officer and aircrew selection centre

The challengeOfficers and Aircrew Selection Centre

The RAF College Cranwell

rafcareers.com

XXXXXX OASC Brochure (for online pdf):5205_467 5/6/08 16:15 Page 2

Our primary mission is to defend ourcountry, but the RAF is also called upon for countless other tasks, from Search and Rescue missions across the UK tosupporting disaster relief operations all over the world.

RAF officers and non-commissionedaircrew play a vital role in these missions.They lead and motivate, operate in mentallyand physically demanding environmentsand make vital decisions that can affectboth military and civilian lives.

In return, we offer an active, excitinglifestyle. In addition to your worldwideduties, youll have the chance to take part inadventurous training such as rock climbing,skiing and mountain biking. Youll meetnew people from all over the world andyoull make friends youll keep for life.

Interested? Read on

OPPORTUNITIESTO EXCEL


03 THE CHALLENGE OFFICERS AND AIRCREW SELECTION CENTRE

Before you take up the challenge, we need to assess your suitability for training. To do this, well invite you to attend the Officers andAircrew Selection Centre (OASC),based at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire.

During your time at OASC yourassessment will be overseen by aselection board two experiencedRAF officers who will watch how you perform in the tasks we set you.A board president a senior RAFofficer will have the final say on the grade you receive.

Show us determination, dedicationand leadership and in return wellhelp you reach new heights in yourcareer. If youve got the right ideasand attitude and can attain a highlevel of physical fitness, you could be just what were looking for.

SELECTING FOR SUCCESS

From the start, theRAF is about howquickly and effectivelyyou organise yourselfto meet challenges.



READY TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE?

Your visit to OASC will take severaldays and includes:

an initial briefing;aptitude tests;an aptitude test review;the exercise phase;an interview;an occupational medical; andfitness assessments.

Youll be our guest at the RAFCollege Cranwell while we assessyour abilities and potential.Remember, you dont need to beready to lead to be successful, justcapable and determined enough tolearn how.

If you think youve got what it takes,speak to one of our Careers Advisersat an Armed Forces Careers Office.They will conduct a preliminaryinterview to determine your careergoals and motivation. Make the right impression and youll berecommended to attend OASC.

Its important for us to pick the rightcandidates, but its just as importantthat the RAF is right for you. After theaptitude test and exercise phase, allcandidates are privately informedwhether they will be progressing tothe next phase of the training. Shouldyou decide the RAF is not yourpreferred career path, youll alsohave the option to leave. Just informyour selection board officer of yourdecision before you go.

Its very much the RAFway each step youachieve earns you ashot at your next goal.



AFTER YOUR ARRIVAL The initial briefing

We want you to perform to the bestof your abilities during your visit toOASC. Thats why we make sure youknow whats expected of you whileyou are here.

After your arrival at the RAF CollegeCranwell, youll have a short briefingabout OASC. This will cover thetasks we set for you and thestandards we expect you to achieve.

After this briefing, youll have the rest of the evening to relax in theCandidates Mess, ready for an earlystart the next day.



RAF aptitude tests are designed tomeasure your potential to develop.They are scientifically proven to helpidentify the abilities youll need tosucceed in training and throughoutyour career.

What happens in the aptitudetests?

All tests are taken on a computer andeach starts with sample questions.Every candidate takes the testsunder the same circumstances inthe same room and with the sameset of instructions. This means thatwe can be sure that the results are a true reflection of your abilities.

Aptitude tests can last for up to sixhours, depending on the career youhave applied for and whether you areeligible for other roles. For example,potential Pilots will undergo severaltests for the specific skills they willneed in the cockpit. Potential AirTraffic Control Officers and FighterControl Officers will be tested ontheir ability to multi-task.

What are we looking for?

All candidates must have thepotential to absorb RAF training. To assess this potential, we will test a range of your natural abilities,including:

deductive reasoning;memory;spatial orientation;mental agility; andeye/hand/foot co-ordination.

Aptitude tests

Top tip Practising without acalculator will build yourconfidence in mathematics.Focus on speed/time/distancecalculations, fractions, decimals,multiplication and division.



Aptitude test review

Once we have the results of yourcompleted tests, you will be invitedto an aptitude test review.

At this stage, we will review yourperformance with you. In particular,we will focus on your skill levels inthe areas that are most important forthe career you have selected.

