Upper age limit for Officers

[2nd time round]

I keep on popping in and looking at both this and the RAF careers website.

Imagine to my horror, that the RAF has just lowered their upper age limit for all ground branches for Officers. It used to stand at 38, but now stands at 36.

I was requested to go back to OASC this june but was advised by my AFCO to go and complete my NQT year before coming back and having another go next year.

I am curently 36, with a birthday at the end of the year and am now an NQT who was looking to join as a Training Officer when I had completed my NQT year i.e Aug 06.

Can anyone tell me if this age drop is a temporary thing or is it for the forseeable future ?

Have to admit I'll be gutted if I have missed the boat after lots of hard work.

[djmarkmclachlan]

I didnt know they had changed it. However, it is not temporary. They dont change things for 2 years so they can put it back to what it was. If its changed, it will sty what it is now unless there is reason for change again.
Bad luck that.

MM

[2nd time round]

Just managed to speak to someone through the RAF careers number, they say the age limit has been lowered due to pensions !.

The only advice they gave me was to get in touch with my AFCO PDQ !!.

Still leaves one problem, Training officers are NOT a priority branch at the moment !.

[mathilda]

I don't know if it will be of any consolation to you but I was told by AFCO that I was far too old to apply to the RAF but having obtained a second opinion I am about to go to OASC at the ripe old age of 39 and 7/12. The age limit only seems to apply if there is a glut of people wanting to join a particular branch. One of the people who was applying alongside me was 42. So if they do decide they need more trainers in the future your age will not necessarily be a bar to applying. Good Luck.

[2nd time round]

Thanks for the message mathilda,

I have been told to call back later in the year to find out the situation with recruiting. Your right, if they want you they'll overlook certain criteria !.

I havent given up hope yet as I very narrowly missed out on a spot last time. I have broadened my horizons further since going to OASC, so next time who knows !.

What branch are you going for ?.

[Biggles1211]

I havent given up hope yet as I very narrowly missed out on a spot last time. I have broadened my horizons further since going to OASC, so next time who knows

Were you invited by OASC to re-apply after 12/24 months (as is common)? If so, I'd guess that this may increase your chances at being reconsidered for an application.

The process for anyone outside of the 'usual' criteria is that the AFCO will take your details and approach OASC to confirm whether they can process you. Of course, that'll only happen if you are a really serious applicant and you are very polite to the AFCO staff, as they have no obligation to do so. If OASC deem you to be 'highly competative' for the branch that you are applying for then they will allow your application to proceed. If they don't think you stand a chance (either due to the strength of your application or the current situation for the branch/es you are applying for) they will save YOUR time and THEIRS by not processing you.

One way to increase your chances is to apply for multiple branches - that'll cover a wider spread of vacancies. Also, it's worth pressing to be considered for NCA - as this is still on 'freeflow' recruitment and will remain an excellent springboard for commissioning later in your career.

[2nd time round]

Hi Biggles,

I went to OASC in June 2004 and was kept in competition till January 2005. I was asked to re-apply in June 2005, but was advised by AFCO to complete my NQT year and that finishes in July 2006.

This would put me as a dual qualified entrant i.e. Engineering and Training.

My plan is to re-apply early next year and see what happens from there.

[Fwd 5]

"Also, it's worth pressing to be considered for NCA - as this is still on 'freeflow' recruitment and will remain an excellent springboard for commissioning later in your career."

1 Biggles, please explain how, if he's too old for training officer (max age 36), he will be considered for NCA (max age 32).

2 The reason NCA is 'freeflow' as you put it is that we need WSOps, recruiting guys who want to do something else doesn't help.

3 Never, ever apply to any part of the armed forces unless you really want the job you are applying for. Branch changes are not easy to come by and sitting in a helo at 50' on a dark night in Iraq with some twat shooting at you may become tiresome if you are only there to get a chance at being an educator.