Constantly deluding themselves, when they are just another weapon system to be used and directed by the true master race!

but the ladies/gents/insert non binary status as required, love a good looking weapon :E

I once upset the pilots in the crew room by stating the obvious truth that the RAF was the only service that sent their officers off to fight and die for their country, while the ground staff went down the pub and drank all the beer.

Possibly not quite the case if Ivan had started chucking sunshine at us, of course.

Yeh, nothing worse than warm beer :-)

As one of the very few serving members on here (35 years and counting), my opinion on this is the following.

1. I’m not outraged or disgusted as some of the posters. I will though, be having interesting discussions right up my CoC about how the message in this email directly contradicts the mandatory D&I training that we currently do.

2. The RAF is trying to be and recruit more diverse people. This is nothing to do with quotas, but is about ensuring that we get to choose the best people from as wide a sphere as possible.

3. Having been involved in phase 1 training, is is clear that, while we are becoming more diverse, there still exists a disparity in who we recruit from as opposed to who we would like to recruit from. Again, this is to ensure that we have a wider pool from which to choose the best.

4. There are no shortcuts or lessening of standards. If one is good enough to be selected as a FJ pilot, regardless of anything,and subsequently passes the rigorous training, then they are good enough.

5. Everyone should do their research before attending OASC. If they did, they would quickly find out the sex, colour and branch of every CAS. Is that enough to turn away prospective recruits because of a perceived lack of diversity? If it is, then we are choosing the best from a smaller pool.

6. I don’t care about colour, sex, sexuality or any other factor, I only care about whether that person can do the job they were selected to do. When I joined, sexism, racism and homophobia was rife. Thankfully the armed forces are currently in a much better place.

7. For those that say we are not getting our priorities straight, it’s not binary. We can be diverse and war fight. Look at those relatively younger people currently serving, with their chests full of campaign medals, and tell me we are too “woke”.

They are updated and adapted on a regular basis. The Lead Psychologist that oversees the aptitude test’s design is a woman (a biological one) and also would tick the so-called “BAME” box (a term that many despise and the RAF should stop using). The tests are designed to ensure that you have the ability to pass the earlier stages of flying training (and other phase 2 training for other Branches/Professions). They are designed with an expectation that those under 24 will achieve the highest results. Just because you have a high aptitude score does not mean you will be successful to conduct the hardest flying roles - it just means that you are likely to pass early flying training. They have looked at CBAT, MicroPAT and the earlier mechanical aptitude tests to see whether high aptitude scores correlated to those that get streamed to fast jets and go on to fly single-seaters - they don’t correlate at all. However, the more recent CBAT and MicroPAT do correlate to a very low failure rate.

Some uncomfortable truths in that little lot…

Out of curiosity can anyone explain why the RAF has different fitness standards for males and females. Surely now that all jobs are open to both, the required fitness standard should be specified for the particular role in which the person wiill be employed?

Good question but not one that can be answered!

If you started a new thread with your question it would easily outstrip the #108 of this thread with strong views at both ends of the spectrum.

I could not agree more. Pure discrimination and it destroys any argument the forces have to say they promote equality. 2 applicants for a role. Same age, same job, same pay, same TOR’s, 1 candidate is male and 1 is female. The man must be able to run faster than the woman.

Completely indefensible.

In the RN, it was because the PTIs can’t count.

the RNFT is being replaced with an age and gender (and sex) agnostic test. The problem is that no one really agrees with what being “fit” in the RN should mean.

​​​​​​Hammer drives nail all the way in. Agree with you.

I have to agree as well, all this crap is simply detracting from the core goals and values of the RAF, yes there are problems, yes there are faults, but the current war ongoing in Ukraine is showing in no uncertain terms how a modern western force, the RAF included, is so far ahead of the curve in respect of the perceived opposition in both capability and quality that we must be doing something right.

Because they haven’t been sued yet.

This is getting out of hand now. I also have been discriminated against, for having a white skin. Next it will be, you're out of favour if you're straight.

2. The RAF is trying to be and recruit more diverse people. This is nothing to do with quotas, but is about ensuring that we get to choose the best people from as wide a sphere as possible.

Thread drift, if I may.

The above is interesting.

What is the RAF requirement for selection as aircrew, for example, as far as academic qualifications are concerned? Quite high I would expect. So those who don't make the cut, are weeded out before any aptitude for flying, is considered. This doesn't fit with your comment above.

Dragged up in a poor family I left school at 15, knowing up to 12 x table. I went the self improver route, and was flying professionally at 20. UK ATPL 1978, at 26. I classed myself as an aviator, not a mathematician. I'm not implying I would have made it into the RAF on flying ability. However I would not even qualify to enroll at a ATO now.

I mentioned diversity, not aptitude but, of course the RAF (Officers and Aircrew) expects a certain standard and aptitude to be met before additional selection with CBAT and OASC. This is before they even get to phase one trg.

APPLICANTS MUST:

• Be aged 17.5 – 23 years old (Must enter IOT before 24th birthday)
• Have GCSEs at Grade C/4 or SNE at Grade 5 or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 2/SNE 5 in English and Maths and at least three other subjects. Have at least 2 A2 Levels/3 Highers at Grade C or above (excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking or Citizenship Studies) which must total a minimum of 64 UCAS points
• Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or holder of dual UK/ other nationality
• Commit to minimum 12 years service
• Meet the health and fitness criteria
• Pass a Fitness test - Details below
• Candidates must be able to swim - see details below

Not in the RAF.

[QUOTE=RichardJones;11226975]

Dragged up in a poor family I left school at 15, knowing up to 12 x table.

​​​​​​Wasted effort - I've never used more than the 3 X table!

Regarding fitness, BBC2 at 20:00 tonight 8th May looks interesting: