It's official

One part of me is upset yet on the other hand, I'm glad I tried my best. 

So now I'm still in the running for UAV Pilot, C3 and GBAD. Next up its the NAPFA test and minimum Silver is required. If I do pass then I would need to choose and go for the interview. 

After much thoughts, I might go for C3 after all. Although its a broad umbrella term and C3 can be streamed into many disciplines like controller or in the command centre... and much of which I'm streamed into depends on luck.. I guess I would still go for it and let God decide :)

 

My future self? :P

Clipped Wings

Although the aeromedical results are not officially out, I'm more or less prepared that I will not pass for WSO Ftr :( The aeromedical just confirms that I'm just too small to fit into cockpit, sitting height, arm length and leg length are all shorter than the minimum even though I'm 161 cm. I was really upset after the aeromedical, just wishing maybe if I was born a male, I would be able to meet the physical measurement requirements. Well, I have just to accept it and move on, at least I tried right?

Even if I don't get into WSO Ftr, I would still want to join RSAF! I'm still thinking alot about UAV versus C3 vocation and which one would suit me better (provided I do pass the aeromedical). I read online that C3 has higher requirements than UAV to get in so naturally if you do qualify, wouldn't you choose the "harder to get in" one? Well, that's what happened to me in junior college, I went into science stream just because the cut off was lower and I qualified. I regretted that decision because in the end I scored As for my arts and language subjects instead of physics and maths. I regretted cause in my heart I knew i loved the arts more than sciences yet.. I chose science stream just cause it was "harder to get in".

So as of now, I am highly considering UAV Pilot if given the choice. Reasons being...

1. It is the future warfare, there is going to be a higher demand for UAV Pilots
2. I get to fly a remote controlled plane (something I've always wanted to do!)
3. Get to go for overseas training more than C3? (not very sure if its true)
4. Currently RSAF uses UAVs for recon, but maybe in the future there may be UCAVs for strike missions?
5. Able to ensure mission success by providing ground troops vital information, potentially saving lives!


However my fears include..

1. TRAINING. As I mentioned earlier, I'm really bad with Maths and Physics.. I would suppose UAV theory training comes with loads of that.. eg aerodynamics, avionics, etc. (having a passion/interest doesn't mean aptitude). Even with hard work, there's a higher risk of failing the course.
2. Will the job become repetitive and boring? Maybe what I will be doing is just controlling a joystick and looking at a screen everyday?

Too many thoughts so I'm just going to park them one side and wait for my aeromedical results first, then revisit them again :)

pre Aeromedical

So after probing the guy on the phone for so long, I finally found out why: I'm still a civilian hence not able to disclose PES to me since its considered SAF's information/property.

Did quite alot of research on aeromedical and hence prepared for it so that hopefully I can clear it in one shot. Went to check my eyesight and yep, increased by 50 deg for both eyes. Took about 1 week to update the lens and already collected my "updated" specs last sat.

Went to the dentist today to fill the cavity and get a green light for teeth health - ow.

What's left is to.. hope that I don't fall sick again and all the best for this Friday! It's most probably the make or break for WSO Ftr vocation. Although I'm hoping against all odds that I'll pass, I'm more or less prepared to fail already - to small to fit into cockpit.

Probably going to continue my research for UAV vs C3.

Combat fit but PES is confidential?

So I went back to CMPB a couple of days back to complete part 2 of the medical tests. I think I spent more time waiting for doctors than actually undergoing the tests. I had to redo ECG cause they said the previous graph looked slightly weird and also take blood pressure again.


Fast track to today, I got a SMS to book the Aeromedical Test, which was good news to me since they've processed the CMBP medical test results pretty quickly (about 1 week).

Gave them a ring to check what was my PES status and was shocked to find out my PES STATUS IS CONFIDENTIAL. They only could tell me I was combat fit but unable to reveal the PES. I'm slightly worried cause I've never heard anyone NOT knowing what their PES is. I might ring them up again tmr to ask more.. IF I have the time to call during office hours.

CMPB Medical Test Part 1

Well, in short I couldn't do the urine test cause "there was alot of blood in my urine" so I have to reschedule and come back. Completed Blood test, ECG, hearing test and height and weight. It was my first Blood Test ever so I was pretty apprehensive at first.. The lady who was assisting was super professional and talked to me while she poked the needle in. Umm I guess the pain was bearable? The anticipation was worse than the actual poking haha!

Now about the urine test.. TO BE HONEST, I wasn't even on my period!!! the NSF who was at the urine test station was super shocked when he saw my urine test stick. His face went O_O and said "umm are you on your period cause theres ALOT of blood in your urine". I was quite shocked at first cause there was TOTALLY NO BLOOD at all, but I knew mine was coming soon.. but not now right?? I would definitely know my body better than him -.- He said I had to go home and cant continue with the tests until im clear (no more period).

Well....... it was quite a bummer cause I have to take leave AGAIN and they only have Mondays or Fridays for females to take the medical test. Hope all goes smoothly for Part 2 of the tests! :)

On Government Service

The mail came in yesterday: Medical questionnaire to be completed and brought along for CMPB medical test this coming Friday. 

