Just a quick question.
As a CI, I’ve been squadron responsibility since day one (TO). The boss wants me to apply for commission. We are short on uniformed staff on the sqn.
In Feb the boss signposted me for the uniform prep training delivered by wing.
Next comes a chat with the section co.
Then wing
The region
(This will be the most in-depth interview process I have ever been through… And I have eld a variety of managerial positions on citv street)
So, my question is, how long would one expect to wait between undertaking the uniform prep interview, the sqn co highlighting this to the section commander and the section commander start in the process from their point of view?
It’s really impossible to say, given all the people in the chain (up to the Region Board) are volunteers.
Best to ask your OC for a rough timescale.
As above all very dependant
I’ve got one whose just asked to go for Officer, we’ve split it down into three phases to make sure she doesn’t feel she’s been pushed into it, and is happy and confident at each stage. This is personalised to her, and her confidence/experience
Phase 1 - she’s made the decision to go into comission, we’ve started a study plan. We will arrange a chat with sector Commander (probably 3/4 weeks)
Phase 2 - on her say (providing everything’s happy with sector Commander) and likely to be same time as chat with sector Commander complete the formal paperwork and get a date for wing board (no idea on what our current wing timescales is - it’s been very hit and miss recently), whilst waiting for a date carry on the study plan
Phase 3 - Regional board, which we know is (our region anyway) 4 times a year.
So from last week when she said start the process (been thinking about it and maybing for a couple months) we are aiming for the July Regional boards.
As above, though even for region boards timelines can vary from a couple of weeks to several months, depending on which region you’re in and what their diary looks like.
Do ask around locally though, especially any newly commissioned APOs at nearby squadrons, I imagine most would be happy to have a natter about the process and give some advice.
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Pretty much what everyone above has said: it depends. Depends on the individual, the wing and the region. Fastest I have seen is about a month per phase as above from letsthink.
It’s not as in depth as it might look, it’s really only 2 formal interviews which will probably be via Teams (or is in my part of the world). Considering a few years ago you would have had to go to Cranners and do OASC!
Indeed. It took me over a year. The biggest delay was wing course to wing filter interview iirc (about 6 months) then 5 months for OASC.
It has been streamlined since.
Again echoing the above depends where you are, it also depends on when you can apply if you have had previous RAFAC/ATC experience. As a former CWO returning to organisation, I didn’t have to do as long as a CI to get to uniform my timeline ran…
CI - Joined September
Sector commander chat- February
Wing Uniform course - April
Wing Board - July
Regional board - September
OIC - November
It all depends on how your Wing delivers the courses and how often your region does too sometimes you could get lucky and manage to grab the next board so only have 2 months or it could be 4/5 as you have just missed it.