For Christ's sake, someone with a bit more techy know-how than me stop it from turning into the usual RAF masturbation fest...
If you write out the information, I'll post it up. The reason why it's mostly RAF is because it's all information I wrote out and frankly I don't have the time or energy to do all three services atm.
I'll be sticking up some Army information next year, but it won't be for awhile so it's best if someone else starts it.
There seems to be a lot of OASC diaries but not many from AIB or RCB. That might be a good place to start as those who have been recently will have the most up to date info. It's probably going to bring more people here. The Army candidate section on a popular forum that I'm not allowed to post the name of seems to get a lot of army candidates visiting them - probably because it comes up in google easily.
Thats great, Im considering the army for nursing..but..am unsure really, theres not much information out there for me :s
i'll be honest. i went on the army website just there and it is hard to find information. although the site that Rach87 is good, you really need to go into your local Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) for some information/find ou if you are even eligible to join the military!
Chances are they will have a nursing liason team (like the RAF do) who will come to the AFCO and give a presentation and give you all the info you need!
Another set of questions people might find useful...God I'm good at getting these.
[AFCO/OASC INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
First Half (20 minutes)
Personal & Family
1. What is your date of birth?
2. How old are you in completed years and months?
3. Where were you born?
4. How long did you live there for?
5. Where do you live now?
6. Where else have you lived?
7. How long have you been there for?
8. How many people are there in your direct family?
9. Describe your family/home life since you were born.
10. Are there any family links with the Services?
Academics
11. How many secondary schools did you attend?
12. What were the names and types of these schools?
13. What subjects did you take?
14. What examinations did you take at school, including dates? (highest level)
15. How hard did you have to work for your exams?
16. How did you feel about your results?
17. Were you involved with any sports when you were at school?
18. And to what level did you compete?
19. What were your outside interests whilst you were at school?
20. What, if any, were your major achievements outside of academics?
21. How would you be remembered by your school?
22. How would the head teacher describe you?
23. Were you a leader or a follower?
24. What happened next? (after school)
Further Education
25. Since leaving school have you completed any more academic examinations?
26. If so, and when?
27. Looking at your highest academic, where did you study for it?
28. And why did you undertake that particular qualification?
29. Having left full time school what did you do before joining up?
Jobs
30. Dates of jobs?
31. What responsibilities did you have in those jobs?
32. Why did you leave?
33. Since leaving school what positions of responsibility did you have?
34. Sports?
35. Societies/UAS (aware/available)/OTC?
36. Spare time activities?
37. Holidays/Jobs/Travel?
38. Probe about any gaps in time/education.
Activities/Interests
39. Since joining up what sports have you been involved with?
40. Any clubs or other interests?
41. Have you got any Secondary Duties at the moment?
42. Have you got involved with any AT days or expeditions?
43. Do you get involved with the local community at all?
44. What is the most adventurous thing you have done in your life so far?
45. What would you say has been the high point of your life so far?
46. Turning the coin – what would you say has been the low point of your life so far?
INTERVIEWERS SWAP FOR FINAL HALF (25 MINUTES)
Motivation
47. Why did you join the RAF?
48. Why do you want a Commission?
49. What attracts you to a Commission?
50. What qualities do you feel you need to become an Officer?
51. What is the difference between a SNCO and an Officer?
52. How has the RAF lived up to your expectations?
53. How has your career gone to date?
54. When did you first consider a commission?
55. Have you made any previous visits to the OASC?
56. Who have you talked to about obtaining a Commission?
57. What about the disadvantages?
58. What does your wife think about you applying for a Commission?
Branch
59. What branch have you applied for?
60. What are the terms of service for you in this branch?
61. What qualifications are required for this branch?
62. What other branches have you considered?
63. What training is involved?
64. What is the outline of the IOT? (modules)
65. How do you think your deal with the Basic phase?
66. Once you have graduated what will you do? (hold)
67. Explain the branch training (for your first choice)? (timings and where)
68. What is a typical first tour in that branch?
69. What is the typical career progression in that branch?
70. For your second choice of branch, what is the training, first tour etc? (repeated for each choice)
71. Why is it important to have Secondary Duties?
72. As part of your job you will be taking part in operations/situations which will require you to attack targets and therefore kill people. How do you feel about that?
73. How has your attitude to warfare changed since joining?
Service Knowledge
74. What changes have you seen in the last 2/5/10 years?
75. How is the RAF organised?
76. What are the roles of the different groups?
77. What about RAF Odiham? (JHC and STC)
78. Who heads the group? (JHC for Odiham)
79. Name five aircraft, giving me their roles and where they are based? (If all one type move them on)
80. (Interviewer to choose one of the five and ask in-depth questions). Where has the aircraft been in recent operations? Does the RAF own the aircraft? What is due to take over from it? Any variants?
