Just bear in mind two things...

1. At interview for your "chosen" trade you need to appear committed to that trade, declaring it as a method to kill time before going for another CBAT attempt may make people sniffy.
2. Some trades have long wait times to get in because they are over subscribed.

Bugs' comment about what your OASC guidance was is key - sharing that might help us give you some more guidance. His (or her if Bugs is a lass) comment about the split between Serving Airmen and Direct Entrant is also something to mull over, not something most of us would think about. Is there a way you can find out what the split was in the last year? (Think creatively there!) If it's 1:99, 99:1 or 50:50 then that might give a perspective.

Also (just checking) that you've not got your heart some on one specific WSOp stream? I'd hate for you to bust a mental gut getting in only to be sent dangling out the back of a Puma when you actually wanted to...... I was one the last to apply for a certain WSOp role which made it easier for me to put the 120% effort in to get in.

If it helps, think of the SA to DE split as 50:50... and I wouldn't let that influence your decision on joining in the ranks now. OASC have a certain degree of flexibility for the right candidates anyway so the key is to make yourself the right candidate.

YT, it also depends on quality presenting at AFCO. On internal recruitment it used to be the case of a general trawl across all stations. It would be particularly when a new type was being brought in to service and a new cadre was being built up. Hint, what's new :)

Regt or driver
 

Iv narrowed my choices down to these two, roles such as ATC fell under CBAT. I'd also hate to be working at a desk if I'm honest. So out of these two which do think is the safer bet ? (In terms of getting into CBAT ASAP)

Driver has no entries until 2018. It's full already.

Just checked the website and used the filter "avalible now" and it's still coming up? What's your source ?

Also would I have the option of choosing which base to be stationed at provided that there was a man shortage at said station. Was thinking shawbury/cosford ? Not a must tho

The Officer at my local AFCO was a former WSOp, having joined the RAF initially as a Regt gunner. I'd hazard a guess that if you joined as a Regt Gunner, if or when the opportunity arose to pursue the WSOp path, you'd have a slight advantage in the fitness aspect at NCAITC (That's not me slating anyone who has undertaken NCAITC (and isnt Regt) as I've heard from various sources how horrific it is).

All the best.

You can apply now, but you won't get in until 2018. So yes, it's available, but it will be a long wait.

My source of info is rock solid, trust me.

If you want in quick, Logs(Sup), ICT, Logs(Chef), Logs(Cat) and probably Gnr. Bear in mind though that you won't be able to do CBAT until you've completed phase 2 training. So that will be 10 weeks Halton + Trade training before you can go to CBAT.

pardon?????

any idea when the next raf regt intake is?

RAF Taff, have you read about the Potential Gunners Selection Course? Think of it as the RAF Regiment's version of OASC. Google about it and check you're the right sort of character to want to get through it. From my perspective, I'm glad they only let the fittest and toughest through to their basic training - but I'd rather spend another cold winter carrying pine poles around fields again than do their basic training!

Yeah something about a unreadable post?

Your local AFCO should have those details.

There are Regt intakes in mid July, but you can't get through the system that quick unless you are very lucky. Ph2 training for gunner is quite long.

Also seriously think about being trapped in a post training RoS, in a trade you may not be committed to, and the inability to leave the RAF if you fail CBAT again.

If you're a Rock and transfer into WSOp but DON'T stream into helicopter crewman, expect to spend the rest of your career telling everyone why not as they'd have assumed etc etc etc!!

10 years ago, 95% of baby WSOps wanted to be RW crewman (It was on the telly from Afghanistan all the time). Now, not so many I think.

Never been a better time to apply for WSOp, or SNCO WC.

Filter Interview
 

Hi chaps,
It's been a little while since I posted on Pprune so please bare with me! I'm currently 19 years old and have been applying to join as either a pilot, RPAS pilot or WSOp, attended the P2 presentation, flew through my CBAT and gone on a station visit (to add to the countless ones I've done with cadets) in anticipation for my filter interview. Come Monday this week I turned up for my interview nice and early - and well - failed! Now the reasoning they gave behind this (I'm not questioning their judgement, just curious) is that I lack sufficient leadership experience/skills and also management experience. Now this is a fair point I'm sure, but bearing in mind I was a cadet for 5 years, did about every course available to me, and in the last year led the squadron (through camp, competitions) and also helped run a couple of clubs in school, how much leadership experience do they expect of someone my age? As understandably I was fairly gutted and have been given the option of coming back in three months to try again (which the interviewing Sgt thought would be difficult) or entering as a ground trade then trying to re role in a few years. I'm also considering going down the aircrewman route in the Navy but am unsure whether I will have to wait that three months before they would interview me?(my aptitude test is valid until the start of June 2018)

Sorry about the length!