OASC RAF Cranwell - Part 2 of 2

A short RAF commissioned documentary detailing the Officers And Aircrew Selection Center part of the application process, which takes place at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire.

[@him050]

Did my OASC in 2024. We did the exact same leaderless exercise but our goal was to get to the end, drop the pole off, then get back. We didn't even get half way, let alone to the end so we could drop the pole off then try and get back! You're not allowed to jump off or onto the planks, or shimmy on your arse anymore and that makes them A LOT harder. Also with counterweighting partial bridges they have become VERY health and safety conscious. Like how that girl stepped off the plank in the command exercise wouldn't be allowed today. You'd be stopped before you got that far as they make you walk out slowly for a proof of concept. Oh well though, it's not the what, it's the how!

[@ichisanchi5334]

Good Lord!! I remember watching this before my OASC in 2003!!! As I recall, the AFCO sent you this on VHS!! Good times. MYTHBUSTER - the bar/catering staff at AH are not assessing you from the moment you report for dinner...............or are they.......!!?? ;-) My best tip, looking back, is to just be yourself and enjoy it. Dont sit around in AH "revising" what aircraft are based at what stations or what missiles are attached to what aircraft etc for your Board interview. You are not expected to be an expert in RAF ops; If you dont know the answer to a Left Field question, answer with HUMOUR and CONFIDENCE and sweep it away with a "I have no idea, BUT I can find out" - you have been asked that question to see how you deal with being caught off-guard. If you freeze or try to waffle, you have failed.

[@James000]

Did you end up going into the RAF?

[@ichisanchi5334]

@@James000 - I did indeed. Best decision I ever made.

[@him050]

An officer friend of mine had quite the opposite advice when it came to humour. He said they had no sense of humour whatsoever and when he made a jokey remark they pretty much told him that wasn’t appropriate and to take it more seriously 😬. He was Irish though, to be expected!

[@RupertU]

Similar stuff to the selection to join the Royal Hong Kong Police as an expatriate officer back in the day. My advice to any disappointed candidates is to simply try again....determination is a valuable quality. OR, if flying and speed is your thing, take up paragliding and buy a Yamaha R1. 加油加油。

[@JimWalsh-rl5dj]

Silicon??? What bloody year was this made, 1985?

[@bertiewooster3326]

Did this in 1968 nothing changed but we didn't know about the silicon chip !! Same old exercises few women in those days being gobby!

[@him050]

There was a girl in my syndicate who was your typical major chip on her shoulder feminist. She tried to completely dominate everything. I said to her at one point that we're not competing against one another. She didn't like that at all. I really hope she didn't pass.

[@smidge146]

When do you get that interview because I had my initial interview and now I'm going to an presentation in may does the interview come after this?

[@MrJacksjack]

how did it go?

[@lynsherlock2638]

Good luck everyone 😀💜🙏

[@callum1131]

oh k fair enough hopefully i'll be going there by this time next year

[@rxspect3663]

Did u make it for IOT

[@Gam3rzED]

Can anybody give me some tips on good questions to ask?

[@daveslow84]

@dannymcwolf if it doesn´t work out, consider joining the army air corps as a pilot (officer) or groundcrew (soldier)... all soldiers can try for pilot selection when reaching lance corporal with recommendation for corporal!! that´s what i´m going for right now :)

[@RupertU]

good stuff

[@markjibbs]

Did u get it?

[@daveslow84]

@@markjibbs damn, twelve years... No, as fate would have it I ended up in quite the opposite camp... Air defence 😅🤷🏽‍♂️

[@ReeJayDa]

did they pass?

[@jameswilliams3552]

Am I right in saying that if I want to complete Initial Officer Training when I am older this is what's comes way before it?

[@SJC-vk6pp]

Its not exactly the same, i have just gone through it so if you have any questions feel free to ask me

[@callum1131]

i find that hard to believe because they all seemed to pass the health and fitness test alright

[@sceett]

ye lol hopefully there not actually like that when i go, anyway mate you got a ps3? whats ur psn?

[@brettcooke182]

this is really out of date as now the OASC and CBAT are now taken separate.

[@TheaTitan]

what is this more like now?

[@Polaris543]

Typically, you have your CBAT (Aptitude Test) many weeks or months before the rest of your board. The assessment order has also changed. It's the syndicated leadership tasks on the first day and the second day is interview, fitness test and medical.

[@TheaTitan]

Polaris543 Thank you so much!

[@Polaris543]

Thea Titan No worries! I've just completed OASC and been offered a job, so if you have any questions fee free to get in touch

[@samuelscarisbrick6189]

My Brother and I are thinking about applying to become pilots. If you can, could you outline exactly what would happen? I.e. The structure of the selection process and the tests you undertake. Thanks

[@TH3JCKSH0W]

does anyone know the pass rate (ratio) for being a pilot in the RAF?

[@Ashitaka255]

More demanding than I thought. Having second thoughts :(

[@lilpwettybumblebee]

Any tips for the fitness stage PLEASE Comment back i need all the help i can get

[@Jackjack530]

Be fit?

[@fo5a368]

@@Jackjack530 about 14 years too late pal😂

[@smidge146]

I'm kind of nervous about this, could anyone give me some tips?

[@Jackjack530]

Try to pass by doing the right things, saying the right things and being fit

[@adamfergie87]

This has nothing on army officer selection and you only have to do it once.

[@jakubwojasiewicz7588]

Except it being 2 days now instead of 4, how different are the leadership and planning parts of OASC?

[@jadduck]

It's currently 1 day.

[@jakubwojasiewicz7588]

@@jadduck is it now? How is it now then?

[@jadduck]

@@jakubwojasiewicz7588 Not sure, I'll let you know after I attend this month :) It starts at 8/9am and lasts until about 16:00. Filter interview, CBAT and the fitness tests are taken separately now, prior to OASC. Aside from this, I believe the activities are the same (with the exception of the final interview lasting only 12 minutes).

