Girl in the Royal Air Force

A letter came from Cranwell...

2007-10-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

...But it's not my dates.

It was a request for my doctor to complete a private medical. I didn't actually have a doctor this morning, and now I do. And they say they can do the medical as soon as they receive my notes.
Once thats done, the doctor sends it back to Cranwell and then I guess I'll get my dates. At the moment I've just been focusing so hard on current affairs, politics, the R.A.F. in general, as well as my fitness.

So. Results of this weeks fitness:

Time taken to run 1.5 Miles: 16m 45s
Press ups in one min: 3*
Sit ups in one min: 46

*Please note the previous post about the change in press up requirements for ladies.

Also...A note about fitness...

2007-10-11T03:20:00.000-07:00

Upon browsing the RAF's very fine website, it came to my attention that the levels of fitness required by ladies have changed, and we are now required to do full press ups. I mention this, as it may look odd on my 'fitness test' score next week. During week 1 fitness, I was doing press ups from my knees, however at the end of week 6 fitness, I will be doing full press ups from my toes.

Cranwell have recieved my application...

2007-10-11T03:05:00.000-07:00

I received a letter this morning with 'On Her Majesty's Service' printed rather conspicuously across it. I get butterflies every time I see that! It was, however, no more than an acknowledgment card from Cranwell telling me I will be notified 'as soon as possible as to whether or not (I) have been selected to attend for the full selection procedure.' Now I'm just hitting the gym nearly every day, and reading up on current affairs, the RAF and my branch specialisation as much as possible.

Interview at the AFCO...

2007-09-26T06:54:00.000-07:00

Today was my filter at the Armed Forces Career Office in Portsmouth. I wore my best suit and tried to remember as much as I could about aircraft and bases. The website 'the student room' has some excellent tips on preparation for the interview, especially one post where the guy just posted all of his interview questions, you can view it here.

The first section is indeed all about you, your school, your achievements etc. I got home and realised that I had missed so much out. The next section takes a look at why you want to join the Air Force. Some of these questions really threw me.
-Why the air force? (As opposed to other forces?)
-What does an officer do?
-What are the secondary roles of an officer? (Organising social events, etc.)
-How do you feel about carrying a live weapon?
-Why are we in Iraq?

Well, I must have done O.K. because she recommended that I go up to Cranwell. I'm just waiting for the date now. I guess that means fitness, fitness, fitness, as well as current affairs and operations. She told me that knowledge of aircraft is not exactly what they're looking for, just a willingness to learn and a general interest.

Interview tomorrow...

2007-09-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

Right then. Tomorrow is my first formal interview at the AFCO. I have been doing a fair bit of research using the literature I was given at the presentation, as well as the internet. I have founf the RAF's own website second to none (www.raf.mod.uk). I have also found an invaluable website community at www.thestudentroom.co.uk This site has been brilliant, especially regarding what to expect in the interview. Well I've lots more reading to be getting on with, wsh me luck!!!

Week Four fitness postponed!...

2007-09-17T03:58:00.000-07:00

Hello there. Unfortunately I have had to postpone my fitness regime for a little while due to a nasty cold. I know it sounds pathetic, but it's difficult to train when you can't breathe properly.

Also this week, I received my date for the interview at the Armed Forces Careers Office. It's on Wednesday 26th September at 10:00. Lots of reading up to do!!

Start of week three fitness...

2007-09-10T04:29:00.000-07:00

Today I ventured out of the gym and onto the streets. The experience of 'pounding the streets' is very different to the experience on a treadmill. For one, I found the time passed more quickly, as I was actually going somewhere. Secondly it was a lot cooler as there was a welcome breeze on my face. I am finding it more difficult to get motivated to do my training this week, possibly because the novelty's worn off!!! I am still completing it though, and it feels good when I'm finished, and looking at all the ticks on my training chart adds to this feeling. The key thing I suppose is to stick with it and see it though to the end.

Start of week two fitness...

2007-09-03T02:25:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from the gym where I completed a twenty minute run. I know it wasn't a fitness test but I noted my times anyway, and I'm very proud of myself.
During last week's fitness test, I ran 2.4 km (1.5 miles) in 20.24 minutes. Today I managed 2.4 km in just 17.04 minutes. I ran 1 mile in 11.07 minutes. Altogether, I managed to run 3 km today. They were right, by following the programme, I have found my 'fitness improve dramatically'!

Results of week one fitness test...

2007-08-28T06:10:00.000-07:00

The R.A.F. recommended training schedule includes a fitness test on day one, that is repeated on the last day of the schedule. I feel quite good about my results considering that I consider myself not that fit!
Time taken to run 1.5 miles (2.4 km): 20 minutes, 29 seconds
Number of press-ups in 1 minute: 25
Number of sit-ups in 1 minute: 30

The running was quite bad, I really hate running, but I hope that as I get more into shape, I will enjoy it more. I'm also reading up on the R.A.F. and military in general, as well as improving my fitness. At the moment I'm looking at air power, and where aircraft are based, and what they do. Now I'm just waiting to be sent my date for the interview at the AFCO...

Presentation at The AFCO...

2007-08-23T03:17:00.000-07:00

After successful completion of my application form, the Armed Forces Careers office booked me into a presentation to go over some of the finer points of life in the Royal Air Force, along with some useful pointers for our interviews. I was very nearly late, as I set my alarm for the wrong time. I got washed and dressed in absolute record time, and still missed the bus. I caught the next one, and luckily there was little traffic. Also luckily, when I arrived at the ferry port the ferry was just in, and on the other side I hailed a cab. I arrived bang on time. The fates were smiling down upon me... There were about 12 of us all together, dressed smartly in suits or shirts, and only one other girl. The presentation lasted nearly two hours, and afterwards we spoke to a recruitment officer on a one to one basis, to ensure that we were still interested in pursuing a career with the RAF. I definitely want to continue with my application. The more I see and learn about life on the other side of the application process, the more I want to crack on and get there. I was given yet another form to fill out with details of curricular and extra curricular activities, as well as administrative points such as the period of notice in my current job. I was also issued with a hefty pack of literature covering aircraft and weapons, history, OASC, IOT and of course fitness. The booklet on fitness is really useful as it includes an 'easy-to-follow' 6 week training program, which I'm going to start on Monday. I think this is going to be hardest part of my preparation, but fitness and knowledge are the only things I can improve prior to interview and OASC, so I'll do my absolute best!!

Frist Steps; A Decision is Made...

2007-07-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

Today I took my first steps toward a life in the R.A.F. Perusing the website, I completed the questionnaires which suggest a suitable job, and it announced that my best match may be an Intelligence Officer. Having already decided that this is a career path I would like to pursue, I took a trip to the Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) in Portsmouth. I filled in a number of forms covering basic and medical details, and then spoke to a serving member of the Royal Air Force. We discussed my options for entry as an officer, and the relevant literature was supplied to me, along with an application form. As I wear spectacles, a form was also included for my optician to complete. I have made an appointment for an eye test for tomorrow, and will start filling in my application tonight. I'm excited, and feel that I have definitely made the right decision to join up. I can't wait to get started on my journey!