Initial R.A.F. Officer Interview

KaHn

KaHn

KaHn

Soldato
Joined
13 Oct 2004
Posts
13,177
Location
South Shields
Hi all,

As some of you may know I have applied to join the RAF as an engineering officer, and today is the first stage of the interview process.

Just wondering if any one has been through this and knows what to expect.

KaHn
 
Is this at Biggin Hill still? I did it, but over twenty years ago. Make sure you have an answer to all the standard questions: Why should we take you? What have you got to offer us? etc, but also some real tripper-uppers: Could you kill someone? Etc. Expect hard but fair questioning. They are more interested in whether you can defend your position than it what your position is (within reason...) when they get up to your views on things.


M
 
cleanbluesky said:
What's the expected answer to this other than 'yes'?

I mean, I assume the candidate should be willing but perhaps not too eager to kill...
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I got asked a similar question when I applied to join the RAF about 10 years ago - something like 'What would be your attitude towards killing people if you were ordered to do so?'

As i reacll, i said something like i'd take no pleasure from it, and would have to trust that those giving the orders were of the mindset that there was no alternative'

To this day I'm not sure if there's a 'right' answer.

Im sure responding 'HELL YEAH, GIVE ME SOME MISSILES AND SHOW ME WHERE THE COMMIES ARE!' isnt the right answer though.....
 
cleanbluesky said:
What's the expected answer to this other than 'yes'?

I mean, I assume the candidate should be willing but perhaps not too eager to kill...
Click to expand...

You could answer it like this.

Could you kill someone?

ONLY WITH LOVE, SIR!!!


:p
 
cleanbluesky said:
What's the expected answer to this other than 'yes'?

I mean, I assume the candidate should be willing but perhaps not too eager to kill...
Click to expand...

I had the Army Officer selection board, with this exact situation.

I said "I couldn't give you a definate answer right now, sir, but if they were attacking me or my men, and it was justified force, I would think that I could."

Just stay cool, KaHn, they like to put you under pressure, but it's ok to take a step back and think. Just keep calm and it will all be ok.
 
cleanbluesky said:
What's the expected answer to this other than 'yes'?

I mean, I assume the candidate should be willing but perhaps not too eager to kill...
Click to expand...


As with most questions there, my understanding is that there is no right answer, but a few wrong ones (I used to know the son of one of the selection board). My reply at the time (I passed the interview, but failed on something else) was that if I felt the order was legit, then probably - but I couldn't be certain until faced with the order and the circumstances. But do not parrot that - say what you genuinely believe because those interviewers (there are usually two) do the job all day, every day, and they can spot a weakness a mile away.


M
 
cleanbluesky said:
What's the expected answer to this other than 'yes'?

I mean, I assume the candidate should be willing but perhaps not too eager to kill...
Click to expand...

Killing is overrated. Just a quick "Boom, in the face", job's done, go eat lunch.
 
Visage said:
Im sure responding 'HELL YEAH, GIVE ME SOME MISSILES AND SHOW ME WHERE THE MUSLIMS ARE!' isnt the right answer though.....
Click to expand...


Fixed ;):p

Anyways good luck mate :)
 
Visage said:
Im sure responding 'HELL YEAH, GIVE ME SOME MISSILES AND SHOW ME WHERE THE COMMIES ARE!' isnt the right answer though.....
Click to expand...

I've been wondering why I never got in :(
 
Just don't say the following and you should be fine:

Hell yeah! I'll bunnyhop around and then.. BOOM! HEADSHOT!!

:D
 
cleanbluesky said:
It seems you have more of an issue with your reilgious status is society than anyone else does...
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Rofflecopters :p. Give it a break mate, it was a joke...looks like someone has a sense of humour failure sadly enough...What a sad state of affairs it is if i cant even take the mick out of my own faith...:confused:

If anything it seems like you have more of an issue with me poking fun at islam, how very sad of you cbs.

Visage said:
Thats what i meant, obviously ;)
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Of course mate, i was just being pedantic and thought i would make a funny comment but seems like cbs took it the wrong way...should i be worried in case the PC police come knocking at my office door do you think?:?;p
 
Spawn said:
Rofflecopters :p. Give it a break mate, it was a joke...looks like someone has a sense of humour failure sadly enough...What a sad state of affairs it is if i cant even take the mick out of my own faith...:confused:
Click to expand...

You weren't taking the mick out of your own faith, you were taking the mic out of UK foreign policy or perhaps our army recruitment...

If anything it seems like you have more of an issue with me poking fun at islam, how very sad of you cbs.
Click to expand...

Does this mean anything?

Of course mate, i was just being pedantic and thought i would make a funny comment but seems like cbs took it the wrong way...should i be worried in case the PC police come knocking at my office door do you think?:?;p
Click to expand...

I see, you understand your own comment in such limited quantity that you don't realise that Islam wasn't even the subject of your own joke?

Unless you were joking that Muslims are so involved in war by their own nature that it is likely that our army will most likely be killing a lot of Muslim in future? Was that the 'joke'? If so, I still dont think its fair.
 
I'm sure KaHn doesn't want his thread asking for advice turned into petty squabbling so drop it.
 
Haly said:
I'm sure KaHn doesn't want his thread asking for advice turned into petty squabbling so drop it.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I just dont like potentially offensive throwaway comments... I shall zip it though.

WIth regards to the OPs request...

I'd say be honest and seem responsible. Don't try to be nice or likeable, because this guy isn't judging how funny or cute you can be.

They might be looking to judge you on how whether there is any evidence in your past of achievement within a disciplined system, or ability to achieve within team or adventure sports...

One thing to remember is that you are going to be more nervous than s/he will be - therfore they are going to find it easier to spot a lie than you will to lie convincingly - so dont lie.
 
cleanbluesky said:
You weren't taking the mick out of your own faith, you were taking the mic out of UK foreign policy or perhaps our army recruitment...



Does this mean anything?



I see, you understand your own comment in such limited quantity that you don't realise that Islam wasn't even the subject of your own joke?

Unless you were joking that Muslims are so involved in war by their own nature that it is likely that our army will most likely be killing a lot of Muslim in future? Was that the 'joke'? If so, I still dont think its fair.
Click to expand...


Again Rofflecopters :D. Anyways stop going OT please, if you cant understand my sense of humour then i suggest you stop replying to my posts :).

As i said before Kahn good luck with your interview mate, hope it all goes swimmingly for you :).
 
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