Whilst the sheer quantity of candidates for DE commissioned service in the RAuxAF / RAFR will be tiny in comparison with those joining the RAFVR(T), has anyone got a proper insight as to how their initial selection/filter process works?
Presumably after boarding, they also go through OASC: is it a physical selection stream with exactly the same levels of rigour/expectations in the hanger as is required from regular candidates? (nb I’m expecting the standards to meet will be fully the same, but are measures+methods modified?)
Similarly, what about pre-appointment UAS APOs? Do they go through a mid-range version of OASC hanger selection…or is it the full octane?
wilf_san
ps…how much better prepared for future regular or active reserves potential commissioned officer selection would a successful post-OASC RAFVR(T) candidate be? I know of at least a few that have been through both processes, it’d be interesting to hear their comparative opinion of both experiences.
pps [contentious] what pre-selection hanger/leadership strand has it been anticipated future VRT ASNOs would go through? A reduced NCA stream at Cranwell, a full-bhoona Halton performance, or delegated collective Rgnl / Wg events?[/contentious]
It’s worth noting that there’s an ongoing plan in motion allowing UAS APOs to go straight into the RAuxAF as a commissioned officer without a selection process. It’s still very much in the “watch this space” phase but seems likely to happen soon.
Do UAS APO not do RIOT anyway? One I spoke to said he had done the course at Cranwell.
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Interesting.
Stand Out, I can certainly see the sense in VR UAS APOs being able to go directly into commissioned service with the RAuxAF without further filter. That’s really good news for the RAuxAF, allowing the optional retention of many of the best people from the UAS end-process. I always felt this was previously a massive asset loss to the overall service, those who weren’t going regular service just dropping off the edge.
But this still doesn’t answer my point regarding initial Officer selection, either for direct entrant (or from the ranks) RAuxAF commissioning candidates, or the initial selection of APOs. Do all these individuals do exactly the same OASC hanger selection as for regular candidates, or is it somewhere down the curve for intensity (with the VRT version a number of degrees below that).
I wonder if you’re right about UAS APOs doing the full ROIT, juliet mike?? (nb unless they’ve revised the acronym, it’s not RIOT, it’s ROIT, that versus IOT) I’m thinking it might be some/most of the modules from it, rather than the entire course. Regardless, that would help explain the now-accepted transition of endex APOs VRUAS directly into Plt Offs RAuxAF.
Presumably the ACO isn’t missing a trick, here: I mean in being able to capture retiring UAS APOs that don’t want to go active reserves, but do want to remain productively in part-time Air Force service? That is, do any of them go directly VRT? A scary thought- I’ve never encountered such a person, either in my current Air Cadets phase or my previous last-century adventures.
wilf_san
I’m afraid I don’t really know with regards to the selection of RAuxAF officers, Wilf.
What I do know is APOs do a nine day commissioning course at Cranwell conducted by OACTU; it encompasses lots of different elements, such as a short field deployment and leadership skills etc. Whether this has any parity with the ROIT I really don’t know. Can’t be too different, apart from perhaps length.
Wilf - I have completed both Regular and VR(T) OASC and can say that there was no fundamental difference in the Hangar segment, apart from the interation with the Candidates. VR(T) OASC seemed to allow the candidate to engage the DS (a little) more and it takes into account the varying demographic of the VR(T) candidate vs. those seeking Regular Officer and Aircrew appointments.
In terms of outcome - they are still looking for exactly the same fundamental characteristics. Interaction with those on my course who failed, revealed that poor Hangar performance was a key element which led to their non-selection in their cases.
I’ve heard poor Hangar input also be an issue for some candidates.