The Student Room Group

Pre-RAF Dress/Interview

hi everyone

i recently signed up for the RAF, and was given a date to attend the AFCO for the aptitude tests and presentation.

to sign up, i dressed smart/casual. should i do the same for the tests/presentation as well, or wear a shirt?

also, is the first interview straight after the tests and presentation or a separate date?

thanks,

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Reply 1
Smart-casual will never go wrong - unless it's smart. You'll get a briefing afterwards to let you know how you got on. The interview itself, however, is later date.
Reply 2
wear a shirt, deffinaetly and smart shoes and trousers, jacket and tie is more felxible but to be on the sfae side I would go the whole 9 yards!
Reply 3
As Stavix said, I would wear a shirt with smart trousers and smart shoes. Can always take a jacket with you, and take it off when you get there!

Good luck!
Someone with the IOT paperwork can correct me if the wording has changed recently, but you guys have to understand this or you will embarass yourselves one day.

The default dress for any official dealings with the RAF is SUIT. That is jacket, matching trousers, leather shoes (polished), shirt and tie (windsor knot, tied right up to cover the collar button!).

Smart casual = casual in the eyes of the RAF. Smart casual would be Polo shirt and Chinos, with a thin woolen jumper, or blazer style jacket. Certainly not denim, no matter how expensive. As an prospective Officer, this would be the minimum dress I would appear at an AFCO in, and even then, only on a casual drop-in basis, to pick up literature etc, not a pre-booked meeting.

For Airman entry, the same rules really. You could turn up to everything in smart casual, however, if you wore a suit, you would set yourself apart from the rest in a positive manner. You might feel a plank if you are the only applicant in a group that turns up in a suit, but be assured, the AFCO staff will remember you for the right reasons.

Remember, the RAF is still a very traditional organisation in these respects. And one of the prime rules of this sort of society is that you can never be over-dressed (ie too formal). Formality shows respect, inappropriate informality shows disrespect in these circles.
Reply 5
other little note, for guys.... belt must match your shoes!
Reply 6
On the note of dress code, I am going to be buying a new suit as my current one is a bit old! What are the views on subtle pinstripe vs plain black? Also what is the 'norm' regarding two or three buttons on the jacket?

James

*edited due to typo*
Reply 7
...and for girls, if you wear a skirt ensure it covers your knees and your shoulders are covered.
Reply 8
b16a2
On the note of dress code, I am going to be buying a new suit as my current one is a bit old! What are the views on subtle pinstripe vs plain black? Also what is the 'norm' regarding two or three buttons on the jacket?

James

*edited due to typo*
pinstripe is fine as far as I am aware (my suits are pinstripe :confused: ) and as for buttons... 3 yes, 4 no... and that's specified in little dress code booklet you get issued at the fam... think only allowed a single vent in the back for guys too...?
BlackHawk
...and for girls, if you wear a skirt ensure it covers your knees and your shoulders are covered.



Please don't girls it cheers me up no end when you wear miniskirts!
Reply 10
threeportdrift
You might feel a plank if you are the only applicant in a group that turns up in a suit

I know I did. Although to more of an extent was simply left wondering if everyone else had even the slightest clue what they were doing.
Reply 11
You'd wear a suit to an aptitude test etc? :redface: Didn't know it was that strict. :s
Reply 12
Bob_
You'd wear a suit to an aptitude test etc? :redface: Didn't know it was that strict. :s

I know I did, same with my P3 Presentation, and on both occasions I was, as I say, the only one to do so. When I had a P2 however when I was originally applying for WSOp there were only two people out of the group who weren't in smart dress, so I'd say there's evidently a lot of people applying for trades who aren't aware of the sort of selection process they're in for.
Reply 13
Only allowed one vent? What about colouring? I have two grey suits which I particularly like. Would rather wear one of those than my older Versus black.
Dark Grey - fine

Light grey - deemed slightly suspicious, but passes (has slighty casual overtones)

Light grey with any check pattern - very dodgy!

Seriously, it sounds stuffy as hell, but if you follow one of these 'good form' guides like Debretts you won't go far wrong. Remember, as far as dress goes, the RAF is about in the 50's (middle class, middle management 1950'S as well), pale pink shirts are considered extremely daring!
Reply 15
threeportdrift
Smart casual = casual in the eyes of the RAF. Smart casual would be Polo shirt and Chinos, with a thin woolen jumper, or blazer style jacket. Certainly not denim, no matter how expensive. As an prospective Officer, this would be the minimum dress I would appear at an AFCO in, and even then, only on a casual drop-in basis, to pick up literature etc, not a pre-booked meeting.


I'm going to have to buy a new wardrobe just to go and pick up some forms by the sounds of it!
threeportdrift
Seriously, it sounds stuffy as hell, but if you follow one of these 'good form' guides like Debretts you won't go far wrong.

A copy is sitting on my coffee table. It makes for interesting reading.
Reply 17
M!ke
I'm going to have to buy a new wardrobe just to go and pick up some forms by the sounds of it!


Mike just head to your local charity shop :wink:

my heinz ravioli just burnt :frown: :frown: :frown:
Reply 18
StaVix
my heinz ravioli just burnt :frown: :frown: :frown:

I apologise for going off the topic here, but I simply have to say, that is the most amazingly random thing I have ever seen on any forum ever.

"Erm, guys we've got about 50 angry opfor with AKs and petrol bombs coming down on th....... God Dammit I Just Over Cooked My Pasta!!!"
Reply 19
In all fairness burnt Ravioli is a tradegy :p:

Ravioli on toast... food of kings