Comission Questions

[Jarhead]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum thingy please feel free to move it.

I have a few questions about going for comission as my trade is slow on promotion and I fancy the challenge. I have been in the RAF now a few years, I left school after completing my first year of A-levels of which I got 2 AS levels (I also have 11GCSE's all grades A-C) but I didn't complete my A2 levels. I have also recently completed an NVQ level 2 qualification. I wondered having served for few years and although not completing my A-levels would I be elgible for a comission or would I have to finish my A-levels?

IOT how hard is it physically aswel as academically? Has anyone any tips to help with passing it (i.e anything that I could do or bring to make it easier).

Also what sort of stuff would I need to know? I think I have a good knowledge of the RAF and Armed forces, how in depth does your knowledge have to be? Also same for current affairs what will I need to know and also in how much depth?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[vim_fuego]

You don't really fit into the recruitment bracket so I've stuck your thread in service gen...

Ironically many of your questions have been answered over in the recruitment forum so why not pop in and have a search around!?

 

[Jarhead]

Thanks for moving my thread Vim, I have had a look and found answers to some questions but not to all so if anyone has any updated answers please let me know.

 

[True Blue Jack]

What questions do you still have unanswered?

 

[Jarhead]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum thingy please feel free to move it.

I have a few questions about going for comission as my trade is slow on promotion and I fancy the challenge. I have been in the RAF now a few years, I left school after completing my first year of A-levels of which I got 2 AS levels (I also have 11GCSE's all grades A-C) but I didn't complete my A2 levels. I have also recently completed an NVQ level 2 qualification. I wondered having served for few years and although not completing my A-levels would I be elgible for a comission or would I have to finish my A-levels?

IOT how hard is it physically aswel as academically? Has anyone any tips to help with passing it (i.e anything that I could do or bring to make it easier).

Also what sort of stuff would I need to know? I think I have a good knowledge of the RAF and Armed forces, how in depth does your knowledge have to be? Also same for current affairs what will I need to know and also in how much depth?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.[/QUOT

The main question I would like answering is are my qualifictaion satisfactory to be able to get a comission or would I have to do some extra qualifications? Also any information on the other questions would be helpful.

Cheers.

 

[MQ-9 Reaper]

The main question I would like answering is are my qualifictaion satisfactory to be able to get a comission.

What's a comission???? I hope everyone I am up against at OASC is just like you............. sorry... lolDT_Xtremez_30:

 

[MontyPlumbs]

A levels (A2s) are at National Qualification Level 3. GCSEs and NVQs are, (unsurprisingly) at level 2.

I don't know if your service will exempt you from the academic criteria, but I don't thinkyour portfolio as it stands meets the requirement.

You need a full Level 3 qualification, haven't you done an ONC or similar within the RAF?

 

[True Blue Jack]

The main question I would like answering is are my qualifictaion satisfactory to be able to get a comission or would I have to do some extra qualifications? Also any information on the other questions would be helpful.

Cheers.

That depends on which branch you are applying for and your current rank/length of service. You have 11 GCSEs, which I assume includes Maths, English and at least one science? That being so, you are qualified for most branches but there are some, e.g., engineer, for which a relevant degree is required (see the thread running on the Basic Entry Scheme if you are interested in that). To be honest, only the AFCO can tell you for certain whether your qualifications meet the minimum entry criteria.

IOT is demanding physically and academically and around one-third of cadets take longer than the advertised 30 weeks to complete the course, for a variety of reasons. But you can think about all that once you get there, it's probably about a year away at this stage.

Does your unit have a commissioning club? If it does, you'll find a group of like-minded people there and the support and help you give each other throughout the process will maximise all your chances of success.

 

[Jarhead]

Thank you for all the help. I am considering going for Regiment officer or if I am not successful I am going to transfer to the Army and become an infantry officer.

By the sounds of it I need to get some more qualifications.

Thank you Reaper. COMMISSION! Lol.

By the way Montyplumbs what is an ONC?

 

[Realist78]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum thingy please feel free to move it.

I have a few questions about going for comission as my trade is slow on promotion and I fancy the challenge. I have been in the RAF now a few years, I left school after completing my first year of A-levels of which I got 2 AS levels (I also have 11GCSE's all grades A-C) but I didn't complete my A2 levels. I have also recently completed an NVQ level 2 qualification. I wondered having served for few years and although not completing my A-levels would I be elgible for a comission or would I have to finish my A-levels?

IOT how hard is it physically aswel as academically? Has anyone any tips to help with passing it (i.e anything that I could do or bring to make it easier).

