New Applicant, time scales

[Mystic_Gohan]

Hi there! Ive just started my application process last wednesday, for the new sys trade (comms and info system spec.) and want to ask all you experienced people how long the entire process of getting into Halton should take.

Cheers

[gnrgreenhill]

The whole procces depends on the avaliability of your trade! the interviews, and medical bits and peices takes maybee a matter of weeks. but you could find that you dont get to holton till 2007! keep checking with the RAFs general careers hotline, just phone up and ask if your trade is open!, Im going for RAF Regt myself, I started application in dec last year, I unfortunatly got very ill and spent a week in hospital, and then was out of the game for a mounth, coudnt train, get out of bed etc! if that hadnt happened id probably be starting at Honington next mounth! however, in late january, I attended the p3 presentation, Due to some sort of mix up, after going in for an initial interview/ meeting with them, then getting my Airman selection test out the way, I ended up attending the presentation which is supposed to be the start of the process half way through my process! (no wounder I got all the questions correct). any way, I was told pre the presentation that every trade except RAF Regt gunner, and RAF musician was closed untill approx 2007! however I was the only Gunner wanabee in the presentation. everyone else was P***ing in the wind!

How far through the procces are you?

[Biggles1211]

All of the trades will be recruiting this year, although many won't be for entry into training until late '05/early '06. If there isn't a training course for a particular trade within the immediate future, the AFCO won't process applications for that trade. However, they will allow you to sit the Entry Test (AST) so that, when a trade becomes available, you can come in for an interview.

Best advice is to go to the AFCO, sit the AST, and then keep in regular touch with them for when the trade opens.

[Mystic_Gohan]

Ive literally just started the process - first briefing wed 16/02/05, so ive the whole lot. I definately know that my trade is open, theyve just created it, and its one of the reasons im choosing Communications Information Sys Specialist rather than avionics technician! Ill keep checking up with them as you advise

On another note, does anyone know of a good website with lots of practice AST questions on? Ive made my own little work rate question cards but a site would be great!

Cheers again

[B_H100]

Woah it seems that loads of people are going for this new trade! Does anyone know how the intakes at RTS Halton are organised, i.e. will the upcoming courses be full of CIS Specialists or will there be a mix of all trades, (bearing in mind that this is one of few trades open/with vacancies at the moment)?

For an example of time scales, although I initailly applied last April/May, and had aptitude tests for NCA at the AFCO then, my Trade application started in January this year, one week later interview and medical, and the next week had news of a provisional date for training, July 13th.

Although I didn't have each step of my application processed each consecutive week, there was another bloke there who this happened to. He may have been given the same news as me, which means he could have gone through the whole application process in just over a month! So from applying to actually starting training in my case it would have taken approx. six months.

[Biggles1211]

Here is a website with AST examples.....

http://www.freewebs.com/alexb1985/

[Mystic_Gohan]

Thanks for the link

Ive just got a call and my AST is next wednesday, so thats pretty fast. I certainly hope im the 1 month bod! Well B_H100, looks like i wont be alone at halton at least

[Paws4thought]

All the trades are mixed into a big bunch of short haired people who look really scared. The only one's that dont come here are Regt but that is under review as we speak.
The scale will have changed as the recruiting has dropped from 1600 to 900 this year 05/06. There were 12 Flights at RTS but this has changed down to 10, they are mad up of a Flt Lt, 2 Sgts, 4 Cpl's.
If you are going throuhg the process dont worry, we'll get you here eventually.
Best advice is start preparing now. Get yourself fit, dont piss me off by turning up fat and lazy. Learn about the RAF's history, you will be taught and tested on this. For gods sake learn how to use a washing machine and iron. And if you do one thing learn how to polish your boots, the amount of people who come through who dont know how to polish boots is incredible.
Hope fully see you soon,
Paws,
Daddy white belt.

[gnrgreenhill]

why are they reviewing about the regt?

If the Regt recruit training moves to Halton, then will they be in a seperate RTS? Or will they do basic then do the Regt training as a seperate trade training? Or Is it simply a case of the regt training depot relocating to spare space at holton as a suspected pre-curser to "Hoon the Goon" giving Honington the chop?

How likely is it to happen?

If very likly to happen then how soon?

Im hoping to get into the Regt some time in the next three mounths, Info on this would be a useful heads up!

[Biggles1211]

RAF Regt used to complete the RTS course at Halton before moving to Honnington for the Gnr course. It was decided that this didn't enable the Trainee Gnrs to bond effectively before starting Gnr training, so they created 'RTS B' at Honnington.

I've heard no rumours that anyone is considering moving Gnr RTS back to Halton.