This is intersting and not what I thought.
But it is many years now since I went through OASC. Intersting none the less.
This is intersting and not what I thought.
But it is many years now since I went through OASC. Intersting none the less.
Just to give you an update. I completed the last OASC before lockdown, 17th March 2020.
Thankfully I have just been updated by Wing that I was successful.
Well done.
One of us. One of us.
Well done!
Congratulations on joining the dark side!
Well done!
Thanks all. Great to get back into Uniform, even if it is only sitting in front of the laptop on virtual parade/ training evenings.
As my CO told me when he congratulated me on being commissioned, “Now you are in uniform it means its harder for you to leave!”.
What have I done!!
You’d think I sound cynical when I say this, but I’m not, you are a volunteer and it is always important to remember that.
I’m a year into being in uniform, I spent 4 as a CI. Always remember that it is okay to say no, otherwise you’ll see yourself quickly burn out and far too many young officers burn out, especially when given command early.
No it really isn’t. “Dear Sir. I quit. Please find enclosed all kit/uniform/keys I have which belongs to you. If you need me to complete any forms I’ll consider it but probably won’t.
Yours
Me”
That’s all you need, everything else is there internal admin
Congratulations (leaves room whistling theme from The Great Escape)
I think people forget the word no exists
Nein
Neit
It’s fine unless everyone says it for your flying slot… then the kids miss out
Not when it’s been left until last min to organise cover.
But you know what I mean
The CO is great and it really was meant as a joke, but I get all of your comments and thanks for the advice.
As you say it is all voluntary and the word NO is often underused, normally at the detriment to family feelings and commitments.
Don’t worry about a young officer getting burnt out; at 53 with 11 years Army service and 21 years Police service, you would think, I should know by now the dangers of volunteering for anything!
Well in true Army fashion, and I can still hear the phrases ringing out loud and clear, “Cheers easy” and “Stag on”
Hypothetical question…18 year old cadet goes through the application process to join the regulars as an officer. Passes the application process, including OASC and is offered a place on IOT. Whilst waiting the 6 months or so for the IOT to start, cadet gets a better offer to join a civvy company which he takes. Cadet then attends next sqn parade night and tells the OC he wants to be commissioned as a volunteer in the RAFAC, having already proved his potential as an officer. What would the process be and how long would it take?
Second question … how closely aligned is the RAFAC OASC to the new regular one day version?
Not sure there’s a formalised process, however I’d guess at a good natured Regional Commandant being willing to meet the individual and, after proof provided (letter inviting them to IOT, probably) to have the “let’s check you’re not a throbber” test and then allow them to be an APO pending attendance at OIC.
But circumstances sound fairly unique, so it’ll be more of a case by case.
In terms of what assessments they do? Pretty close.
In terms of what standards they’re judged by? Well …
On my RAFAC OASC report you could only score approx 50% marks. Huge chunks of assessment criteria on the mark sheet were blocked out as not relevant; “motivation for a career in the RAF” (May not be exact wording but you can see how that’s not relevant).
So as @GrandMaster_Flush says; I think the day is run pretty much the same, but the scoring is very different.
It would clearly be much harder to pass as a regular than as RAFAC, but then you have to keep in mind that the two are likely looking for different things from a young officer…
RAF - can we build this young person up in our vision and increase responsibility overtime.
RAFAC - can we immediately make this person safeguard lead and head of squadron of 50 of other peoples kids…
Smashing the RAF OASC may not mean the candidate Is fit for the RAFAC, certainly as being in the RAFAC doesn’t mean you’d be suitable in the RAF.
But should they be suitable, you’d hope some common sense would prevail and they wouldn’t have to redo. However, I would expect that they would.
If someone passes OASC for a regular or reserve commission, then they do not need to do OASC again for the RAFAC, as long as it is within a certain time frame.
I know of one person who went for a regular commission, passed OASC and then something came up, which meant they failed their medical. They then became RAFVR(T). This was a few years ago, so things may have changed.
In your hypothetical scenario, given their age,
I would imagine they would just have to wait until they’re 20. However, whether or not that’s within an acceptable time frame of passing OASC is another question.