All reviews take place privately and in confidence. If there are any areaswhere your test results do not meetthe required standards, we willexplain how and where wed expectyou to improve if you made anotherapplication.

The review stage is intended to beopen and honest and we will adviseyou if we feel you should try a careerwith a different kind of selectionprocess.

Very few people answer all thequestions. Youre timed, so itsbetter to move on than let onequestion slow you down.



EXERCISE PHASEFor this phase of your assessment,youll be placed in a group with threeto five other candidates. Your groupwill be, wherever possible, a mixtureof men and women from differentbackgrounds with a range of lifeexperiences.

What happens in the exercises?

Youll complete five leadershipexercises that show in detail yourleadership potential and style in avariety of challenging environments.

The exercises will include:

a group discussion;a group planning exercise;a hangar familiarisation period;an exercise without a leader;a command situation exercise; and an individual planning exercise.


During each of the exercises, you willbe assessed on your:

confidence and resilience;oral communication;influence;problem solving; andteamwork.

Group discussion

For this exercise, you must speak up for yourself and demonstratelistening and understanding skills on three or four topical subjects.

What does this exercise involve?

The board will give you a topic fordiscussion that could quickly become controversial. Every fewminutes they will move the group on to a new topic. This exercise lasts approximately 15 minutes.



For this exercise, your group will begiven printed details of a scenariocontaining a number of problemsthat you will need to analyse, with adeadline to devise a solution.


You will have:

20 minutes to assess the problemand use your calculations to find asolution this is done individually;a 20-minute discussion to decide ateam solution; and15 minutes of questions from theboard to your group on yourchosen solution.

Group planning exercise

Having considered theoptions, you need toweigh up the potentialsolutions and then focuson the strongest. Inaddition to your route, its important to includeall other aspects of your plan.

Top tip Try practising yourevaluation and decision-makingskills as well as yourspeed/time/distance calculations.



Hangar familiarisation periodHangar familiarisation is a 20-minutepresentation designed to:

explain the rules for hangar-basedexercises;explain the penalties forinfringements of the exerciserules;demonstrate some basictechniques that you may finduseful; and explain the safety procedures toreduce the chance of an accidentoccurring during the exercises.



This exercise allows us to assessyour performance when workingwithin a team. Well be assessingwhat kind of leader and team playeryou are so be prepared to getinvolved and learn from mistakesrather than avoid being noticed.


For this exercise, the group mustmove itself and its equipment overan obstacle course anyone in thegroup will be free to come up withideas on how to meet the challenge.

Exercise without a leader

This exercise proveswhy most teamsneed good leaders.



For this exercise, each member ofyour group will take a turn as theleader, taking full responsibility for theteam. The task will be to produce aplan of how to complete the obstaclecourse and then put that plan intoaction as a team. Well be assessinghow you encourage and support yourteam and how you work as part of theteam when you are not in charge.


During your turn as leader, youllhave:

two minutes to inspect the courseand equipment, and to formulate aplan (and possibly a standbysolution); and 13 minutes to complete theexercise including matching teammembers to tasks and motivatingthem to support you in meetingyour deadline.

Command situation exercise

Theyre looking forhow well you shareand work together,not how hard youfight to be in charge.



Individual planning exerciseFor this exercise you will work alone.You will be given a challengingscenario and asked to come up witha solution. Well be assessing yourplanning ability and presentationskills, so if you havent done apresentation before you may wish topractise before your exercise.


During this exercise, you will have:

20 minutes to assess the problemand devise a solution; and10 minutes to make a briefpresentation to explain yoursolution and answer questionsfrom the selection board.

There isntnecessarily justone answer, soconsider all the

possible solutions.

Top tip Mental arithmetic willform a vital part of this exercise so practise doing sums in yourhead or on paper.



What happens in the interview?

Your interview will last about 45minutes and be conducted in twoparts.

The first part will be your opportunityto tell us about your achievements sofar at school and college; in sports; inyour community; at work or as a cadet,scout or guide etc. Remember toinclude some information about yourbackground if youve had just a fewopportunities in life but have made themost of every one, you may impressus most of all.

The second part of your interview willbe about your motivation for joiningthe RAF. Well ask you about yourknowledge of our organisation, ourvision and about military and currentaffairs.

