MT retrade to Aircrew

[damo468]

This is my first thread on this site so im hoping you guys/girls will be able to help and give me some good information on what im going to ask.

im currently in the RAF as MT and have been for the three years now. im getting fed up with it as anyone who has a licence for a car potentially can do what i do. so im looking to progress in my career and also want to better myself as an individual, so im looking at going for aircrew.

thing is i didnt score for it in my initail afco stages, so will i have to do them again and go from there with the whole afco process. Or is there a fast track for serving personnel. if anyone could get back to me with any information, however big or small, all will be appreciated.

Damo

 

[RAF Bird]

AFAIK Fast track isn't an option that is available all the time. It was offered last year because manning levels of the WSOp trade were low. Yes you will have to re-do the tests (they are very different to the ones you do at AFCO... least they are from the ones when I joined up) but it is all done at Cranwell as part of the OASC. Your first port of call is PSF who will give you the pw you need to begin the process.

 

[Fu Fu Valve]

Your unit will probably have a Commisioning Club for those wanting to become Zobs or Non-Commisioned Aircrew. Probably a good place to check out.

 

[Spearmint]

I'm going through this process at the minute although the branch is currently closed so if you need any advice from a similar perspective drop me a PM. Alternatively on here, 'Vim Fuego' knows his onions on this particular subject.

Best of luck to you.

 

[vim_fuego]

Speak of him and he shall appear...

This is how I think it happens but a recruiter will confirm it once he notices it...You will need the correct amount of qualifications for the job...Back when you applied for a specific type such as loady or AEOp you needed english language and another GCSE for loady and maths/eng lang and a science based subject plus one other (so thats four in total!) for AEOp...in reality you needed as many as you could scrape together as I was sat next to people going for the same job with scrolls in their mitts! Because now you apply for 'aircrew' and get streamed later on in the course so they have either upped the requirement for loadys or lowered the requirements for AEOps...

Next you used to Gen App to go for aircrew which went to P1...Obviously we have JPA and less HR so maybe there is a JPA thing to do instead...Eventually you will receive quite a thick application for officer/NCA form...It asks you all manner of seemingly irrelevent questions which you must answer to the best of you ability...Once you completed it then photocopy it and send the original back...It may be some months before you go to the OASC for your interview and they use that form to base their questions on you from...you need to revise it to make sure you remembered what you wrote! What you would have done before this form is visited your local AFCO for a officer/NCA brief...You can talk through your options after the pres with the AFCO guys and take their advice forward to the form filling out bit...next you have an interview with somebody from the AFCO which to me is like the old station board but not as hard IMO...If they think you are worth it they'll reccomend you to go to OASC and apply for a slot...some weeks/months later you go to OASC and complete 3 days of tests (psychometric/medical/physical/aptitude/formal interview). You may get an early bath after 1.5 days if you don't medically fit the bill or biff your interview...'not' failing that you'll move onto group and individual problem solving and my personal favourite the group discussion where 6 people try to talk over each other!

You'll get a chance to talk to the OASC careers dude at the end of the last day to maybe re-discuss your options (you may have done really well and be considering upping your choices!) The you go home and sweat it out for a few weeks until the letter arrives normally to your boss.

Do a search in the recruitment forums for lots of youtube clips about OASC and a more detailed account of an OASC visit...there is lots in there.

Hope this helps...it may be slighted dated but it won't be far off the truth...Its all do'able by anyone with a bit of application...The bloke in the bed next to me on the ITC was an MT driver who is doing very well for himself now as a AEOp!!

 

[Soon To Leave]

The bloke in the bed next to me on the ITC was an MT driver who is doing very well for himself now as a AEOp!!

Vim,

Was he rather short and bald (though he might have had hair then) and first name beginning with D?

 

[Warwick Hunt]

Speak of him and he shall appear...

This is how I think it happens but a recruiter will confirm it once he notices it...You will need the correct amount of qualifications for the job...Back when you applied for a specific type such as loady or AEOp you needed english language and another GCSE for loady and maths/eng lang and a science based subject plus one other (so thats four in total!) for AEOp...in reality you needed as many as you could scrape together as I was sat next to people going for the same job with scrolls in their mitts! Because now you apply for 'aircrew' and get streamed later on in the course so they have either upped the requirement for loadys or lowered the requirements for AEOps...

Next you used to Gen App to go for aircrew which went to P1...Obviously we have JPA and less HR so maybe there is a JPA thing to do instead...Eventually you will receive quite a thick application for officer/NCA form...It asks you all manner of seemingly irrelevent questions which you must answer to the best of you ability...Once you completed it then photocopy it and send the original back...It may be some months before you go to the OASC for your interview and they use that form to base their questions on you from...you need to revise it to make sure you remembered what you wrote! What you would have done before this form is visited your local AFCO for a officer/NCA brief...You can talk through your options after the pres with the AFCO guys and take their advice forward to the form filling out bit...next you have an interview with somebody from the AFCO which to me is like the old station board but not as hard IMO...If they think you are worth it they'll reccomend you to go to OASC and apply for a slot...some weeks/months later you go to OASC and complete 3 days of tests (psychometric/medical/physical/aptitude/formal interview). You may get an early bath after 1.5 days if you don't medically fit the bill or biff your interview...'not' failing that you'll move onto group and individual problem solving and my personal favourite the group discussion where 6 people try to talk over each other!

