Admiralty Interview Board

BenP · Post by **BenP** » Fri 23 May, 2003 11:01 am

I managed to pass my POC quite comfortably at the second attempt. I think that knowing what was coming was a bonus. Yet again I was surprised at the RMFA with 4 of the 8 failing the test. One failed to get to level 11 on the bleep test and 3 failed to get to 180 on the overall score. I managed to improve my score to 304/400 which I was very chuffed about. Having trained differently paid dividends on the second day and the CV work actually made it almost enjoyable in parts.
I have a AIB course starting on the 17th of June so, Learned Gentlemen, are there any sneaky tips or gems that I could glean? Thanks for your help and support thus far guys. This site is a real godsend for potentials.

braywick · Post by **braywick** » Fri 23 May, 2003 11:24 am

Well Done mate, persistance certainly paid off for you..

TheCount · Post by **TheCount** » Fri 23 May, 2003 11:59 am

Another well done from me.

I take it you know roughly how the points are graded then? I thought it was a mystery to anyone other than the graders.

How does the score differ to that of a normal recruit, I notice you mentioned 180

BenP · Post by **BenP** » Fri 23 May, 2003 12:20 pm

Cheers guys. We tried to guess on the scoring of the Bleep test but could only guess that either it was exponential grading or they only start to score after level 6 as I only got 11.7, which equated to 54 point out of 100. The 180 was the minimum score required to pass the RMFA for PO’s. One guy only managed about 20 press-ups, which makes you wonder what, if any, preparation he did. On both the occasions there were people failing the RMFA spectacularly. Odd given that the literature is pretty clear on what you need to be doing. Shame really.

dan · Post by **dan** » Fri 23 May, 2003 1:38 pm

The grading system for potential officers is given to them in a leaflet before they go down for the POC, therefore they are well aware of the points they need to score beforehand. BenP...any chance you could tell us what you scored on the others and are the press-ups/sit-ups done to beeps? Oh and a big well done, we all know how hard that course is!

BenP · Post by **BenP** » Fri 23 May, 2003 2:37 pm

I do not remember having the scoring system but that may be just me. My scores were as follows:
Bleep Test: 11.7 (54)
Press ups: 60/60 (100)
Sit ups: 85/85 (100)
Pull ups: 9/16 (50)
Overall score: 304

All the tests are done to bleeps. With the sit and the press ups it is "bleep" - down and up = 1. The PTI got it wrong on our demonstration and had to spend 20 minutes running around the water tank, poor bloke. With the Pull ups it is one bleep per movement (2 bleeps = 1 repetition). Bit annoyed with my running score but the pull ups is hard as the bar is really hard to grasp and you only get one go at it. I fell off rather than could not do any more.

Charlie Boy · Post by **Charlie Boy** » Mon 26 May, 2003 10:59 am

Well done Ben, shows guts to go back and pass, especially with a real good RMFA score. You said that you trained differently this time so you could keep going on day two, it obviouisly worked so any chance of throwing a few tips on what type of training did it for you. I hope to have my POC towards the end of the year and would really appreciate the advice as my training has hit a bit of a rut.

El Prez · Post by **El Prez** » Mon 26 May, 2003 11:53 am

Well done Ben, carry out a search using AIB as the criteria there are two pages of posts.
The AIB probably hasn't changed in centuries. Suit, tie and very smart shoes for interviews/exams. Haircut, goes without saying, no gel.
You will be asked your reasons for joining. Your family background; likes dislikes; hobbies, experiences etc Read the Telegraph avidly, ensure you can tell N Korea from Vietnam.
The tasks set for you in the practical phase need a bit of thought, co-ordination and command. Think it through, assess your teams strengths, allocate tasks while you do somrthing else, (saves time and is known in service Jargon as 'Concurrent Activity) then take charge, don't bellow or bully, LEAD them through the task, do not let some gobshite intimidate you, tell him to button up, UNLESS of course he/she has a better idea. On that point always ask if anybody has any questions before setting off, make sure they know their responsibilities. Keep smiling and encouraging, enjoy it!

