RAF- university sponsorship

I'm just reading an extremely interesting book called 'Military Incompetence' that explores similar issues. It basically highlights how military leaders used to be chosen based on their social class and pubic school education, rather than leadership qualities, which led to some of the greatest military blunders throughout history.

Although from an independent school myself, I don't think the educational system you go through is related to whether you had a good upbringing (having money doesn't mean you had a good upbringing in the sense that you refer to).

Also, from the book I have just read, I don't think that you have to be educated in an independent school to have leadership qualities. However, I do acknowledge that some people have more opportunities to develop their leadership skills than others, and it is in the area of opportuniites available that the biggest differences can be seen between independents and state schools- a fact I'm sure the RAF are very aware of and take account of.

Reply 43

They definately take it into account. One of the best ways to assess a candidate is to look at the ratio of opportunities available to those taken. An independently-schooled chap with a wealth of chances to study, travel, do charity work, and develop himself might only have taken advantage of 10% of the opportunities he's had. However, someone from a poor state school with no extra-curricular activities available, who's had to use a part time job to help his family but has still managed to pack in a good Air Cadet career has taken 110% of those available to him.

Reply 44

jetboy18

I'm just doing my GCSE's & I'm thinking of applying to RAF when I leave school but don't know what branch yet. Where can I find some more info on different types of jobs? What do I need to be a pilot?

A good place to start would be the thread on this page with a few thousand replies. And the RAF's website. Any more specific questions, drop them in here.

Reply 45

flashman

Nikki J S

I'm just reading an extremely interesting book called 'Military Incompetence' that explores similar issues. It basically highlights how military leaders used to be chosen based on their social class and pubic school education, rather than leadership qualities, which led to some of the greatest military blunders throughout history.

Although from an independent school myself, I don't think the educational system you go through is related to whether you had a good upbringing (having money doesn't mean you had a good upbringing in the sense that you refer to).

Also, from the book I have just read, I don't think that you have to be educated in an independent school to have leadership qualities. However, I do acknowledge that some people have more opportunities to develop their leadership skills than others, and it is in the area of opportuniites available that the biggest differences can be seen between independents and state schools- a fact I'm sure the RAF are very aware of and take account of.

Is that book primarily about the reasons for the charge of the light brigade?only I saw it as a reference in connection with said event

Reply 46

flashman

Is that book primarily about the reasons for the charge of the light brigade?only I saw it as a reference in connection with said event

No, it covers:

The Crimean War;
The Boer War;
Indian Interlude;
The First and Second World Wars;
Cambrai;
The Siege of Kut;
Singapore;
Arnhem.

It mostly discusses how there are features of military performance in all of these conflicts that form a pattern, which can then be isolated to the individual leaders involved.

For example, Dixon, states The Crimean War was the most ill managed campaign in English History. He puts the blunderings of the Boer War down to Buller, and the costly errors like the fall of Torbruk and Singapore down to the individual military leaders responsible in the Army, Navy and RAF.

It's really about the pyschology of military decisions;which I'm particularly interested in. Excellent book though, even if it is a little dated now. :smile:

Reply 47

flashman

Is that book primarily about the reasons for the charge of the light brigade?only I saw it as a reference in connection with said event

I've read something on Great Military Blunders or something like that, which I'm sure involved the Light Brigade.

I did a talk during training on part of its chapter on technology, referring to the Patriot missile system; and the fact that it's rubbish.

Reply 48

flashman

Are you sure you're supposed to apply for university sponsorships before GCSEs? That means people would be applying at the age of 15/16. Seems a bit weird to me.

I applied before I got my GCSE results and just put down my predicted grades based on my mock results. As far as I know you can apply from age 15 yrs and 9 months.

Reply 49

JMC

Are you able to apply for University bursaries even if you're a couple of years into your course?

Also its says on the website a bursary of £4000, is this every year while you're at uni or just for the 3/4 years you're there?

Thanks for any help!

Reply 50

JMC

Are you able to apply for University bursaries even if you're a couple of years into your course?

Also its says on the website a bursary of £4000, is this every year while you're at uni or just for the 3/4 years you're there?

Thanks for any help!

Could you be a bit more specific about the branch you're interested in and how far you are into the course,as this may effect the type of award the RAF may offer. :smile:

Reply 51

JMC

Pilot.

Just started 2nd year at University.

Reply 52

You'd get a pilot bursary, which is £1050 a year. £4000 goes to engineers and other hard-hit branches. I don't recall what doctors get, but it's just a stepping stone to a cadetship for them anyway.

You need at least 4 terms left, so as long as it's before half way through your second year of three you're fine.

Reply 53

Wzz

I don't recall what doctors get, but it's just a stepping stone to a cadetship for them anyway.

The sixth form scholarship for potential medical students is worth £2000 in upper 6th year, and you're expected to apply for a bursary and cadetship at University .

A bursary of £2100 is awarded to med students for the first two years at Uni, with the cadetship award subject to continuing suitability, good academic progress, and a specialist interview.

The cadetship covers the last three years of med school and is currently worth £37,500 over three years (you also gain rank status over this period of time). In addition, all tuition and book fees are paid for by the RAF (I imagine this is similar for pilots??). Medical cadets are required to join the UAS at this point, although the time constraints of med students means they don't have to meet the attendance criteria set for other branches.

In return you have to commit to your Pre-Registration House Officer year within an RAF approved NHS hospital;to undertake the SERE course; and to serve on a SSC for 6 years.

Sounds good to me; Just hope I get through the first hurdle! :smile:

Reply 54

flashman

Do the RAF monitor university bursary students closely while they're at uni? do they do dugs tests and that kind of thing?

Reply 55