Apologies for the typing, it was late last night and it had been a long day:ugh:

Is it not true that the Nimrod MRA4 is replacing the retiring R1?

And that the RAF are closing RAF Cottesmore to fund the purchase of 22 new chinooks?

Go for it!
 

Chris,

Put back for pilot 6 months? At the age of 19? You do know that means you're not-not going to get it!
A 6-month try again means just that, come back and give it another go. The recruitment people love it if you keep showing an interest, but if you change your mind just because of a knockback then they'll probably hound you for it at OASC.

There is no reason why you can't apply for Pilot and put WSO/WSOp down the list - I got kicked back from all 3 days at OASC when I was 17 for a pilot bursary, then applied again at the tender age of 21 and here I am doing what I wanted. Stick to your convictions and desires and it shows some of that integrity stuff they love.

But if what you want is WSOp (role not guaranteed until on 55(R)), then good luck with it.

I recommend not saying in your filter interview that 22 Chinooks are the equivalent of 11 Nimrod MR2 and RAF Cottesmore! Have a look at the official party lines on the RAF website and read some newpaper articles rather than the rumour mills. You're entitled to your opinion (and expected to have them) but make sure you research thoroughly (The Nimrod MRA4 and R1 are quite different beasts - like Tornado F3 and GR4).

Good luck with your application!

TBT, too easy...

Chris,

my first post was intended to simply point out that you are going to be up against it. Prepare yourself as well as you can and do your research on the job you are after.

The RAF is going to have plenty of people to choose from and will have the luxury of choosing the best from the crop.

Good luck and crack on!

Good luck with applying for WSOp, whatever you get its a great job...

Just remember that, assuming you get all the way through testing/training, you could end up on a number of platforms...

C130, VC10, Tristar, Merlin, Chinook, C17, Nimrod, KC135, E3 Sentry... Plus a few more...

Dont assume you're going to get what you want, be prepared for a varied job that allows you to transfer between different aircraft types, and completely different roles, all the way through your career!

Thank you for the advice and words of wisdom, was I was after

I know I'm up against it with the job and applying for and that the RAF and Cranwell can pick and choose as they please, but this time around I feel much more confident on the subject matter and have been making much more of an effort to do everything

on another note i've got my 1.5mile down to 9.30 (outdoors not treadmill) and after following advice have got up to 50 situps in 60seconds and 25 press-ups in a minute :)

Chrisdaman wrote

The RC-135 is planned to replace the Nimrod R.1. The reporting as of a few months ago has the R.1 being retired next year with the crews moving onto USAF RC-135s. The plan is for the RAF to receive RC-135s during 2014.

'An MoD spokesman said that between "2011 and 2014, the U.K. will enter into a partnering arrangement with the U.S. that will safeguard U.K. personnel core competencies."

USAF Planes To Help U.K. Fill SIGINT Gap - Defense News

Good luck with your application.

TJ

Not so fast TEEJ!

See below reply by Peter Luff (Defence Under Sec) to question by Angus Robertson. Hansard 9th June.

I wouldn't put good money on any eqpt project making it through SDR.

Tough times to be applying for any job in HM Forces.

Best of luck Chris :ok:

TheSmiter,
Noted, but that is only the new government playing the safe ball. It is far too important an asset, IMHO, not to be replaced. Could it see a new lease of life for the BAE Systems proposal to replace the Nimrod R.1s?

TJ

MRA4 EW?
 

TJ,

I think you're on to something - I really don't think BAe would mind making some of the spare Nimrod frames into EW ones. Seeing as Woodford have all the jigs and parts required to do it, plus it would keep everything British and even allow some flexibility should we need more maritime or more EW (as we did with the original batch of nearly 50 'rods with EAW conversions and all sorts).

I'd quite happily see Nimrod in flying on in RAF service rather than a soul-less American off the shelf clapped out frame.

Chris- you applied to be a pilot. Three years later you are considering crewman. This will pose an obvious question.

Why are you now applying to enlist as an SNCO when you originally applied for a commission? This could be taken to mean you are underconfident and lack the initiative, drive and self-confidence to be an effective member of aircrew.

