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going for a commission - any advice??

  • Thread starter Thread starter 555maverick
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555maverick

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hello

im currently in training at cosford but thinking i should have gone for commission. what are the educational requirements once you're in the raf and do you do the same course at cranwell as everyone else? how would you go about applying?

any advice would be greatly appreciated
 
To quote my old man "Don't go for commission" haha

But in all seriousness I would say A-Levels would probably be a requirement so if you don't have them im sure you can try sit them at some point. I was told I didn't have the required GCSE for the trade I chose so I buggered off to resit it and passed. It's not so bad :PDT_Xtremez_28:

*edit* yes you would need to do IOT at RAF Cranwell *edit*
 
Patience, young Padawan. Right now the only advice you need is to finish your training at Cosford. If you get to your first unit and the big yellow cap-badge is still on your mind then get back to the AFCO and join your Stn Commissioning Club.

The educational requirements are different for serving airmen than from civvies depending on your rank and time served. Even as a brand new LAC I think you forgo the requirement for 'A' Levels but don't quote me on that just yet.
 
Patience, young Padawan. Right now the only advice you need is to finish your training at Cosford. If you get to your first unit and the big yellow cap-badge is still on your mind then get back to the AFCO and join your Stn Commissioning Club.

The educational requirements are different for serving airmen than from civvies depending on your rank and time served. Even as a brand new LAC I think you forgo the requirement for 'A' Levels but don't quote me on that just yet.

Educational requirements are NOT different.....(ok, so they are in a couple of cases, most notably Eng officer, but in general still 5 GCSE & 2 A levels).

This chap has only just joined therefore i suspect that he is not qualified for commisioned entry or it would have been pointed out when he first entered the AFCO.

Cheers

MH (Recruiter!)
 
I was tempted with a commision whilst at cosford too. I even went as far as going for a flying scholarship to test the water.

The educational requirements are identical if you are in, or outside of the RAF. I do know people who have gotten past this though with exceptional aptitude/interview results.

If you are thinking of commisioning and want to keep it quiet and away from your course, go to an AFCO again initially, they should help you out. Otherwise, just go to your flight commander, he's obliged to consider you, but be prepared for some pretty testing questions.

Be sure a commision is what you want, and its not just that you are fed up at the moment with your course. Its a big thing, and I dare say the rewards are worth it, but you lose a lot too. I'm sat here with a degree, the equivalant of 6 A levels and 9 GCSE's doing my aircraft licences, and I wouldn't touch a commision with a barge pole, not through a lack of respect, but because I work in order to live, not live in order to work.

Good luck if you go for it, but give yourself all the advantages and take any help offered like the commisioning club.

DM
 
Educational requirements are NOT different.....(ok, so they are in a couple of cases, most notably Eng officer, but in general still 5 GCSE & 2 A levels).

This chap has only just joined therefore i suspect that he is not qualified for commisioned entry or it would have been pointed out when he first entered the AFCO.

Cheers

MH (Recruiter!)

Educational requirements are very different for serving airmen. For example, a substantive sgt needs only 3 GCSEs including Maths and English to meet the standard for most branches.

TBJ (applicant)
 
Educational requirements are very different for serving airmen. For example, a substantive sgt needs only 3 GCSEs including Maths and English to meet the standard for most branches.

TBJ (applicant)

How true you are!! TMT/JMLC/IMLC count along with your rank and length of service. I have 3 C grades covering Maths and English along with 11 years service and my rank (Sgt). I am educationally qualified!!
 
As said above educational qulas are lower if you're serving but if you apply you'll be competing with NCOs with experience and lots of quals so you'll have to offer something to be competitive.

Finish your course and get stuck in but if you do wont to go for it focus on what you want to achieve, commissioning club, current affairs, adventure training. just because you want the commission doesnt mean they'll give it to you. And yes the full 30 week course when you get to IOTC. See the stuiff on Recruiting threads for info.
 
hello

I'm currently in training at Cosford but thinking I should have gone for a commission. What are the educational requirements once you're in the RAF and do you do the same course at Cranwell as everyone else? How would you go about applying?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

GCSE English may be a good start

In all seriousness, TBJ is absolutely right. Get this course under your belt before you start looking too closely at the next step.

Failing that, that AFCO / local Commissioning group is probably the place to start
 
The Course that an Airman goes through at Cranwell to become an officer is the same as a new recruit going through Cranditz
 
Okay its easier because you know all the duff gen, but, in essence, you still complete the same 9month course
 
Best advice I can give is to complete your training and your TATs at your new station and to join the commissioning club and get actively involved. The amount of help it can give is phenomenal and there's loads of good rodneys that would love to take part, certainly from what I experienced at Lossie. They can organise station and training establishment visits to find out more about the specialisation you want to go into and you can ask the officers at your base about the training and the skills needed. Don't go into it lightly because if you aren't prepared it will show. They'd be happier knowing you'd spent a couple of years as a sadsac and had a better appreciation of the forces before trying out.
Best of luck mate!
 
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