81. Where are the RAF’s permanent overseas bases? (Akrotiri, Ascension Island, Gibraltar, Falkland Islands)
82. Why do we have permanent bases at these locations?
83. Tell me about future aircraft in the RAF.
84. Name some of the other new developments within the RAF?
NATO
85. What is NATO?
86. When was it formed? (4th April 1949)
87. Why was NATO formed?
88. How many countries are in NATO? (originally 12, now 32)
89. What is NATO’s purpose? (In accordance with the treaty, the fundamental role of NATO is to safeguard the freedom and security of its member countries by political and military means. NATO is playing an increasingly important role in crisis management and peacekeeping.)
90. Who has recently joined NATO?
91. What is the make up of the Security Council? (5 permanent members)
Current Affairs
92. How interested are you in keeping up with current affairs?
93. What newspapers do you read?
94. What is the name of the ……..’s Defence Correspondent?
95. What TV news programmes do you watch?
96. What’s the name of the main presenter on ……….?
97. Tell me five significant events from around the world in the past year or so? (choose three for world and three for UK)
98. (Pick one event and ask more questions, keep digging until you reach the limit of their understanding). Name of key players? What led up to? How does this link with ……? Dates?
Rounding Off
99. If you are unsuccessful with this application, what are your intentions?
100. What, if any, other applications do you have in at the moment?
101. Do you have any questions to put to the board?
You will also be asked:
• If you have ever had any convictions with the police?
• Have you been involved with any adverse investigations with the Police (military and civilian)?
• Any other prosecuting agencies?
• Any County Court Judgements against you?
• Have you ever been involved with drugs?
• Has the Service ever tested you?
• What do you think of the Service Policy/Stance on drugs and drug use?
• Your financial situation?
• Have you been/are you bankrupt?
• Possibly, your views on marriage?
As you may have gathered I had my filter on the 29th and passed - and I thought I’d do a post with some more questions and ideas for anyone going for their filter soon.
Basically, just try and relax. Everyone told me this, and I didn’t do it – and was told at the end of the interview I needed to be more confident seen as I knew “what I was talking about” so there’s no need to be nervous.
Also, don’t walk in and forget if you were offered a chair like me – it can lead to silly situations.
Anyway, best of luck to anyone going soon. Relax, be yourself, don’t cry in front of them and try to be confident.
Here are most of the questions I got. I've missed a few out - can't remember them all.
What is your date of birth?
Where were you born?
Where do you live?
How long have you lived there?
What do you think of your current family circumstances?
I see you got 5 A’s at GCSE, 2 B’s and 2C’s, how do you feel about those results?
You got a triple Distinction in your BTEC, how do you feel about those results?
What school were you at when you were 11 years of age? (this caught me off guard actually, I couldn't think what "year" this was!)
What responsibilities did you have at school?
What clubs did you join at school?
What travel opportunity did you have with school?
What connection through the military, such as ATC did you have through the school?
What sport clubs did you join at school?
What opportunity did you have for Duke of Edinburgh?
What if any, leadership roles did you have during this time?
Have we missed any gaps in your school career?
What travel have you done outside of school?
--- ok, where have you been?
What sport did you do outside of school?
What responsibility did you have with that?
What if any, leadership roles did you have during this time?
Have we missed any gaps in your life outside of school?
What is your employment history?
What responsibility did you have?
Are you starting University this year?
How do you feel about moving from your family?
Are you in a relationship?
How does she feel about your joining the RAF?
How do your parents feel about joining the RAF?
Why do you want to join the RAF?
Why do you want to be a pilot?
What is the role of a pilot?
How long have you wanted to be a pilot?
If you get accepted into the RAF, where will your training start, and what is it?
What is IOT’s aim?
What will be your greatest challenge on IOT?
If you are accepted as a pilot, where will your training start?
Where is EFT done?
How many hours is that?
Ok...you are streamed rotary. Now what?
Where is that?
How many hours?
How long does the course take?
This was repeated for Fixed Wing, and then Fast Jet, both in similar detail.
What fixed wing aircraft do we operate?
What fast jet aircraft do we operate?
What rotary aircraft do we operate?
Can you tell me where that’s based?
What other RAF bases in this country can you think of? (got about 20 before she stopped me).
What new aircraft are the RAF getting?
Where does the RAF have permanent bases overseas?
What deployments are we currently on?
Why are we there?
How do you feel about going to war?
How do you feel about going into a battle situation?
Given the fact you are potentially and probably going to drop a bomb, or be a part of someone’s death in some way, what is your attitude to warfare?
What alliances are we part of?
When was NATO formed?
How many countries are currently in NATO?
And down to the standard questions.
We realise that in this day and age many of are younger applicants may have had some experience with drugs. What if any contact have you had with drugs?
Have you ever used drugs yourself?
We operate a random drugs testing program in the RAF how do you feel about that?
Do you feel that infringes on peoples privacy?
What are your views on drug taking within the armed forces?
What are you view on drug taking in the general population?
Have you ever faced a criminal conviction/ had a/ have a outstanding court order on you etc etc.?
Do you have any questions for me?
I thought I’d put this post together for people going for interviews soon. It’s a mix of things from various sources (most of which is the RAF + AFCOs) that is mainly geared towards people going for their filter interviews. The majority of it is common sense, but I thought I’d share the information I’d received. Really hope this helps somone cause I had to type it all up! Don’t know how useful this will be but here we go...
