[quote]
Just to throw the cat amongst the pigeons somewhat.
I heard that even now, even if OASC approve a candidate, the applications and OASC results are put before a sort of ‘duty’ regional commandant who has final say and can reject those that OASC say no to.
Whether they can accept those OASC reject is another question.[/quote]Baldrick, you are just about correct. The OASC doesn’t simply say “yes” or “no” but gives a score, called an “Overall Board Grade”, so puts the candidates in a batting order.
Whilst it is true that those at the top - many of whom would be acceptable for regular service - and those at the bottom are easy decisions, it is still what you call the “Duty RC” who makes the decision. Whilst he takes no active part in the selection processes, he is at OASC throughout, and will observe the candidates - physically in the hangar and via CCTV for the discussions and interviews - to inform his decisions. Marginal cases might also be discussed with the individual RC or Wg Cdr who “owns” the candidate, before the final decision is made.
And given the different requirements for VR(T), it may indeed be possible for one who “scored” X to be accepted, while one who “scored” X+1 to be invited to reapply next year. If we don’t have that flexibility of a “man in the loop” then a computer could make the decision.