Decision time...

[whomper]

Hey!

I posted a while ago asking about taking time out before joining to go travelling and I got offered a job abroad for the year since then, but having been speaking to the AFCO they've said the country I was planning on going to would mean I couldn't join up for five years. As it also turns out, my previous backpacking means it might not be possible to join as an IntO as I had originally planned because of security.

I'm still waiting on checks to see if they can put me through for Int and I'm joining up now as soon as I graduate but its left me a bit worried about what to do if I can't get in for intelligence.

They seem pretty keen on putting me in for admin because of the type of person I am, and think that would suit my personality the most but I want to be involved in the decision making process and be in the thick of things. I think that's why I'm edging away from that branch.

I was looking at Aerospace Battle Manager (possibly space specialist) and I thought that sounded closest to Int. I like a challenge and am looking for something thats mentally quite stretching and think this sounds like a really interesting branch to be in.

I don't know much about it though and when I went for my station visit we didn't speak to anyone about it and I was mainly focussed on Int in any case.

So I just wondered if anyone can offer any advice or might know a bit more about the role in general, how they find working in it, what sort of person would be a good condidate and what training would be like etc??

Any help would be brilliant.

Thanks and happy Easter,

Whomps

 

[NotAnIDOYet]

Hey!

I posted a while ago asking about taking time out before joining to go travelling and I got offered a job abroad for the year since then, but having been speaking to the AFCO they've said the country I was planning on going to would mean I couldn't join up for five years. As it also turns out, my previous backpacking means it might not be possible to join as an IntO as I had originally planned because of security.

I'm still waiting on checks to see if they can put me through for Int and I'm joining up now as soon as I graduate but its left me a bit worried about what to do if I can't get in for intelligence.

They seem pretty keen on putting me in for admin because of the type of person I am, and think that would suit my personality the most but I want to be involved in the decision making process and be in the thick of things. I think that's why I'm edging away from that branch.

I was looking at Aerospace Battle Manager (possibly space specialist) and I thought that sounded closest to Int. I like a challenge and am looking for something thats mentally quite stretching and think this sounds like a really interesting branch to be in.

I don't know much about it though and when I went for my station visit we didn't speak to anyone about it and I was mainly focussed on Int in any case.

So I just wondered if anyone can offer any advice or might know a bit more about the role in general, how they find working in it, what sort of person would be a good condidate and what training would be like etc??

Any help would be brilliant.

Thanks and happy Easter,

Whomps

Currently working in the largest place you would be employed, drop me a PM with what you need to know!

Cheers

 

[whomper]

Thanks, will do!

 

[FOMz]

Whomper,
I think you may be looking at some of the branches through rose tinted specs.....

'In the thick of things'? May I suggest you speak to your AFCO and get some Station visits under your belt. Have a look around and talk to people. The branches you speak of aren't 'In the thick of things' the majority of the time.

You may want to think about some of the other branches available as well....

 

[the green bowl]

Hmm, I'm thinking about IntOp and this has raised an interesting question - do the RAF have countries that they consider 'dodgy' and would frown on your application if you'd been there. I've been to Cuba and Russia among other places.

Another thing, my grandfather was a Latvian citizen who served in the Luftwaffe in WW2. Is this likely to have a negative impact on my security clearance?

 

[whomper]

Hi,

Green Bowl - I got told that S.Korea is a no no and I've been to Bolivia and I'm currently having to go through all my evidence of being there to prove it was just a backpacking trip.

I'd definitely double check with the AFCO about the countries that you have been to. I didn't think it was going to be a problem for me but for some countries apparently you have to wait 10 years before you can apply for Int. Security reasons obv but I think they could do with highlighting this on the careers site!

FomZ - Sorry wrong term of phrase there, by 'in the thick of things' I meant more from a strategy and analyses point of view as opposed to that of say engineer or aircrew, that kind of thing.

Thanks for the advice, I've had a many a trip to the AFCO and was always sure Int was for me, but it's just after being told I may not be able to apply that I've had to look at other branches. I'm just trying to get an insiders opinion on the job first as ABM sounded really interesting and something I may consider.

I am however, heading to the AFCO again this week so I'll be asking a few more questions on branches that I'm interested in and should no doubt be arranging station visits to solidify my choice.

Thanks again for getting back to me.