| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 118.1 | Hopefully of some benefit. | KAOA01::LAPLANTE | | Mon Sep 10 1990 16:49 | 48 |
|
Although I am sure Assessment Boards vary from country to country,
Canada is pretty much the same as the UK I would imagine. When I
was sitting as an assessor or tutoring prospective officer candidates
we were always interested in the following areas.
Current affairs. Be up to date on the military situation as it
pertains to the country, the reserves and your unit in particular.
Have a good idea of what other countries are doing.
Politics. Have a good idea of the current world political situation
and its impact on the country and the military.
History. Have a few role models and the reasons why. Be able to
compare some historical situation/era to current events.
Future. Be prepared with some ideas as to your personal future,
that of the regiment, etc.
Some does and don'ts.
Be self assured but not cocky. Don't be wishy-washy in your answers.
If you don't think your opinion is 'politically correct' give it
anyway but be prepared to defend it. After all officers should
be able to think for themselves.
Don't hem and haw. If you don't know the answer say so, and you
won't know them all.
Be prepared to answer 'Why do you want to become an officer?'
Think of some possible scenario type questions and possible answers.
We always included some such as 'You are in command of a mixed
male/female platoon. A patrol is needed and the potential leader
can be either a male or female. (Some qualifiers would be given)
Who should lead the patrol and why?'
Above all remember the board is not there to fail you. The candidate
was always given the benefit of the doubt. Training and experience
will be the final determiner of qualification. All the board can
do is assess potential according to their experience.
Also remember they all went through it once as well.
Best of luck and keep us informed.
Roger
|
| 118.2 | | PEKING::NASHD | Wake me up when it's bedtime.. | Mon Sep 10 1990 17:21 | 14 |
| I remember when I applied for a commision in the RAF being asked
numerous questions about the state of the world at that time amongst
other topics. There were also questions on my opinions and why I I felt
the way I did.
It was suggested I read a book about etiquette as well, and I'm being
serious. Then there was appearance, etc. nowadays it's called body
language. There were comments about controlled responses in stressful
situations somewhere along the line.
Did I make it? Nope I pulled out to join DEC instead.
Good luck,
Dave
|
| 118.3 | | CANON::DAISY | | Wed Sep 12 1990 15:13 | 12 |
| Dustie,
I've been before a board in the past and I agree with both .1 and .2.
I'd like to add that making eye contact with the board members as you
are speaking is important. The board I went before placed a high
degree of emphasis on that.
Jane
|
| 118.4 | | PEKING::NASHD | Wake me up when it's bedtime.. | Wed Sep 12 1990 19:05 | 9 |
| Yes, Jane now I recall that I moved my neck to look at the person I was
talking to or listening to and the rest of me I tried to keep as still
as I could!
Talking clearly and concisely is also encouraged.
As for some of the mental and physical tests....
Dave
|
| 118.5 | This works | AKOV12::LORENTZEN | | Thu Sep 13 1990 16:52 | 13 |
| Here is another small tip which can help. Everyone likes to be
referred to by their name, it makes them feel that you consider
them important enough to remember it. Since most board members
are people (there are a few exceptions 8-) ) it wouldn't hurt to
find out in advance who is on the board, memorize their names and
use them when responding. You can't always reliably read name tags
so it's best to go in prpared. Then, when a question is asked, you
can say something like, "I'm glad you asked that, Major so-and-so,
----- ." It gets people on your side.
Break a leg, Dustie.
Len
|
| 118.6 | Do's and Don'ts | AKOV12::LORENTZEN | | Thu Sep 13 1990 18:50 | 39 |
| More tips on boards.
Do arrive at the appointed place early. Usually several people are
scheduled and the timing of each can vary. If you are there and the
board finishes with the preceeding candidate a bit early you can get
right on in.
Don't socialize much with anyone else who might be waiting. Focus on
what you are going to do and say when your turn comes up.
Don't wear anything that isn't part of your issued uniform. I was on
a military board where a candidate came in wearing blousing rubbers to
make his pants legs look neater. Not issued, not allowed, not passed.
Do wear all ribbons, awards, decorations in the right place and
sequence. Be prepared to discuss each and why you have them.
Don't smoke or chew gum in front of the board, even if someone says it's
OK.
Don't relax too much. Most of the time someone on the board will
tell a candidate to relax because it is normal to be nervous. This
does not mean to slouch back, unbutton your coat and cross your legs!
Do report properly when entering.
Do be prepared to make a closing statement. Explaining what a
privilege it is to be there usually goes over pretty well!
Do thank the board for their time and consideration.
