Comission from the ranks ?

[Kim Wipe]

Hey all. Just a few queries about an option I'm seriously debating that I couldn't find on the search option.

Haven't had time to attend any comissioning clubs due to work commitments so thought I would start of by gaining an idea here first.

As an 8 year SAC stacker with the next step up 'hopefully' nearby, does having time in the ranks actually aid you apart from the general air force knowledge and experience ?

I heard a rumour (nasty, vicious possibly) that if you have completed your TMT and JMLC, it counts a hell of a lot towards access to apply.

Sadly my GCSE's at C or above amount to 1. As someone who isn't gifted in the powerpoint learning department, education on the basics that don't interest me (maths, science) I struggle with. Trade and career related courses come a tad differently.

In no way do I want to find the 'easy way' through, but I do want to see if there are any routes to go by proving my ability through previous performances etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance !

 

[True Blue Jack]

You will need to get your GCSEs, including Maths, English and probably at least one science, depending on your chosen branch, before you can apply. Substantive Cpls are exempted from the need for 'A' Levels for most branches. Your TDF can help with your GCSEs, including intensive courses that can get them over and done with quickly.

As a serving airman you will have experiences that will come in very handy during the selection process, use them to your advantage but that doesn't necessarily make selection 'easier'. Use your commissioning club as often as you are able (work commitments notwithstanding) - it is an invaluable aid to preparation.

It may take you a while to get there, but that only proves your determination, right?

 

[Kim Wipe]

Very true. Is it also true that they are trying to keep people in the same trades ? I wouldn't mind staying in the Supply trade at all, with such a varied possibility of employment after my time's up I'd be quite happy to.

The only thing I would be a bit concerned about is having to drop the physical side of the trade (particularly OOA) as it is a side I very much enjoy.

Thanks for your advice though, I'll take it on board and (fingers crossed) be able to make myself available for the next one.

 

[harry the df]

Very true. Is it also true that they are trying to keep people in the same trades ? I wouldn't mind staying in the Supply trade at all, with such a varied possibility of employment after my time's up I'd be quite happy to.

The only thing I would be a bit concerned about is having to drop the physical side of the trade (particularly OOA) as it is a side I very much enjoy.

Thanks for your advice though, I'll take it on board and (fingers crossed) be able to make myself available for the next one.

At most you would need 5 GCSEs as a serving guy, 1 must be English. However, I also think the education requirement drops as you move up the ranks. Other than that no credit is given to if poepl have completed TMT etc

 

[3wheeledtechie]

Hey all. Just a few queries about an option I'm seriously debating that I couldn't find on the search option.

Haven't had time to attend any comissioning clubs due to work commitments so thought I would start of by gaining an idea here first.

As an 8 year SAC stacker with the next step up 'hopefully' nearby, does having time in the ranks actually aid you apart from the general air force knowledge and experience ?

I heard a rumour (nasty, vicious possibly) that if you have completed your TMT and JMLC, it counts a hell of a lot towards access to apply.

Sadly my GCSE's at C or above amount to 1. As someone who isn't gifted in the powerpoint learning department, education on the basics that don't interest me (maths, science) I struggle with. Trade and career related courses come a tad differently.

In no way do I want to find the 'easy way' through, but I do want to see if there are any routes to go by proving my ability through previous performances etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance !

I fear you may be fairly unrealistic in your aspirations. Statements such as "education on the basics that don't interest me (maths, science) I struggle with" won't earn you much respect from your potential peers, the vast majority of whom will have achieved first degrees. Think again on whether you are really committed to doing what it takes for commissioning, at a minimum this would include gaining credible GCSEs in Maths and English, and making the effort to get yourself to commissioning club, no matter what your other commitments, should be a pre-requisite.

 

[Nec Aspera Terrent]

Get yourself to the Medical Centre.

Have them check your vertebrae. If you've got 33, you are unlikely to be successful as a Commissioned Officer.

 

[Sniffer]

Ooooh NAT, bit below the belt there mate (possibly true though).

