Why do you want to join the RAF?

I have included that I had an interest in the RAF when my great grandad showed me his bronze oakleaf when i was young

Try to include a little bit of background, it's good for them to know that you haven't just decided one day six months ago that you wanted to join the RAF. If you do a list of pro's and con's for joining the RAF then the list of pro's will provide you with the real reasons that you want to join. In my answer iv provided 5 points for why I want to join the RAF and I have included that I had an interest in the RAF when my great grandad showed me his bronze oakleaf when i was young and then the ATC further fostered my interest in the RAF and provided me with various opportunities to experience the RAF lifestyle...haven't looked back since. As long as you make it personal and it isn't just a generic answer that you think they want to hear, I think it's possible to answer that question really well :-)

It's a thirty minute interview, not your autobiography.

Your answers should be clear, concise and answering the question you have actually been given.

Military personnel don't like faff, they deal with enough of it anyway. If your interviewer wants you to expand on a point, they will ask.

:It's a thirty minute interview, not your autobiography..

I don't want to say 'Yes' as it may give the wrong idea, but close to.

There is a line between being unsociably prompt and waffling. The aim is to answer that question and not to go completely off topic. You have to learn for yourself as to what point you just start talking for the fun of hearing your own voice.

If it is any comfort, most Interviewers won't have a problem with letting you know that you are jabbering incoherently.

I don't!

Whatever gave you that idea?

lol @ autobiography, but thought it was 45 min - 1 hour?

The Interviewer will like you more if you finish early, gives them a couple of minutes to get a Brew and to flick through the Sun ... for current affairs knowledge of course.

Yeah you are right... but im also assuming ''Why do you want to join the RAF'' will be the question they expect to last the longest

I don't think that's true. I think the main thing you need to remember is that you have to come across as a well rounded person who appears cool, confident and easy to work with. If the recruiter believes you have the potential to be the most amazing serviceman to date, they'll want you to be a part of RAF, regardless of why you're interested - as long as you show a level of commitment.

E.g. when I went to the AFCO I just turned up to find out what it was all about, I was a walk-in, no appointment or anything. At the end of the visit I was filling in a few 'forms of interest'. My girlfriend was there. While I was doing all this paperwork, the recruiter made a blatant effort to make her apply for an officer job, as she's currently studying for a degree. If she went forward with the application, how would she have explained her reasons for joining - "because you wanted me to?!" So basically what I'm saying is I don't think you need to demonstrate a lifelong ambition to do it. Just show that you know what you're applying for and why you think it's a good idea.

If I were to be asked why I wanted to join the RAF, I wouldn't be able to say anything about my lifelong childhood interest in the military, as it's just not true. Someone suggested it to me about a month ago, I did a bit of research and it looked like something I'd enjoy for the rest of my life. Of course I'd elaborate on that in real life but I won't do it in this post as i's a bit besides the point.

It's a thirty minute interview, not your autobiography.

Your answers should be clear, concise and answering the question you have actually been given.

Military personnel don't like faff, they deal with enough of it anyway. If your interviewer wants you to expand on a point, they will ask.

I can call you 'yellow' if you prefer that over SAS. Your call.

We check in - not dig in.