I became interested in cadets having seen many ACF adverts in my town.
The ACF were extremely interested in me and I filled in all the forms to do the Non Commissioned Officer course. I then mentioned that I’d been on anti-depressants in the past. Well they’ve not got back to me for 2 weeks and before they were desperate to file my form. So they are either thinking what to say to me or just going to ignore me.
Then someone mentioned the ATC and to be honest, I am interested in flying and there is overlap in terms of team sports (my interest). I almost prefer the organisation.
I know taking to the skies and instructing gliding is different, but would I need a medical to become a SI or CO in the ATC? I am happy starting out as a CI, but I’d really like to go the uniform route.
Out of interest, do anti-depressants (in the past) stop people from flying?
If you get this far, do CI’s get to do the subsidised courses and interesting qualifications? The ACF really sold themselves to me on all the courses available. I know helping the cadets is key, but I am amazed by how much is on offer to adults!
Medical - Not required for uniformed service at local unit level.
Flying - History of depression would not preclude participation in experience flying but may bar you from training as an instructor. If you wanted to train as a Gliding Instructor you would need to apply direct to a Volunteer Gliding Squadron (VGS) - for thus role you would require a medical examination.
SI = Service Instructor (ie a serving regular/reservist in another formation who helps out on Sqn)
CO = Commanding Officer
Assume you meant SNCO(ATC) and Commissioned Officer.
Courses - Yes many courses (mostly Adventure Training) are available free or at a much reduced rate for ACO personnel. Range Officer, Skill At Arms Instructor, BEL, ML, SPA, MTBL TCL, First Aid, ILM Quals, H&S Training etc
Yes that is very helpful, thank you. I hate to keep referring back to the ACF but the courses seem quite main stream. What surprises me is that you have to be ‘emotionally stable’ in the medical categories for the ACF (I am physically fit - no glasses, fitness coach etc). I assume ‘emotionally stable’ is mainly due to the firearms aspect, but the ATC does skills at arms too. Any way I haven’t the slightest intention of misbehaving with a fire arm, but even so… Seems strange to have the requirement for one and not the other, but I am not complaining
I too know someone who has been/is currently being treated for depression (a very difficult and demanding “day job”) and although has recently been signed off work for it (and thus could not attend ATC duty) has not stopped, prevented or restricted their activities in the Corps…indeed they make up part of the shooting Staff within the Wing and also has a private rifle collection
I see no reason why it should prevent you…
it was sometime since I did my paperwork and don’t get involved in new applications but is there anywhere on the forms which required medical conditions to be declared (other than TG forms)
Being prescribed anti-depressants in the Service used to also come with a change in medical category which removed your ability to carry loaded weapons.
I am not aware of any similar ACO policy, indeed, other than the initial health declaration before appointment and ‘fessing up’ on TG forms, how would the organisation even know?
Being prescribed anti-depressants in the Service used to also come with a change in medical category which removed your ability to carry loaded weapons.
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It hasnt affected his entitlement to hold a firearms licence, we met over Christmas for a (private) shoot and he is still very much in ownership of his 6 dozen collection of hunting 0.22" rifles.
How on earth would you assess emotional stability? Is it now a medical condition?[/quote]
I believe they use therapy to work that out…ask a therapist to analyse you
Thank you everybody. They both seem like great organisations. Big commitments but fantastic opportunities and really interesting things to get involved with. I prefer the ATC to be honest, but there seems to be a big shortage of ACF instructors in my area and they are having a big recruitment drive and will get people on the uniform route from the word ‘go’ - I suspect the ATC might be a ‘longer’ process because they seem to have no shortage of staff at all.
Nothing wrong with that per say - but they seem to be putting lots of resources into training adults where I am based - posters in shops, local news stories for the ACF. Whereas the ATC have been great but take longer getting back to me and it’s more ‘come along’ and less official… I am going tomorrow to parade night to see the ATC in action. This is nice because the ACF won’t have me near the kids at all until security clearance and several interviews.
P.S I tried to join the TA 4 years ago and he said sorry and ended the phone call when I mentioned my tablets.
In regard to tablets went into a job I hated after father’s sudden death after 19th birthday in challenging circumstances (newsworthy kind of affair) - did many university degrees in law (legal academic working in universities)… Started my 20s on a bad route after family problems. Now I am finding ‘myself’ and being true to me - the girl who wanted to do PE and join army etc. I am so happy to have ‘half’ (keep the handy bits) ditched doing something not suited to me as a person and my personality. I am actually 31 now but must say I’ve realised a lot about life- law might sound fancy etc but I hate being at a desk all day. Just not me at all. So excited about doing something like the ATC - being true to me. Mind you we all have jobs we hate (many of us any way).
I have been on the happy pills in the past whilst being treated for PTSD while in the RAF and it didnt stop me from getting in uniform in the ATC. I was put on a rubber bullet chit when I was in but only when I was taking the meds as soon as I finished them I was back on armed duty. With reference to the TA you do have to be off the meds for x amount of years 3 or 5 I think…,
31 would be pretty young on most RAuxAF squadrons, too.
But obviously it’s a totally different thing to being a CFAV.
Having done both, I’d say be a CFAV if you’re looking to do something interesting, challenging (in ways you might never expect) and rewarding use for your free time.
Join the reserves if you want to fight wars without being a career serviceman or get a taste of service life without being committed to a career/full time lifestyle.
[quote=“YorkshireLass” post=14851]I became interested in cadets having seen many ACF adverts in my town.
The ACF were extremely interested in me and I filled in all the forms to do the Non Commissioned Officer course. I then mentioned that I’d been on anti-depressants in the past. Well they’ve not got back to me for 2 weeks and before they were desperate to file my form. So they are either thinking what to say to me or just going to ignore me.
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Have you considered that someone might have made an admin booboo? Wouldn’t be the first time! It would be highly unusual for you to be ignored after you have actually application process. Have you given them a phone call? Having been on anti-depressants in the past should not stop you from becoming a CFAV.
I am not trying to play the organisations off against each other (just being clear - in case it comes across as bad!) - seems there is adventurous training in both and music too - I play an instrument so all helpful skills that I have to offer to both. Tonight will be interesting because I know the ‘training branch’ meet on Tuesday - they’ve certainly had time to get back to me now. May be they will do this evening, who knows It’s definitely the ACF that are having the ‘big recruitment’ drive around us and are going in local papers saying they urgently need people. The ATC look overstaffed if such a thing is possible. Definitely not making appeals any way
Interesting about TA - I’d be around 33 when I was ‘clear’ so to speak - been off for long enough.
With regards to medical conditions, if you apply for VR(T), then your GP will be asked to complete a Primary Care Medical Questionnaire, which the powers that be will scrutinise for anything that is likely to be a risk.
When I became a CI last year, I was still taking medication for depression and was accepted as a CI. The history was declared when applying for VR(T) - and when I had a pre-board interview with my WSO last week, I was informed that it shouldn’t be a problem.
It’s definitely the ACF that are having the ‘big recruitment’ drive around us and are going in local papers saying they urgently need people. The ATC look overstaffed if such a thing is possible. Definitely not making appeals any way