Hi fellow forumers,
I'm 18years old this year and currently pursueing my A Levels in JC, and i wished to be able to joined the RSAF as a pilot in the future. So i have a few questions regarding this topic, so i hope any RSAF Pilots can advise me on this.
Q1) If i were to apply for this vocation, when should i do it? Now (still studying) or after my A levels? (As i have known through some research that the selection can take quite sometime)
Q2) Say if i were to sign on (non-scholarship) during NS, will i be able to pursue my full time degree after my NS and continue my bond afterwards? Or do i have to complete the bond first?
Thats all i have to ask, hope you guys can help me out.
Originally posted by Benjaminchew95:Q1) If i were to apply for this vocation, when should i do it? Now (still studying) or after my A levels? (As i have known through some research that the selection can take quite sometime)
Q2) Say if i were to sign on (non-scholarship) during NS, will i be able to pursue my full time degree after my NS and continue my bond afterwards? Or do i have to complete the bond first?
Thats all i have to ask, hope you guys can help me out.
A1 - Doesn't matter. The door remains open, equal opportunity and benefits, up until you complete your NS (before you ORD). Within your NS liability period, if accepted, they will backpay regular salary to the day you enlisted. You can even sign on after ORD, up till max age of 27 for degree holders, but no back pay.
A2 - The minimum criteria to sign on as an officer (all pilots are officers), you need an 'A' level or Polytechnic Diploma, pass IPPT + combat fit (Pes A/B), under 300 deg myopia, no colour blindness, pass a series of psychometric and physical tests/measurements. Above that, you need to pass an interview + perform reasonably well during BMT to be considered capable enough to be of leadership material (ie. nerds and weaklings will be weeded out).
Having said all that...in terms of qualifications, if you intend to pursue a degree, you will only be allowed to disrupt if you take up the LSA (Local Study Award) to study in NUS/NTU/SMU(SIT/SUTD not sure), or OSA (Overseas Study Award) with their list of recognized instuitions. Otherwise, you can't disrupt to say....do a SIM degree for example. You can only do that on a part-time basis at your own time (but unlikely to find time, since the SAF will not allow flexible scheduling for your own pursuits).
Even if you gain acceptance, the path to a career as a pilot/WSO is not as straightforward. There're stringent and difficult tests along the way (skills + knowledge based). Failure at any point (high failure rate) = sent back to SAF and dropped from being an officer (post to Specialist Cadet School upon failure).