AIB Diary by Deadhead, 2006
Posted: Fri 05 May, 2006 2:26 pm
Here we go again. As before, feel free to ask questions.
Day One
Getting to HMS Sultan is easy by public transport. I just took the train to Portsmouth Harbour, walk out of the station straight to the ferry. Ticket price is £1.80 for a return, make sure you keep the ticket. The journey takes about 10 minutes if that, it's only going across the harbour mouth. From there the taxi rank is directly in front of you as you walk out of the ferry terminus. The flat rate charge is £5. Make sure you ask for a receipt so that you can charge the MOD for the fare. Taxi drivers do this constantly all year, so they know the drill better than you.
Once you've been dropped off at the main gate you show your letter of invitation to the guards, who direct you to the AIB complex. The letter is your ID card throughout your stay. If (when) you go out to the pub, the letter is what gets you out and in through the gates. If you don't have a letter (a couple of people on my course didn't) for whatever reason, then make sure you bring a passport or other photo ID.
Once we (I met another candidate on the train. He was easy to spot, he had a suit, a suitcase and a confused expression) got into the AIB building, the ratings gave us some admin to run through, plus a very quick tour of the building. Nothing particularly exciting to worry about. The rooms are what you'd expect. Bed, table, chair, wardrobe, sink. I just got my kit squared away and went downstairs to the restroom. There's a pool table (free), TV, monopoly, and a few newspapers.
Until five along there's nothing to do but wait. Gradually the other candidates turned up (I was third to arrive out of nine). One nurse (female), two lads going for logistics (one from the navy), two marines (including me), one army lad transferring, and one scholarship engineering place. Two didn't ever turn up. Foolish if you ask me, as they never informed the AIB, which will probably stop them getting a later date.
We all introducd ourselves and got chatting. I already knew the other marine from my POC, but the others were strangers. The better you know the people you're working with, the better you're going to do, so make sure you get talking. Don't sit quiet in the corner, as that's not going to get you anywhere. I'm not going to comment on personalities too much, but the quietest candidate failed.....
At 17:00 a senior rate came in and introduced himself. He took us into the testing room and gave us a quick brief on what to expect, before we got the overalls and gym shoes we needed for the Practical Leadership Tasks issued. Make sure they fit, as otherwise bending and stretching is going to be awkward. After that it's scran (not bad) and a visit to the pub for team building. I don't have to tell you, stay sober, there's pyschometric testing and a bleep test the next day.
Two real points I think about the whole of the time you're in AIB. First up, it's a lot more relaxed than POC. I called the Chief Rating during my PLT's 'Les'. I don't think I would have ever tried to do that with a CSgt. And Les didn't mind. The Ratings are their to make your life as easy as possible. It's your AIB to screw up, but you won't be doing it because of the Ratings. Ask for all the advice you can get, they want you to pass.
Secondly, it's not worth trying to do last minute revision. If the service knowledge is in your head, then it's in your head. There is nothing you can do to make up for poor preparation at this point. The most you can do is remind yourself of the things you already know. In my opinion a good nights sleep is more important than cramming.
After team bonding at the Cocked Hat (dead expensive) we came back for some pool and then went to bed. The work starts on day two....
Day Two
Wake up call (lovely bugle music through speakers plus a loud recording of "Good Morning Candidates"), is at 6:15. Breakfast is at 6:45-7:15. The food is enough to keep body and soul together, but I don't think it's as good as Lympstone. Not as big a calorie requirement I suppose. After breakfast you wait in the restroom to be called for the testing. This all takes place in one large room and is run by a rating. Before it starts there is an introductory talk from one of the board Captains.
Boards are supposed to be sets of 4. We were supposed to be 3 sets of 3, but as two people didn't turn up we became 1 board of 3 (mine) and 1 board of 4. If you are a board of 3, then for the PLT's you will be assigned a STand In Candidate (STIC). I'll talk about them later.
So, psychometric testing. I suppose you can find tests on the internet to practise on, but I don't think it will be much use. This is a test of basic intelligence, and I think you either have it or you don't. I don't think there's much you can do to prepare. Just don't worry if you find that you can't finish each section. I don't think any of us came close on some of them. The only section you can prepare for is the service knowledge test. For marines it's mostly RM based questions, but make sure you brush up on the navy as well.
After the tests (you get a series of 15 minute breaks in between the tests, to try and stop your brain turning into cabbage), you do a practise discussion exercise. I found that when I looked at the 'staff notes' on the answers, I'd missed out a lot of important points. The most important of them all is speed and distance calculations. If there is a distance on the map between two points, work out how long it will take you to cover it in every mode of transportation you have available.
I'm sorry I can't give more advice on the psychometrics, but it really is designed to measure inherent ability. Not much you can do to improve that.
After the tests it's scran before you get taken to the PLT gym. You take your running kit with you, as you'll be doing a bleep test. Also take a towel in case you fall in to the water tank (you shouldn't unless you have weak arms, which you won't, as you passed POC).
