Personal Flashcards
Why do you want to commission into the RAF?
- I have wanted to commission since my Ph2 training in 2020 after hearing more about the role and responsibilities of a then TG4 Officer.
- I don’t want to retire without having reached my full potential.
- More responsibility
- More opportunities across defence
- I want to be part of the decision process
- I feel I can a different perspective to issues due to being brought up in a different culture and having worked in various civilian industries prior (Task tracker example at 1 ISR Enb)
What does a commission mean to you?
Officially, its being appointed by the king to become an Officer in the Royal Air Force.
However to me it is about effective leadership, this is references numerous times in AP1.
To me effective leadership is fully embodying the organisations core ethos and values, leading by example.
It’s also about getting the most out of your people in your command, the best way for this is knowing when to use to different types of leadership.
Transactional and Transformational.
T1: inspiring and empowering and educating people to take the initiative, to promote change and leadership from within.
T2: traditional, actions have consequences
Why do you want to be a Cyber Space Officer?
Because I love my profession, and I honestly believe we are the future of the RAF.
Wide number of roles within the trade.
Lots of locations to be able to live in.
Broad range of of roles.
Interesting roles, with every changing elements due to technological advancements. (AI, new chip advancements, hexadecimal IP Structures)
All of the above will only increase as we move to a 6th generation air force, the new air platforms will be heavily reliant on CIS Infrastructure.
I want to be part of the development, implementation and management of the new process’ and systems that we commission.
Why is now the right time for you to commission
I wanted to experience life in the RAF before making the decision. Joining the military is not only a career change, but also you are buying in to a new lifestyle for not only yourself but your family too.
I wanted to experience a deployment, to be able to understand the role of a Junior Officer on active operations.
I also wanted to complete a full tour, to be able to not only sympathise, but empathise with issues juniors under my command will face, and to be able to mitigate them ahead of time.
What will the challenges of commissioned life be?
Shorter tours, but on the other hand this allows to gain a wider breadth of knowledge in a shorter space of time, doesn’t allow for stagnancy.
High level of responsibility across all duties, primary and secondary. This is something I am looking forward to, to challenge myself on a daily basis provides for a very interesting career.
A new mess life, once again this is something im looking forward to.
Challenge culture, this is something I am an advocate for and will encourage throughout my career.
Line manager responsibilities and welfare, however the training I receive at MIOT and phase 2 will prepare me for these challenges.
What do you expect your first tour to entail?
I will be guided through my first tour by my FS with them complementing my training and helping me solidify the skills I have learnt during my training.
I could be posted to a Station C4i section, in support of one of the various air platforms such as GSS at RAF Lossiemouth, or to an operationally focused sqn such as 2+3 Sqn at RAF Leeming, on 90SU.
I will complete my degree during my first tour.
It will be 3 years long, and I may potentially deploy at the end after 2.5 months.
During my first tour I will promote to Flight Lieutenant.
I will be leading a group of Cyberspace Specialists, being responsible for their welfare.
I will be providing SME information to various sections around station.
Rank advancement aside how could your career develop?
I will specialise in one of four areas:
- Deployment
- Resilience
- Exploitation
- Effects
I could take on a variety of roles across defence.
- Msn systems
- Network Ops
- Defensive and Ofensive Cyber
- CIS Planning
- Acquisition
- Training environment
- Joint Force environments
Become a cyberspace specialist. Move onto a separate pay band after being successful through competitive selection. You still remain competitive for promotion. You will work in roles that are SME related.
Oversea’s tours, lots of different options availiable. I would like Sigonella or Greenville should the choice be mine.
Will deploy regularly roughly every 2.5 years a flight lieutenant. I will be volunteering for one at the end of each tour.
Can become a STEM ambassador.
Professional registration. BCS CIT.
OIC of committees across the RAF.
What personal development do you expect to undergo?
Complete my degree (hons) in Computer science BSC from Staffordshire University.
Have the opportunity to study a masters degree via the executive masters scheme or the advanced Pre-employment training route.
I can take part in project management qualification courses.
I can use my learning credits to take part in course’s yearly.
There will be role specific courses I will complete posting dependant.
There will be lots of opportunities to take part in FD.
Course’s I can attend at the defence academy shrivenham.
I may be selected for a staff course later in my career.
What is the role of your chosen branch?
Cyberspace underpins everything the RAF does on a daily basis, I like to think of my branch as enablers.
- Monitoring IT networks threats and intrusions
- Protecting Military Networks
- Maintaining CIS systems defence wide
- Providing GSS services to various air platforms
- Deploying along side other units to provide support
- Radar
- Radio
What does your chosen branch contribute to air power within the RAF?
My branch is part of the support roles in the air power model.
TG4 is perhaps the most important support role, even mores as we move towards 6th generation air platforms.
Considering the air power model, the ring of information that surrounds, my profession is key in enabling access to information in a multi domain operation environment. This allows commanders defence wide to make informed decisions.
During your time in the armed forces, how if at all, has your view of armed conflict changed?
I wouldn’t say my viewpoint has changed, I still view it as a necessary evil. However what has changed, is my understanding of the process. Seeing all the decision making, and how informed those decisions are, its nice to know that is really is the last resort.
Are you prepared to apply lethal force in the application of your duty?
Yes as long as it conforms to the LOAC.
Why is important for the RAF to have a diverse cultural background?
It’s important for us to represent the country that we protect and serve.
By having a diverse cultural background allows us to ensure we are recruiting, and retaining the best people availiable.
Wed need people from all walks of life, and all cultures to allow for different view points on issues that arrive.
Can also help in peace keeping missions, and helps develop and maintain diplomatic relations.
Why is a shared ethos and values important to the RAF?
You know everyone confirms to the same set of standards.
Knowing the people around you hold themselves to the same standard means you know you can rely on everyone.
It helps with self respect, and mutual respect.
Knowing everyone beholds to RISE is important, it helps build trust and makes everyone feel like they are part of a wider family.
Helps build unification and team mentality.
What is the role of a Cyberspace Officer
Leading a team of Cyberspace Professionals, and making technical decisions.
Providing SME advice to non specialist officers and NCO’s across the station.
Responsible for global communications and information systems, as well as cybersecurity, aircraft mission planning and support systems, information assurance and ground-based radar.