AFCO Interviews
How you handle your interview is very important. If you have got as far as being offered an interview, make sure you don’t waste the chance of convincing an employer that you’re the best person to fill the job.
Prepare Yourself
You will be given a few days notice before your filter interview, use the time profitably. The phrase “Preparation Prevents P*$$ Poor Performance was thought up for a reason – it is true. If you go in knowing nothing about the armed forces you’re in trouble, if you go in fully prepared, you can be confident knowing you can answer a question. Prepare.
Confidence
If you feel confident and respect yourself, this will convey itself to the interviewer. If you weren’t potentially suitable for the job your applying for, you wouldn’t have got this far, be it OASC or even a filter. Don’t go to the extreme of being cocky and over-confident.
Get Organized
Make sure you know
Where the AFCO is. If you don’t know, don’t be trying to find it the day of your interview, you will have better things to do. Make the effort to check where it is beforehand.
How long will it take for you to get to your interview? DO NOT be late. If it’s not your fault (train or bus delay), ring them in advance and apologise – they will appreciate this.
Get everything you need to take ready the night before so you are not rushing in the morning.
Smarten Up
You don’t have to wear something brand new or expensive to your interview, but it should be smart and simple. At the end of the day, they are looking for effort. Being smart simply shows that you’ve taken the trouble to present yourself, and it could just be the difference between you and the last candidate.
So get your dress or suit smartened up. Try on your outfit to make sure no buttons are missing or hems coming down. Clean your shoes, don’t go crazy with your hairstyle, and just generally try to look the part.
Looking good will help you feel good, and that again will boost your confidence.
On The Day
On the day, there are several points you should consider to help you keep calm before our interview.
Give yourself time to dress carefully
Make sure you’ve got everything you were asked to bring
Ensure you have your train and bus tickets
Set off in plenty of time so you can arrive about 10 minutes early. You will then have time to sit somewhere and gather your thoughts.
Remember this is your chance to convince the interviewer your right for this job. Make sure you sell yourself, but don’t exaggerate. You need a balance of being enthusiastic and being confident without coming across as a complete idiot.
You will probably feel and seem nervous. Most interviewers will allow for this, they will see it every day. They will try to make you feel at ease at the start of the interview – at the end of the day, they want to see what your views are and what you know, it’s in their best interests to give you a break.
Coping With Questions
Avoid giving a “yes” or “no” answer. They are convocation stoppers. Your reply should involve giving as much relevant information about yourself as you can.
Be honest. Lies and exaggerations come to light eventually, so don’t attempt to embroider the truth. When they find out, it may be the end of your career in the forces.
If you’re not asked something that you feel you want to get across to the interviewer, tell them (politely!).
When you’re given the chance to ask some questions at the end of the interview, try to ask things to get across your enthusiasm and interested for the job.
Try to find out when you will know the result of the interview, if you have not already been told. Many AFCO interviewers will tell you at the end of the interview, some may make you wait, whatever the decision is.
Thank the interviewer for their time when you leave. Shake their hand, and smile. Be happy - Yay.
Points to make a good impression
Dress to Impress.
Don’t sit down until you you’re offered a chair.
Obviously don’t smoke of chew
Don’t slouch, fold your arms or fidget. Sit in a relaxed and upright manner.
Speak up, be confident and don’t mutter or mumble.
Don’t be flippant. Some candidates use jokes to cover up nerves. You need to make sure your on the same wavelength as the interviewer before you introduce humour to the discussion.
Show an interest in the work your applying for. Do some independent research, looking at your training, job role, equipment you may work with, people you may work with....etc.
Set off in plenty of time so you can arrive about 10 minutes early.
Or show you're really keen by arriving 5 minutes before 5 minutes before 5 minutes before. The ability to do this is a pre-requisite prior to starting training. If you can't generate Faff you shouldn't be there
Originally Posted by Q_M
Avoid giving a “yes” or “no” answer. They are convocation stoppers. Your reply should involve giving as much relevant information about yourself as you can.
Interesting but useless little fact. When I was doing guinea pig OASC interviews we were told to give 'yes' or 'no' answers to questions and not expand unless we were encouraged to by the interviewer. This shows that they must struggle with candidates not expanding their answers.
Or show you're really keen by arriving 5 minutes before 5 minutes before 5 minutes before. The ability to do this is a pre-requisite prior to starting training. If you can't generate Faff you shouldn't be there
Interesting but useless little fact. When I was doing guinea pig OASC interviews we were told to give 'yes' or 'no' answers to questions and not expand unless we were encouraged to by the interviewer. This shows that they must struggle with candidates not expanding their answers.
Interesting but useless little fact. When I was doing guinea pig OASC interviews we were told to give 'yes' or 'no' answers to questions and not expand unless we were encouraged to by the interviewer. This shows that they must struggle with candidates not expanding their answers.
Armed forces discussion.
Useful Resources:
Forces Information On Our Wiki
our force is strong 
AIB & RCB journals would be very good.
It's the thought that counts? 
