Initial Officer Training Flashcards
In the first phase of term one you will be transitioned from civilian to serviceman with which six formalities?
- Issue and prep of uniforms
- Medical assessments
- Drill
- Regular inspection
- Team building exercises
- Intensive fitness programme
Tell me more about exercise FIRST STEPS
An Introduction to life on the field.
- 36 hours away from Cranwell
- Living in small shelters
- Building rapport
- Using field craft skills we have been taught
At the end of term 1 Confirmatory Practical Training is a similar but longer exercise
Give me an overview of term 1.
Intended to effectively transition you from civilian to service life.
Heavy focus on militarisation and the introduction of military skills, such as: weapons handling, field craft and first aid training, culminating in an end-of-term military skills exercise where you will practically demonstrate the skills you have learnt and expose yourself to some of the mental and physical challenges of military life.
Term 1 also includes an introduction to the academic elements of IOT, such as APS and W & V comms. Additionally, the cadets will commence the BVPs programme, ESK and CESR packages. The fundamentals and basic principals of leadership are also introduced through a series of taught lessons and practical implementation.
Give me an overview of IOT.
IOT is a 24 week intensive course, comprised of three 8 week terms and is designed to prepare officer hopefuls for life as a leader.
The course is delivered by experienced and highly trained RAF personnel who will challenge you intellectually, mentally and physically.
Give me an overview of term two.
The second term has a heavy focus on leadership, starting with a week at one of the RAF’s FDTCs. The syllabus culminates with exercise vital edge which is a summatively assessed practical leadership exercise to test our assimilation of the theories, skills and styles delivered.
As well as the continuation of the other academic element of the course, term two also concentrates of APS through a series of lectures, self-study sessions and tutor led group discussions; which aims to educate us on military doctrine, the ethics of warfare and critical analysis through a number of AP topics and case studies. The understanding of this is tested via an end of term exam and the submission of an air power related essay.
Give me an Overview of term three.
Term three is intended to give cadets the opportunity to to make the transition into fully fledged officers of the royal air force. The term revolves around a five week carousel period which includes: the BAWC, the CiL package, a management workshop and an additional week at an RAF FDTC.
The carousel culminates with Ex. decisive edge, a pinnacle leadership exercise in which cadets deploy to a simulated HQ and conduct a large scale air opps planning exercise. If deemed suitable and, if successful the intense period of graduation prep will begin.
In reasonable depth, what is the OACTU and what is it’s purpose?
- Officer and Aircrew Training Unit
- Consists of 4 squadrons
- A squadron Charged with delivering the short
courses at OACTU (e.g docs, nurses and lawyers,
reserve officers, commissioning warrant officers) - B, C and D Squadron deliver the training to IOT
officer cadets - OACTU commanded by a wing commander, each
squadron commanded by a squadron leader (no
larger than 120 cadets). - Squadron broken down into ~30 to form a flight (managed by a Flt Lieut and Flt Sgt.)
What qualifications do you have the opportunity to gain after IOT?
Level 5 diploma from both the ILM and CMI, and gin vital credits towards a further education qualification
How many Exercises are their in Term 1?
Three:
- First Step (wk.4):
Introduction to living in
the field
* 26 Hours away from
Cranwell, living in a small shelter, cooking on personal
stoves.
* An opportunity to build interpersonal relationships
and better understand my team.
- Sharp Edge (wk. 5): Basic Leadership on the North
Airfield
- Confirmatory Practical Training / Advanced Military
Skills Ex (wk. 8)
* A field exercise much like FIRST STEPS but longer and
more difficult
What happens in Term 1, Weeks 1 - 3?
- Basic Mil Skills (E.g. Nav, Weapons handling ect.)
- Introduction to academic elements:
- ESK
- APS
- CESR
- BVP
- PEd
- VC
- Drill
- Kitting
- Medicals
What exercise takes place on week 4 of term 1 and in reasonable depth, what does it involve?
First Step (wk.4)
- Introduction to living in the field
- 26 Hours away from Cranwell, living in a small
shelter, cooking on personal stoves.
- An opportunity to build interpersonal relationships
and better understand my team.
What exercise takes place on week 5 of term 1 and in reasonable depth, what does it involve?
Sharp Edge (wk.5) - Basic Leadership on North Airfield
What happens in Term 1, Weeks 6 & 7?
Advanced Mil Skills & Force Protection
- Fieldcraft, weapons handling, hand-to-hand, nav ect..
What exercise takes place in Term 1, Week 8 and in reasonable depth, what does it involve?
Advanced military skills ex / CPT
- Similar to FIRST STEP but harder and longer.
- An opportunity to prove that we can utilise our newly
learned skill-set
- Now potentially working as a bonded team with an
unparalleled sense of belonging and cohesion
Term 1, Week-by-Week?
- Week 1-3: Medicals, Drill, Basic military skills (Nav,
Weapons handling, field craft), Academics (ESK, CESR,
BVP, leadership fundamentals, PEd, APS, VC), Kitting,
Medicals. - Week 4: First Steps
- Week 5: Sharp Edge
- Week 6 & 7: Advanced Military Skills (Field craft, Nav,
weapons handling) & Force protection. - Week 8: Confirmatory Practical Training