[@fraserarnott1656]

I'm off to OASC in a few days, is there anyone out there who has done this during lockdown? i.e. 2020/21?

[@XxTheChiefTechxX]

Did mine back in November last year mate. Is there anything in particular you would like to know?

[@fraserarnott1656]

@@XxTheChiefTechxX hi mate, cheers for responding, I’ve been prioritising preparing for the planning exercise and command task recently as they’re ones I’m particularly apprehensive about, do you have any tips for preparation? I’ve been doing some practice exercises and SDT practice so far. How did you get on? What role are you going for?

[@fraserarnott1656]

@@XxTheChiefTechxX also just any other pointers you think are noteworthy going forward would be awesome 👍🏻

[@XxTheChiefTechxX]

@@fraserarnott1656 Not a problem mate, happy to help! It was my second time at OASC but thankfully I got through this time and starting IOT in August and going in as Engineering CE. I will try and point you in the right direction but ultimately what they are assessing you for is leadership "potential" and I emphasise that because they are not looking for the finished product. They want to see if you can demonstrate the potential qualities of an RAF officer. Whats still sits well is the phrase "be yourself". Be authentic in your interview, don't be afraid to sell yourself but also don't give them a chance to chase you down the rabbit hole. If you do not know something just tell them and they will move on. Definitely brush up on the RAF's role in the UK and their operations overseas (RAF website is the place for this) and your motives for wanting to commission. They will expect you to know the new "Modularised" course known as MIOTC and what you can expect over the 24 weeks as well as your phase 2 training. The group discussion was really enjoyable. They give you several topics to discuss among your syndicate. Try to be an effective listener and make your points known without blowing too much air. Most of all do not sit in silence! I would also engage anyone who may not be contributing due to nerves and easing them into the discussion if they are struggling. Group planning exercise was a little tougher. Definitely practice your Speed, Distance, Time equations. You will find the time constraint your biggest challenge here. Make sure to show all planning on the scrap bits of paper provided and make sure you understand the groups final plan as you will be questioned on it. Again contribute as much as you can and do not be afraid to pull people up if you feel you have a better plan. The plan might not be perfect but influence is key! The hangar challenges consist of a leaderless exercise where you will work as a team with no nominated leader. You will then individually be nominated to take the lead and overcome a challenge. My top tip for this is confidence! Speak clearly and project your voice, take ownership of your team and take your time to understand the objective, do not be afraid to ask questions, your assessor will give you clarification if you ask before you call your team. Give your team credit for when they do things well but also motivate them. If things are not going your way and things are going south tell your team to stop and reassess. Stay in control at all times, you will sometimes find there are strong characters in the group who may not agree with you or try to commandeer your team to their way of thinking, but you are the leader so you need to stay in control. This doesnt mean you need to come off as aggressive when someone challenges you as you need to keep them onside but I would say be firm but fair when trying to keep rogue individuals in check. You will definitely come away feeling like you could have done better. I've not met anyone yet that has said they aced OASC. You will simply not know how well you have performed until your board report is released and they have made their decision At that point it really is just a waiting game. If you don't make the grade, I would literally brush it off and come back guns blazing ready for round 2. They sent me away the first time because I was weak on my first interview, and did not know enough about my phase 2 training. The second time I made sure to ask questions at the end and know exactly what would be expected of me in my first posting as a junior officer and potential future postings. As cliche as it sounds mate, you will be nervous and everyone will be in the same boat as you, but you will enjoy it and you will all get to know each-other fairly quickly. I feel as though I'm rambling on a bit, but if theres anything else you need to know then please let me know but I wish you all the very best of luck and hope to see you on the other side!

[@fraserarnott1656]

@@XxTheChiefTechxX above and beyond what I was looking for, cheers mate! I’m going for WSOp so the pathway for training through to an OCC and foundation tour is slightly different, hoping to eventually stream into rotary but the powers that be will ultimately decide that! How long did you have to wait for a second shot at OASC?

[@swallace565]

call me a cynic but i think a lot of that is scripted. The RAF looks for a certain amount of individuality in its officers, not mindless automatons!

[@crazyrichf]

no!

[@lsrl]

do lots of research and be yourself

[@rxspect3663]

lsrl extremely good advice. Being yourself is better than acting like your some sick guy

[@MudRat02]

Sounds like the only thing this bloke took from his failed attempt was a healthy portion of sour grapes!

[@Batterypoweredpenguin]

Maybe you wouldn't have to if you'd paid attention at school and at the very least, learned how to spell.

[@bmwman1981]

Sound like a bunch of private school snobs

[@thirdpath2259]

You sound worse bud

[@markstevens1237]

Totally agree. "Debating Society " at school? What inner city comprehensive did she go to then? BOLLOCKS the lot.

[@JammyDodger45]

The RAF take more commissions from the ranks than the other services combined. If you're looking for silver spoons you're in the wrong place.

[@him050]

@@JammyDodger45 That's because the RAF has a completely different structure. In the RAF anyone in the ranks can just apply for an officer role, and you go through the recruitment process the same as a civvy. In the army it's totally different. A corporal can't just apply to go to Sandhurst. They have to spend 15 odd years getting through the ranks to SSgt at least, but usually higher, then take a late commission. They do however commission as a Captain (OF-2). I guess it's down to the fact that in the RAF you don't just apply to join the RAF as an officer, you apply for a particular role. I think the Army is moving towards that a bit more now though.

[@JammyDodger45]

@@him050 - that's not correct, I've met a few army officers who commissioned from being a Sapper/Gunner/Private etc

[@paulmorgan6269]

All a load of guff. 18 years of this rubbish.