Gutted

[jaffaonajappa]

Today was a good day to be gutted. Don't be gutted tomorrow, that's what today was for.

Check this out:

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/royalmar...mind/index.htm

And check out the rest of the site too. Don't get hung up on the hut burning baby killing aspects, but study the underlying themes. You don't want them to think you're a psychopath when you go back.

Outward bound - I haven't done it myself, but it is looked on favourably, and people I know have gone on to great things after doing it.

I know this will sound like a drag, but learn from my mistake, and stick to your scholarship studies, a good result here will keep your options wide open. Pick an extra-curricular activity that fits around school that will help you with your goals.

Get fit. Really fit. Fit like the fitness training on the RMC site. As I read somewhere else just recently, you don't want to just meet the minimum standards, you want to bust them.

Take stuff up, like ATC, a leader's role at the scouts, drama - get a gig as assistant director or stage manager (leadership opportunities), do volunteer work, take that local job for a year after finishing school, keep going on the personal development work, keep reapplying. Read books on leadership and team development, follow blogs/websites, like Ken Blanchard's

Read up on interview techniques and psychometric testing.

Go back and show them that you know what you want, you have a plan for getting it, and that you have the determination to follow through with that plan. Don't be a know it all about it, just know your stuff.

Show them that you are a well rounded individual with all of the attributes that they want for their organisation to be successful. Know what those attributes are.

Achieve this and you will be unstoppable.

It's your career - MAKE IT HAPPEN

Fark. You should get the Air Force to read your post...they'll probably offer you a spot in their marketing prison (Cell)

Ok. Blanchard and Baldrdige et al - good to see what thats all about, them flyboys embraced it hard out I heard.
Also, public libraries have copies of that air force monthly magazine. Read it....theres used to be stuff in there about LEadership, and guides for their staff to imrpove aspects for promotions etc. etc. Think all three service have the magazines - well worth reading a few of em. Hell, mate had the army one from a coupla months ago - even had training tips for SAS selection, written up by some army psychologist. Its public stuff...in your local libbray

[scumdog]

Don't waste life on being miserable about what could have been.

THAT sums up life whatever you do.

[Smifffy]

Fark. You should get the Air Force to read your post...they'll probably offer you a spot in their marketing prison (Cell)

Ok. Blanchard and Baldrdige et al - good to see what thats all about, them flyboys embraced it hard out I heard.
Also, public libraries have copies of that air force monthly magazine. Read it....theres used to be stuff in there about LEadership, and guides for their staff to imrpove aspects for promotions etc. etc. Think all three service have the magazines - well worth reading a few of em. Hell, mate had the army one from a coupla months ago - even had training tips for SAS selection, written up by some army psychologist. Its public stuff...in your local libbray

I believe it would work for anywhere that there is competition for places. The NZDF can no longer afford my time.

Nice tip about the library too.

[jaffaonajappa]

I believe it would work for anywhere that there is competition for places.

I suspect you are 100% on the money.,

ok. last post. Training is Good.

[R6_kid:Me]

SIT - free fees scheme 'only' covers ground school aspect, you still have to pay for flying time.

If you do decide not to take the air force route then decide now what you really want to do, a lot of people want to fly for airlines and are lured in by big money down the line (spoke to a Qantas A330 Captain who earns $330k a year!). You may want something more rewarding than being a "well paid bus driver"... I really like the idea of flying for the Royal Flying Doctor Service over here, or doing humanitarian support flights in the third world, it'll never make me rich, and the latter will put me close to death on a regular basis but the flying would be hugely exciting and you'd get to have that 'feel good' vibe all the time - but then a big house with a flash car and a hot air hostess as a wife might be more your idea of 'feel good'. The end outcome you desire will affect what choice you need to make now (or soon) as where you do your CPL course is likely to be a factor when it comes to getting a job - Massey/CTC will hold you well for getting these second officer roles as a direct entrant with an airline, but it's hard work. Doing it through an aero club or one of the NMIT supported flying schools with the Diploma in Aviation will likely land you in a GA role (instructor/charter work) for a few years before you can make the jump to the big time and start flying for an airline, but it'll be hard work. I Hope you're noticing the pattern here.

