"Getting in" with just A levels.

[Private-I]

Hi

I have been thinking of joining the RAF after sixth form as an intelligence officer after Im done with my A levels.

My question is: Will I be at a disadvantage, not being a graduate? Ive heard the competition is pretty brutal for INT O, and that you need to be quite special to get in with just A levels. I may go on to uni anyway, but is it worth having a crack at it after sixth form?

Cheers.

 

[skevans]

Competition is stiff, but a damn good aptitude can help.

 

[Magnum Magnum PI]

Go for it!

There are a few in the Branch who have done it, but if you can get in you will not be disadvantaged. Make sure its what you really want.

You have nothing to lose by trying and if you don't get in, go to Uni and try again later.

There are very few IntOs who have done it that way, but those who have made it usually do well. As but the time they are in the bracket for promotion to Sqn Ldr, they are still young. In fact on of our up and coming Wing Commaders joined with A-Levels. But there are very few who make it that way, most have a degree or do time in the ranks first.
I don't think we have had anyone come through for a number of years that way come to think of it. Would be good to see a Pilot Officer in the Branch again..

All the best..

 

[scurvysteve]

You lose nothing by trying, at least you'll gain a better idea of what they need and you'll still be way young enough to give it another crack after uni if it goes pete tong.

They're seemingly quite keen to get some new Int Os too. They asked me to try out for it and I'm dumb DT_Xtremez_41:

 

[Marshalloftheraf]

I joined at 18 with just A-Levels (with a Sixth Form Scholarship) but I have a mixed opinion now of being Commissioned so young.

For:
- If you are only thinking of Uni to get a qualification rather than wanting to go, don't. Join up and get on with it. Everyone has a degree these days and they are therefore devalued (unless a particular degree from a good Uni). Having a degree in some random subject shows you have the ability to study to that level and dedicate yourself to 3 years of learning. Well I think my time was better spent serving in the RAF than eating Tescos Value Beans and skiving off lectures, and now I have 3 years more experience in the Branch than those of my school year that went to Uni.
- The experience you get is invaluable and will shape the rest of your life, especially learning so much so young.

Against:

Joining with just A-Levels is fine, in fact irrelevant except you will have to serve 6 months as Acting Pilot Officer, 2 Years as Pilot Officer and 4 Years as Flying Officer. - Lower pay but 'Bomb-proof'. What is a significant issue is joining at age 18/19 as an Officer. I did it, its all I wanted to do back then, I would not have changed it for the world and it was bloody hard! However, now I look back at the situation I have a different opinion on the matter.
I personally feel that if I was deemed suitable for Commissioning at such a young age, that’s all very well, but there are problems with being a Commissioned teenager! IOT does prepare you for being an adult early. Its very good at developing leadership and Officer skills, however, as you don't actually meet or interact with real Airmen (Apart from the RAF Regt NCOs and PTIs)until after you graduate, you are not fully prepared in terms of the people skills to interact. If you approach Airmen or NCOs with the attitude that you are in any way superior you will last about 5 mins and at age 19 you have no experience. Luckily I coped well, but this was very hard and not from any training that I received; I had to quickly realise that I was effectively an Officer apprentice at least until I made Fg Off. The Plt Off rank badge does help with this but its not ideal. I can look back and cringe at what I must have looked to the guys. When 20 somethings, straight from Uni come into the Branch they look very young to me now, I would have looked like an Air Cadet with an Officers hat. Not that I was not professionally competent, but appearances do matter until you can prove yourself.
I feel that perhaps the way ahead would be for Officers not to be Commissioned until they are at least 21, they could join earlier with a ‘Commission Recommendation’ but perhaps should serve as an Airmen first. Commissioned reckonable service is not recognized before 21 anyway (Any time before is done 'for the Queen' and does not count towards your pension).
I would never have agreed with this opinion back then, but in the cold light of today I seriously think Commissioning so young is not quite right as you don’t have the life experience to back up your actions and opinions. It’s very hard for the young Officer (But you learn quickly!) and its equally controversial for the Airmen who have in front of them a Teenager who they call Sir.
What I will say is those airmen that saw my difficult position an respected that it was a means to an end and that I was an Officer under training looked after me very well, aided my training and development and I will always remember who they were. There were, however, a few, who resented my position, did not see me beyond my 'badge' as anything more than an upstart because I was young. This will happen, although not the norm, and you need to be able to deal with it, remembering that your reputation in the long term can be marked by your decisions and attitude when you were least experienced.

