Application to join RAF

[gb4ever]

Hi all, Im am currently applying to join the RAF as a WSOp. I have my initial filter interview shortly and was wondering if anyone had any tips/suggestions as to possible content/qestions etc.

Any help would b appreciated

Thanks
GB

 

[Aerial]

Don't Do It.

Don't Do It.

I can tell you that you would be a fool to join the RAF in any capacity. You will be (ab)used by the Government through the top management who, if you take the time to read and digest the posts on this forum, do not give a stuff for anyone much outside their peer group. Just look in the press at what happens to anyone injured either at home in the UK or overseas as an example. The salary may well be ok, but the conditions are certainly not. Cameraderie and morale have been running out of town for ages. Do yourself a big favour and read all of the posts on this site (not all are humourous), find a civilian job that can utilise your talent and in years to come, be thankful for this advice.

 

[firestorm]

I can tell you that you would be a fool to join the RAF in any capacity. You will be (ab)used by the Government through the top management who, if you take the time to read and digest the posts on this forum, do not give a stuff for anyone much outside their peer group. Just look in the press at what happens to anyone injured either at home in the UK or overseas as an example. The salary may well be ok, but the conditions are certainly not. Cameraderie and morale have been running out of town for ages. Do yourself a big favour and read all of the posts on this site (not all are humourous), find a civilian job that can utilise your talent and in years to come, be thankful for this advice.

I'll second that.

 

[Who? Me?]

Your filter interview will be focusing mainly on why you want to join the RAF, what your chosen trade / branch does & where it would do it, where the RAF are currently deployed etc. Also be prepared for questions on your background (family, education, holidays etc) and what you do in your spare time.

It is fairly similar to the one you'll get at OASC should you be lucky to get that far, but the one at OASC will be much longer and a lot more in depth.

The filter interview doesn't normally delve into knowledge of current affairs, however that does not mean that they won't ask so be prepared.

Another tip is to go in a minimum shirt and tie, it has been known for people to turn up for the interview in the current fashion trends (how old do I sound!DT_Xtremez_09: ) and not get past the interview.

Good luck.

 

[enginesuck]

Firstly good luck - ignore the anti raf sentiments above. Try www.pprune.org

and the military aircrew forum - there are loads of people on there who can help, im not aircrew myself but passed the filter interview many moons ago before flunking oasc (good thing really as i get totally air sick whenever i fly on Norman nimrod esp low level anti sub stuff)

Not just a shirt and tie fully suited and booted would be my advice - research the trade, training elements, research the raf as an organisation, its squadrons, aircraft they operate and read a good broadsheet every day, from now on.

good luckDT_Xtremez_32:

 

[Captain Pugwash]

Do yourself a favour, don't go for any of the Armed Forces.

 

[Scrumpy Suppa]

Get out of Here!

Get out of Here!

If you want to sit in the back of tin can for the rest of what is going to be a sad life then your the man for the RAF, especially if you like hot climates and no grass, Oh and 2 cans of strongbow is ur limit. Pay ain't that competitive anymore to boot.
I agree wholeheartedly with previous replies.


Why eject when you don't have to!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JFOM]

Chap, the air force has gone through many changes since I joined up back in '90. These changes have been huge and people from my ilk and before have had to accept the changes by either whinging about them or changing our mindset. Many people have had difficulties with this and struggled, hence the complaining.

The Air Force and the forces in general are no longer the place for middle-aged people, due to the role being completely different to the cold-war era. It's a young person's domain, a single young person's domain. Ignore the rants, and by all means join up, it's not all bad for someone that doesn't remember the good(bad) old days.

Best of luck to you and I hope your application is successful!

Oh and

Firstly good luck - ignore the anti raf sentiments above. Try www.pprune.org

and the military aircrew forum - there are loads of people on there who can help, im not aircrew myself but passed the filter interview many moons ago before flunking oasc (good thing really as i get totally air sick whenever i fly on Norman nimrod esp low level anti sub stuff)

Not just a shirt and tie fully suited and booted would be my advice - research the trade, training elements, research the raf as an organisation, its squadrons, aircraft they operate and read a good broadsheet every day, from now on.

good luckDT_Xtremez_32:

This is good advice - well done enginesuck!