Taking on a degree would also be smart, and don't think it has to be centered around aviation either. One guy that got in on my PERSEL board had just finished second year B.Physical Education - I'd suggest you do something you're passionate about, if that's flying then consider Bachelor of Aviation Management if you want to stick with the Air Force route, they aren't too keen on people with a large amount of stick time, in saying that you haven't been to PERSEL yet so you've still got to pass the co-ordination test either way.

Going to uni will give you a chance to grow and more time to get involved with group stuff, pick up a sport (I suggest rowing...) to emmerse yourself in the team environment, and look for places to exercise you're leadership abilities - heck even join up to the territorials and get some real life military experience and see if they can't help you to develop and grow into a leadership role - you'll soon know either way if it's going to be a happening thing.

As for me - I'm waiting on the RNZAF to put me through PERSEL one last time for a shot at Air Warfare Officer, over a few weeks/months I realised that I would be happy serving as Officer Aircrew if that was an option so I've taking what they've offered and will hopefully find out by the end of the year if it's a happening thing. In the meantime I managed to secure a six figure income in Australia so I'm working 45-50hr weeks, studying a B.Av Man extramurally with Massey and paying for my flying out of my own pocket. If the Air Force thing doesn't happen, I'm going to be well on my way to getting my CPL with a well regarded flying school and will hopefully be looking at some GA work in Australia while I build up to the flying I really want to do, but unlike most guys in that position I won't have a $100k+ loan to worry about.

[Fatt Max]

Ignore the knockers mate, good post and bummer for you to be turned away. There is a process to follow, there are so few slots available in the Air Force the positions are well over subscribed. Have a search through the forum threads, there are some dedicated to this very issue.

Get yourself a job, a lowly one, say at MacDonalds. Get stuck in and over impress the frachise owner. Take advantage of every course they offer and every approach to become a team leader. Join the Boys Brigade or Scouts as a youth leader. Start taking cubs or keas. Get working or...

I am sure there are plenty of thinsg that a smart lad like yourself can think of to gain some needed skills. Good luck eh, and keep us posted.

Couldnt have put it better myself. Get into somewhere like Maccas where they run a myriad of courses for this and that. Put your hand up for all the shifts that noone wants, you will find yourself part of a much smaller team and if you shine within it you will be recognised.

The UK used to run a pre qualifiaction weekend course for the armed forces, dunno of the same is done here but might be worth a look.

Get involved in local charity work, get your picture in the paper, do all the volunteer work you can get your hands on, all of this stacks up to showing you as a leader.

Good luck to you mate, keep the dream alive and you will get there......

[scissorhands]

My Dad got the arse from the Air Force when he crashed the Spitfire and bent the propeller. He never learnt how to ride a motorbike, even though I had a few from the age of 12 onwards.

I dont know you at all, but autistic traits may be an issue for your prospective employer.

Even though Spock could easily captain The Enterprise, his interactive quality on the crew is a non fit, therefore 'it is illogical' to expect a neurodiverse to hold sway/leadership over a neurotypical majority, esp in the air on a plane.

Leadership normally requires respect, and as a high functioning autistic myself, I've got a lot of personal success, except in relationships including leadership.

Its not my place.

What about navigator?

[avgas]

Heh 1 year of learning leadership and you would be telling the airforce what to do. Those boys have the confidence of a day trader in a stock crash.
It only takes them, 14 hours to make a decision and get a bird in the sky

Still we have to have something in NZ that makes AirNZ seem efficient.

[imdying]

Have you considered that you're smarts are wasted on being what is basically a glorified bus driver? Maybe get into a profession that pays well; well enough that you can do all of your flying as recreational?

[Grasshopperus]

Been set on being a Pilot since I was 7. So to hear that was a real letdown.