The PLT practise is the only chance you get to familiarise yourself with the equipment before you do the PLT's properly on day 3. So make sure you take in all the information they give you, handle every bit of equipment, make sure you're clear on the commands you can give to the staff (the ropes you use need knots tied in them, which Ratings do for you). If you have ANY questions at all, make sure you ask them. You can't ask them tomorrow, and if you do anything unsafe/not permitted, they will simply shout 'STOP'. You'll have to work out your mistakes yourself.
A few points that I think are important:
If you are using ropes for a bridge, make sure the bowlines are at the same height. Otherwise it's a lot more difficult.
The only things that can bridge between ropes are the 8 foot plank and the 8 foot pole. Everything else is too long and moves the ropes out of range. We failed one of our PLT's because of it.
LOUD VOICES! If they can't hear you they can't mark you, and the accoustics inside the building are terrible.
Using a STIC. STIC is basically a robot. He will just stand there unless you tell him to do something. He won't carry any equipment, he won't be the first across any gaps, he won't come up with any plans. The best use for him is to make him secure the first end of the first plank you start bridging with. It keeps him out of the way and leaves all the actual work (which you get marked on) for the rest of the team to tackle.
I'll deal with the planning of PLT's when I talk about day three.
MSFA (bleep test)
You know the drill. It's exactly the same format as the POC bleep test, only there are less of you, and the standard is lower. After the PLT practise you get changed and taken to the gym. There'll be a very brief warm up and then you'll start the bleep test. One thing I did notice was the difference between marine candidates (and one lad who was currently at Sandhurst) and other people. You don't really get a sense of how fit you actually are at POC, as everybody is up to the same standard. Four candidates dropped out below level 10. I went at 11.12 (which is the point before level 12, and also higher than I managed on POC, which I was chuffed with), the army guy at 12.1, and the other marine at 12.4. Although there isn't the same scrutiny on your results as there is for non marine commisions, if you score low, they will seriously doubt your motivation. So give it everything you've got.
After that the day is your own. You jog back to the AIB, get yourself sorted out, have some scran, and go back to the Cocked Hat for more team bonding. Make sure you get together as a syndicate (board) and talk through what you're going to do for the PLT's. You can't plan your task, but you can make sure that everybody knows what they can do. Teamwork is the key to making sure you all look brilliant on the PLT's.
That's it for the first two days. I'll write up the third in a couple of days (bit busy). Sorry I can't provide as much info and advice as last time, but you do a lot less, and it's not really possible to prepare for some of them.
[EDIT - unstickied as this is no longer the most recent AIB diary on here. However, it still contains much useful information, and so is well worth a read - druadan]
Day One
Getting to HMS Sultan is easy by public transport. I just took the train to Portsmouth Harbour, walk out of the station straight to the ferry. Ticket price is £1.80 for a return, make sure you keep the ticket. The journey takes about 10 minutes if that, it's only going across the harbour mouth. From there the taxi rank is directly in front of you as you walk out of the ferry terminus. The flat rate charge is £5. Make sure you ask for a receipt so that you can charge the MOD for the fare. Taxi drivers do this constantly all year, so they know the drill better than you.
Once you've been dropped off at the main gate you show your letter of invitation to the guards, who direct you to the AIB complex. The letter is your ID card throughout your stay. If (when) you go out to the pub, the letter is what gets you out and in through the gates. If you don't have a letter (a couple of people on my course didn't) for whatever reason, then make sure you bring a passport or other photo ID.
Once we (I met another candidate on the train. He was easy to spot, he had a suit, a suitcase and a confused expression) got into the AIB building, the ratings gave us some admin to run through, plus a very quick tour of the building. Nothing particularly exciting to worry about. The rooms are what you'd expect. Bed, table, chair, wardrobe, sink. I just got my kit squared away and went downstairs to the restroom. There's a pool table (free), TV, monopoly, and a few newspapers.
Until five along there's nothing to do but wait. Gradually the other candidates turned up (I was third to arrive out of nine). One nurse (female), two lads going for logistics (one from the navy), two marines (including me), one army lad transferring, and one scholarship engineering place. Two didn't ever turn up. Foolish if you ask me, as they never informed the AIB, which will probably stop them getting a later date.
We all introducd ourselves and got chatting. I already knew the other marine from my POC, but the others were strangers. The better you know the people you're working with, the better you're going to do, so make sure you get talking. Don't sit quiet in the corner, as that's not going to get you anywhere. I'm not going to comment on personalities too much, but the quietest candidate failed.....
At 17:00 a senior rate came in and introduced himself. He took us into the testing room and gave us a quick brief on what to expect, before we got the overalls and gym shoes we needed for the Practical Leadership Tasks issued. Make sure they fit, as otherwise bending and stretching is going to be awkward. After that it's scran (not bad) and a visit to the pub for team building. I don't have to tell you, stay sober, there's pyschometric testing and a bleep test the next day.
