Page 29 - Cadet ReviewAutumn/Winter 2020

but I already knew I wanted to become a commis- sioned officer. The training course also helped to identify areas I needed to improve my knowledge and skills.
When I felt ready, I attended a Wing Board where
I was asked a range of questions regarding my knowledge of the Corps structure, RAF activities and... I won’t give it all away when you can find out for yourself when you are ready, otherwise you will get bored reading this article before I get to Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre (OASC).
After passing my Wing Board I finally applied to OASC at RAF Cranwell and received my date for 16th March 2020.
Now there was a lot of information I was trying
to take in but I have always been a learn by doing person, rather than a learn by reading one, I was using this as a learning experience so kept on hoping the information would stick so that I could get through my day.
We had to arrive by 1600hrs the day before; as it was only an hour and a half drive, I did not have to set off early and had a relaxed morning. Upon arriving
at RAF Cranwell, I signed in at the guardroom, and whilst I was waiting in the queue, I was observing the other people within the queue wondering if they, like me were attending OASC. As it turned out some were and some weren’t. I was directed to a parking area where I had to go to reception to sign in a collect my room key. There was a very friendly lady who was on her third cold coffee because every time she got a hot coffee more candidates would turn up to be booked in; she passed me my room key and directions to
the block I was sleeping in. She also advised about messing times and when the bar would be open later.
After collecting my belongings from the car, I headed to the block to get settled before going down for dinner. I met some of the other candidates on the way and we all agreed to meet and arrive at the mess together for 1800hrs.
The other candidates were all attending OASC so we took time getting to know our team mates. I’ll be honest, I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time. The conversations were varied but by the time the evening came to a close there were no nerves left, just new friendships gained.
We all had to be up for breakfast for 0600hrs and across at OASC in PT kit by 0700hrs where we were issued with bibs, I was given number 5, and split
into 2 teams. We were all then taken through an induction which explained what to expect of the day and a tour of the building including the hangar famil- iarisation where the leadership activities would take place later in the day.
The first part was a team group discussion where
Give me
time and a calculator I would have a perfect plan but as I hadn’t used my mathematical brain on more than 2 plus 2 since 1988, I did struggle to keep up with some of my team
you are given a topic to discuss for 5 minutes, a total of 3 topics were given. You are assessed on your ability to get involved in the discussion but I also believe they look to see if you stick to your original opinion on the subject or if someone else has been able to change your mind.
Next was planning exercise, definitely not my strong skill but only where maths is concerned. Give me time and a calculator I would have a perfect plan but as I hadn’t used my mathematical brain on more than 2 plus 2 since 1988, I did struggle to keep up with some of my team. However, when questioned I gave an approximation of time /speed/distance and the route I would take and the backup plan too. The key here is to have an answer.
The leaderless exercise was a test run for the command exercises that came next.
I enjoyed all aspects of the hanger exercise but felt it in every muscle the next day. Fitness is not
a requirement but it does help. We had to climb, balance, jump, dangle, lift and shift ourselves onto planks and beams but we were given allowances, as some of hadn’t completed these types of challenges before. Me personally, unfit and slightly overweight, but I did not let that stop me.
Everyone in the team was given a different command situation exercise. I got Beecher’s Brook, yes something a horse could jump but we couldn’t. A long piece of rope and a plank of wood too short to reach between the two hurdles. You get to assess to situation without the team, you are advised what can and can’t touch the ground and certain areas of the hurdles. The whole team and equipment had to get across and we only had 20 minutes to complete it in. I’m told it can be done but I only managed 50% of the way through the challenge which was the same for all members of the team.
The final stage of the day was the interview, the waiting around for your turn was the most painful part as the interview only lasted about 10 minutes.
Once I had completed my interview I handed in my bib and was able to head for home.
Normally the wait for the outcome is 4 – 6 weeks but due to the COVID 19 lockdown our results weren’t released until June. I kept receiving messages from my team mates “have you heard anything yet”, “I get nervous every time the postman arrives” and other messages like that. I’m more a “it’ll arrive when it arrives” message.
Finally, I got a call from the Wing Commander
to tell me that I had passed OASC and was now
the rank of Acting Pilot Officer. I’ll be honest I was looking forward to going back to do the command situation exercises again as they were fun but much happier that I don’t.
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CADET REVIEW AUTUMN/WINTER 2020 29