Medical Support Officer

[steve811]

My daughter is currently choosing her A levels and looking at careers. She looked on the RAF website and likes the look of the role of Medical Support Officer. Apart from disowning her if she becomes a bloody Rodney, I think she may well be on to good idea. The question is, what should she expect in terms of selection procedure, what quals should she be aiming for and is it best to go the Uni route first or try to get in and learn (both routes are available)? And are officers as universally hated as much as when I was in? I left in 2000, so my knowledge is a bit out of date!

 

[Warwick Hunt]

She will go down the regular officer selection route. This will be the initial interviews at the AFCO then, if the AFCO finds her appropriate, she will attend selection at OASC for the ground branch selection tests which will consist of an aptitude test, interviews, medical and leadership exercises. If successful, then she'll move onto IOT.

For MSO, she will require a minimum of 2 x A Levels plus 5 x GCSE at Grade C, including English and Maths. If she is looking at Uni, the choice of degree usually doesn't matter (as long as it's in an academic subject - you'll be surprised at the amount of candidates who apply with degrees in Drama, etc) however she may want to look at studying something along the lines of Healthcare Management or that ilk. The RAF offer sponsorship through Uni in the form of a bursary which will equate to around £1000 per year for a 3 year course - a decent dent in tuition fees, etc. At the end of her course, she will attend IOT. Your local AFCO will go through her options with her with regards to that. When she's ready to apply, she will need to contact the RAF Recruiting Hotline (0845 605 5555).

Good luck.

 

[steve811]

Thanks for that, very useful. Does the RAF make any distinction between those who choose the Uni route over those that come in direct? Her predicted grades mean she can get 2-4 A levels and 5-6 GCSE's at C and above, if she goes to Uni she will study Biology, so that might be very useful.

 

[Warwick Hunt]

Thanks for that, very useful. Does the RAF make any distinction between those who choose the Uni route over those that come in direct? Her predicted grades mean she can get 2-4 A levels and 5-6 GCSE's at C and above, if she goes to Uni she will study Biology, so that might be very useful.

The only distinction made is that if she comes in from the bursar's route, she will have a different term of service in that she will reach Flt Lt quicker than the non-grad route. This is to say that the non-grads are not disadvantaged in any other way and she will be eligible to apply if she only has the A Levels. However if she can get into uni and, more importantly, get a bursary, then she will benefit. If she is sponsored through uni, she will need to show commitment to the RAF throughout her time at uni, e.g. pass the RAFFT, join the UAS, etc.

What stage is she at WRT her education? If she has yet to start A Levels, the RAF can also sponsor her through them and on getting the grades, a place will be made for her on IOT. However if she decides to go on to uni, then she can get sponsorship for that too.

 

[TARDE85]

Apart from disowning her if she becomes a bloody Rodney,

You were a plumber weren't you? She'll probably disown you first, unless you're quick about it....

 

[steve811]

You were a plumber weren't you? She'll probably disown you first, unless you're quick about it....

She has read this and some of the posts on the armourers FB pages and did reply "but you were the scum of the universe, what right have you got to judge"!

 

[steve811]

The only distinction made is that if she comes in from the bursar's route, she will have a different term of service in that she will reach Flt Lt quicker than the non-grad route. This is to say that the non-grads are not disadvantaged in any other way and she will be eligible to apply if she only has the A Levels. However if she can get into uni and, more importantly, get a bursary, then she will benefit. If she is sponsored through uni, she will need to show commitment to the RAF throughout her time at uni, e.g. pass the RAFFT, join the UAS, etc.

What stage is she at WRT her education? If she has yet to start A Levels, the RAF can also sponsor her through them and on getting the grades, a place will be made for her on IOT. However if she decides to go on to uni, then she can get sponsorship for that too.

Thanks, she is just starting 6th form in September, I was not aware the RAF would sponsor A levels! That might mean we don't have to send her up chimneys to earn a living! I think the next stage is to contact the RAF and see what chances she has. I suppose we could always buy her a puppy and box of dog biscuits and she can be a dog handler!

