RAF Wsop Help
 

Today I did my CBAT and due to f*ucking up the StrgcTM test I failed to qualify for all but one role. I wanted to go directly into WSOp Roatry which I just underscored 86/90. So now I'm left with the option of waiting a year or doing something else. I have two questions 1)Is it possible to retake the test without having to wait a year e.g. Recruiting team helping me out? (I doubt this one) 2) can I join up via the driver role wait until I can retake CBAT in a years time. Or will I be tied down as a driver for a while. I want to join up asap and I want this wsop role bad. Any advice or ideas would be grand. As for the rest of the test I did great came closer to meeting the pilot requirements than most of the lads here looking to become pilots just one part ruined it for me. Very gutted. :ugh:

driver role?

You might get more responses / already find similar questions on the thread - http://www.pprune.org/military-aviat...ead-first.html
That seems to be where candidates post info relating to selection etc?

If you want WSOp, wait for WSOp.
Don't go in as something else - you might fail again and then be in a trade you hate for years.

I don't agree. If you want to join ASAP, and there are other roles you fancy, then join.

You will have to wait another year before retaking CBAT; thereafter, many serving airmen get a 'fast-track' CBAT session if they are interested in an aptitude branch (particularly WSOp at the moment) and the required 12 months has elapsed.

You are also more likely to perform better at NCAITC if you've used the next 12 months or so as a serving airman.

Which one is the StrgcTM test?

If they like the other trade, sure.

But if they're only there because they want a crack at WSOp down the line, it's not ideal. What happens if they fail? What happens when their CO doesn't think they're up to it so won't release them?

Of course if you fail CBAT at a later date then your future branch choices are obviously going to be limited. But otherwise, I'm afraid you're out of date with the way an airman potentially changes branch to WSOp. He no longer needs a recommendation from his CO; nor does he even need to have been in long enough for any SJARs. He can just walk into the AFCO like anyone else! And there are very few roles from which he might be prevented from leaving - that would be a career foul.

Might this be an option?

Aircrewman | Royal Navy Jobs in the Fleet Air Arm

I wouldn't know if your previous attempt for WSOp would impact your application and timings for this role. Of course it might not tick the boxes that attracted you to the RAF rotary role in the first place, but it remains an option.

Ah I know the feeling far too well. If it's any consolation, I failed my CBAT twice - a kick in the gentleman's area for sure.

I did what someone else recommended a few posts up and went to my AFCO and knocked on the door of the Royal Navy and enquired into the Aircrewman role and FATS (Naval aptitude version of CBAT) thinking maybe I could retake the tests sooner than having to wait the 12 months and as the tests are identical - you still have to wait for your year to elapse before re-attempting the Aptitude tests.

I concur with what others say, perservere and wait for the year to elapse.

Best of luck

And NDW is the epitome of perseverance and on that alone deserves success.

PN,

Thank you very much indeed. Really appreciate that.

IIRC, It was the Cognitive Updating Test.

COGNITIVE UPDATING TEST:
You're given 2 panels so you can watch 2 screens at once, and have to flick between each screen updating & turning things on and off, etc. I kept my "Message" screen open and used the other side to constantly flick between the others. Take notice of the "Warning panel" at the top as it will warn you with things like the pressure being too high, etc. Also note that when using the Hydraulic pump, it goes down a lot slower than it goes up! So I would turn it on to get it to the correct pressure, flick to a few screens and it would already be at high pressure, giving me a warning. The rest is self explanatory, just remember all tasks have equal importance.

The explanation above was taken from 'The Student Room, Armed Forces' and is near enough spot on.

yeah I'm 18 and I don't have my driving licence so may as well. I understand the role wouldn't be very exciting but its not my career plan.

as I said overall I over-achieved my expectations I simply did awful in one test, mainly due to not understanding what I was doing until I was already half way in. I'm extremely confident that going at it a second time I would pass so much so I have even considered getting a levels and going for pilot to be a real life Maverick :cool: (however I'm 6ft4 and I'm pretty sure I'm too tall). iv spoke to a serving WSOp and he told me that they shouldn't hold me back as progression is encouraged and if so he'd put a word in.

I just want to join up ASAP. I'm currently working in costa part-time I don't think I can manage making skinny decaf hazelnut cappuccinos much longer.

RAF Taff, you really did mean as a vehicle driver?

Very much a Cinderella trade. As in 'Truism' thread, and equally 'false'

MT is always late.
Vehicles are clapped out.
They break down.
Sorry, all vehicles are out.
Sorry, shift change.

MT drivers, and very often the majority will be contractors not Service, are really the unseen glue that keep the whole show on the road, but I suspect very few cross over from drivers, coach to drivers, aircraft.

So, follow the advice above, get more like skills experience, make yourself more employable. Show you have used your time between tests and build up team skills.

Do read the OASC sticky, all this advice is repeated there. Above all, persevere.

Unless you have a seriously good plan for the next 12 months, OASC are likely to be more impressed by you taking the decision of joining in the ranks now and it's likely you'll perform better at selection. Thereafter, NCAITC will be easier because it wouldn't just be on the bounce from ITC.

Lots to think about, and I'm sure the AFCO can talk to you about other trades [than driver] that could be of interest, but these days applying from within the ranks is just the same as that for a DE except you'll be better prepared; furthermore, commissioning clubs on most RAF Stns are an absolute gift.

Driver was just a suggestion I'm open to others, any recommendations?

Wsop
 

I joined the RAF 11 years ago. I failed at my first attempt at OASC so joined up anyway as an aircraft technician. I learnt a lot about aircraft, systems and deployments that helped me a lot when I became a Wsop. I'd recommend that route to someone in your position.

I think what sevenscars says it good advice. Essentially you should be aiming at technical skills as close to aircraft as you can and with opportunity to improve aptitude potential.

While that should be your aim it depends on two things, your aptitude for the role and more importantly the requirements of the Service.

Aircraft techie is something I thought about as I have a BTEC in engineering however I'm presuming that being trained as a techie not only takes a fair bit of time to be trained in but I'd also be expected to serve longer to payback that training cost. Hence I think it would be better to go for a simpler trade that in exactly a 1 year time from today I could redo my CBAT and it not be an issue I'd presume losing a gunner/driver/mover wouldn't be as much as an issue as it would be losing a techie. Thoughts ?

[QUOTE]technical skills as close to aircraft as you can/QUOTE]

Irrelevant. If you intend to go WSOp ASAP, extended trade training would add little at the Interview phase at OASC Board; moreover, getting out and doing an airman's job - including MT driver if that's what you want - (rather than getting too bogged down in Phase 2 trg) is more likely to enhance your chances in the OASC Exercise Phase.

[QUOTE]and with opportunity to improve aptitude potential./QUOTE

You either have aptitude or not. Mostly... it's the way you're wired. Very few make significant changes year on year.

RAF Taff. If you have any further selection related questions, lets get onto the OASC thread to save repetition and aid others with similar thoughts.

+1 for Bugs to forty's advice. When I went through OASC, they wanted to hear strong and confident answers about my life/career progress/history regardless of what it was, not specific words to tick boxes.

Have you visited a flying station and spoken to WSOps? (Can you still do that?) If you do, ask to speak to some of the junior WSOps on the squadron and ask them about their application process. Also try to speak to some of the SNCOs about what challenges they often see new joiners have. You can then start to see if and how experience as an airman might help you. After a few years of doing the actual job it's very easy to forget how you got there so try to speak to currently serving folks.

Good luck!

OP - Tell us whereabouts you are. You never know, a Siggie may even agree to meet to give you some top tips!

Wrexham, North Wales