Two real points I think about the whole of the time you're in AIB. First up, it's a lot more relaxed than POC. I called the Chief Rating during my PLT's 'Les'. I don't think I would have ever tried to do that with a CSgt. And Les didn't mind. The Ratings are their to make your life as easy as possible. It's your AIB to screw up, but you won't be doing it because of the Ratings. Ask for all the advice you can get, they want you to pass.
Secondly, it's not worth trying to do last minute revision. If the service knowledge is in your head, then it's in your head. There is nothing you can do to make up for poor preparation at this point. The most you can do is remind yourself of the things you already know. In my opinion a good nights sleep is more important than cramming.
After team bonding at the Cocked Hat (dead expensive) we came back for some pool and then went to bed. The work starts on day two....
Day Two
Wake up call (lovely bugle music through speakers plus a loud recording of "Good Morning Candidates"), is at 6:15. Breakfast is at 6:45-7:15. The food is enough to keep body and soul together, but I don't think it's as good as Lympstone. Not as big a calorie requirement I suppose. After breakfast you wait in the restroom to be called for the testing. This all takes place in one large room and is run by a rating. Before it starts there is an introductory talk from one of the board Captains.
Boards are supposed to be sets of 4. We were supposed to be 3 sets of 3, but as two people didn't turn up we became 1 board of 3 (mine) and 1 board of 4. If you are a board of 3, then for the PLT's you will be assigned a STand In Candidate (STIC). I'll talk about them later.
So, psychometric testing. I suppose you can find tests on the internet to practise on, but I don't think it will be much use. This is a test of basic intelligence, and I think you either have it or you don't. I don't think there's much you can do to prepare. Just don't worry if you find that you can't finish each section. I don't think any of us came close on some of them. The only section you can prepare for is the service knowledge test. For marines it's mostly RM based questions, but make sure you brush up on the navy as well.
After the tests (you get a series of 15 minute breaks in between the tests, to try and stop your brain turning into cabbage), you do a practise discussion exercise. I found that when I looked at the 'staff notes' on the answers, I'd missed out a lot of important points. The most important of them all is speed and distance calculations. If there is a distance on the map between two points, work out how long it will take you to cover it in every mode of transportation you have available.
I'm sorry I can't give more advice on the psychometrics, but it really is designed to measure inherent ability. Not much you can do to improve that.
After the tests it's scran before you get taken to the PLT gym. You take your running kit with you, as you'll be doing a bleep test. Also take a towel in case you fall in to the water tank (you shouldn't unless you have weak arms, which you won't, as you passed POC).
The PLT practise is the only chance you get to familiarise yourself with the equipment before you do the PLT's properly on day 3. So make sure you take in all the information they give you, handle every bit of equipment, make sure you're clear on the commands you can give to the staff (the ropes you use need knots tied in them, which Ratings do for you). If you have ANY questions at all, make sure you ask them. You can't ask them tomorrow, and if you do anything unsafe/not permitted, they will simply shout 'STOP'. You'll have to work out your mistakes yourself.
A few points that I think are important:
If you are using ropes for a bridge, make sure the bowlines are at the same height. Otherwise it's a lot more difficult.
The only things that can bridge between ropes are the 8 foot plank and the 8 foot pole. Everything else is too long and moves the ropes out of range. We failed one of our PLT's because of it.
LOUD VOICES! If they can't hear you they can't mark you, and the accoustics inside the building are terrible.
Using a STIC. STIC is basically a robot. He will just stand there unless you tell him to do something. He won't carry any equipment, he won't be the first across any gaps, he won't come up with any plans. The best use for him is to make him secure the first end of the first plank you start bridging with. It keeps him out of the way and leaves all the actual work (which you get marked on) for the rest of the team to tackle.
I'll deal with the planning of PLT's when I talk about day three.
MSFA (bleep test)
You know the drill. It's exactly the same format as the POC bleep test, only there are less of you, and the standard is lower. After the PLT practise you get changed and taken to the gym. There'll be a very brief warm up and then you'll start the bleep test. One thing I did notice was the difference between marine candidates (and one lad who was currently at Sandhurst) and other people. You don't really get a sense of how fit you actually are at POC, as everybody is up to the same standard. Four candidates dropped out below level 10. I went at 11.12 (which is the point before level 12, and also higher than I managed on POC, which I was chuffed with), the army guy at 12.1, and the other marine at 12.4. Although there isn't the same scrutiny on your results as there is for non marine commisions, if you score low, they will seriously doubt your motivation. So give it everything you've got.
After that the day is your own. You jog back to the AIB, get yourself sorted out, have some scran, and go back to the Cocked Hat for more team bonding. Make sure you get together as a syndicate (board) and talk through what you're going to do for the PLT's. You can't plan your task, but you can make sure that everybody knows what they can do. Teamwork is the key to making sure you all look brilliant on the PLT's.
That's it for the first two days. I'll write up the third in a couple of days (bit busy). Sorry I can't provide as much info and advice as last time, but you do a lot less, and it's not really possible to prepare for some of them.
[EDIT - unstickied as this is no longer the most recent AIB diary on here. However, it still contains much useful information, and so is well worth a read - druadan]