I’ve managed to make my way up to Flight Sergeant, loved life in the ATC and still thoroughly enjoying it. I don’t do loads out of my squadron due to full time school and now full time work commitments which frustrates me!
Anyway I’m hear seeking advice from those who have had any experience in the CWO Interviews. I’ve been given my date and hopefully someone will be able to provide some sort of advice and guidance as to how they’re conducted, what happens, how long they last and what type of questions are asked!
The question I found most difficult was the scenario-based question, as I wasn’t expecting it.
I was asked what I would do if I was presented evidence of a cadet stealing stock from NAAFI. After I gave my answer, it was questioned and I had to justify my choices. The board were trying to make me doubt myself even though I’d given a sensible answer - they want to see confidence and justification.
I had mine at the start of September, I found that my wing mostly asked questions about the squadron itself, some wing development and CWO development staff, and what I was up to. It was quite relaxed but it’s probably best to ask other CWO’s from your wing! If I’m honest they’re unlikely to tell you “thanks for all the hard work and getting nominated for CWO, but we’d rather you didn’t get one”. It’s just to check that what your staff have said checks out and that you’ll be a good representative! Enjoy it!
Although it shouldn’t matter as it sounds like 99.99999% of staff and don’t be, as you seem to, ashamed of it. It’s all part of growing up and moving through different phases of your life process.
It might be a question based on your commitment etc, as for reasons I can’t and don’t understand there seems to be an expectation that cadets give 100% all of the time, wrt attending the sqn, doing parades and so on, whereas the same expectation isn’t there for staff. IMO when cadets get to 17+ there are other things in their lives and the Corps takes on less importance than it had done and if they can’t do everything that they once did, that’s fine. Time for the younger ones to step up.
If whoever is doing the interview gets hung up on it, say thanks and walk out. It’s not like being a CWO is like it was in my day in terms of extra time in. You can age out at 20 and do exactly the same things.
As for off the cuff questions safeguarding ones have been the order of the day across the board, so think about scenarios involving having a cadet disclose something (highly unlikely), acting out of character (problems at home/school or drink/drugs), staff being too friendly towards a cadet, cadets becoming withdrawn/stops coming (potentially bullying probably online). Don’t think that any of these are solely about the Corps, which is what the documentation we have tends to imply.