 

[Bluntend]

Having worked on both sides of the Civvi/Blue Suit divide, I (still) believe that life in the Forces beats life out in the real world. Despite the fact that so much of what is good about being in the mob is being thrown away with lean initiatives and aggressive civilianisation, there remains, for now at least, a strong feeling of loyalty and camaraderie within trades and branches. What lies ahead, however, remains to be seen as, IMHO, loyalty to the troops from those in positions of responsibility is at an all time low. Meeting contractual targets is now a higher priority than maintaining morale and supporting servicemen and women and their families.

A service career is no longer a job for life - if you get in, make the most of your time. Use the resources available to you (there are still many) and get out there and see as much of the world whenever you have the opportunity. You may not have it for long. I consider myself to have been extremely lucky in my short career. I've had some great postings, been to some interesting places and had the privilege to work with (and for) some exceptional people. It is though, in my opinion, the people you will work with and not necessarily the job itself that will give you the greatest rewards.

If you still want to join the RAF do it with your eyes open. Do your research and do not take the views of one or two people as gospel. Some of us are unhappy with the way it appears the RAF is heading, partly because we fear that many of the benefits that we have enjoyed over the years are being lost. Others simply don’t see it that way. Ultimately, I guess this is a long winded way of saying that the decision is up to you. Sorry if that’s not much help.

Bluntend.

 

[Chaka]

The Air Force and the forces in general are no longer the place for middle-aged people, due to the role being completely different to the cold-war era.

JFOMz - Ageism, how dare you!DT_Xtremez_42:

Sure, I resemble that remark but have you no concern for the really old people of the Air Force? You know the type I mean, grumpy WO, smells of wee and stale cigars?

Shame on you JFOMz! DT_Xtremez_35:

PS. At least us middle age/oldies won all the wars we took part in, enjoy your next OOA!DT_Xtremez_28:

 

[Bluntend]

...ignore the anti raf sentiments above...

Not all sentiments are "anti RAF". Many are anti the people who currently manage (not lead) the RAF and not necessarily anti the RAF itself.

 

[Cat of Shadows]

Having worked on both sides of the Civvi/Blue Suit divide, I (still) believe that life in the Forces beats life out in the real world. Despite the fact that so much of what is good about being in the mob is being thrown away with lean initiatives and aggressive civilianisation, there remains, for now at least, a strong feeling of loyalty and camaraderie within trades and branches. What lies ahead, however, remains to be seen as, IMHO, loyalty to the troops from those in positions of responsibility is at an all time low. Meeting contractual targets is now a higher priority than maintaining morale and supporting servicemen and women and their families.

A service career is no longer a job for life - if you get in, make the most of your time. Use the resources available to you (there are still many) and get out there and see as much of the world whenever you have the opportunity. You may not have it for long. I consider myself to have been extremely lucky in my short career. I've had some great postings, been to some interesting places and had the privilege to work with (and for) some exceptional people. It is though, in my opinion, the people you will work with and not necessarily the job itself that will give you the greatest rewards.

If you still want to join the RAF do it with your eyes open. Do your research and do not take the views of one or two people as gospel. Some of us are unhappy with the way it appears the RAF is heading, partly because we fear that many of the benefits that we have enjoyed over the years are being lost. Others simply don’t see it that way. Ultimately, I guess this is a long winded way of saying that the decision is up to you. Sorry if that’s not much help.

Bluntend.

As eloquant as ever Bluntend.

It is true that the service is heading in a not entirely well received direction at the moment and I am one who continues to express real concern over so called 'initiatives' which just undermine the very fabric of our services way of life/ethos. That said, Bluntend is correct in that it is still a fantastic way to do things you would not ordinarily get the opportunity to do in civvie street, or if you did, you would have to pay through the nose for.