You'll get a chance to talk to the OASC careers dude at the end of the last day to maybe re-discuss your options (you may have done really well and be considering upping your choices!) The you go home and sweat it out for a few weeks until the letter arrives normally to your boss.

Do a search in the recruitment forums for lots of youtube clips about OASC and a more detailed account of an OASC visit...there is lots in there.

Hope this helps...it may be slighted dated but it won't be far off the truth...Its all do'able by anyone with a bit of application...The bloke in the bed next to me on the ITC was an MT driver who is doing very well for himself now as a AEOp!!

Speak of one and one shall appear.....!

Damo, there is little difference between a Serving Airman (SA) applicant and a Direct Entry (DE) applicant from Civvy Street. Vim is almost correct in the process - instead of a Gen App, you will need to complete RAF F7153B - P2 Application. This is available from your PSF, or failing that, you can download it from the forms library on the station intranet. This is completed by yourself, signed off by your Flt Cdr and then sent to OC PSF who will check your eligibility, so you need copies of your last three F6000/SJAR's and your GCSE certificates. As far as GCSE's are concerned you will need 5 x GCSE's (or equivalent) grade C or above in English, Maths and 3 other subjects. If one of those is a science, that's even better. your application is then handed off to your nearest AFCO and you go through exactly the same process as the DE's. You will have what is known as the P2 Filter Interview. This is done by the Office Cdr at the AFCO and is almost similar to the one you will sit at OASC so make sure your current affairs, service knowledge, etc are bang up to date and comprehensive <top tip - they've started asking about air power at the OASC interview so make sure you research that> You will then sit the P2 Presentation, which is a video and discussion forum about OASC, IOT/NCAITC and beyond.

If recommended, you then attend OASC - I'm not going to go into that as there are plenty of posts on EGoat about the process there. OC PSF will be notified of your result and will debrief you accordingly. If successful, you will be allocated a date to commence NCAITC.

As has been alluded to, WSOp recruiting is closed at the moment and won't reopen until around Jan 11. You can still apply, but your application will be held until then. So use this time wisely. Get up to speed on your current affairs, maths, fitness and leadership.

Good luck mate.

 

[unruly1986]

Going through this process at the moment so have current `gen`…

First step is to speak to PSF, there should be a commissioning `rep` (normally a Cpl), who deals with all Commissioning/WSOp/DE ATC applications. If you can get F7153B filled out prior to doing this then it will save you a little time.

You will be given a stack of paperwork which needs to be filled out. You get the standard Armed Forces application forms as well as a P2 application form which is green in colour. Top tip – photocopy EVERYTHING once filled out - you will be questioned at interview on the answers you have provided in these forms. You will also have a medical at your RMC, this is a basic medical and as far as I am aware it is done to speed up the process at Cranwell.

You return to PSF will the paperwork completed (and photocopied!). This is checked, as are your educational certificates and ID documents (Passport and Birth Cert.). If everything is okay, the paperwork is signed by OC P1 and forwarded to the nearest AFCO.

PSF then book you onto a `P2 presentation`. This is the standard presentation that you attend at the AFCO when enquiring about commissioned or NCA service. After this you book a filter interview. This is similar to the interview you will have at OASC, however it is with one officer (not two), and the style of questioning is slightly less pressing. You still need to know all about your personal and service history, as well as current affairs/RAF knowledge/branch training etc.

If successful your case will be forwarded to OASC and you wait for a date to attend.

Quick note ref OASC; the process is different to Vim Fuegos description above. The process is aptitude tests, then leadership/group exercises. Some people are chopped at this point. The interview and medical take place in the second part of OASC.

If you are on the RAF intranet, look up 55R Sqn; they hold an open day on the last Thursday of each month. You gain an insight into the WSOp trade, get the latest gen on training and get to look around the accommodation where you will live during ITC.

If you are having trouble finding it pm me and I’ll dig out the number, I went up there last year.

 

[Shugster]

The bloke in the bed next to me on the ITC was an MT driver who is doing very well for himself now as a AEOp!!

I found out the other day that an old mate who was also MT is now a S/L Pilot at Linton on Ouse.

So current trade has no bearing on the process, all down to qualifications and ability... like it should be.

 

[unruly1986]

Speak of one and one shall appear.....!

