The 'Official' RAF Application Guide

As in, you've got an offer but now want to defer it while you go to uni?

I am half way through the process as I wasn’t sure on University or going straight in - was just wondering if I could carry on the process currently (as I’ve already made progress ie passing the CBAT) and then if I am successful, holding that offer until after university. Thanks for your help😊

I am half way through the process as I wasn’t sure on University or going straight in - was just wondering if I could carry on the process currently (as I’ve already made progress ie passing the CBAT) and then if I am successful, holding that offer until after university. Thanks for your help😊

Hi

Which role are you applying for/passed CBAT for?
And how long is the degree course you're looking to go onto?

It's unlikely you'll have a role held open for a full 3-4 years as entry into IOT and beyond is what is measured each year as Drewski has already advised. But I'll ask. I need the questions answered first though.

Kind regards
Adam
RAF Recruitment

I’ve applied for Intelligence Officer and my degree is a three year long course 😊

Hello, just wondering if someone is able to help me with this....

I contacted the RAF on their website about applying for IntO and explained that I have a hearing impairment and asked whether this would be an automatic bar. The advisor said it is unlikely to completely bar me, but this goes against everything I have read! Is anyone able to shed anymore light on this?

Thanks in advance.

Since the last real application process thread was made 6 years ago I figured it's about time we had an updated one.
You might be thinking, "What the **** do you know FattyHater?" but due to a combination of lack of preparation, and poor timings, I have been in the RAF application process for almost 2 years now, and I have amassed quite the collection of knowledge regarding the process, both for Officers/NCO's and Airmen. This threads main purpose is to answer questions, and give more of an idea of the application process to new applicants. I shall try my best to give an answer, but if I can't there are many people who can, and I'd like this thread to be a glossary of questions and answers, as-well as experiences and progress updates.
Now a little about me for those who don't know, I first applied for the Royal Air Force back in early 2015 as a WSOp (Weapons system operator), passed my CBAT test(I'll get back to this later) and then was unsuccessful in the following stage, my filter interview and was told to come back a YEAR later. I was devastated. Alas, I came back the same time a year later to try again, luckily my CBAT results were still valid, so I sort of skipped a stage or two until my filter interview came around, this time I passed!! Then came the medical, I passed this with no problems whatsoever, good news! Next was my OASC board.. So I thought.. Unfortunately your CBAT results only last the year, and mine ran out a week before my OASC, so I was made to retake them WHILST being at Cranwell for my OASC. This did not go to plan, and I flopped them miserably, twice in a row I was unsuccessful.
Fast forward to now, I applied again on the 8/08/2016, as a Weapons Technician. I successfully passed my AST and my educational waiver was accepted, and I have my filter interview date booked in for the 7th of October. Feeling quietly confident about that, combined with my fitness being to par, I believe that this time I might finally be entering the Royal Air Force.
**UPDATE** I AM finally entering the Royal Air Force on 14/02/2017.
Anyway, less about me, back to the thread, I will start with a glossary of acronyms and 'RAF Lingo' per se. I will try to update this as I go on.
*DISCLAIMER* I am not perfect, things in this thread could be wrong, and I don't claim for everything to be 100% accurate. If you see something wrong, let me know and I'll fix it, same goes if you have anything to add.
RAF LINGO
AFCO = Armed Forces Careers Office. Your local careers office in which you'll start your journey.
AST = Airmen Selection Test. The test all airmen trades will have to complete in order to progress. Taken at your local AFCO.
CBAT = Computer Based Aptitude Test. A computer based selection test all Officer/NCO/Aircrew applicants will have to complete in order to progress. Taken at RAF Cranwell.
OASC = Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre. Based at RAF Cranwell, this is your stepping stone for all Officer/Aircrew applications.
NCO = Non-commissioned officer. Self explanatory really..
WSOp = Weapons System Operator. An aircrew role in the RAF.
NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Google it, you'll need to know.
SDT = Speed, Distance, Time. Maths equation, yada yada yada...
MSFT = Multi Stage Fitness Test. Bleep test in simpleton terms.
PRTC = Pre-recruit training course. 3 days in Halton before your basic training.
RTS Halton = Recruit Training Squadron Halton. Your basic training.
PJFT = Pre-joining fitness test.
ABM = Aerospace Battle Manager.
IOT = Initial Officer Training.
OC = Officer Commanding.