Lastly, Don't let your natural nervousness paralyze you. Use the
energy to make you sharp and eager. In fact, displaying a bit of
nervousness conveys that you think the board is important and that
it means a lot to you that you do well.
Again, good luck,
Len
|
| 118.7 | Some more thoughts | KAOA01::LAPLANTE | | Fri Sep 14 1990 14:03 | 27 |
|
Len's suggestion of getting to know who will be on your board is
good.
It would also allow you to talk to other officers who might have
had some of the same people sit on their boards and you could get
an idea as to the type of question they ask. I remember that one
of my district commanders would always ask a question about his
personal hero. Any candidate who even recognized the hero automatically
received marks; the more you knew the more you got.
The board is like a test and you can study for it. In this case
it is finding out who the members are and what they might be interested
in.
If your board is like ours, one of your unit officers will be a
member. You should be able to find out from him/her what areas his
questions will be in. Don't expect to get the exact questions but
at least the area so that you can do some homework if required.
God, it's been so long but I can still remember the butterflies
and the relief when it was over. Better still was the trip on the
way back to the unit when the unit officer unofficially told me
I had been accepted. Luck has been wished, but luck has nothing
to do with it. Go for it.
Roger
|
| 118.8 | | BRABAM::PHILPOTT | Col I F 'Tsingtao Dhum' Philpott | Thu Sep 27 1990 11:28 | 16 |
| Well I wish you luck...
I remember my interview board: my father's old CO was the chairman...
I doubt you'll be that lucky, but all the best.
I have only two pieces of advice:
1) Go to bed early the previous night.
2) Carry your shoes to the venue and put them on when you're there - it'll avoid
getting them dirty.
On more serious levels, I am sure you are ready and capable of sailing through.
/. Ian .\
|
| 118.9 | The great day is dawning. | PEKING::BECKC | Whats up Doc | Tue Oct 23 1990 15:26 | 16 |
|
Thanks a lot for all the advice, I've spoken to the Adj and hes setting
me up for the first board in December.
Already my stomach is churning at the thought.
My Adj has agreed to sponsor me and he's told me that he wouldn't be
putting me forward if I didn't stand a chance, so thats something to
work.
Anyway, I will let you know when the great day arrives, and hopefully
will be letting you know afterwards that I've passed.
Fingers, toes, and Knees crossed.
Dustie
|
| 118.10 | Dusty Maam | MCGRUE::FRENCHS | Semper in excernere | Thu Apr 04 1991 17:29 | 3 |
| So how did it go.
Simon.
|
| 118.11 | | DUCK::NASHD | | Thu Apr 04 1991 17:49 | 9 |
|
Simon,
Chrissie resigned in January because of the attitude of her Senior NCO's,,
particularly the CSMs'.
Dave
|
| 118.12 | Oh Dear | MCGRUE::FRENCHS | Semper in excernere | Fri Apr 05 1991 09:45 | 3 |
| What a shame, couldn't Chrissie have transfered.
Simon
|
| 118.13 | I'm afraid I busted out..... | CRISPY::BECKC | Whats up Doc | Mon Apr 22 1991 13:32 | 13 |
|
Sorry to disappointment you peeps, but I didn't take it in the end, as
I was messed around so much by my CSM, all I wanted was some time off
to get things in real work world sorted out, and he refused and
questioned my committment, so I basically told him to shove it....
I haven't regretted it ....yet, although my CO did say that if I
changed my mind then I was to contact him and he would get me through
the DAB and onto Sandhurst, missing out the Cr*p at the beginning.
So I'll think about it.
TTFN
|
| 118.14 | | DUCK::NASHD | | Mon Apr 22 1991 14:53 | 14 |
| Chrissie,
Just a point, why didn't the CO over-rule the CSM and give you say, six
months leave? Then after another few months in the ranks put you in
for your commission.
Why not come and join the RAuxAF? I've had several periods of absence
because of domestic problems with no problem. I admit it does your
promotion prospects no good but there are still enjoyable times.
Dave
|
| 118.15 | Do I or Don't I that is the question? | CRISPY::BECKC | Whats up Doc | Tue Jul 23 1991 16:59 | 18 |
| Dave,
I have seriously considered going back into something because I do miss
the shooting weekends and getting involved in the medical bits and
pieces, but there is no way that I would ever go back to Brock Brrks, D
Coy or even HQ Coy.
I did decide at one point to go back and get my commission, but I
don't know.
I might contact you, to find out more about taking a commission for
RAuxAF, but at the moment its just a thought.
I must admit I am starting to miss it. Just a little bit.
Bye
Dustie
|