Hi Gryllzy, all.
I applied for a commission with the RAF in the last quarter of 2004 and was turned down to be forwarded to OASC following my final interview and recommended to try again in a year. Overall the experience has been positive and I hope the information below will assist you and others in making the best possible impression and to maximise your opportunities.
I applied for Int, WSO branches initially, adding Flt Operations after further research.
I'm 24, male and have never finished a university degree. Most recently I was studying maths and philosophy at Glasgow before dropping out after failing one of the core maths modules at resit. Have always wanted to go into the forces (parents were both in the RAF and met while stationed on Gibraltar). At the time of interview I was taking the bleep test to level 12, I'm a little chubby, 5'10 and not exactly pretty
As this thread is directed at the final interview, I'll concentrate on that.
The formal interview was the culmination of a process involving a presentation and informal 'chats'. In my case the informal meetings took place with a corporal(male, mid 30's) who was very down to earth and friendly and helped put me at ease for what would come later.
I would caution here that anything you say to an NCO who is assisting in the filtering process -will- get back to the person making the final judgement on whether you go down to OASC! This is their job! In retrospect, I would have been a little less chummy and more forthcoming with the 'sirs', at least at the start and close of each of our chats
On the day of the final interview the corporal and I had one more chat (quick refresh on what would be discussed, recapping that it would be a warm up for the interview at OASC) before I went back to the waiting room for 5 minutes.
The Flight Lieutenant (female, late 20's) arrived and we entered a smallish room. It was a little dry and you'll be talking for around an hour so bring a bottle of water to drink in the waiting room to be on the safe side. Made a point of shaking hands and waited for her to sit down first.
The format of the interview is that it is essentially a 'warm up' for the main interview at OASC. Perform well here and you'll perform well at OASC. Remember these people have a job to do, they're judged on who they vet to pass to OASC.
Pleasantries exchanged, how are you's.
What are you doing (jobs, school) how is that going.
What are you doing (interests) how is that going.
What were you doing last year.
Where did you go to school, did you hold any positions of responsibility, did you enjoy school.
Did you participate in school activities, did you carrry them over to life outside school.
Which branches are you applying for.
Why do you want to join the RAF, why are you suitable for the RAF.
What does the RAF do?
Why do you wish to be an officer, why are you suitable to act as an officer.
What is the purpose and role of an officer within the RAF and why not just join as a rating.
What will occur when you go down to OASC.
How do you feel about that.
Why have you selected the branches you have, which is your preference.
(TBH, WSO was not my first choice. I put it down to add a little breadth to the psychometric/motor tests at OASC but this actually counted against the application as it appeared I was not committed, quite rightly)
What will you do if you miss entering within a chosen branch but are offered one of your second choices.
If you pass to IOT, what will you be doing.
What particular trade training will follow IOT.
What will you be doing inbetween IOT and trade training if there is a period of waiting before the respective courses begin.
What do you -want- to do within your particular branch.
Where might you be stationed. What will you be doing.
After your initial posting, what will happen.
Technical questions regarding your chosen branch.
What are people in your given branch doing around the world within the RAF right now?
What might they be doing a year from now.
Phew, quite a bit there, but if you've been reading your material and doing your own research it should come fairly easily. Following my debrief, although I was answering questions put to me, it was felt my answers were not always concise and succint. Therefore I recommend you give nice, crisp and confident replies to -all- your questions.
At any point you may deviate from a particular line of questioning and you will find yourself pushed to finer and finer details. From my own experiences, I would suggest that if you don't know something calmly say so (this is part of the interview). I rambled a little and it counted against me. Style of delivery is important (insight into thinking processes, potential to make command decisions and briefings) so avoid waffling if you can
Final questions were:
Criminal record.
Drug use ("no, never" and leave it at that unless asked for more. Due to my educational background I saw it as an invitation for debate, very silly)
Health problems
Thank you and a debrief in a week.
That was my interview. Don't be upset if half the things you've researched don't come up, just stick to answering the questions presented and you'll be well on your way!
I received a debrief one week later and an invitation to apply as a rating, declined at this time.
Hope this helps and good luck!