BenP · Post by **BenP** » Wed 28 May, 2003 9:26 am

Thanks Prez. Charlie Boy - I went running differently. Twice a week I would run for about 3 miles to a football pitch. Without a break I would then jog the length and sprint the sides as many times as I could (increasing each time if poss.). Then situps, pressups and pull ups (friendly tree) and then try and keep a good pace back the three miles home. At the start I was pathetic but gradually improved. Towards the end I was alternating with boots. This is rarely advised but I think you need to get your legs used to the extra weight. Perhaps the leg weights might be an idea. Also make sure you do a few runs in trousers as this is a different ball game. Good luck mate

Charlie Boy · Post by **Charlie Boy** » Wed 28 May, 2003 10:00 am

cheers for the advice BenP, have been doing footy pitch sprinting but not with it sandwiched in between runs so will definately give it a go. Hopefully got the POC at the end of the year so plenty of time to improve I hope. Good luck with the AIB

Jason The Argonaut · Post by **Jason The Argonaut** » Wed 28 May, 2003 11:49 pm

Thanks Prez. Charlie Boy - I went running differently. Twice a week I would run for about 3 miles to a football pitch. Without a break I would then jog the length and sprint the sides as many times as I could (increasing each time if poss.). Then situps, pressups and pull ups (friendly tree) and then try and keep a good pace back the three miles home. At the start I was pathetic but gradually improved. Towards the end I was alternating with boots. This is rarely advised but I think you need to get your legs used to the extra weight. Perhaps the leg weights might be an idea. Also make sure you do a few runs in trousers as this is a different ball game. Good luck mate

Cheers BenP, what you just wrote has got me thinking of how to I am going to train my self. And reading what you just wrote has give me excellent idea of how to go about it.

Good luck with your AIB course.

Have a drink on me :drinking:

BenP · Post by **BenP** » Mon 23 Jun, 2003 11:48 am

I failed the AIB. I was told that I was not mentally astute enough to pass. I was really strong apart from the Practical Leadership Task in the gym. I could not really figure out a tight plan in the 15 minutes. This meant I had to change it half way though the 8 minute practical. That was me stuffed. Also in the discussion exercise I was not decisive or concise enough in my plan. Gutted as I did really well in the Tests, my essay was very strong and he said my interview was one of the best he has had for a while. He said I came across well, had good points and the knowledge to back them up.
Make no mistake the AIB is hard work. After the tests (3hrs worth) I was braindead and the discussion exercise was very intense indeed. That said, I thought that I had performed well and that the potential was there. I know that they know what they are looking for but after investing a year of your life into something and getting it trashed in a 5 minute debrief is hard to take. Only 36 will go in this Sept and although they say there is a fixed standard, this must have had some bearing on their decisions. Basically, if they only have places for 36 they can take the very best of the best only.
I measured myself against those YO's I met at POC and decided that there was nothing that they could do and I could not. Also I have a friend about to finish YO at the moment and he assures me that I could do it and that several "biffers" started and were soon chpped so the application process is not flawless. I am obviously too late for this year and so it looks like I will have to start again next year. I am not sure if I will have to do the POC again but if thats what it takes......

barryc · Post by **barryc** » Mon 23 Jun, 2003 12:13 pm

Tough luck Ben, but I like the note of persistence, not writing yourself off but already turning your mind to a second, hopefully successful , attempt.

It seems to me that you already have some of the attributes we Royals looked for in our officers, all you need now is to be a totally useless map reader, and you will have it all.

Good luck and stick at it, it is probably worth it all.

Barry

El Prez · Post by **El Prez** » Mon 23 Jun, 2003 1:39 pm

Well done Ben, that's a really positive attitude to take away from the AIB. At least you now know the criteria and where they consider you have points which may be improved upon.
So........what about the next year, what plans? Is it too early to have another crack at the AIB? The POC should be OK but go and visit your AFCO, and as Sticks says elsewhere, get their decision in writing.

BenP · Post by **BenP** » Mon 23 Jun, 2003 2:14 pm

I have confirmation of the failure in writing but no details about the validity of the POC. I would hope that it would carry over till next year but will get it in writing as advised. I think I will do some travelling to make sure about what I want (nothing like being on your own in another country to concentrate your mind). As it stands I will secure a job and accomodation in London, go to Australia around September for a month and join the RMR on return. I figure this will aid me to keep on top of things and give me more of a flavour. Also my AFCO was a bit pants. He did not help out much and only contacted me with regard to dates. I heard of guys who had contact every few weeks and help with phys and background stuff. I got in contact with th London office and tried to speak to someone else but to no avail. He is a Navy lieutenant and so may not be that bothered. Also, a question; the only guy to pass our AIB was a applying for the navy alone, I assume the standard is the same but there was some speculation. The reason I ask is it widens my research area if I can ask Naval Officers for advice. Cheers guys

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