likely end in disappointment because Capita will most probably simply reject. Do write to the President of the Medical Board, DOM, at OASC if you have a specific concern. This should generate a straight answer and could save a lot of time and false expectation.

True to a point, but the DoM won't commit to a decision on a speculative letter. And once you appeal a capita decision the DoM will review. All medical stuff is a minefield.

Hi, I Will shortly be doing my Aptitude tests at RAF Cranwell, does anyone know of any good online practice tests, also any good flight simulators people can recommend just to use on a computer/play station, heard they really help with some of the tests.

Thanks

Does anyone know if food allergies automatically bar candidates for aircrew?

Only if allergic to chocolate bars .........................seriously though, don't know, if they can deal with satisfying religious requirements guess they should be able to deal with allergies.

Religious requirements are quite different.
Food allergies can indeed be a bar to service, particularly if it's already on your med records and formally diagnosed. If you have an emergency epi pen, don't even bother applying; otherwise, it's a case of how severe the allergy is.

From the RAF Medical requirements page;

All Congenital, chromosonal and genetic disorders
• Severe allergic reactions and/or anaphylaxis
• A need to carry adrenaline injections (EPIPEN, etc)
• Confirmed food allergy
• Any history of a Type 1 allergic reaction regardless of cause
• Latex allergy
• Specific vaccine allergy (including tetanus allergy)
• Gluten sensitivity (Coeliac disease),
• Any confirmed food intolerance which results in symptoms
• Chronic fatigue syndrome or associated disorders

NDW

Thanks for that.

Amazed anyone passes the medical these days - what would maritime rear crew have done with peanut allergy (only joking)

Capita delay in booking medical
 

Possibly a daft question, but I can't see an answer in the thread.


After visit to AFCO, interview by staff, interview by RAF officer, and a day trip around a station, my son is still waiting for an appointment to have his medical. He'd been told by AFCO that six weeks without hearing anything is normal and that there is nothing he can do so speed up the process. He's applying to become an Engineering Officer.


Understandably he's nervous about rocking the boat by hassling the AFCO staff, but is it really the case that after almost two months of being told that a medical has been arranged on the system he's still not heard anything?

It's a real shame but sadly the wait is a necessary evil as it is in the hands of a contractor - Capita. Having said that, he would not be rocking the boat if he chased the AFCO; the AFCO are there to support him and the engineering officer branch is in surge so he's worth progressing quickly.

Scotland Busy
 

RearEnd

Capita in Scotland are V busy at the moment because university units for RAF Navy and Army are all recruiting for the new academic year. No harm in asking the AFCO to chase things up though.

Good evening all,

Been umm'ing and arr'ing whether to post such a question for a while, but I'm asking this for honesty, not as such, advice.

How many times would you consider a suffice amount of attempts at CBAT? Say from an OASC Selection officer P.O.V.

The reason behind is that I'm now re-entering my third RAF WSOp application, this will ultimately be my second attempt at CBAT, after slightly missing the required score in Sep'15.

I never wish to sound defeatist or I'm not one to give up easily, however, I have to be realistic and honest with myself that if after say 2/3 attempts at CBAT, if theres no significant progress shown, it might be time to call it a day.

I appreciate that each applicant has different aptitude abilities, but I've heard that your Aptitude doesn't change that much from each attempt to the next.

I hope the above makes sense and not some garbled nonsense. I'm incredibly passionate about joining as Aircrew (as I'm sure many of you know) and have been for a very VERY long time, but time is moving rather quickly now and I need to start assessing and being honest with ones self.

Thanks all.

Realistically your next attempt should probably be it. At your last debrief they may have said come back in a year. What do you imagine next?

Just may be, application within the Service after another couple of years just might cut it. But think positive.

Thanks PN,

The debriefing officer offered the opportunity to re-apply and re-test for the next year and I'll certainly jump at the chance to re-sit.

Personally, its always been Aircrewman (WSOp) or bust, which I know to some may sound very ignorant as there are other fantastic opportunities available in all three services, however its always been about the flying and if I were unsuccessful, I don't personally feel anything else would come as close (again to reiterate I'm not being ignorant or arrogant about any of the other roles available).