We are not quite as dead in the water as some posters would make out, but you do need to come in to the service with your eyes wide open, just as Bluntend has mentioned. Whilst the AFCO will be helpful, there is still the 'propoganda' connected to the tales they tell you about all of the trade/branch specialisations; just apply salt as required.

Good Luck to you young gun.

 

[JFOM]

JFOMz - Ageism, how dare you!DT_Xtremez_42:

My dear Chaka, if you were offended by my remarks, please accept my most sincere apologies! Oh, and the NAAFi has just had the Wurther's delivered for you!

Sure, I resemble that remark but have you no concern for the really old people of the Air Force? You know the type I mean, grumpy WO, smells of wee and stale cigars?

Now you don't REALLY want me to comment on that do you?

PS. At least us middle age/oldies won all the wars we took part in, enjoy your next OOA!DT_Xtremez_28:

Erm I remember the cold war, TACEVALS, SWO's that tore you a new @rse hole if you screwed up, WRAF's Blocks, Block Raids (who me? Never), Bomb alerts if you left the simplex lock of the barrack block undone and all those other things we used to love(sic) about the airforce. I consider myself one of the cold-war era peeps, as the base I was at - Ice Station Zebra, carried on it's very active cold-war role way past the rest of the Air Force.

I'm merely stating that the Air Force is very much different now, it's for the younger generation (and no I don't include myself in that category), not for us long-in-the-tooth people - unless we can accept the change. Now then, why did you leave again Chaka? DT_Xtremez_31:

 

[Chaka]

Now then, why did you leave again Chaka? DT_Xtremez_31:

More money & a better quality of life.DT_Xtremez_30:

As I have said all along, I loved my job as a Controller/Instructor and I left at the top of my profession, I just didn't like the way the Company was going.

Would I want my Son to join the RAF now? Answer NO! Then again 22 years ago my father (35years in the RAF) said he didn't want me to join either!!DT_Xtremez_21:

Life is what you make it and if my Son was really keen to join I would support him just like my father did for me. To the young lad/lass who started this thread (spoof or not) I'd say go for it, you might even end up like me! DT_Xtremez_28:

 

[insideinfoman]

you might even end up like me! DT_Xtremez_28:

My god I hope not, couldn't do with another Chaka in the mob!!!!

DT_Xtremez_30:

 

[Chaka]

Insideupsidedownman- may the fleas of a thousand camels infest your scrotum!DT_Xtremez_30:

 

[blue_eyed_girl]

Applying

Applying

I should actually be applying to the RAF within the next few months
I would like to be a Weapons Systems Operator on a Chinook
Does anyone here do that job and tell me a bit about what you do?
xXx

 

[loafing]

I should actually be applying to the RAF within the next few months
I would like to be a Weapons Systems Operator on a Chinook
Does anyone here do that job and tell me a bit about what you do?
xXx

WSOps on Wokkas as a pair and are responsible for the load, be it people or cargo, onboard the aircraft. They plan and oversee the loading of equipment and then supervise it whilst the aircraft is bimbling around. Flight saftey is a major aspect of their job too so, I'm sure they support the pilots with lookout, map reading & radios etc.

Pie eating is also a major part of the job.

 

[shettie]

And don't forget - when going on a jolly in your wokka - especially to a remote site - remember to leave the mail in a, the t-bar, b, the bog, c, your locker... Oh, the list goes on, and on and....
DT_Xtremez_32:

 

[blue_eyed_girl]

WSOps on Wokkas as a pair and are responsible for the load, be it people or cargo, onboard the aircraft. They plan and oversee the loading of equipment and then supervise it whilst the aircraft is bimbling around. Flight saftey is a major aspect of their job too so, I'm sure they support the pilots with lookout, map reading & radios etc.

Pie eating is also a major part of the job.

thanks for that!

i shall not be eating pies as i do not like them ha!
they are not my kind of taste