 

[Warwick Hunt]

Thanks, she is just starting 6th form in September, I was not aware the RAF would sponsor A levels! That might mean we don't have to send her up chimneys to earn a living! I think the next stage is to contact the RAF and see what chances she has. I suppose we could always buy her a puppy and box of dog biscuits and she can be a dog handler!

If you are looking at A Level sponsorship, you need to be looking at it now as there is a finite window of opportunity. If that's not an option, then don't worry, there is still the option of uni sponsorship. Take a trip to the AFCO and have a chat with the guys in there who will go through her options fully.

Good luck.

 

[steve811]

Many thanks, will call them today and get an appointment.

 

[steve811]

Well, called the main number to be told I needed to talk to Cardiff and was given the number. Rang Cardiff and got a civilian who told me "no need for an appointment we have an open door policy, just pop in between 9 and 4". He then said "but there is no need, all the info is on the web site". I pointed out that she wanted information on sponsorship for A levels and was told "the government stopped that 2 years ago". I pointed out it was on the web site and he said "dunno why that is, should not be there, unless they have changed it again and not told us". He then told me the sponsorship for Uni was only available for year 2 and 3! We are going in on Monday afternoon to try and get some solid information, as he did not fill me with confidence!

 

[penfold93]

I would whole heartedly recommend the Uni route, MSO is over manned at the moment so she should look at other options as well.

None of the MSO's on the course we are running at the moment joined as an MSO, some have come from the ranks others are moving branch and even Service.

My advice is to look at other branches and keep MSO as an option. Currently there are very few 'deployable roles' for the MSO so if she is looking at something exciting then MSO nmay not fit the bill, however if she well organised interested in medical administration and management as well as training then it is a role to consider.

If you have any further questions let me know.

 

[steve811]

Thanks, we went into Cardiff and spoke to the Cpl there, who was very helpful but realistic. His opinion was that her chances of getting the role are slim. Most MSO's are from within the service and from qualified and experienced backgrounds. He also told her that a lot of the jobs are desk bound and she definitely does not want that! She is currently looking at other medical roles, even nursing, as I think the service attracts her more than anything else. I have tried to be as honest as possible, to the extent that I am trying to get her to look at other jobs, just in case the roles she wants are not available, but she is pretty determined!

 

[steve811]

Well, to update this. My daughter has now completed her first year of A levels and hoping for reasonable results in Maths, Chemistry and Biology. However, we have been trying to find out some basic information regarding the nursing degree course at Birmingham and how the RAF recruits and trains nurses. Do nurses sign on as trainees and the RAF organize the whole of the degree course including fees, applications to UCAS and there is no need for her to apply direct to Birmingham? Does the RAF course run separately or in conjunction with an NHS one, and is there only one intake a year?

 

[iainrm]

I always thought most Rodney's had pass drama if nothing else

 

[FootTapper]

Well, to update this. My daughter has now completed her first year of A levels and hoping for reasonable results in Maths, Chemistry and Biology. However, we have been trying to find out some basic information regarding the nursing degree course at Birmingham and how the RAF recruits and trains nurses. Do nurses sign on as trainees and the RAF organize the whole of the degree course including fees, applications to UCAS and there is no need for her to apply direct to Birmingham? Does the RAF course run separately or in conjunction with an NHS one, and is there only one intake a year?

My info is a little old, so it may or may not still be relevant...


When a mate joined as a nurse she had done her nursing degree first, but went through Halton with a bunch of "trainee nurses" who just had A Levels and were being sent to do their degrees through the RAF.

Because she joined as a qualified Nurse, she got LAC as soon as she left Halton, then 6 weeks later was an acting Corporal on JT pay.

I believe the "Double entry option for Nurses" still applies

 

[penfold93]

Well, to update this. My daughter has now completed her first year of A levels and hoping for reasonable results in Maths, Chemistry and Biology. However, we have been trying to find out some basic information regarding the nursing degree course at Birmingham and how the RAF recruits and trains nurses. Do nurses sign on as trainees and the RAF organize the whole of the degree course including fees, applications to UCAS and there is no need for her to apply direct to Birmingham? Does the RAF course run separately or in conjunction with an NHS one, and is there only one intake a year?

I've messaged you with some gen