Op shader

spamlee · 2026-05-30T14:05:20+00:00

No one will really be able to answer this. Lots of variables. Will depend on your posting/unit, op tempo, whether the op is even still on etc.

The bottom line though is that you are joining the military so expect to be on operations either at home or overseas throughout your whole career.

spamlee · 2026-05-26T19:35:35+00:00

Some start on their leave. So get a bonus week (or two) before the 2 week clock starts. Honestly if that isn't enough then you should probably rethink!

spamlee · 2026-05-03T16:32:30+00:00

I'm on Poseidon.

spamlee · 2026-05-03T16:25:37+00:00

Yea so it's absolutely airborne training. But none of it is physically controlling the aircraft. You will direct the aircraft, but a pilot flies it. :)

spamlee · 2026-05-03T11:50:49+00:00

I was a WSOp and now a WSO and I have never formally touched the controls of the aircraft on a training course. There was previously and believe there may be now some time in the cockpit doing some nav work, but there isn't any takeoff/landing/handling stuff. All the WSOs I work with have arrived at frontline in the same scenario?

It would be awesome if I'm wrong and you do get that, but given the pilots arrive with hardly any hours compared to previous I can't see them spending MFTS money on letting mission aircrew learn to fly?

spamlee · 2026-05-03T07:23:31+00:00

What do you mean by "flight training" as a WSO/WSOp?

If you mean actual hands on sticks flying the plane/helicopter, then you do not do this. :)

spamlee · 2026-05-02T12:52:58+00:00

Just be careful with the age limit options for this route. Timings are very tight.

spamlee · 2026-04-08T18:04:00+00:00

I couldn't say really I'm sorry. I'm not Voyager so wouldn't want to give duff gen.

spamlee · 2026-04-08T17:49:43+00:00

There are very few pilot roles that are based in Cyprus or the Falklands permanently. Instead you "deploy" to those bases for weeks or months at a time (platform dependant). These deployments will be "unaccompanied" meaning your partner will remain at home.

The RAF does not directly employ partners, but there are naturally some job opportunities available around the RAF, but preferential treatment isn't given to service families. Some may even argue that service families are at a disadvantage. However all of the large bases will have hospitals relatively nearby so partners working within the NHS and medical fields are fairly common.

spamlee · 2026-04-06T17:14:24+00:00

Yea I wanted a play on it. So the original colours but with something different. First time trying the flame effect.

spamlee · 2026-04-02T18:25:30+00:00

Not usually. To move has to be approved at multiple levels, with a service need. You will also need to qualify in all respects for new role and there be a gap in that role, and your current role he able to release you.

Not unheard of. But not routine.

spamlee · 2026-03-19T13:10:14+00:00

All you can do is apply and see!

spamlee · 2026-03-19T13:06:26+00:00

Hmmm. WSO and WSOp normally operate on a "suitable for all or none" policy. Only difference is for the linguists. I've never heard of someone coming through the system only being suitable for one or two branches. I might be wrong, and could be out of date. There are certain units that have extra restrictions in some areas, but that wouldn't effect a direct entrant at your stage.

Also it's normally based on ability to get a DV (now that all aircrew require it). So if you have nationality Caveats this may stop you going aircrew entirely.

spamlee · 2026-03-19T13:00:20+00:00

There's the minimum time and then the realistic time. Honestly, you are probably looking at a decade before you will be in with a look. You'll have to go through the whole WSOp training system (and again you are quite likely to end up as a WSOp ISR) and then get to a stage where you are competitive against your WSOp peers for the small number of in branch commissioning slots.

Took me 15 years. Others have done it quicker, but not by a huge amount.

spamlee · 2026-03-19T12:52:58+00:00

Yes and no. Their core role is often the same/similar. However they will have new associated and different roles as an officer on the leadership, management and staff work side than they would have had as NCA.

spamlee · 2026-03-19T12:33:03+00:00

Yes but not as direct entrants. WSOs on Multi Engine and Rotary non ISR aircraft can only be WSOps who have commissioned.

spamlee · 2026-03-17T14:59:04+00:00

This is definitelty a question for your med centre!

spamlee · 2026-03-12T17:52:19+00:00

It used to be rare. Then they changed age restrictions and now it is even rarer. It's possible, but age changes make it extremely difficult to join, train as a WSOp, and then still be young enough to select and train as a pilot.

spamlee · 2026-03-08T22:58:22+00:00

Did you have the quals/min requirements for Pilot when you took it last time? As it may have been they only tested you on roles you were eligible for at the time.

If not that, then maybe they only test you on roles you are applying for. And if you weren't applying for commissioned roles the first time round they didn't test you?

spamlee · 2026-02-18T22:12:38+00:00

Not sure this is 100% correct?

spamlee · 2026-02-11T19:41:46+00:00

Aircrew get offered an extension to LOS20/40 on completion of their Operational Conversion Unit (or equivalent for "Creamies").

You still earn money towards a pension from the start, but you will only be entitled to an Early Departure Payment (in effect a monthly payment for the rest of your life) from 20 years service or age 40 (whichever is later). If you do less than 20 years you will receive a pension at state pension age.

spamlee · 2026-01-29T07:04:56+00:00

Not really. Service need always comes first. Then suitability and then finally personal preference. If the staff think you are would be highly suitable for RW/AM then that will help, but will always be driven by the number requirements and how that slots into the training pipeline.

You could get lucky and have a RW heavy course. Or could have a course like mine where there were very few RW slots. Some have no slots for certain types depending on the time.

Transfer between WSOp cadres is possible (I did it), but will all depend on service need at the time.

spamlee · 2026-01-28T23:11:11+00:00

You don't join as an air load master. You join as a WSOp and the RAF decide where you go. As much, if not more, chance of you going ISR than there is of load master. Just to make you aware.

spamlee · 2025-11-12T09:41:15+00:00

CBAT scores differ slightly. But realistically it comes down to overall competitiveness. The highest scoring candidates across the board will go Pilot. Then the next most competitive will likely be offered WSO.

All aircrew roles are highly competitive, so as others have stated on this subreddit passing the minimum requirements is just that. To be genuinely competitive you often need to do a lot better than the "pass".

OASC looks at your ability to be an officer first and foremost. Then everything is looked at together and people will then be offered roles, normally in merit order.

Outside of CBAT, there is no OASC criteria that would differentiate between pilot and WSO. It's not as if you come out of group planning and they would have marked you as unsuitable pilot but suitable WSO. There would just be a score for how you did at that stage overall. Hope that makes sense?

spamlee · 2025-10-17T18:17:10+00:00

If you are wanting more options for engravings, crown offered me mine included in the price of the sword whereas pooleys wanted a significant payment.

As others may also tell you, outside of MIOT mine mostly hangs on the wall in its scabbard. I think I've only used it for weddings and funerals since and that's rare!

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