0. Interview Flashcards
Tell me about yourself
I am MAcr Jim Miller I am 49 years old, an ALM by trade and I am married with 4 children
I am currently employed as the ALM leader of the Atlas A400M OCU
Sqn WO
My main responsibility is the efficient delivery of basic OCU and post graduate training
Also course development of new capabilities for the aircraft
Includes leading and managing a team of 14 SNCO plus 3 civilians
dealing with agencies such as Training DLOD, CEB, FHQ, DE&S, ASC and industry.
Responsible for STE.
I have been in this particular post for just over 3 years.
Recent Bravo’s award
PLUS recent OOA in an out of trade role working in a joint environment plus CMC of the mess
Why are you applying for a commission now?
I have achieved everything I wanted and more as an ALM and I have been employed in a wide variety of roles
A commissioned will offer wider and more challenging roles
Future moves will be lateral but I think I have more to offer and have not reached my ceiling
I enjoy the thrill of the chase of new challenges and I will enjoy the extra level of responsibility
Why do you want to take a commission
I see this is great career opportunity
Allow me to better myself and I know I have more to offer the RAF
This will provide more opportunities for broader employment in more challenging roles
I can use my knowledge and experience and put them to good use
I enjoy new challenges and like the thrill of the chase
Gaining a commission aligns itself with my own personal goals to better myself
It will elevate my career onto a new level
If I don’t apply I know I will always regret it
What can you offer
I can offer a BROAD range of experience from both ground crew and aircrew perspectives
Throughout my career I have always MOVED around and worked in different areas as I find this rewarding as I enjoy trying new things.
I have experience from VIP duties, operating austere TLZ through to multinational operations at a MOB as ground crew. Both in JOINT AND MULTINATIONAL
I have been a CRA operator x 2
an instructor on 2 OCU and also in phase 2 training at Cranwell.
CHAIR OF MULTINATIONAL FORUM
Most recently I was employed out of trade in Heli ops working with the army navy as well as CIVILIAN contractors.
I have a proven track record with various awards and commendations throughout my career
What is your biggest achievement
I have been fortunate to receive various awards and commendations during my career
Distinction
ALM award
NCA recruit of the year
1st abinitio graduate C130 CR
3 AOC commendations and most recently a bravo team award
But the absolute pinnacle was my MBE start award in 2016
What secondary duties to you have
SWO OIC JR welfare minibus CMC mess OIC Fund Station YALO Assisting leadership training Beavers
What are your strengths
My experience as both ground crew and aircrew
Proven track record
Attention to detail
Pro active AAMC
Drive continuous improvements Not afraid to challenge the status quo
What are your weaknesses
I can’t sometimes be to much of a perfectionist when in fact some tasks need too be completed quicker
I have tried to learn to identify when this happens and prioritise accordingly
What jobs could you be expected to be employed in
I would like the challenge of working in any WSO role although I appreciate my background and experience would be best served within the AMF and to a lesser extent rotary considering my recent rotary OOA
I have checked the position register on the Manning intranet and have seen some of the JO staff positions coming up on the next year
I would like to use my own experience and knowledge in any of these roles
2 Gp STAR HYC responsible for Safety, training, assurance and regulation
A5 TAC plans
Providing assurance of DZ, TLZ and the dispatching of paras plus stores
Liaise with different agencies to enable capability growth
Highlight risks to the DH
QA Air Safety at Boscombe down
Or the DH cell providing critical analysis of risks for the DH
Including looking at the significant 7 plus
Provide assurance to the DH
2nd tour
Broadening my skills as a staff officer in roles such as
ASO working with the Army
Air Land integration
Providing Air minded SQEP input to planning and C2
Cap Gen on an existing platform which brings together stakeholders to determine requirements to advice capabilities milestones
A7 TRA
Training assurance and pipelines
Astra vision too deliver the 90/10 mix
I would them look to volunteer for a OOA in a joint or multinational environment to broaden my experiences
What training would you need to undertake
CWOC Plymouth business school
FAC2 5 day course
IOD 2 (2) plus 3 (1) within 30 months of commissioning
Some roles spec trg
e.g. Bowtie or battle space management at Boulmer
What would be your terms of service and impact on pay and pension
I’m applying primarily for the challenge
But I would be expecting an initial engagement out to MEOS at age 60
No pay difference for the next 5 years
That’s not the reason why I am applying
What would be your anticipated career path
A minimum of 2 tours as a JO to build my knowledge and skills as a staff officer prior to applying for an out of area (joint and multinational)
This will hopefully make me competitive for promotion to squadron leader
As a squadron leader they career opportunities really open up and I could see myself as a future flight commander, requirements manager or in a capability generation post
What is a commission
An award representing the queen’s trust to me as an Officer and sets out my officers responsibilities
What is your attitude towards conflict
It should be avoided by all means possible
And the UK government will use all means to avoid conflict, this will include diplomatic and economic methods whenever possible
If it’s in the countries interests it’s a responsibility of the armed forces to assist
Describe RAF personnel
War fighters first and foremost and specialists second
What is the difference between command, leadership and management
With command you have authority you are also legally accountable and responsible for your actions and those you lead
Leadership is influencing others to achieve an aim. This could be the introduction of new policy, continuous improvements or providing guidance and direction of an existing organisation
Management is the effective and efficient use personal, equipment and time to achieve a task
What are the core values of the RAF
Respect, self and others
Integrity, moral courage and honesty
Service, before self, loyalty and commitment
Excellence, self discipline personal excellence and efficiency
AP1
What qualities make a good team member
Somebody that is able to work with others regardless of their age rank gender
Someone who can listen to others points of view and be flexible in their own views in order to achieve the task
Somebody that is supportive of others and encourages and them to work towards the goal
Be opened others points of view you and their ideas
What promotion prospects are there
Eligible for promotion to squadron leader in 4 years
High-performing candidates can be read early as below the zone
Board sits in November each year
Who have you spoken to and where have you visited
CM BTA Current and past post holders Commissioning club A variety of friends that have crossed over from Sgt through to MAcr Unable to visit due to CV19
Won’t you be starting from the bottom again?
