Basic Entry Scheme

[MQ-9 Reaper]

The Basic Entry Scheme is a Vehicle for serving members of the Armed Forces to become Engineering Officers in the Royal Air Force.

Once the individual has passed the selection board at OASC they will attend the Future Engineering Officer’s (FEngOs) course at DCAE RAF Cosford. This Course is approximately 14 months long and successful completion will result in the awarding of a Foundation Degree in Engineering Management from Lincoln University.

Whilst at Cosford you will be given the status of Officer Cadet whilst being paid at your current rank. This status will allow you to live in the Officers’ Mess and attend functions there.

When you have completed the FEngO Course you will proceed to RAF Cranwell and attend Initial Officer Training (IOTC) and then Engineer Officer Further Training (EOFT). The EOFT course and a further Distance Learning Package will then lead to a BSc in Engineering Management from Lincoln University.

BES Course:

All students cover the core units before streaming to either AS or CE units.

6 Core Units:

Analytical Methods

Research Methods

Electrical, Electronic & Digital Principals

Management Science

Management for Engineers

Individual Project (Dissertation/Thesis)

8 Aeromechanical Systems (AS) Units:

Engineering Principals

Mechanical Principals

Propulsion Science

Aircraft Systems Principals

Aerodynamics

Integrated Flight Systems

Communication & Navigation

Aircraft Structural Integrity

5 Communications Electronics (CE) Units:

Network Routing & Fundamentals

Network Security

Network Environments & Software

Local Area Switching & Wide Area Networks

Communication & Radar Principles

 

[Joe_90]

Are you promoting this for the RAF because there is a need for it just now, or have you just found out and helpfully sharing?

 

[Dave-exfairy]

What rank tabs will they wear while at Cosford with the rank of Officer Cadet? Will they need a uniform?
Won't living in the Officers Mess be expensive for say an SAC on the lower pay band?

 

[Stevienics]

Wow, that is a really sweet deal.

Were I a Cpl. again, I would be all over this like a rash.

Just consider; you join with the miimum 3 GCSE's and within a few years you get a fully paid up degree, no student loan and one of the best jobs going.

Spoilt, you are!

 

[MrMasher]

I believe that the officer corps has realised it's pretty low on it's percentage of ex rankers?

 

[MQ-9 Reaper]

Just sharing my research. im off to oasc for this on 12th sep..

 

[Stevienics]

Just sharing my research. im off to oasc for this on 12th sep..

All the very best. If someone gets in your way, kill them. I would.

 

[MontyPlumbs]

It's a shame you don't get an FDEng and then progression to a BEng and then support to gaining accreditation as an Incorporated Engineer.

A fully accredited Engineering degree would be VERY useful outside.

Still, a good scheme with free qualifications, it is nice to see. Shame they are only pushing this for EngOs though, an RAF equal to an Artificer scheme would make me think twice about rejoining! DT_Xtremez_14:

 

[MQ-9 Reaper]

What rank tabs will they wear while at Cosford with the rank of Officer Cadet? Will they need a uniform?
Won't living in the Officers Mess be expensive for say an SAC on the lower pay band?

normal blue working dress with white rank tabs and officers SD hat with white band......... I guess an SAC on low payband would be out of pocket........ unless they were married and lived out, I dont think they would have to pay the mess fees then?!

 

[True Blue Jack]

........ unless they were married and lived out, I dont think they would have to pay the mess fees then?!

I don't know whether a married FEngO would be allowed to live out while at Cosford, you certainly can't during IOT although EOFT is much more civilised.

Either way, there are compulsory social events for officer cadets at both Cosford and Cranwell and the kit list for IOT is very lengthy. I don't wish to discourage you in any way but you should be prepared for an expensive couple of years. Good luck!

 

[Hu Jardon]

It's a shame you don't get an FDEng and then progression to a BEng and then support to gaining accreditation as an Incorporated Engineer.

A fully accredited Engineering degree would be VERY useful outside.

Still, a good scheme with free qualifications, it is nice to see. Shame they are only pushing this for EngOs though, an RAF equal to an Artificer scheme would make me think twice about rejoining! DT_Xtremez_14:

You do (or rather you can if you put enough effort in) the 1 year course ends in a FDEng in partnership with the University of Lincoln. Then its off to IOT and if you pass that then EOFT at Cranners which includes study for your BEng etc etc.