Also what sort of stuff would I need to know? I think I have a good knowledge of the RAF and Armed forces, how in depth does your knowledge have to be? Also same for current affairs what will I need to know and also in how much depth?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.[/QUOT

The main question I would like answering is are my qualifictaion satisfactory to be able to get a comission or would I have to do some extra qualifications? Also any information on the other questions would be helpful.

Cheers.

Not with that spelling!DT_Xtremez_34:

 

[Jarhead]

Thank you Realist for spotting that typo!

 

[MontyPlumbs]

Thank you for all the help. I am considering going for Regiment officer or if I am not successful I am going to transfer to the Army and become an infantry officer.

By the sounds of it I need to get some more qualifications.

Thank you Reaper. COMMISSION! Lol.

By the way Montyplumbs what is an ONC?

A BTEC National Certficate or National diploma. A level 3 qualification usually awarded to those working in engineering.

It was available to TG 1 personnel under the RAF Modern Apprenticeship.

 

[Warwick Hunt]

The qualifications required are also dependant on the rank you are currently serving in, i.e. the higher up the food chain you are, the fewer qualifications you require. As long as you have your 5 GCSEs or equivalent including Enlish Lang and Maths at Grade C you are well on the way. If you have a couple of A Levels or equivalents then you will be more or less covered. There is a number at Cranwell for the desk that deals with educational quals. Speak to them and they will be able to tell you if the quals you have will cover you. PM me and I will square you away.

 

[Mr Trousers]

OK, once you reach SAC in rank you only need 5 GCSEs at grade C or above but they must include maths and English. You don’t need A-levels after that point because the Service experience is deemed sufficient to negate the need for them.

If you’re applying for Regt, you’re doing so at a good time – there is a shortage. As well as proving yourself in all the other areas required for commissioning, you will need to convince the boarders that you’re physically robust and really fit.

Good luck mate

 

[Liney Hasbeen]

I think you might just make it as an infantry sand bag, not sure officer is for you by the sound of it.

Trying to commision because you cant get promoted is the worst possible reason you can give ..........

more effort required me thinks ...

 

[252]

Dig in and keep reaching for your dream mate(i mean sir!).

Dont be put off by any of the comments you have read on this thread,judging by some of the officers i met in my career you sound like you will fit right in!.DT_Xtremez_42:

 

[I'm a liar]

I love 252's sarcasm and I'm right there with him. Anyway, here we go. If you want to go for a commission and get to Sqn Ldr, what you have to do is pass the 4 days at AOASC. Once you pass that you are guaranteed Sqn Ldr as long as you hang around long enough.

As True Blue, who has had the experience states, a lot of people take a long time to get through IOT. As he states clearly, they take a long time, they do not fail. Over 98% PASS eventually through IOT.

Once you get through OASC, you're sorted. Just be yourself, talk about relevant stuff here and stan and stick to your guns in the hanger and your laughing.

Set your eye to the future and if you get commission (good luck) at Wg Cdr level 5 pay, you are the only person to jump above the annual increment of around b£600 - £ 900, As a level 5 Wg Cdr you jump by over £4000. Hey why not I'm sure they add a lot to the Service between level 5 and 6.

In my 30 odd years every Officer, barr none have been worth their salt, isn't that right 252?

 

[True Blue Jack]

As True Blue, who has had the experience states, a lot of people take a long time to get through IOT. As he states clearly, they take a long time, they do not fail. Over 98% PASS eventually through IOT.

There are a couple of SACs at my present unit who will tell you that the failure rate is a little higher than 2%, although it is a small figure - probably around 5%. But then, those who get to IOT in the first place were in the top 0.3% or thereabouts of all those who walked into the AFCO, so everyone selected for IOT should be capable of completing the course.

It is also worth pointing out at this stage that your commission is only confirmed on completion of phase 2 training. Fail phase 2 and you go back to Cranwell for re-selection. The only branch open for re-selectees at the moment is Regt so failure of phase 2 is a one-way ticket to civvy street/return to trade for most people.

 

[Sospan]

But then, those who get to IOT in the first place were in the top 0.3% or thereabouts of all those who walked into the AFCO, so everyone selected for IOT should be capable of completing the course.

Should that read.... 0.3% of people or the top 0.3%?

Baring in mind there are a number of high caliber people that have no intent of going the IOT route at AFCO stage.

 

[True Blue Jack]

Should that read.... 0.3% of people or the top 0.3%?

Baring in mind there are a number of high caliber people that have no intent of going the IOT route at AFCO stage.

Perhaps I should have said the top 0.3% of applicants for IOT, for clarity. What I was trying to convey is that the selection process is quite rigorous so - in theory - everyone selected should be capable of passing the course.

Of course, there are loads of people who might make fantastic officers who choose not to apply. The number of airmen with university-level qualifications, for example, is astounding.