WSO Aircrewman

[rockyrobin]

Hi all,

Am a newbie here and have read through loads of the posts and they have been loads of use but I've still got some questions which I didn't really ask at the AFCO.

They gave me loads of info told me to go away and learn it all then come back and register for an interview etc.

I was wondering, will a medical/fitness test take place at the same time.

Am currently concentrating on building up my fitness so don't want go in and then fail.

The AFCO said they are recruiting for WSO's straight away.
If I get through the interview etc what should I expect at the selection and apptitude testing course.

Hope you can help.

[seandrs]

The interview is separate to any fitness testing. This is all done at Cranwell, to the best of my knowledge. Good luck with your interview, piece of advice for you, make sure you come accross as very confident, the interviewing officer wants to be certain that if you had to order round 20 Apes in the back of a Chinook you could do it well.

[Biggles1211]

The selection process is as follows:

1. Interview at the AFCO. They will test your knowledge of OASC, NCA training and role, RAF Knowledge and general military awareness. They will also examine your lifestyle, education and employment history to see if there is evidence that you are competative for the further selection process. They will talk to you about your fitness preparation. Do not underestimate the amount of revision and work that you need to do in order to be successful at this interview.

>if chosen to continue in selection....

2. Selection at the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre, RAF Cranwell.

There is typically a 4 month wait between AFCO Interview and going to Cranwell. Once you are there, it is split into 2 sections.

Section 1.

5 hours of Aptitude Tests. You must pass these for WSOP.
Medical Examination.
45 minute Interview (the toughie!)

Section 2.

Fitness Test (bleep test, press ups and sit ups)
Leaderless Exercise
Debating Exercise
Individual Problem Solving / Planning Exercise
Group Problem Solving / Planning Exercise
Leadership Exercises

WSOPs will also have to pass the Aircrew Swimming Test.

[Big Cheese]

Can someone explain to me what the format for OASC is now?

Has it changed because looking on the careers website it seems that the group planning exercise has been taken out and is now back with the individual planning exercise.

Anyone know up to date gen?

[Biggles1211]

OASC has changed in 3 ways over the last few months:

Firstly, they have re-introduced the INDIVIDUAL planning exercise (as well as the group one).

Secondly, they have introduced press-ups and sit-ups to the fitness test.

Thirdly, they have introduced the RAF / Aircrew swim test for all Aircrew candidates.

[rockyrobin]

Cheers Biggles, you're a fountain of knowledge.

Was thinking of building my fitness up whilst learning all the stuff needed for the interview, but was going to wait to apply till the end of August when hopefully I'd have lungs of steel.

But if there's a 4 month wait for Cranwell should I be getting myself down to the AFCO to get the interview sorted as soon as I have brushed up on all the current affairs, raf knowledge etc.

[King_duck]

Just to confirm.... are you going for Weapons Systems Officer or Operator?

[rockyrobin]

Weapons Systems Operator, ideally a crewman if I make the grade.

Any ideas anyone on what times I should be running to get a good score on the bleep test. I am aiming to do a mile in around 8 mins. Or should I be trying to get this down.

Trying to build up my endurance by jogging for two minutes then sprinting for two then jog then sprint. Am currently swimming 4 times a week before work (am no duncan goodhew yet though), playing football twice a week with a couple of gym sessions thrown in.

I visited Cranwell for a few days when I was in sixth form (am 27 now though), but the guy at the AFCO said it wouldn't do me any harm in the interview. What do you guys think???

[Biggles1211]

An 8 min mile should equate to 24 minutes for 3 miles, which is about average. Including some interval and/or fartlek training in addition to your endurance running will help you build the speed that you require for a bleep test - but don't forget the necessity to push for greater distances.

Before I went to OASC I was running 5x per week. 3 of those were for distance (7 miles) and 2 of those were for speed (interval running). I'm an ex-prop forward and still achieved level 13.1

Organising a visit is a good move. If you contact the NCA Liaison Team at RAF Cranwell, you can get yourself onto one of the monthly visits to the BCA School, or they can provide you with contacts to visit somewhere like Lyneham or Brize.

Have you checked out the NCA website yet?

http://www.airmenaircrew.freeserve.co.u ... ameset.htm

[boris_73]

hello if you do not have the C in maths does that immediatly rule you out for joining as an Weapon Systems Operator because i have 10 GCSE's but i only managed a D in maths, i have 2*C's in science 2*C's in english 1*C in I.T 1*C in graphics 1*C in history 1*D in business studies and 1* D in german, so will that D in maths prevent me from joing as a Weapon Systems Operator. Thank you

[Hyperlithe]

rockyrobin - you no longer get the choice to be a loadie, you'll get streamed as per what's available and your aptitude at the end of a 24 week generic aircrew course with 55(R) Sqn. (That's the one straight after NCAITC.) You may get to express a preference, but don't get your hopes up.

[bootneck]

Hyper, when do you pass out, or have i missed it?

[gr4pilot]

sorry dude, rules you out. Just go back to college on a night course for a year.

[boris_73]

gr4pilot was that posted to me if so damn it

[Blackhawk]

yeah I believe it was mate. If you really want the job though then do a college course. It won't take you longer than a year.