During this interview, we will confirmthat your choice of RAF career has notchanged and that we have your up-to-date contact details. You will also havethe opportunity to ask any questionsabout the RAF.


To prove you are fit to be a leader in amilitary environment, you need tohave several key skills. During theinterview, you will be assessed on:

manner;speech and power of expression;activities and interests;physical fitness level and potential;awareness;motivation; andoverall impact.

Interview

Top tip Take some time to learnmore about the RAF before yourvisit. You can learn about ourhistory, our commitments and our current missions here.

Dont try to guess what the officers on the board wantto hear. Youre more likely to come across well if youact naturally.



Occupational medicalThe RAF needs to be sure that allpersonnel are medically fit to carryout military service. Therefore, allpotential candidates must undertakean assessment to make sure theymeet our medical standards. Thesestandards are laid down by law andeveryone joining must pass them.The medical requirements for somespecialist roles, such as Pilot, maynecessitate further tests. For moreinformation about the healthrequirements in the RAF, visit ourhealth page.



Physical fitness is a key attribute forour officers and non-commissionedaircrew. Its likely during your careerthat you will have to make importantdecisions when tired and underpressure physical fitness will helpyou to stay mentally alert duringthese situations.

What happens in the fitness tests?

The RAF Fitness Test is made up ofthree elements:

A multi-stage bleep test will testyour aerobic endurance.Sit-ups will test your core strengthand endurance.Press-ups will test your upper bodystrength and muscular ability.


Candidates are required to pass allthree elements before beingconsidered for further training.

The required fitness standards and afurther outline of these tests will begiven in your initial briefing.

Fitness assessments

Start training as soon as you can when you find out your assessmentdate, it could be too late.

Top tip Its important to startworking on your fitness as soonas possible; take a look at ourselection of fitness programmes.



After OASCWhen you leave OASC, the officerswho assessed you will discuss yourperformance against our objectivecriteria with the board president. Thepresident will award you a grade andyou will be considered in competitionwith other candidates applying forthe same branch.

We will inform you of your resultsapproximately 3/4 weeks after youleave OASC. Successful candidateswill then be invited to attend furthertraining.



Identification: The original (not acopy) of your birth certificate,evidence of educational orprofessional qualifications and yourbank details (so we can pay yourtravel expenses promptly).

Money: Enough cash to pay forany drinks if you stay overnight andincidentals for your return journey.We cannot cash cheques on base.

Suitable clothing: We will provideoveralls for you to wear for theexercise phase. You will needtrainers and sports clothes for thefitness and health assessments. For the evenings, men will require a jacket and tie, and women willrequire a dress, a trouser suit or a shirt and jacket.

We recommend wearing flat-soledshoes for the aptitude tests. Thereare no coat hangers in theaccommodation block, so bring your own, together with towels and washing kit.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU



A607

A153

A153

A607

A607

B1188

B1429

A15

SLEAFORDANCASTER

RAF CRANWELL

TO LIN

CO

LN

TO NEWARK-ON-TRENT

TO P

ETER

BO

RO

UG

H

TO GR

ANTH

AM*

AND A

1

GRANTHAM* nearest mainIf you are travelling by rail, RAFmeet you at Grantham station.

TO BOSTON

A15

B6403

A17

A17

HOW TO GET TO OASCOfficers and Aircrew Selection Centre,Adastral Hall, PO Box 1000, RAF Cranwell, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 8GZTel: 01400 266745/266792

*The nearest railway station isGrantham. If you are travelling byrail, RAF transport will meet youat the station. Specific collectiontimes will be advised when youare invited to OASC.


TheRAF vision

An Air Force that:

is trained and equipped to generate air power as a vital contribution to the security of the UK and as a force for good in the world;

is proud of its heritage but modern and flexible;

fosters professionalism and team spirit founded on commitment and self-discipline; and

offers opportunity to all, a rewarding career and skills for life.

Equal opportunities

The RAF values every individuals unique contribution, irrespective of race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or social background. However, for reasons of combat effectiveness, the RAF Regiment is open tomen only.

Welfare in the RAF

To find out more about the RAFs commitment to the care and welfare of its personel, visit rafcareers.com/leavinghome

The information in this brochure was correct at the time of publication but may have changed since. Please check withour careers information staff for current details.

PUB 4676/08 Crown Copyright

Prepared for the Royal Air Force by COIAIRF 287861rafcareers.com


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