[Seani B]

hi. im not planning on joining either the RAF or the Army.

but whilst at uni, i would like to take part in either the OTC or the UAS.

if possible could you some up the positives (and maybe negatives) of both.

thanks

seani b

[Wzz]

Why don't you go along and visit both and see which you like? Or at least listen to their bumpf at the freshers' fair before making up your mind?

Asking a bunch of people on the internet which would be best for you when you have no career intentions isn't likely to get you much help. If you're not planning on joining up, why are you attracted to them, and what would you like to get out of them? Tell us that and we might be able to hand out some useful advice.

[Seani B]

(Original post by Wzz)
Why don't you go along and visit both and see which you like? Or at least listen to their bumpf at the freshers' fair before making up your mind?

Asking a bunch of people on the internet which would be best for you when you have no career intentions isn't likely to get you much help. If you're not planning on joining up, why are you attracted to them, and what would you like to get out of them? Tell us that and we might be able to hand out some useful advice.

hundreds of people do this with no intentions of signing up afterwards. people do it because they enjoy it.

and i was aiming for answers from the people who have allready done it.

well i think like most guys, we enjoy the discipline and the adrenaline rush(excitment) u get from things like this.
so one reason is for enjoyment.

im also planning on joining the police, so having basic training and millitary leadership qualifications would look pretty good on the CV.

also help keep fit

make friends

another reason, although not quite so important is you get paid for it



EDIT: plus isn't the whole purpose of OTC and UAS to try and convert you into a millitary career?

Its welcome to try...

[bionic07]

boys with toys!

[threeportdrift]

(Original post by Seani B)
plus isn't the whole purpose of OTC and UAS to try and convert you into a millitary career?

Commonly held misconception, but no, it isn't. The primary aim was, from the outset, and always has been, to give 'future leaders of industry' a positive view of the Armed Forces. So that when you leave Uni and go into Industry, the City etc, you have a positive view of the Armed Forces and will allow your staff to join the TA, recruit ex-servicemen etc. The aim is to develop a wider understanding of why and how the Armed Forces work within civilian society.

Secondarily, they offer training and development for those students that have already decided to join the Armed Forces

[Ross003]

OTC is also great as a subsidised social life, where you get paid for doing stuff that's actually fun, and the costs of alcohol and social functions is kept artificially low because the organisation isn't there make a profit out of you. If you join you can always leave if it's not for you. Most people who joined OTC in my year did not subsequently go on to Sandhurst, but they had a fantastic time, and didn't regret it for a second.

[Drewski]

(Original post by Ross003)
OTC is also great as a subsidised social life, where you get paid for doing stuff that's actually fun, and the costs of alcohol and social functions is kept artificially low because the organisation isn't there make a profit out of you. If you join you can always leave if it's not for you. Most people who joined OTC in my year did not subsequently go on to Sandhurst, but they had a fantastic time, and didn't regret it for a second.

That's the same for both the UOTCs and UAS'.

[Wzz]

(Original post by Seani B)
hundreds of people do this with no intentions of signing up afterwards. people do it because they enjoy it.

Yes, I know that. As 3PD's said, the stated aim of the UAS system when it was originally set up was not pure recruitment, but to ensure that the nation's "best and brightest," and future "captains of industry" grew up either aviation-minded or at least with fond memories of the RAF. I presume the OTC was the same idea.

(Original post by Seani B)
and i was aiming for answers from the people who have allready done it.

You miss my point. I can't tell you what the positives and negatives are when comparing them, when I have no idea what you want out of them? If you want paid, the OTC pay more. If you fancy getting an NPPL, you're not going to get one from the OTC.

If you're completely uninterested in either of the sponsoring armed services, then practical problems like distance to the units make a difference. Can you easily get to your UAS's airfield?

(Original post by Seani B)
well i think like most guys, we enjoy the discipline and the adrenaline rush(excitment) u get from things like this.
so one reason is for enjoyment.

Yes, so as I said, why not visit them at the freshers' fair and see what they have to offer? Talk to people in the units at your university and see what they think. Get some first hand answers; because all you're likely to get here are opinions, and you've not really given us much to go on.

[Drewski]

(Original post by Wzz)
If you fancy getting an NPPL, you're not going to get one from the OTC.

If you're completely uninterested in either of the sponsoring armed services, then practical problems like distance to the units make a difference. Can you easily get to your UAS's airfield?

Well, technically speaking he's not going to get one from the UAS either. The hours you fly can be put towards a PPL, but it won't automatically qualify you for one.

The point about getting to the airfield is a good one. I think I'm right in saying you're going to Leeds? In which case you would be potentially joining Yorkshire UAS, who fly out of RAF Church Fenton. Fenton's a pain in the arse to get to by public transport, and only slightly better by car. It's a factor you'd have to bear in mind if deciding to go there.

[Wzz]

(Original post by amsking)
Well, technically speaking he's not going to get one from the UAS either. The hours you fly can be put towards a PPL, but it won't automatically qualify you for one.

20-odd hours towards an NPPL make qualifying very easy indeed, and I believe there were some moves afoot to ensure that the new UAS syllabus fits in with its requirements. But we'll see!

[Seani B]

thanks for your comments guys

[armyboy]

You should bear in mind the relative numbers applying to join the UAS or OTC.

The competition for places to join the UAS is always much more and places much less. I would be surprised if you got very far in applying to join the UAS if you said you definelty did not want to join the RAF. Most people who apply are at least "thinking of joining and want to have a better look". Typically the smaller UASs are recruiting about 20 people a year and the standard OTCs about 120 (London is bigger).

If you want general leadership training suitable for transfering to the civvy police then, you will certainly get some of this in all three university reserve units. However the OTC is basically full on leadership training in a military environment. The UAS certainly does some leadership training, but it is less structured.

The mission statement for the OTCs has recently been changed and now specifically mentions demonstrating the benefits of an Army career to students as one of its objectives. OTCs now have TA officer recruiting targets to meet every year and so are not keen on people who are really not interested in the forces.

If you want to apply to the OTC, remember it is still generally competitive to get in ( it varies from unit to unit and year to year) . Those who are definetly not going to be joining the Army are going to get third look after those who are or who are at least thinking about it. You need to think carefully about what you are going to offer the OTC as that's what they will be asking you. You dont have a right to join. have you thought about looking at joining the TA after you graduate.

However if you want to join the Police why not apply to join the local police force as a special constable. You can join from 18

[Seani B]

hi. unfortunately i have 2 post running with the same title. (posted under the wrong subject title)

like i said in the other thread, joining the police is not set in concrete. if i enjoy my time in the OTC, i may look at a military career. who knows...

[Wzz]

... in which case the university reserve unit you join should be the one associated with the service you're most interested in. Go along and speak to them. If you're not at uni, but are anywhere near where your chose uni is, then your units will probably quite happily let you pop along for a day and see what they do.

[threeportdrift]

... and conversely, none of the Armed Forces are going to complain if you joined 'the other' university outfit, ie if you decide to apply to the RAF, but joined the OTC at university, it is not going to 'look bad' or anything like that, places are limited, people have preferences, people are allowed to change their minds etc. So your uni decision does not fix your career route in any way.

[Drewski]

Leeds UOTC:
http://www.army.mod.uk/uotc/units/leeds_uotc/

Yorkshire UAS:
http://www.yuas.dial.pipex.com

Read and inwardly digest for your advantage.