There are many reasons why in three years you have decided that aircrew rather than pilot is what you really want. What you must be prepared for is to articulate why you are seeking NCO rather than Officer status.

Dude, apply again as a pilot, with WSO and WSOp as backup careers.... Thats what I did and some would say I got the lesser (WSOp), I'm still doing a job I love.

Should be another minute in there somewhere.

Yo say there is more than one way to fly. Depends if you want to drive I suppose. based on personal experience, do not discount AAC and FAA. Given my time around again, I wouldn't have been so single minded. Stick to it, and if you are good enough you will get it.

The very best of luck in your application for the role of WSOp or indeed Commissioned Aircrew if you decide otherwise.

I'm a currently serving Junior Technician (TG1) with over 11.5 years of experience under my belt and I to am currently applying for WSOp. I have successfully passed the Aptitude and Filter Interview stages and I am just waiting on the OASC's decision in when they are going to board me. Nonetheless, the preparation on both a physical and mental level that I am putting myself through at the moment is nothing short of intense especially when I'm trying to fit it around my professional and family life.

However, the prize on successful completion of the myriad of hoops set up before I or any other applicant to jump through is more than worth it. It's going to be tough considering the current Fiscal environment but you can never have too much prep!

Good Luck!

With the Government today saying that military cuts aren't out of question, is it likely that the RAF etc will reduce or even stop their intake of candidates soon?

Given your procrastination, E_S, that is a great question to ask now! Yes - recruitment is at a low, competition for the few places is very high and they really can pick and choose. Recruitment won't stop, as it causes too many problems and too many people are involved in the training world, but it is a trickle.
Will you be applying or holding out even longer?

Reading materials IOT
 

Hello,
What are the books currently read during IOT in the RAF?
Thanks not_so_sis

Mr C Hinecap, I will now be applying verty shortly.

Good luck ES, keep me updated with how you get on.

not_so_sis

Here is the suggested reading list (had photographed to send to a mate who didn't get the sheet), can't comment much further as I've not started yet:

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...g?t=1274457253

Thankyou, much appreciated.

i've been getting into the running more recently and have got the 1.5mile down to 8MINUTES 54seconds, which i'm astonished at :D cycling daily is helping too

and homework at night, it drives the girlfriend crazy but i know it'll be worth it

You should be in the Olympics. That is quicker than the current 100m best.

Always a good interview question but now it may not be PC to ask about a girlfriend as you may have a ............

You and the rest of the world too :eek: I hope the Team GB Olympics selectors have got you on their list ;)

Good skills Chris

Now try another OASC exercise

Speed = Distance / Time

S = 1.5 miles / 8.54 seconds

:hmm:

Sub 9min for your 1.5mile eh? Very good.

I thought I was doing well with just under 10min 30 sec for a 1.5mile which would just see me pass the physical test for my age group.

No - sub 9 seconds! That's a little better than "Very good"!! :ok:

Chaps,

I was just wondering if anyone knows whether the RAF would accept an Advanced Diploma instead of 3 seperate A levels for Officer Aircrew.

Basically I've been offered a placement to study Mechanical Engineering at a local college and if successfully completed the diploma is equiv. to 3 full A Levels.

So does anyone know if this is true and is it a good qualification to do?

Thanks

NDW

NDW, this is a rumour network. Ask your AFCO. When they say no write to Cranwell.

right well obviously i'm not faster than usain bolt :ok:

been riding 10miles each day up and down hills to help the legs and the obvious cardio gains for the running, followed by the press-ups and sit-ups

OASC Bulletin 16
 

In the last bulletin, John had completed his medical examination and was declared provisionally medically fit to serve as a pilot. However, he fully understood that he would still need to wait for the results of his electrocardiogram, his blood test and receive confirmation that there was nothing out of the ordinary on his GP records before he would be given a full medical clearance to serve in the RAF. Despite knowing that this process would take a few weeks, John prepared himself for his interview.


