UAS or OTC?

I've used TSR once before in prep for selection for sponsorship with the forces, and managed to get some great information.
I'm now at university and looking to take up membership with either the OTC or UAS organisations. Studying an engineering degree leaves career options open to both branches - however, I am not completely decided.
I was a member of the Air Cadets for a while when I was younger but I'm curious to see what the Army offers that the RAF cannot. Although, I would not want to waste the opportunity to enter the UAS as a result of being in the OTC for a short while and deciding to leave.
It would be greatly appreciated if anybody with any advice/experience help me out a little in trying to make a decision.

thanks in advance

Reply 1

Lady Venom

There are 'time remaining criteria' for the UAS - i.e. they don't take final year or masters students. If competition is stiff they may favour a fresher over a second year student. Just bear that in mind!

Are you set on a branch choice? Bearing in mind the UAS is nothing like the ATC and the UAS do a lot that the OTC also do AT wise. The UAS just don't have to go on exercise every other weekend and get to fly as well.
As competition is stiff for both it may be pertinent to really sit down and have a good think through - read the Army and RAF careers website to try to establish a goal.

Also out of interest, which uni are you at/going to?

Reply 2

armyboy

In general OTCs will only recruit you if you have two full years of university left.

If competition is tight then first years are likely to be given priority

I think UASs are the same- but you better check.

To be honest both organisations are great fun ( I have been in both) and whichever you join you can have a good time and do some fun things.

Plenty of people join the RAF from the OTC and vice versa.

Competition for entry to the UAS is always hard.

Competition for entry to the OTC is generally easier, although this year most OTCs have had a significant budget cut and several are taking in a reduced intake- thus compeition is going to be harder than it has has been.

There is nothing to stop you applying for both and seeing how far you get.

I would have a good look at both - as they work at your university and chat to people at Freshers Fayres. You would improve your chances of getting into either if you could show you had actually contacted the Army or RAF careers people and were seriously looking at joining.

If you are serious about the Army and cant get into the OTC because you dont have enough time at University left you could look at joining the TA

Reply 3

watch_the_birdie

If you can....GO OTC!

I started university 4 years ago with the idea to join the RAF as an Air Traffic Officer, and I was told that UAS on the whole, only really catered for pilots, as the rest were "just groundies" (may not be entirely true, but I've heard now that flying times are being cut, and generally a lot is being cut).

So anyway, I joined the OTC and it is by far the best decision I have ever made. The 4 years was immense. And I'm still joining the RAF after it - the army tempted me a bit but I'm still staying blue.

Good things about OTC:

1) Generally more people, with more diverse interests. There are still many Navy/Marine wannabes joining the OTC for experience.

2) You get paid more. Simple. You get a pay rise after you get certain qualifications, and the limit on the number of days you can earn is ALMOST limitless. e.g. Last year I managed to clock up 99 days. At £40-odd a day, you do the maths. UAS I believe get payed less, and have less numbers per year (I hear it's around the 30 day mark)

3) The army is a bigger organisation with many different corps and branches. Therefore, there's more money floating around to give you the chance to go on different courses, trips, etc. I've been skiing (yes, i know you can do that in the UAS) but I got my army qualifications, parachuting, mountaineering, white water rafting, kayaking.....I'm a qualified Artillery Command Post Controller, I've done field engineering, signals officer courses..... I've even done the US army commissioning course for fun, as part of an exchange. All paid for.

4) Being in OTC generally means you have your own building in a barracks, and doesn't mean you have to travel to an RAF base all the time. You therefore make closer friends as you see these guys a lot of the time.

5) You get to see how another force works. At OASC, the interviewers seemed dead impressed about my knowledge of the working of the army...above that of my already-gained knowledge about the RAF. You can't learn that type of experience just by reading about it.

6) You get a good lot of field leadership and training experience. You are constantly in positions of command, looking after the younger ones etc. For my final year I was in charge of my own platoon, which lets you really learn about how to look after your troops welfare (you are the one that sorts out pay problems, uniform problems, writes their reports....lots of stuff). Again, all good experience for the future, and certainly I do not believe you get that amount in the UAS (my UAS mates have told me).

7) Social functions are so much better :P

So on the whole, in this day and age of budget cuts, I still think the OTC wins hands down for a good time at uni. I do know that the OTC now is focusing more on army officer recruitment instead of just giving "students a good time on the taxpayers money". However, after a brief leaving chat with my CO, he still says that he would be interested in recruiting future RAF/Navy officers, as they bring "something a bit different" to the OTC, and he knows that in the end, if you put you're all in it, the OTC provides you with invaluable experience that cannot be gained anywhere else whilst at uni.

Hope that helps...

Reply 4

Lady Venom

Yeh pay is slightly more in the Army but we get all travel reimbursed so that makes up for only 35 days pay + summer bounty of £150+ and SVA pay.
Groundies and pilots now don't exist - everyone can fly and everyone is equal.
Most UASs have their own Town Head Quarters as well in the city.
We can do all the sports courses they Army can - including instructor courses all paid for.
Leadership - depends on the UAS

(sorry only a quick response as I have to go out)

Reply 5

Darkwolf7

Thanks for all the information guys (esp. birdie). My main problem is both groups are so closely matched in any criteria its hard to make a clear list of pro's and con's.
At the last fresher fair, the OTC (obviously better funded) had a much better stand with computers, noise and posters; contrasted with the relatively low-tech UAS with their paper panphlets and bored looking Officer Cadets. I do have the maturity to look past this facet, but obviously want the best return for my time investment.
Armyboy it'd be most helpful to hear a bit more about your time in the OTC & UAS.
InaSpin im currently at Kingston University.

Reply 6

watch_the_birdie

oops, forgot to mention you get the whole £150-£180 bounty every year (depending on your OTC year), and all travel expenses are reimbursed.

Yes, there are pros and cons to both, and I'm sure the UAS has just as valuable training that the OTC has. The thing is, they are just overall different to one another, and depending what you want to get out of them obviously reflects the one you finally choose.

Kingston University means you would be in London OTC, which is pretty much the biggest one of them all, and I believe they have one of the biggest application numbers every year (last I heard it was something like 900+ for about 200 places). It also has a large chunk of the OTC budget. Therefore competition is high, and as I said before, I think these days they are looking for mostly those who have a genuine interest in the army, however, I think it is still open to "anyone".

It does beg the question though, whether you are wanting an RAF bursary at anytime soon, in which case you would HAVE to join the UAS. I decided to leave OASC til my last year of uni, so I didn't have the dilemma of leaving my beloved army life for my final year...

Reply 7

armyboy

Darkwolf,

I was a student O Cdt in a UAS - London actually. After various adventures I am now a TA officer working in an OTC - not London.

I had a great time in the UAS.

I am also having a great time in the OTC now - albeit I am not an officer cadet.

I would look beyond the show that the different units put on at the Freshers Fayre. It will vary on the day depending on who they have doing it.

If you get get along to the open nights and see what you think- not sure ULAS have one - but ULOTC surely do.

There is officialy now no such thing as pilots and ground branch persons on a UAS. Everyone who wants to can do up to ten hours flying a year. Some do more. If the thought of the flying really attracts you then the UAS wins.

If you are more interested in developing leadership skills and in doing a wide range of adventure training then the OTC wins. Sure you can do leadership stuff and adventure training in the UAS, but you will have many more opportunities in the OTC because it is so much bigger.

Reply 8

Lady Venom

Here's an idea... why not apply for both at the same time - both will have open days so you can get an idea. THEN make your decision. Or alternatively, get in touch before freshers and organise yourself a visit for both. You have to choose, we can't do it for you!