I've got my positive hat on.

Best regards.

If you want to fly more than you want to join a specific service, then I would suggest being open to the potential of flying in any of the services. I only say this because whilst all services have similar requirements in terms of leadership and personal qualities, they did at least weigh their aptitude tests differently.

For example, when I was going through the application process, oh God was it that long ago?, the RAF required you to get a score of something like 110+ to pass for pilot, whereas the AAC only needed 90+. So, all things like medical, leadership and personal qualities and slots available being equal, if it's just about getting up in the air, you might want to consider all options. Just be prepared to answer the inevitable question of "so you've tried for X 3 times and failed and now you've come to us???"

Melchett01,

Thanks for your reply.

I presently have an application in with the Royal Navy as DE Aircrewman (just need to complete my PJFT, then I'll be ready to attend FATS).
As of early October '16, I re-applied to the RAF (I'm aware of the implications this can cause for attending FATS/CBAT and the 12 month wait between each attempt) as when I spoke to the AFCO back in Sep '15, I made it clear I wanted to re-apply as a WSOp when the time allowed.

However, since then the role of D.E Aircrewman in the FAA opened and I jumped at the opportunity.

At the end of the day, I never wish to waste anyone's time, however I've wanted to keep any other options available and the AFCO(s) seem happy to help and offer any advice.

Thanks again gents.

NDW

Weapon Systems Officer re-opened
 

https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/roles/roles-finder/aircrew/weapon-systems-officer/

WSO won't be open long for DEs given the number they are after.

My boy has now had a medical, apparently went OK, but because he had a few bumps and scrapes along the way - "have you ever had an x-ray for a suspected fracture?" - Capita are calling for more reports. That was over a month ago and weekly calls to the AFCO are not really helping although he is on first name terms with the staff now :-)

He walked into the AFCO at the end of June, today he told me he's fed up of the bar job he's taken to tide him over until the RAF kicks off and is going to apply elsewhere.

Serious question: What other organisation would countenance a recruitment system that has spent over six months since application and has still not got to interview let alone job offer?

MBA Question: How many good candidates are lost in the "system"?

VSO Question: What are the anticipated long term effects of the current recruitment process?

Rear entry,

I'm not defending the system, so don't shoot the messenger! The extra GP notes requested by capita, has your sons GP provided them? IME the majority of the delay after medical is because the applicants GP sits on the request. Has he hassled his GP to ensure they've been forwarded to capita?

Hope this helps.

Capita recruitment
 

Medical reports sent from GP early November, AFCO yesterday: "six months is really quite quick for the process" and "to be honest, most people drop out"

Is he likely to make the February intake? Apparently not something he should rely on.

As a parent I find it upsetting, as a taxpayer I find it offensive.

RE, if that 6 months is the whole process time I can appreciate the problem. In my day it took me 4 months; there was an initial training course every month. It was a bit like a cog wheel with 12 teeth, easy to mesh. Now, with only 3 entries per year, you might have to wait 3 months longer. So, 6 months is not unreasonable.

Weapon Systems Operator APTITUDE
 

Morning all,

Well, I sat my CBAT for WSOp a few weeks back & sadly I didn't make the required cut off for WSOp........again (on my second attempt). :\.

Fairly demoralising. However, I had improved on areas I fell short on last time.

I know my weak areas and I'm constantly working on improving them, however, I do feel is it worth giving it one more attempt (third time lucky and all that)?.

However, as an optimist about most things , I need to be realistic and appreciate that If I can't pass CBAT, then the chances of me passing technical training and further training are slim.

Any advice?

Thanks all,

NDW

NDW

What do you mean "technical training" and "further training"? If you don't pass CBAT you won't be getting in as a WSOp.:confused:

My interpretation was that he meant if he worked his proverbial off and then *just* achieved the pass mark to get in, it would probably indicate he might have similar issues on course.


NDW, that's not necessarily the case. The idea is if you have the aptitude then you would be able to cope with what's being thrown at you, so while I get your point, it might not be as cut and dry as you think.
However, you don't know that until you get in. Let them make that decision for you.

What guidance were you given after your recent test?