John returned to Medical Reception feeling quite relieved about the result so far regarding his medical fitness. However, he couldn’t relax because he knew his interview was due any minute. After a short wait, one of the 2 officers who would interview him entered Medical Reception and called John’s name. John walked over to the interviewing officer and introduced himself. After pleasantries were exchanged, they both started to walk towards the interview room. On the way, the interviewing officer explained that the interview would be split into 2 parts and would last approximately 45 minutes in total. The first part would focus on John’s life to date and the second part would focus on his motivation for joining the RAF, his knowledge of the Service and his chosen branch. The interviewing officer also mentioned that the 45 minutes would pass extremely quickly and that, because there was a lot of ground to cover, John should not worry if the interviewers cut him off in order to move on if they had enough information. Additionally, he mentioned that if John was not able to answer a question, he should say so straight away rather than try to make a guess and waste time. As they approached the interview room John was asked how he was feeling and whether he had any questions before commencing the interview. Although he was feeling slightly nervous, John wanted to get started.

John walked into the interview room where he was greeted by the second interviewing officer who started to ask the Part 1 questions. He probed John’s life inside and outside of school between the ages of 11-18 years, followed by what he had been doing since he had left school. John endeavoured to relax and appear calm, and spoke clearly and concisely. There was one question that he didn’t quite understand, so he asked them to repeat it before giving his answer. John tried hard to sell himself, giving clear and brief evidence and dates of the times that he had held positions of responsibility, what differences he had made in various situations and his levels of involvement within the various team activities that he had participated in. Before he knew it, Part 1 was complete and the other interviewer took over.

The interviewing officer then asked John questions about why he wanted to join the RAF and specifically why he wanted to be a pilot. John gave very clear answers to these questions, including reasons why he had considered, but decided against, applying to the other Armed Services. Then John was questioned on his knowledge of the training he would undertake if successful at the OASC, from Initial Officer Training through to him becoming a front line pilot. He answered in as much detail as possible. Next, he was probed on his knowledge of the RAF and air power, what operations the Service was currently involved in, what roles it undertook and how they fitted into the bigger NATO picture. John had researched this area very thoroughly through speaking to various people on visits to stations, by looking at the RAF website and keeping an eye on the newspapers. Next, he would be questioned on current affairs; this was the part that John dreaded the most. However, he maintained a clear head and announced a variety of global and national topics that had caught his eye over the last year of research. The Interviewing officer then chose 2 of these issues to discuss, one global and one national, to see what John knew about them and what opinions he had. A couple of rounding off questions and the interview was over. The 45 minutes went past very quickly as promised.

John then returned to Medical Reception again, feeling quite pleased with his performance, and waited until he was called forward for his selection fitness test.

Next week, we will follow John through his fitness test.

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

NATO & the UN
 

Hi, I just a few questions about the RAF as i am applying in a couple of weeks.
- First of all, does anyone have a sound description of the RAF's role within NATO?
- And the RAF's role within the UN? I have gathered together information about both but some of it isn't very clear.

Im up to date with more or less everything else, so if anyone could answer these questions it would be a great help!!

Reading lists
 

Whilst a long time out of OASC and out of touch with what Sleaford Tech are teaching, you might also want to consider some other books that might give you a broader outlook to operations. Like it or not, airpower is rarely going to be employed in pure air roles for its own sake for the foreseeable future, so you may as well start reading up early on the broader tenets of COIN and possible theories on how military power is shaping up.

The Accidental Guerrilla - David Kilcullen

Understanding Modern Warfare - David Jordan et al

Airpower in Small Wars: Fighting Insurgents and Terrorists - James Corrum

Also the Air Warfare Centre have cobbled together their own booklet (largely cribbed from the US Army / Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual) might be worth a quick read if not automatically issued at IOT. Incidentally, the original Counterinsurgency Field Manual can be found online via Google so you don't even have to buy it!

my filter interview is tomorrow :eek::uhoh:

As nobody else has said it then,
good luck <g>

if you make it then I hope you enjoy it - becoming an AEOp* changed my life dramatically, and I have no doubt whatsoever that if you get through it all then it will do the same for you....you WILL be a different person x years down the line, and when you are an old git like me you'll look back on it all and decide, without a shadow of doubt, that you'd do it all again given the choice.

Dave

*WSO/WSOp - back in my day the old gits wore an 'S'...don't panic, inside 5 years you too could have an equally valid marker to denote that 'I've spent longer in NAAFI queues than you've been in the airforce' sensation.

?
 

How did it go then, do they still tell you there and then or do you have to wait? Good luck for OASC if it went ok!

i'll find out either saturday or monday by mail if i've been successfull

i think it went ok, this is my 2nd application and i felt much more comfortable with the questions and my knowledge. a couple of hesitation moments but generally on the whole i'm happy :ok:

it's going to be a nerve racking 3/4 days :ugh:

OASC Bulletin 17
 

In the last bulletin, John had completed his Interview and returned to OASC Reception to wait for the next event. Then one of the Control Staff told him to go back to his accommodation to get changed into sports kit and return to Reception by 1130 hrs ready for the transport that would take the candidates to the gym to undertake the Selection Fitness Test (SFT). We pick up the scenario as John sits in Reception waiting for the transport.

At around midday, a member of the Control Staff invited the candidates to follow him onto a coach waiting outside OASC, which would take them all on a short journey to the gym. Once at the gym, the candidates were given a briefing by the Physical Education staff about the SFT in general, explaining that the minimum standards required for each of the 3 elements reflect what the ‘average’ person (by age and gender) must achieve. The briefing went on to detail the 3 individual disciplines: a 1.5 mile treadmill run, sit-ups and press-ups. The correct techniques to employ when performing the sit-ups and press-ups were demonstrated and then they were given guidance on how to pace themselves on the treadmill in order to achieve the required standard. Finally, they were told that the press-up and sit-up elements would be measured over a minute. The first group of people were called forward, which included John.

John took his position on the treadmill and looked at a guide in front of him that told him what pace to set on the treadmill to achieve the amber pass level. John knew that amber was the minimum requirement to pass the test, but he also knew that, to be as competitive as possible, he would need to run the 1.5 miles in as short a time as possible. John knew that this was one area that he had to really prepare for prior to coming to OASC as he knew that a poor result in the test would prevent him being selected. He felt that he had practised well at his local gym where he had managed to get well under the green time, as well as score highly on the press-up and sit-up elements. The test commenced and John set his initial pace from the guide. He felt good so he upped the pace. The first mile went passed and John still felt that he had reserve energy so he increased the pace further. The 1.5 mile point was coming up rapidly and his time was looking very good. As he went through the 1.5 mile point he noted his time at 9:08, which - by the assessment table in the guidance for candidate’s booklet - was classed as the standard exceeded.

With the run out of the way, John concentrated on the sit-up element next. He got into position and commenced his sit-ups at a brisk but steady pace. By the end of the period he had done 50 sit-ups; not his best effort but good enough for an achievement of green. The final element was the press-ups - John’s least favourite element! Again he took up his position and began. He started off strongly but, by the 30 second mark, was starting to struggle. He had already achieved 33 press-ups by then, so he took a couple of seconds to rest, which was allowed provided that he remained in the press-up position, back straight and knees off the floor. Then, he continued to the end of the minute period and, although his press-ups were really slow towards the end, he still managed to achieve 45, which again was good enough for an achievement of green. Overall, John was informed that he had passed to a green standard, and was delighted. After watching and waiting for the group behind to finish, he gathered up his belongings and went back to the coach and then all the candidates were driven back to the Candidates’ Mess. Once off the coach, the candidates were free to depart. John packed up his room, dropped his key off at Reception, got into his car and drove home.

Next week, we will conclude this brief journey through John’s experiences of the OASC Selection Process and what he could expect to happen next.

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

Just like to point out that at the fitness test you are not actually told the requirements for a 'green' pass, nor are you advised what speed to set the treadmill to in order to achieve it - only amber.
You should of course know all this beforehand though...

Tommo, I received my joining instructions for the OASC only the other day. (Amendment April 2010) It states in there that you will be advised of the correct speed to achieve a green pass for your age group but to be honest you are quite correct that if you are serious about such an event you'll know every intrinsic detail beforehand.