Yeah it sucks but that's life. Most people don't get to do what they love.

The thing is, I have never been given any leadership opportunities at school. Whine, whine, whine.

Leaders don't sit around around waiting for someone else to hand-out opportunities. Why didn't you create a school club for others who were also interested in flying and then "lead them" through; visiting airfields, discussing flying, studying aviation related stuff etc etc.

[admenk]

All the best with your dream and I really do hope you make it. However, I'm also sure you're smart enough to realise that sometimes dreams remain just that..dreams. Work towards it as hard as you can by all means. I'm certainly not trying to put you off, but for some people, no matter how much they work towards achieving something, it just doesn't happen. I don't agree with the often quoted line of "if you want something bad enough and work hard enough, you'll get it". It's not a bad goal, but half the world work really hard just to put a decent meal on their plate, and fail, due to a whole load of reasons outside of their control.
On the other hand, don't be put off after your first rejection either, just be prepared that one day you may have to call it a day on that paricular goal. We can only influence some of what life thows at us.

Having said all that, good luck with whatever you do, and apologies if I sound like a grumpy old git!!

[Hoon]

I don't agree with going to places like McDonalds etc to learn about leadership. Firstly I think a lot of you are confusing management with leadership. It is similar but Defence Force leadership is totally different again to workplace leadership let alone management. Secondly by starting at McDonalds you are going to be learning by observation only - observing those above you which means the quality of your observation is limited by the quality of your superiors. Places like that aren't going to send you on courses unless you are committed to a future with the company. As a school leaver I worked at Foodtown for 5 years and although there were great managers there I didn't learn shit from them.

I'm fortunate enough to have received months of formal leadership training. As an Infantry Section commander in the Army, peoples lives are in my hand on a constant basis. What I knew back at Foodtown regarding leadership vs what I know now is like night and day and I can't see how any teenager could acquire these skills without formal training or mentoring/coaching of some type. The better junior leaders I have seen are all busy bodies types with prefect, team captains or ex cadets/scouts experience.

For someone wanting results in 12 months you have limited options.

Apply for any Youth leadership course or training you can find - heres one: http://rotary.co.nz/news/ryla/

Immerse yourself in an activity which gives you the opportunity to hone these skills and take on some responsibilty. Doesn't have to be sport, can be a club or even an online gaming team (clan/guild).

Identify some good leaders/mentors you know (in the field) and bounce any leadership problems you're having off them. I do this all the time and learn a lot of good techniques.

[Hoon]

Hell, mate had the army one from a coupla months ago - even had training tips for SAS selection, written up by some army psychologist. Its public stuff...in your local libbray

You can download these from the Army website http://www.army.mil.nz/at-a-glance/n...fs/default.htm. Feb 2010 issue has a good one but theres usually some selection related every month.

[jim.cox]

If you want to be a pilot...

Then just go fly

Join your local aeroclub

Fly a microlight

Grab a paraglider

The airforce is more likely to teach you how to march than how to fly

Just my $0.02

[jaffaonajappa]

I'm fortunate enough to have received months of formal leadership training. As an Infantry Section commander in the Army, peoples lives are in my hand on a constant basis. What I knew back at Foodtown regarding leadership vs what I know now is like night and day and I can't see how any teenager could acquire these skills without formal training or mentoring/coaching of some type. The better junior leaders I have seen are all busy bodies types with prefect, team captains or ex cadets/scouts experience.

For someone wanting results in 12 months you have limited options.

Apply for any Youth leadership course or training you can find - heres one: http://rotary.co.nz/news/ryla/

Immerse yourself in an activity which gives you the opportunity to hone these skills and take on some responsibilty. Doesn't have to be sport, can be a club or even an online gaming team (clan/guild).

This. Is Gold.
+1


Pretty Geeky stuff....and NEVER tell the dafence force you have this interest....but one day have a listen in on Ventrilo to a raiding guild on world of warcraft game. If you dont play it....someone you know Will do.