I don’t see gaining the queen’s commission starting from the bottom far from it
It would represent progression towards my own career aspirations and it will open up new opportunities and employment in wider roles.
This move will elevate my career to a new level
Is this financially driven
No it’s not I am applying I see this is a major new career opportunity
There are benefits from extending my terms of service by 5 years
But I won’t see any financial benefit for 5 years that’s I am on the professional aviator spine and have still yet to reach the MAcr pay levels
What are the advantages of the commission
It will provide a new structured career path for myself
With regular moves in wider and more challenging appointments
What disadvantages are there
There is an element of starting on a new career path but I think that’s just human nature
I recognise I will be working alongside some very talented and service personnel and this will make promotion highly competitive
Some would see the regular moves as a disadvantage but this is one of the areas that particularly interests me as I like to try new things
What’s the difference between an officer and a SNCO
More responsibility
More influence
Responsible for a large amount of personnel
I would carry out orders but also give them
Why do you need a good grasp of current affairs
In the armed forces we could be deployed around the world at short notice
Being aware of current issues around the world maybe armed forces could be involved
Subordinates the look for advice and direction from myself
How well do you handle change
This is an important function of being a leader
we are a agile and dynamic force and we cannot stand still while others adapt around us
I am flexible and open-minded and am aware that change is necessary
Do you work well under pressure
I give my best efforts with or without pressure as I am a highly motivated person.
How do you handle big decisions
I conduct research if appropriate
I mind map for the pros and cons of different approaches
When necessary I can draw on the experiences of my team for their views to allow me to make a informed and balanced decision
What do your friends and family think of your application
They are fully supportive
When I discussed my aspirations with my wife she has always known it was a matter of when, not if, I was going apply
What is your current role
I am an ALM by trade and prior to this I was a mover for 14 years.
I am the ALM leader on the A400 OCU
I’m responsible for 14 SNCO and 3 ground school instructors plus a BAF exchange instructor
Primarily responsible for conversion training and postgraduate courses
But also responsible for capability development in the aerial delivery role
Recently returned from am OOA in the Falklands working out of trade in a joint environment where I was also CMC
This sees me engaging with the CIWG, CEB, FHQ, training DLODs and the DT.
What was your most adventurous thing you have ever done
Planning and leading a land’s end John O’Groats charity event when I was a Cpl
It was a challenging feat and I certainly cut my teeth as a junior leader
However the results were good as I was awarded my first AOC commendation for the event
What involvement in the local community
I have helped out with beavers especially during lockdown organisations orienteering exercises so they could still work towards their badges
Prior to this I was the station YALO which involved coordinating activities with the local youth club, beavers, scouts and cadets.
Assisted with the Lechlade duck race
What’s changes have you seen since joining up
The RAF and armed forces as a whole have changed their orientation from the Eastern bloc during the cold war
We are now very much and expeditionary Force who are comfortable in working in both joint and multinational operations
We are now on a number of ops around the world
Personnel numbers have decreased, we now have the whole force elements including more civil servants, contractors and reserve forces. The armed forces covenant
Infrastructure both at home and abroad has reduced
Our equipment has modernised considerably
And looking to the Future this is to continue to change at great pace
What is your leadership style
It very much depends on the situation
Sometimes I need to be very hands on and provide detailed direction and motivation when dealing with inexperienced personnel, JRs for example
In my current role is very different where I have highly competant personnel where I am able to give my intent and allow them room to think for themselves to achieve any given task. This is effective use of mission command helps free up my capacity and allows me to concentrate my efforts on other tasks
Why D&I important
Maximising talent through diversity and inclusion
The forces need to represent the fabric of society
Everyone is entitled to the same opportunities where they can equally contribute and thrive within the services
Why don’t we just employ you in a staff role now?
Gaining your commission as a WSO will be be the start of a new career path that will allow me to continue to develop and broaden, which would in turn make me eligible for promotion to Sqn Ldr where I could use my knowledge and experience as a j o to further enhance my credentials
What role do you think I should go to?
While I think I could offer something as a WSO in the ISR role I feel I would have the most to offer in air mobility or to a lesser extent, the rotary world considering my experience in that area from my recent Falklands det.
I think I have a lot to offer to any of the roles available, including Ops, planning, safety, capability development or training.
I can draw on my own experiences having worked in these areas before.
What’s the difference between your current role and an SO3?
I will have more responsibility and will be used in a different capacity. It will also offer a new career path which will allow me to further develop and broaden my experience which then could subsequently be used to make me eligible for promotion to squadron leader
What new developments are there in the WSO role
The resumption of training to ensure we have enough WSO’s to crew both the P8, wedgetail and RPAS.
Aircrew profession as part of the modernisation of our trades and branches from 80 down to 11 professions.
Defence Aircrew renumeration review (DARR) which is looking at the breakdown of RRP/basic wage
Accreditation of OCU Training and CFS instructor qualifications
What are the three aims of the RAF strategy
Focus on our people
Succeed on operations
Build the next generation Air Force
What will you do if you are unsuccessful?
I am committed to the RAF so I will look fo feedback to establish where I could have improve for when I apply again n the future.
I will also look to rebook my cancelled IOD4 course from January this year which was cancelled due to the backlog of applicants due to covid. This will hopefully strengthen my resume for when I apply again in the future.
