Newbie here, I have a few questions about joining the RAF

[Stu1892]

I couldn't find VERY similar questions specific to what i have to ask so i thought i'd ask everything here.

I'll finish an IT degree at Uni next year. I've been thinking for a while about joining the RAF.

After a relatively close look at some of the jobs the one that stands out most that i'd be capable / interested in doing is Communication and Information Systems Specialist.
Are there any other more computer related trades that i may have missed because of their name on the site?

I've also noticed that having a degree, i could join as an officer. Obviously starting that high up is appealing but i have reservations about effectively leading a team at some sort of trade when i'm so young and not experienced in a field. So, if someone could explain the job of an officer a little better and the process of becoming one, would be great!

Then there are my more general questions...

For the above kind of trades, how fit do you have to be, considering you're not immediately expected to go in to combat, but i'm aware that every trade has to be prepared...?

The medical, this is my biggest worry. I'm short, 5'5, i think (scared to check ) so i wasn't sure of the limit for a male, for this type of job.
Also, i'm diagnosed colour blind with red and green i think. However, this has never, EVER effected me in real life apart from those damn bubble tests!

If anyone can help with these questions, i'd be most greatful and will probably ask a few more from the answers

[Devils_Advocate]

Trade Group 4 now encompasses all the computer tech types and those that do the wiggle amp thing after two trades merged.

If you have a degree then you would be better off joining with a commission. As for not knowing anything about leadership, top marks for identifying this potential shortfall, but that is what Cranwell is supposed to teach, along with experience. It has never been a stopper as far as I know, and by judging from some of those with commission, they didnt learn much at Cranwell either.

As for the colour blind bit, dont know, but I think bomb disposal is out of the question. One for the AFCO, along with the height thing, there are a few short arses around here so I dont see why that is an issue. There are limits for aircrew but that is to do with ejector seats and not being able to reach switches and stuff. Ask at the AFCO, you will have to speak to them at some point, they arent that bad, these days.

[Stu1892]

Trade Group 4 now encompasses all the computer tech types and those that do the wiggle amp thing after two trades merged.

If you have a degree then you would be better off joining with a commission. As for not knowing anything about leadership, top marks for identifying this potential shortfall, but that is what Cranwell is supposed to teach, along with experience. It has never been a stopper as far as I know, and by judging from some of those with commission, they didnt learn much at Cranwell either.

As for the colour blind bit, dont know, but I think bomb disposal is out of the question. One for the AFCO, along with the height thing, there are a few short arses around here so I dont see why that is an issue. There are limits for aircrew but that is to do with ejector seats and not being able to reach switches and stuff. Ask at the AFCO, you will have to speak to them at some point, they arent that bad, these days.

Thanks for the help Mate, they were the answers i was expecting.
Going to do a bit of reading up about this Trade Group 4 thing...
cheers!

The vast majority of the answers to your questions are either on this forum or in the AFCO - stop being so damned lazy and do some research. Then, when you have, feel free to ask away.

read the post, there's nothing specific. i was asking here for some help before i delve in at the deep end with the AFCO which was what i thought this site was for.

[Blackhawk]

So, if someone could explain the job of an officer a little better and the process of becoming one, would be great!

Your AFCO will give you an information booklet called 'Officer', but I will try and run the basic steps. It may help.

First Steps:

1. Initial Talk at the AFCO (Armed Force Careers Office). You go to your AFCO and chat to the staff there. They'll give you the right brochures and ascertain whether you are qualified to apply for the given branches. You don't need to know anything other than the fact you are interested, they will give you as much information and advice as you want.

2. Officer Presentation. You spend several hours at the AFCO and recieve information about the RAF, The RAF/Officer Way of Life, The Selction Process and Initial Officer Training. BE WARNED - many of the questions that you'll later get asked in interview can be answered from the information given during the presentation. TAKE LOTS OF NOTES. Especially about OASC and IOT (you need to know these in great detail). Finally, ask lots of questions if you have them...this isn't a time to be shy!

3. AFCO Interview. The first stage of the selection process proper. The interview lasts between 30 min and an hour. They will ask about you family background, education (know your grades!), jobs you've done, hobbies, sports, when you've had reponsibility, why you want to join the RAF, why you want to be an Officer, why you want to do the branch/es you've chosen, what happens at OASC, what you do at IOT, what you do for your Branch training and what you will do as a Junior Officer in your branch. Sometimes they will ask about Military topics (overseas bases, deployments, aircraft etc) Top Tips....prepare really well, be very confident and SELL YOURSELF. If you pass this they will send you to OASC....