On a side note, after much thoughts and research, I've ranked the vocations in order of my preference.
1. WSO Fighter
2. UAV Pilot
3. C3

Although there's a high chance I'm going to fail the medical for WSO Fighter, large part of me is hoping against hopes that somehow I'll make it through. Maybe over the night I'll grow 1 cm taller, maybe my arms and leg lengths are what they need, maybe, just maybe :)

Jeremiah 29:11New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Compass Test Results

Gave them a call yesterday and I passed Compass Test for 3 out of the 4 vocations: WSO fighter, UAV Pilot and C3!

Well, I must say I extremely happy cause my 1st choice from the beginning was always the WSO Fighter. It's pretty hard to explain why WSO over Pilot but just so glad that I'm over my first hurdle!

Thought that the next test would be the Aeromedical test but actually its the CMPB medical test that determines my PES. Need to get an A or B to qualify for WSO fighter.

Checked for available dates through the phone call with AFRC and settled for next Friday 3rd Oct. No confirmation SMS sent, just suppose to expect a snail mail from them that contains some forms and medical questionnaire.

HYPED UP FOR IT!

PILAPT

Recalled the official name of the RSAF Compass Test and went to Google it:

What is the pass mark for PILAPT ?
There is no set pass mark as this will vary depending on the organisation. PILAPT® is often part of a wider series of assessments, and is used in conjunction with other data such as interviews, other tests and simulator exercises.

Also, found another piece of research that took on the psychological view of the Compass Test. It helped me to better understand the rationale behind all the different type of tests and which area it simulates for an actual pilot. Hope that it would prove to be of good use to anyone who stumbles upon this blog :)

Compass Test

Woohoo I'm alive and survived today's compass test! It was a grueling 4.5 hours worth of mental stretching in the morning followed by going back to work till 730 pm. I tend to focus more on the bad parts hence if anyone asked me how was it, I'd say it went horrible...  Well in truth there was some components that I was better in and some components i totally flunked. So here are some aspects I probably flunked more so than others: 

1. BAD TIME MANAGEMENT. there was a 60 questions test with 15mins allocated. Didn't plan my time properly so left about 10 questions blank. Those questions were about reading and interpreting the flying instruments which were quite doable. 

2. JOYSTICK. Contrary to the rumor that playing computer games would help in this aspect, it's totally the opposite. I'm so used to "W" on the keyboard to move forward, but for the Joystick, pushing it forward meant actually moving the line on the screen backwards.  

There was a flying test where you had control a stick plane to fly through squares, I practically flew over all the squares. The score I had was 4 out of 1-10 (1 being the worst). The sensitivity couldn't be controlled either so when I wanted to fly DOWN, I instinctively push the joystick backwards which made the plane fly upwards (more than I wanted it to fly). Corrective attempts just made it worse. 

If only I had my mouse and keyboard:

Cloud Serpent Sky Race

Netherwing Dragonmaw Race

3. NUMBERS. I could not say more. Any test components that needed mental calculations or counting was outright horrible.

- 5 seconds to remember 12 digits and churn it back out. NOPE

- number sequencing test: NOPE

- counting test (abit like 7-up game): NOPE

- counting test WHILE handling JOYSTICK: NOPE NOPE

Ended the compass test around 12.45pm, got back to work and the day continued as "normal" (zombified cherie) : work, OT, dinner, gaming time :)

Results are supposed to be out 1-2 weeks later.  What's done's done and although I try to convince myself  NOT TO WORRY, I can't exactly contain my expectation to pass the compass test.

The Start

I'm going for the RSAF Compass test tomorrow: 

Don't really know what to think or feel, seems like I'm still dreaming. One hand I'm really excited hoping that I'll pass this test to go on to the next stage which is the aeromedical test. On the other hand I'm like.. am I seriously doing this? Am I seriously working my way towards joining RSAF and leaving behind my pretty much comfortable life now? I've always wanted to join the army/airforce but somehow I've left that dream somewhere in the back of my mind, just going on through with life - graduating and then working a 8 to"6" office job in the banking sector (no doubt loads of OT but which job in the banking industry doesn't OT?)

So how did I suddenly end up going for the compass test? 

30 August 2014: Went to RSAF open house (RSAF@Heartlands) this year at Yishun. Found out about the RSAF ladies Seminar.

6 September 2014: Went for the ladies seminar with my sister and it got me really hyped up. Somehow applied to indicate my interest for Pilot & WSO. At that time I was thinking to myself, #YOLO!!! I'm getting older by the years, might as well try my best so when I'm 50 years old I wont regret not trying to live my dream. 

11 September 2014: Got a SMS from RSAF telling me my compass test is scheduled on the 15th September. Rushed to get urgent leave from work (which is REALLY hard to get) and I earnestly thank my TM/Boss for understanding. 

14 September 2014: Night before the Compass Test and I'm writing this. Thought that if i was chasing my dream, might as well blog it to record :) Went to research abit on Compass Test and more or less you can't really prepare for it. I'm getting anxious but hey, need to remind myself #YOLO! If its meant to be then I'll pass it. If not then ok at least I tried and back to my life: work, eat, sleep, WEEKENDS, work, eat, sleep, repeat.