R.A.F selection....
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: U.K
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R.A.F selection....
Can anyone who has been to OASC give me a really quick rundown on the selection. I know what is coming, but how hard is it?
how fierce is the competition? Is the RAF as fun as it used to be??!!??
I would appreciate any Correspondence.
how fierce is the competition? Is the RAF as fun as it used to be??!!??
I would appreciate any Correspondence.
Pilot Officer PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 1999
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8b2t
Use the search facility for this forum and the military forum and you will find loads of info. If you have no luck then use the private message thingy above and I will help you out.
Good luck
Tonks
PS Be careful asking things like is it as good as it used to be, or how much fun is it in the RAF. Old hands like us will always say that it was much better when I joined. The competition is tough, but give it your best shot, that is all you can do. In the words of scouts everywhere "Be prepared".
[ 07 December 2001: Message edited by: Tonkenna ]
Use the search facility for this forum and the military forum and you will find loads of info. If you have no luck then use the private message thingy above and I will help you out.
Good luck
Tonks
PS Be careful asking things like is it as good as it used to be, or how much fun is it in the RAF. Old hands like us will always say that it was much better when I joined. The competition is tough, but give it your best shot, that is all you can do. In the words of scouts everywhere "Be prepared".
[ 07 December 2001: Message edited by: Tonkenna ]
Join Date: Nov 2001
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I went to OASC on 5th November and found it wasn't as bad as I'd expected. The whole process is divided into 2 parts but it isn't as structured as you'd expect. It was all a bit disorganised when I was there and we had reviews after each phase of part 1. The material that I read before attending implied that you either go home after part 1 or remain to complete the whole thing. This is not the case, they can reject you after either the aptitude tests, the interview or the medical (all part 1). Part 1 also took a lot longer than I thought. Part two only really lasted 1 1/2 days.
The aptitude tests are hard and tiresome. You begin around 7am and do not finish until about 3pm. It is heartbreaking for the majority of aircrew aplicants as this is the biggest hurdle for those guys. There is a seperate bus home sceduled to leave the base after the aptitude tests purely for those that didn't make it. I don't mean to scare you, these tests only actually matter for applicants to Pilot, Navigator, A.T.C, Fighter Control, Air Loady branches. Everyone else (I was going for Intelligence) is just along for the ride. But we all have to take the same tests for some reason.
The general atmosphere is good and there is a lot of waiting around, relaxing time. The evengings are always free and you can visit the mess, play pool etc. You immediately realise that most of the other candidates are just normal people and easy to get on with. Food is great too.
I will warn you about the accomodation though. If you are any taller than 5ft 6" you will have real trouble. The beds are tiny and wedged up between a sink and a wall. The only thing to do is put your matress on the floor. Either way you will unfortunately wake up in the morning (with a 6:15 fire alarm!) feeling like you've been fighting Lennox Lewis all night. The rooms are dingy but practical, don't forget some hangers!!
Most inportant; relax! The officers are human beings and do not want to intimidate you etc. The Review Officer (Sqn. Ldr. Dindale/Dinmore) is a really decent bloke and will do all he can to help you.
If you can, try to get to Cranwell at the early slot. If you're getting the train there are 2 pick ups from Sleaford station, one around 2pm and one around 4pm. Try to get there around 2pm as you will have more time to get to know your fellow candidates.
I think I have included everything here, if you have any more questions e-mail me. I unfortunately did not make it to Part 2 but I will try to help you anyway. Good Luck.
The aptitude tests are hard and tiresome. You begin around 7am and do not finish until about 3pm. It is heartbreaking for the majority of aircrew aplicants as this is the biggest hurdle for those guys. There is a seperate bus home sceduled to leave the base after the aptitude tests purely for those that didn't make it. I don't mean to scare you, these tests only actually matter for applicants to Pilot, Navigator, A.T.C, Fighter Control, Air Loady branches. Everyone else (I was going for Intelligence) is just along for the ride. But we all have to take the same tests for some reason.
The general atmosphere is good and there is a lot of waiting around, relaxing time. The evengings are always free and you can visit the mess, play pool etc. You immediately realise that most of the other candidates are just normal people and easy to get on with. Food is great too.
I will warn you about the accomodation though. If you are any taller than 5ft 6" you will have real trouble. The beds are tiny and wedged up between a sink and a wall. The only thing to do is put your matress on the floor. Either way you will unfortunately wake up in the morning (with a 6:15 fire alarm!) feeling like you've been fighting Lennox Lewis all night. The rooms are dingy but practical, don't forget some hangers!!
Most inportant; relax! The officers are human beings and do not want to intimidate you etc. The Review Officer (Sqn. Ldr. Dindale/Dinmore) is a really decent bloke and will do all he can to help you.
If you can, try to get to Cranwell at the early slot. If you're getting the train there are 2 pick ups from Sleaford station, one around 2pm and one around 4pm. Try to get there around 2pm as you will have more time to get to know your fellow candidates.
I think I have included everything here, if you have any more questions e-mail me. I unfortunately did not make it to Part 2 but I will try to help you anyway. Good Luck.
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Don't do what I did and meet up with mates at IOT the night before the final day. Woke up after 4 hrs sleep and still drunk. It must have shown, surely the fact that my breath was stronger than paint stripper gave it away, but I got through anyway.