4. OASC. (Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre) 4 days at RAF Cranwell. PART ONE is Aptitude Test, Medical and Interview (very hard interview). If you pass Part One, you will go on to complete PART TWO. Part Two is Discussion Exercise, Fitness Test, Individual Problem Solving, Group Problem Solving, Leaderless Practical Exercise, Leadership Exercise and a final Interview.

[Stu1892]

that's a great help blackhawk, thanks!

sounds really, REALLY tough, and nerve racking to be honest. got a long way to go before i go ahead with anything though.

supposing i completely screwed up the process of becoming an officer, do you get a chance to start in the trade instead at the time, or do you have to apply all over again...?

[djmarkmclachlan]

that's a great help blackhawk, thanks!

sounds really, REALLY tough, and nerve racking to be honest. got a long way to go before i go ahead with anything though.

supposing i completely screwed up the process of becoming an officer, do you get a chance to start in the trade instead at the time, or do you have to apply all over again...?

You mean like if you go for MO and fail OASC then you join up as an MA straight off? If so then no, you'll have to re-apply, sorry I don't remember which branch you are looking into but that example works.

[Blackhawk]

that's a great help blackhawk, thanks!

sounds really, REALLY tough, and nerve racking to be honest. got a long way to go before i go ahead with anything though.

supposing i completely screwed up the process of becoming an officer, do you get a chance to start in the trade instead at the time, or do you have to apply all over again...?

It isn't as bad as it sounds to be honest. You have to work from filter interview stage up. OASC you have to be prepared for as you are thrown into thw competition. Until that point everything is done within the familiar walls of the careers office.

As for trades, you would have to make a new application as you would go completly through the AFCO. You will do your interview at the AFCO, as well as your aptitude test and then you would be called away to do a medical by a doctor.

I don't know if you know about tiome lengths for all of this. To give you some idea, I am applying for Officer and I did so in March. My OASC date is in September. My filter interview was in April.

When you go to your local AFCO ask if you could have a look at their NCO booklets. It doesn't hurt to look and it is another option if you decide against officer.

[chrispob]

sorry to say mate but you will have much difficulty with your colour blindness, my mate tried to get in who is also colour blind, no chance they said after the medical. suppose you could give it a go tho you might not be as bad as him.

good luck[/u]

[Stu1892]

what trade did he go in for?

[2nd time round]

Speaking from experience, you were right to quote OASC as 'really tough'.

Unless you go there fully prepared as in both mentally and physically, dont go any further with your application. Selection is really tough, one guy got booted at interview at Cranwell because he didnt have enough military experience !. They are there to find your weaknesses and find them they will.

Get doing volunteer work, get fit, know as much as you can about the world, raf yourself etc etc. Read through the posts on here, they are a goldmine of information. If you cant be bothered to do that, dont go any further as it shows you dont have the commitment.

Dont mean to be down on you but it is a tough game at officer level.

[Stu1892]

Dont mean to be down on you but it is a tough game at officer level.

i'd rather hear it like this then get down the road and realise i'm in too deep!

great reply, thanks for that.

Are all the OASC processes the same for each trade? As in being a Legal Officer compared to the Computer related jobs i'm only interested in?


I'm 22, will finish uni at 23. so going by what you say i've got a hell of lot to do and learn if i want to get in as an officer.
At the moment i'm out of shape after having a very busy year and also breaking my ankle didn't help. However, i'm back rugby training now and hope to lose the weight i've put on and get back fit! As for the volunteer work i'd have to have a look at some things i could do that i could fit around uni work and rugby.

[2nd time round]

I had two legal officer wanabees on my OASC last year and they went through the whole process. So no escaping whatever branch you choose.

One thing to contemplate, the RAF is restructuring and an awful lot of bases are closing with more in the pipeline (ie, Lossiemouth next month and potentially Brize Norton to name but two). This means less bodies doing a similar job, that means your likely hood of deployment has just gone up signifcantly.

So if you fancy an all expenses paid trip to the sunny state of Iraq, you'll be ok lol.

[Rockape]

One thing to contemplate, the RAF is restructuring and an awful lot of bases are closing with more in the pipeline (ie, Lossiemouth next month and potentially Brize Norton to name but two)

Bit of misinformation here, Lossiemouth is not due to close next month and has not even been scheduled for closure. Brize Norton certainly isn't closing, as it's getting all the Tac AT assets when Lyneham closes.

Minor points, but when people use this site as a reference for OASC interviews, correct info helps.

[aes69]

Whilst you are correct with both points Rockape, I think there was a little ambiguity in 2nd Time Rounds post. The announcement for more base closures will occur next month, not the bases themsleves close.

Although BZN is due to get the AT fleet, the MoD is looking to close BZN. They want to have the super units of Waddo, Lossie or Kinloss & Akrotiri. Granted this is 20-30 years down the line so stand-by on their fate.

Good pick up on the sort of duff gen tho.