The whole idea of sticking with your existing rank is so if you fail then you go back into the system in your original rank and with the same seniority on promotion boards. Also as you don't do your commission first then the RAF aren't stuck with some commissioned retard failure ..................

 

[fat lazy techie]

I don't know whether a married FEngO would be allowed to live out while at Cosford, you certainly can't during IOT although EOFT is much more civilised.

Either way, there are compulsory social events for officer cadets at both Cosford and Cranwell and the kit list for IOT is very lengthy. I don't wish to discourage you in any way but you should be prepared for an expensive couple of years. Good luck!

There was one living on the same estate as me, before I moved out of the quarter I still got charged the full month for.

 

[RAF Bird]

There is actually one of these officer cadets working in my office as the current OC EOS's little helper! He is waiting to start IOT after his time at Tossoff so if any of you have any questions wrt this then please feel free to ask and I'll get the gen from him.

 

[FootTapper]

Are they still recruiting for this? i remember seeing a trawl a little while back but wasn't sure if it was a one off.

How does one apply?

 

[Drill Bit]

You do (or rather you can if you put enough effort in) the 1 year course ends in a FDEng in partnership with the University of Lincoln. Then its off to IOT and if you pass that then EOFT at Cranners which includes study for your BEng etc etc.

The whole idea of sticking with your existing rank is so if you fail then you go back into the system in your original rank and with the same seniority on promotion boards. Also as you don't do your commission first then the RAF aren't stuck with some commissioned retard failure ..................

I'm sure it's not a BEng; its a BSc in Eng Mgt that Lincoln offers in combination with the units accrued at Cosford and Cranwell.

 

[Mr Trousers]

I know a little bit about this if it helps:

I’m not sure what the numbers are for the next intake but they are obviously having a course if the OP is going to OASC next month. There are 2 FEngO courses each year (Jan and Sept I think) and each course has a 50:50 split between AS and CE. Last year’s course was reduced by 50% recruiting only 8 CE and 8 AS.

OASC had a lot of applicants for this course and I know 2 of the successful applicants very well, and I know of a few that met the OASC commissioning requirements but were not competitive enough. I think there were a couple of hundred applicants for the 16 places.

FEngOs can live out during their time at Cosford (I know one who is at the moment) and whilst they can have an [officer’s] quarter during IOT, they must live in No1 mess/CHOM for the duration. EOFT is back to normal.

Age limits are the same as any other application from the ranks (IOT before age 42).

The commissioning length is a standard PC which is now 18 years (not 16) or age 55. So irrespective of how much service you have done, once commissioned, you will serve for 18 years or up to your 55th birthday. Your time in the ranks does (thankfully) still contribute to your overall pension.

There is no specified ratio of ex-rankers to Direct Entrants in the Eng branch; historically a 70:30 split in favour of DEs was a guide to recruiting targets for OASC. But since most engineering graduates don’t want to join, this ratio has often been flipped – it’s all about filling the places, but we need some young enough applicants who have the potential for starred ranks.

To finish – if you are interested in this (and you meet the eligibility criteria) then go for it, all I would say is that you need to be at the very top of your game in terms of OASC prep to even be in with a shout; and this is not about knowing everything about current affairs or even having the most varied lifestyle/secondary duties – you need to be strong of character; comfortable when under pressure, especially when leading; quick thinking in terms of problem solving; and not an arrogant know-all who is all 'look at me me me'. (Contrary to what you might think, OASC really don’t like that). And if it’s the Commission you’re interested in, don’t forget to put alternative branches down on your application form.

 

[MQ-9 Reaper]

Anyone heard yet?

Anyone heard yet?

Anyone applying for this heard anything yet? the board sat at end of last week. I prob wont hear till jan now.... course starts in Feb!DT_Xtremez_09:

 

[Hairy Arsed Liney]

Has anyone applied for the BES this year?

How did MQ9 get on with his selection last time? Would be interesting to hear his views on the processes.

 

[Oberon305]

I've just seen about this, but with an upper age limit of 40 (at time of entry to training) I've missed my chance. Bugger.

 

[ERT]

Shh,

Don't tell everyone...