I hope this helps you make your decision as I feel I am ‘qualified’ to give comment.

All the best.

 

[Private-I]

Thanks for the advice, all.

I was considering going in as an airman, but I want the responsibility of being an officer. I still might go down the airman route, but Im pretty decided on officer.

As an intelligence analyst (airman), would I have to specialise in imagery/signals and do nothing else or can I work in operational intelligence?

Marshall: As you say, I might have trouble commanding any respect at the age of 18, but Im sure I want this. Im going to find out about the sixth form sponsership scheme and hopefully make an application.

 

[Marshalloftheraf]

In fact as an airman you train in Operational Air Intelligence and that will be your first tour. Then you CAN specialise either Signals, Imagery but some will remain in OPINTEL. You will also have opportunities for other specialisations such as HUMINT or targeting.

I must say that there is not much available info on the web and the AFCOs are not very well up to speed with what we do. But if you are interested, go to the AFCO, ask about Int An trade and if you do well at the AFCO you will be sent to Chicksands for further aptitude tests and an opportunity for you to learn more about the trade. If you pass that, you are still not committed to join but you will have a good understanding of the job and it will be an option open to you. You can then think about going for it or pursuing other options such as a commission.

As for responsibility, you will find that the Airmen of the trade are given loads of responsibility very quickly. The nature of the trade means you would be working in small specialised teams, often one on one with a junior Officer as their 'specialist' and could be briefing the highest levels of command. Promotion is good in the trade so you would find yourself being a Junior NCO on average within 4 to 5 years. There is of course, once you are in as an airman, the opportunity to get a commission if you show interest at any time. Your experience as an airman in the trade will only stand you in better stead for OASC, in fact its probably better for you than Uni, if your heart is not in it.

Ask at the AFCO.

 

[Inch High PI]

Private-I,

I am an Int An, but originally joined up as an Int An (I) and have now been in 10 years. I am very glad I have my imagery tours and experience behind but I have not pigeon holed myself and I have got out there and worked in the rest of the Int community, I have done OPINTEL and a HUMINT support tour and I have now just been promoted to Sgt and I am dabbling in Signals stuff. There are lots of pies to get your fingers into (fnarrr) and it certainly wouldn't do you any harm serving as an Airman first.
Although I am not particularly interested in a commission you will find yourself very quickly in a position of responsibility as an Airman.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

 

[Private-I]

Thanks Inch High.

And thanks to every one else as well, youve given me some very useful info.

DT_Xtremez_28:

 

[Dragon99]

Sorry to dig up an old thread but I'd rather do this than start another of similar content.


I am 30, have 2 A levels, a strong 12 years of work and life experience and have received good support from the AFCO in my interest in a position as an Intelligence Officer.

Having read forums and spoken to people in the branch and its trade I get the impression that opportunities for IntOs are very small, let alone those for not commissioning from the ranks. While there is obviously always a chance one might get through reality and existing career risk management are obviously big factors for me.

Based on the fact that I am 30, not a graduate and there are very small opportunities in the branch do I need to smell the coffee and realise that the AFCO will always support anyone on paper who has a chance or do I actually stand a good a chance as any providing I tackle OASC correctly?

 

[Downsizer]

If you meet the requirements and have the aptitude, what have you got to lose by applying? You will stand as much chance as anybody else who is qualified and has the aptitude.

 

[Dragon99]

Thank you for your reply, it's good to see its not just AFCO sales spin I'm being told but also an informed realistic view as well.