Damo, there is little difference between a Serving Airman (SA) applicant and a Direct Entry (DE) applicant from Civvy Street. Vim is almost correct in the process - instead of a Gen App, you will need to complete RAF F7153B - P2 Application. This is available from your PSF, or failing that, you can download it from the forms library on the station intranet. This is completed by yourself, signed off by your Flt Cdr and then sent to OC PSF who will check your eligibility, so you need copies of your last three F6000/SJAR's and your GCSE certificates. As far as GCSE's are concerned you will need 5 x GCSE's (or equivalent) grade C or above in English, Maths and 3 other subjects. If one of those is a science, that's even better. your application is then handed off to your nearest AFCO and you go through exactly the same process as the DE's. You will have what is known as the P2 Filter Interview. This is done by the Office Cdr at the AFCO and is almost similar to the one you will sit at OASC so make sure your current affairs, service knowledge, etc are bang up to date and comprehensive <top tip - they've started asking about air power at the OASC interview so make sure you research that> You will then sit the P2 Presentation, which is a video and discussion forum about OASC, IOT/NCAITC and beyond.

If recommended, you then attend OASC - I'm not going to go into that as there are plenty of posts on EGoat about the process there. OC PSF will be notified of your result and will debrief you accordingly. If successful, you will be allocated a date to commence NCAITC.

As has been alluded to, WSOp recruiting is closed at the moment and won't reopen until around Jan 11. You can still apply, but your application will be held until then. So use this time wisely. Get up to speed on your current affairs, maths, fitness and leadership.

Good luck mate.

Are you able to confirm where you heard this information?

I ask as I have just spoken to the WSOp Liason Team at Cranwell who have told me that recruiting is definitely open. Recruiting numbers have gone up, in fact.

 

[vim_fuego]

Are you able to confirm where you heard this information?

I ask as I have just spoken to the WSOp Liason Team at Cranwell who have told me that recruiting is definitely open. Recruiting numbers have gone up, in fact.

I've been at Cranners for the past three weeks on a course with someone high up on 55(R) and he isn't sure whats going on right at this moment (or if he did he was being 'johhny tight-lips')...I think a plan is forming and the numbers I have been hearing would suggest closed rather than open...sadly.

 

[unruly1986]

Cheers for clearing that up - not the best news, personally.

Still, on the other hand this provides more time to prepare for OASC.

 

[Doneit]

Are you able to confirm where you heard this information?

I ask as I have just spoken to the WSOp Liason Team at Cranwell who have told me that recruiting is definitely open. Recruiting numbers have gone up, in fact.

I have no insider knowledge for my tuppence worth but here goes... with the Kipper fleet closing down, there may well be few of the young WSOp airman aircrew needing to find new jobs i.e. re-train to Loadie or fill up whatever slots are available on the few remaining aircraft that require (what was) AEOp's. So, in effect, recruitment may well be open, but it may be very slow and selective to reduce intake until current aircrew are sorted out.

 

[unruly1986]

Had an inkling this might be the reason, surplus aircrew oop north and all that.

 

[vim_fuego]

There is about 20 eng's that really will have to find a new job as the MRa4 doesn't have a seat for them!

 

[Downsizer]

There is about 20 eng's that really will have to find a new job as the MRa4 doesn't have a seat for them!

I met an air eng recently who in all seriousness said they should become GEs!!:0

 

[FOGHORN LEGHORN]

I've been at cranwell over a year now. I finished the generic WSOp course in September and have been on hold since being streamed Sensor. There have been plenty of rumours flying around (unlike the students) however I have just found out that I start my flying phase in March and hopefully get my brevet in November time. Provisional MRA4 OCU date is July 2011 but I'm not looking past my brevet as anything can happen in the current climate.

I was a Rigger and found the whole application process very frustrating with inconsistancy from different agencies regards application requirements from PSF, Education Centre and AFCO. I found the AFCO had the most current info and were the most help whilst the learning centre helped a great deal with preperation for the interviews. Med centre mistakes meant I had to have my blood taken 4 times!!!

As for current applications, 'stand by to stand by' because the message from staff at Cranwell is that nobody actually knows what the aircrew requirement is going to be yet.

 

[damo468]

thank you to everyone who has replied, you all have given me some really good information there on how to start the process and beyond that.

Anymore would be appreciated if there is any but that what i have is great.

 

[Spearmint]

Warwick Hunts description seems to be similar to what I have gone through so far but I have also been told by a local AFCO that the process has changed slightly as of a couple of weeks ago.

My route so far has been approaching PSF, the completion of the P2 form with certificates and medical and tomorrow I have a P2 presentation although it has been stressed that I will not get any further. Not a problem though as you damo468 seem to be of the same realisation as I that the temporary closure of the WSOp branch gives us more time to prepare.

So I now have a few visits lined up on both Rotary and Fixed Wing variants in an attempt to gain a more rounded appreciation of the trade. Anyway, I digress. Best of luck to you once again.

 

[Don Key]

.

im currently in the RAF as MT and have been for the three years now. im getting fed up with it as anyone who has a licence for a car potentially can do what i do. so im looking to progress in my career and also want to better myself as an individual, so im looking at going for aircrew.

Damo

What makes you think that there is any difference between MTD and Aircrew? No wait, I have spotted the difference, the green-romper-suited-master-race don't ever have to double de-clutch. Except in agricultural vehicles like the C-130!