RAF College
 

Hi,
I am in the Air Training Corps and when I leave school I plan to go to a RAF College rather than a normal college. I was just wondering if RAF College qualifacations are the equivialant to a normal college qualifacation?

Thanks

jmc_757-200

jmc,

This could well be biting at the hook, but if not, I wanted to break this to you gently before you have the p155 ripped out of you for the question.

THE RAF College Cranwell (note that there is only the one) is where the selected go to undertake initial officer training. It is not a college in the sense that you seem to view it - you cannot resit you GCSEs or get A-level welding there! Sadly. You will need to get those sort of qualifications before you join up. If you are genuinely interested in joining the RAF, I suggest an early visit to a careers office.

Of course, with such a nom-de-plume as yours, you're probably just baiting the water for some major fishing and I'm your first bite. If so, I'd rather bite 9 times and help the 1 genuine misguided soul than stand by and ignore the less aware.

A very diplomatic response to a probable wannabe, opso. He certainly has a very sophisticated homepage for one so young.

Well done opso - nice reply.

Opso,

That was a most distinguished and diplomatic responce, and I have no doubts about your genuine sincerity. JMC, I'm not quite so sure about yours though:mad:
If you are in the ATC, and you did not know that the RAF College is as Opso describes, then shame on you and more on your CO.
However, me thinks that your posting could have something to do with the date, and I strongly suspect that you are just having a little bit of fun with us all:}
So, if that is the case - then well done. Thats what it's all about, having fun. I am sure that with a sense of humour like that, you will fit in nicely at Cranwell, and will go straight to the top of your class, tick, vg, see me!!
If this was genuine, then I apologise for my ranting, but suggest you do as Opso says, and visit the CIO 'Pronto Tonto!'
Good luck either way,
Regards
The Swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, I'd offer young JMC a Grouse, but he's patently under age, so I'll have his instead!'

Just to add a "view" on this, there are some private schools that offer a syllabus based on quasi-military principles such as the Duke of York's School. The army does have a 6th Form College for entrants to the technical corps, Welbeck. Welbeck however will close in 2005 when the new Defence 6th Form College opens.

Info on Welbeck can be found at:

Welbeck Homepage

Hi,
Well i'm very sorry (I wouldn't go that far) but when I was told it was a college in the sense I wrote about origianally what am I supposed to think?

Thanks

jmc_757-200

JMC - whoever told you that was winding you up and deserves a good slap. If it was your CO, ensure you use the words "With all due respect sir... " before hitting him *

Every ATC Officer (no such thing I know - they are RAFVR(T)) must attend Cranwell within their first year of service. Not exactly rocket science, but should ensure they dont embarass themselves too much on a real RAF base and learn how to fill in paperwork for the cadets they will no doubt break / maim / kill. Therefore EVERY ATC officer (thats RAFVR(T) remember) knows what Cranwell is

*The aforementioned actions are taken at your own risk and I take no responsibility for your stupiditiy if you choose to think I meant it!

It was a CI who told me that, oh well I don't suppose its my fault?

Thanks

jmc_757-200

jmc, no harm, no foul. You worked on the best info you had.

I do suggest you get yourself down to a forces careers office and pick up 2 sets of pamphlets. Give one set to the CI and keep a set for yourself - that way you won't get caught out on other aspects of the entry process. Good luck.

Thanks, I will!!!!:D

And if that CI didn't know that, then he should get another hobby! All the CI's I met when I was a cadet (before getting a commission at the aforementioned college - but no degree!) were either ex-RAF chaps or better clued up.

Get him to write out the following 50 times:

"RAFC Cranwell is where Officers are trained to provide the next generation of two-winged master race and lesser RAF beings"

I can understand why a CI may not know much about the RAF stuff, because I know plenty that don't have the foggiest. I am 18, and a Flt Sgt with the ATC, and to be honest, if you have a genuine interest in the RAF, you should have, by now, be VERY familiar with the whole process. Already I have attended Cranwell once, and passed the aptitudes. They look for early commitment. They will rip you apart in the interview if you cannot give a good reason for only showing a "late" interest in the career. Another thing confuses me, if you are about to start 6th form/College, how the hell were you a CI??? I am sure that you have to be at least 18 if not 20 to be a CI?? Something doesn't add up. I offer my sincere appologies if I have missed something, but I am a little confused :confused:
Best of luck anyway,
TMC

Hi,
I've been in the ATC about 6 months now and have only so far picked up basic information about the RAF most of which I already knew. I'll admit i'm not a master on the RAF but I do know a fair bit, my strong point though is civil aviation.

Thanks

jmc_757-200

Hence your handle!

If an establishment is known as a 'College', one supposes that you could learn something useful there. What did I learn? How to build tripods out of pine poles, how to polish shoes, how to write in a stilted and incomprehensible fashion - and how to march.

All jolly useful stuff!

But in the old days, cadets were taken on at age 18 straight from school and went through a 3 year course where there graduated with a comission and their wings. the course was considered to be the equivalent of a degree, and these Cranwell Cadets were earmarked for the upper echelons. A sound scheme but obviously it fell victim to the accountants like a lot of good things.

I suppose in today's internet environment "a web link is worth a thousand words" as much as a picture.

I was asked for info on my time there by the neighbour's boys and found that http://www.cranwell.raf.mod.uk was the place for them to great all the current stuff.

Doesn't seem to have changed too much since 81 IOT.

Atop the RAF College sits a lighthouse, despite the fact that the building is many miles inland. I was always told that this was to remind those who passed through its hallowed portals of how they should conduct themselves throughout their careers, ie to be brilliant but useless.

The light was commonly referred to as "Wanking Willy".... one Air Marshal Brian Burridge was on the first graduate entry ISTR