Is MAOT postings specifically for Flt Ops or is it open to any trade?

CptD,

Just remember that by the time you get your commission, pass IOT, trade training, etc (let alone maybe have to be a 2nd tourist) we won't be in Afghanistan, at least not in any numbers, maybe just a minor training role. The British Army will have shrunk, and the same will probably go for the SH fleet.

Thus, while the MAOT role may well still be one of the better slots for a FOO, it may be a case of spending a lot of time on Salisbury plain and the Brecon Beacons, rather than somewhere sunny and potentially more exciting.

Just a thought. Make of it what you will...

I suggest you take one hurdle at a time, starting with getting a commission. Best of luck! :ok:

Biggus thanks for the reply, I'm currently serving RAF Regiment so spending extended periods of time in minus temperatures on barren training areas is not a totally new concept to me.

Do you have a particular interest in becoming a FOO?

Son-in-law, now a sqn ldr was a Cpl in the RAF Regt. He failed to qualify in his preferred branch, was re-treaded, and is now doing well in his new specialisation.

Pontius I'll PM you.

CptDesire.

MAOT is a cracking tour, which you are probably well placed for, but it will only be a single tour. Before you jump you need to make sure you could spend the rest of your career in the specialization without going nuts (it will be one of the things you are asked about). I once had a TG9 Cpl working for me who was ex French Foreign Legion, joined the RAF on the promise of Tac ATC etc and then spent most of the next 12 years doing his nut in various towers, desperately volunteering for anything vaguely war like without much joy.........

PS It might be worth getting on Landing Point Commanders cse now (if it still exists and you can sell it to your Boss) it's good fun and will give you a taste of the job.

What are a Flt Ops Off's responsibilities on MAOT?

Making the tea for the people who do the real work...? ;)

We had a CPL armourer. In the same boat, joined as an armourer and promised he could remuster once in to a musician, had a degree in music and was a qualified teacher, was gutted and held a chip about it throughout his career.

Strange how the FOO position has the same traning period as the assistant... 12 weeks

Not quite Biggus.

When I worked in the SH Force (late 90's I was attached to the MAOTs for a couple of months before moving up to SHF HQ) MAOTs were attached to Battle Groups and responsible for planning and the coordinating helicopter moves. That could be anything from a simple day platoon move to running a multi-lane HLS at night on NVGs to move the entire BG. They would also go out a recce HLSs and help out with one off lifts eg recovering a CVRT or Chinook.

To help them out they normally had a 2 man team from the Royal Sigs to run their comms. There was also a National Standby commitment and a requirement for a couple of them to be Para qualed. They also worked closely with JHSU, who rigged the loads and owned the HUSLE (Helicopter Under Slung Load Equipment).

Generally they were very busy (though they were responsible for updating the HLS directories, so it wasn't all hard work). Of course, it may have changed a bit since then, but it used to be one of those jobs where you were the rotary expert in the BG and had to be able to plan, brief and execute moves with bugger all support (though making a brew for your Siggies every now and again went a long way). It was one of those jobs that sorted the men from the boys rather quickly.

All changed a bit now, MAOTs combined with JHSU to form JHSS a few years ago. We no longer have external siggies attached. Anyone in this job can expect to spend a lot of hours behind a steering wheel, 1900 miles in the past 5 days for example, probably around 18000 miles in service MT this year, and all within driving hours before anyone says anything.