Steviesleftpeg said:
Did anybody do the officer training at Cranwell?
Yep. What do you need to know? First, you need to get through selection. If it's still the same as when I went through, er, some years ago, then get some gen from the Careers Office as to the interview questions. Virtually a set order of questions, to which you would do well to rehearse the answers. Pick four of five world issues (not just the obvious ones) and follow their development over several weeks. I chose a topic from each main continent - a couple of obvious, cos they'll expect you to follow the news, but also a couple of stories that weren't so well known. A daily five-line summary from Reuters served me well over the build-up to the interview!
Med tests - not much you can hide there, and the med tests will weed out if there are any branches you don't qualify for. The aptitude tests are great fun, but there's a lot you can practise for, too - quick maths, recalling sequences, sharp reactions, spatial awareness, etc. I had the aptitude to be a pilot, but my eyesight's cr*p, so that was that.
Phase Two of selection is the physical problem solving. The main point isn't so much that you solve the problem, but how you motivate the team, even if you know you're doomed to failure. I hadn't worked that out on the first time around (about the only thing I did wrong), but got it cracked for my second application.
What else? Problem solving on paper, given a set time frame (lots of quick maths required), with your solution then being dissected by the Board. Oh, and additional hindrances suddenly thrown in for good measure. Then there's discussion topics for your group of candidates, for the Board to assess who takes the lead, who wades in without thinking, who plays Devil's advocate, etc. I managed to convince the rest of the group that I was pro something or other, and they couldn't believe it when the Board asked me for my real views and found out I was against. Good political skills, I reckon!
Blimey, it was that many years ago, I can't remember much more, but there are some things that are clear as day. When I was called for the last time before the Board, there were so many glints in their eyes (and mine) that I knew I was through. And they knew that I knew. It made for a pleasant drive home.
Good luck, fella! IntO is a good job, especially if you get a job on a squadron that's not about to be disbanded.... :-)
