Ageing Out - Options while at Uni

Hi, I’m a long time reader of the forum but this is my first post and I’m looking for some advice.

I’m currently 19, at Uni, a CWO and age out in November. I’m assessing my options and my question essentially boils down to: what do I do when i age out with a RAF application looming?

I’ve talked it over with my OC and he suggested the CI route as I’m looking to join the RAF when I graduate Uni in May 2026.
He said that it wouldn’t be worth it going for a Uniformed role due to the short time I’d be in RAFAC before I move to the RAF (hopefully).

However as I’ve took on more staff cadet roles such as Training Officer I’ve realised that the CI route just doesnt suit me, I much prefer to be “out on the shop floor” teaching drill, uniform, Discipline etc, and being part of a chain of command where I can give back using the skills I’ve learnt as a Cadet since 2017.

Essentially, is it really not possible for me to be a uniformed staff member (leaning towards NCO) from November 2024 to May 2026? And would it be worth it?

Apologies, for the long rant and for any errors in my post as it is my first post.

Thank you in advance

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The honest answer: it depends where you are.

Here, you’d be able to get your board done before you aged out, and transition into uniformed staff the second you turned 20.

What it does mean is you’d have to find time to get to Cranwell within the first year of your time as uniformed staff.

In other parts of the Corps, I believe it takes much longer.

Which is a potential blocker, as students can only go during the vacations (likely only the summer break), and there is no guarantee of a place on a summer course.

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Depends how studious you are :smiling_imp:.

Pragmatism would hope an extension to the 1 year deadline could be sought if there weren’t any suitable opportunities. But pragmatism doesn’t always happen in this organisation.

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Drill / discipline / uniform is important - but what other cse(s) would you have to attend to conduct these activities to the required standard? Same if you wanted to specialise in other areas?

Uniform or CI, how much work would it be for you - & how much benefit would you be to a sqn? You’d just be getting things sorted when you might have to leave if your RAF selection is successful. You say “looking to join” - as what?

The other option is to take a complete break away from cadets? Depending on your preferred career route, a short time as a member of staff, uniformed or not, won’t necessarily help your chances.

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That’s for the OP to decide but STEM students are pretty much 9-5 these days, based on what my senior cadets tell me.

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Thanks for proving my point that mandatory CI service or ‘CI by default’ is off putting for some CWOs and cdt SNCOs. We need a direct route into uniform, like the ACF.

My first question has to be: does your uni have a UAS? This would be, by far, the best option for someone applying to the RAF. If not, where’s your nearest RAF Reserve unit? If you join that, you can also attend cadets as a service instructor and do the ‘shop floor’ activities you refer to.

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Several issues.

  1. Your OC, in suggesting the CI role, isn’t just reading out a lost of options. They know you, and they know the Sqn needs. If they are steering you away from a uniformed role, it’s because they think you’d do better in the CI role. With the greatest of respect, I’d be interested to know why you think you know better…?

  2. As a CI you can do pretty much anything your OC is happy with you doing, without the theoretical, but in some places very real, 12 hour time commitment.

  3. Your degree is more important than your CFAV role. Don’t do anything that puts you in a position where you feel you have to choose between two things that you have to do. Easter camp? Remembrance day? Both events that clash with university exams.

  4. I worked both at AOSB and RMAS. To be frank, I’d think that someone who went straight from cadet to uniformed CFAV was someone who had actively chosen to not cut the apron strings, and probably hadn’t thrown themselves into the university experience. To be clear, they are not good things.

  5. In light of the above, I’d suggest a) take the CI route, and b) choose one thing on the Sqn that you want to do - drill, AT, whatever - and just do that. If you’re at a uni away from your Sqn, join a new Sqn. Spend the rest of your time on your university work, and something you’d like to try/expand on. So university climbing club and work towards your ML, or a sports club, or something.

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Mandatory CI service isn’t a thing.
Anyone who says otherwise is making stuff up.

I’d definitely pursue the uniformed route if that’s what you want, as you never know what’s going to happen with military recruitment. They can shut off the tap at any time.

In this regard, plan as though you might face a delay.

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How do you attend a PU course, if you’re not on the books as a CI?

PU course? Made up.

(Nothing to stop a cadet attending any sort of course before they time out though).

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Not a thing. We’ve 2 CWOs just gone through SNCO route, both waiting for their birthdays in the next month.

Sounds good for serving cadets. What about ex -cadets -regulars -reserves?

a number of years (ok decades) ago now, but this is my personal experience. I was appointed in May but avoided the 12 month “deadline” as it fell during final year of uni…and with foresight asked if i could attend the first course post-June and it was accepted

this is not the worst advice. in my time the number of those wanting to join up (be that RAF, or otherwise) versus those that do are quite a big difference. by not applying for uniform service now, you are putting it off until later if you don’t get in…and for what benefit?

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Could always “join” again, not a stopper. However, not so simple with continuity / associated admin.

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I’d suggest leaving the cadets behind with fond memories, pride in what you’ve achieved and gratitude for the opportunities. Then join the UAS straight away. Much easier transition to adulthood and better opportunities for you as an individual

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The OP hasn’t outlined what their preferred career path is as yet. They might want to get a degree to “have in the bank” but have aspirations as a technician / WSOp / non-commissioned role, etc.

(I met up with a fireman at Bruggen who had a degree - he wanted to go WSOp (AEOp at the time) - I told him that I used to be one, what not go pilot / nav route like wot I did afterwards? His WO was against him going even as WSOp - we had words - goi a 'phone call a couple of yrs later from ex-fireman, now qualified pilot from Valley!)

Also, location of UAS might be a limiting factor depending on preferred degree / expected grades?

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Yes, I do have a friend who was a CWO (a year older) while I was a Fs a year ago and is now an APO as the RAF didnt work out and he has been given an extension to get to Cranwell as he is also at Uni.

I do recognise this is an exception rather than the rule though.

I understand this point, at the end the day all I want is to give back to the cadets which has given me so much. We have also discussed the option of me moving to another Squadron within our local area, something we both agree would be beneficial for me to “reset” my mindset towards the RAFAC.

My OC is not against me moving into Uniform at my current squadron, he just suggested it might not be worth it while I’m still figuring things out with Uni/RAF.

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