Just to throw the question out there do you guys think that those from the Ranks make better officers?

Personally I think they do and you can usually spot an ex-ranker within a couple of minutes of speaking with them.

There are no direct entry officers within my chosen trade, they are all ex rankers and I think it makes a difference.

 

[tag_lincoln]

As 3wheeled said you might be being a bit unrealistic if you think you will get through OASC and training without a good grasp of maths and written english. Whatever the minimum quals are (it was 5 O levels/GCSE(inc maths and English when I commisioned from the ranks) it should be stressed that those are the minimum. Graduates aside the ex serving competing with you will have qualified themselves as best they can some to degree standard, not to mention the fact that you need the maths and english if you want to understand some of the questions and be able to answer them. If you are serious about gaining a commission from where you stand now academically, then you are looking at a 3-4 year process to pass your exams and study all the other good stuff.
Whatever the pi55 takers might say there's more to being an officer than having your spine removed and having the ability to down large amounts of G+T (both of those do help though).

 

[3wheeledtechie]

IMO ex-rankers make either the best or worst officers - there's no in between. And I've worked for both types.

If I wanted to be harsh, even for the stacker trade, if after 8 years as an SAC promotion is only hopefully on the horizon, do you really think you are cut out for this, seeing as your rise up the rank structure's hardly been meteoric so far.

 

[MontyPlumbs]

IMO ex-rankers make either the best or worst officers - there's no in between. And I've worked for both types.

If I wanted to be harsh, even for the stacker trade, if after 8 years as an SAC promotion is only hopefully on the horizon, do you really think you are cut out for this, seeing as your rise up the rank structure's hardly been meteoric so far.

To be fair mate, promotion in the supply trade for SACs is crap at the moment, so 8 years isn't necessarily a reflection on the individual.

PS: I've found often ex-rankers are the worst, thinking they know it all because they did time as an SAC/CPL whatever.

 

[The Stig A.D.I.]

IMO ex-rankers make either the best or worst officers - there's no in between. And I've worked for both types.

If I wanted to be harsh, even for the stacker trade, if after 8 years as an SAC promotion is only hopefully on the horizon, do you really think you are cut out for this, seeing as your rise up the rank structure's hardly been meteoric so far.

Au Contraire, 3wheeledtechie! 8 years as an SAC in the Supply trade is perfectly normal; granted, some Stackers are picked up prior to this point, but not many.

As for 3-4 years of pre-commissioning prep, tag_lincoln, that sounds a little excessive; most TDFs (or whatever they're called this week) provide one week intensive courses for both Maths and English at GCSE level... Obviously, this is notwithstanding the time taken to prepare for the interview, studying current affairs and all things RAF, etc.

Credit IS given to JNCOs who have completed JMLC an TMT in that they are required to hold a minimum of 3x GCSEs including Maths and English. They will also only have to serve for 18 months in the rank of Fg Off versus the standard 2 years for those either entering as DEs or ex-SACs/JTs.

DT_Xtremez_28:

 

[Kim Wipe]

Maybe I didn't phrase it right. I re-sat my English and got my school grade up from an E to a C. I do have a good grasp in Maths, but certain aspects of the subject drop my grade drastically. I managed a D (up from a E, yup, I was crap in school) and hopefully I'll be able to push it up again.

As I said, I'm not looking to find the easy way, but the 5 GCSE's and 2 A-levels would see me spend the next 7+ years studying taking me to the age of 35.

The comissioning club looks like the next step, but thanks to those who offered advice. It is much appreciated !

 

[True Blue Jack]

As I said, I'm not looking to find the easy way, but the 5 GCSE's and 2 A-levels would see me spend the next 7+ years studying taking me to the age of 35.

As stated, you will not require the 'A' levels, and with the right attitude you can get your GCSEs in under 12 months. Join the commissioning club by all means because the more exposure you get to that kind of environment/support the better prepared you will be. Getting qualified educationally should be your first priority.