Cadetship 2016

mistermatthew

Does anyone have any idea on the Competition opening date, numbers to be recruited etc.?

Negative_G

mistermatthew wrote: »

Does anyone have any idea on the Competition opening date, numbers to be recruited etc.?

Historically Cadetship recruitment campaigns have began around Jan/Feb with start date around October.

I've noticed the process has gotten shorter in recent years probably due to the streamlining of the applications.

As for numbers, judging from social media the numbers tend to vary between 25-45 or so divided between all three services. You didn't specify which service so its hard to be specific.

mistermatthew

Thanks,
Would be army I'd be going for.
Am I right in saying the 2016 competition hasn't opened yet?

Regards,
Matthew Robb

Negative_G wrote: »

Historically Cadetship recruitment campaigns have began around Jan/Feb with start date around October.

I've noticed the process has gotten shorter in recent years probably due to the streamlining of the applications.

As for numbers, judging from social media the numbers tend to vary between 25-45 or so divided between all three services. You didn't specify which service so its hard to be specific.

Negative_G

mistermatthew wrote: »

Thanks,
Would be army I'd be going for.
Am I right in saying the 2016 competition hasn't opened yet?

Regards,
Matthew Robb

I haven't seen anything on their social media accounts and its usually well publicised while the competition is open.

Best of luck in your application.

fasnet353

Bump

fasnet353

Just bumping the thread since it will start getting busy soon.

The PDF have begun the Cadetship Competition for this year with the final date for applications being the 17th April.

If you are posting, to save time and effort be sure to say which Cadetship you are applying for.

Also, for those applying for the first time, be sure to get running and get your fitness up.

tommy_tucker

Is there any point in doing one of those aptitude test preparation courses, there is a company offering one specifically for the cadetship, buts its 225 quid, is it worth it or could someone point me to some good resources to prepare for it.

Actually even if it is worth it i doubt i'd pay that for it, i'm really just looking for good online resources and tests to prepare for it.

fyi just applying for the air corps

fasnet353

The psychometric tests are contracted out and the company last year was Mind Mill, a UK based company. They analyse the tests and its as simple as if you don't get above a certain score you are excluded from being called.

Tests were numerical fluency, spacial awareness, alphabetising, and verbal reasoning. So personally I dont know what 'tricks or tips' they could give short of maybe pointing you in the direction of some material to practice on.

There again, ive never been to the courses myself and maybe they are good, even for a bit on confidence coming up to it all.

tommy_tucker

fasnet353 wrote: »

The psychometric tests are contracted out and the company last year was Mind Mill, a UK based company. They analyse the tests and its as simple as if you don't get above a certain score you are excluded from being called.

Tests were numerical fluency, spacial awareness, alphabetising, and verbal reasoning. So personally I dont know what 'tricks or tips' they could give short of maybe pointing you in the direction of some material to practice on.

There again, ive never been to the courses myself and maybe they are good, even for a bit on confidence coming up to it all.

Thanks for the reply, thats good info, handy to know.

Yeah its annoying because i did the air corps process in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and i got down to the final 30 each time but it was a different process, it was run by parc aviation, tried applying again in 2014 with the new system and i didn't get past the appitude test.

Negative_G

tommy_tucker wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, thats good info, handy to know.

Yeah its annoying because i did the air corps process in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and i got down to the final 30 each time but it was a different process, it was run by parc aviation, tried applying again in 2014 with the new system and i didn't get past the appitude test.

Have you applied for your results under FOI?

tommy_tucker

Negative_G wrote: »

Have you applied for your results under FOI?

I tried that a couple of times and only ever got them once, it was like trying to get blood from a stone

Negative_G

tommy_tucker wrote: »

I tried that a couple of times and only ever got them once, it was like trying to get blood from a stone

First time I've heard anyone mention not getting any reply whatsoever in certain instances.

I would suggest contacting the information commissioner if you happen to experience this again in a future application.

CajunPenguin

For the Army line, how do the qualifications work, is it LC results and a degree? Asking because it says open to school leavers/non graduates

fasnet353

Tommy, last year as long as you get in contact with the recruitment section of DFHQ in the Curragh they should send on the results. They also mark who requested feedback.

CajunPenguin, if you go onto the website they have the terms and conditions for the competition published for this year. So long as you meet the leaving cert standards you can apply without a degree. The only difference between graduates and school leavers is that graduates are commissioned at a higher rank, certainly with the naval service anyway. However, the school leavers aren't at any real disadvantage once in the DF. Neither do they have preference during the competition of school leavers and graduates. Its a competition and they are looking for the cream of the applicants.

Negative_G

fasnet353 wrote: »

The only difference between graduates and school leavers is that graduates are commissioned at a higher rank, certainly with the naval service anyway. However, the school leavers aren't at any real disadvantage once in the DF. Neither do they have preference during the competition of school leavers and graduates. Its a competition and they are looking for the cream of the applicants.

Couple of points to note here.

Graduates, once commissioned will start off on a different higher pay scale due to rank, than non graduates. Might only be a small amount but that gap will always be there for those graduates/non graduates of the same class.

Graduates, once commissioned, will become senior to the non graduates of their senior cadet class. Graduates will also reach Captain sooner and will have more time in rank served so will be eligible for promotion sooner than their non graduate brethren.

Those in possession of a level 8 degree will also be eligible for an additional 10% bonus marks at the final stage of the competition.

I would agree that the best candidates will be picked regardless but joining the DF as a graduate is a definite advantage in terms of career progression and salary.

fasnet353

The Naval Ensigns and Cadets I have the opportunity to meet last year talked about the difference. They were doing the same job and it only took 12-18 months for them to be promoted to Sub-Lt. So yes, the graduates would have a slight advantage but just a little.

Thanks for bringing attention to the bonus marks for the graduates, I had actually forgotten about it all together. However, I just read over the '2016' Terms and Conditions and the only bonus marks going this year are for members of the permanent defence forces and the reserve defence forces. The bonus marks for the graduates was however in the competition last year.

I would imagine they have seen in previous years that education doesn't necessarily make a good officer. Especially when the DF are going to be putting a person through a degree course anyway.

Negative_G

I was under the impression non grads must spend two years as a 2/Lt before promotion. Fairly sure that hasn't changed, although I am open to correction.

The lack of 10% bonus marks would indicate that they are starting a claw back on the incentive for graduates. Would agree with you that a educational qualification doesn't necessarily mean a better officer, plenty of historical examples to support that!

The application process seems to have changed quite a bit in the last decade.

fasnet353

Ive no official data to back up the time spent at the junior rank but just remembering what the lads had said.

The change seems to be similar to the British Armed Forces in the sense that they are not looking specifically for graduates and the like. They only changed in the last number of years in the Royal Navy that graduates are not automatically bumped to sub-lt and that everyone does their time as a midshipman.

Its good to see the change, I hope its for the better though!

Soolander

Anyone know how sitting the Leaving would affect my chances? On the application page one of the questions is are you sitting the lc this June. I'm 18 and sat the leaving last year and got around 480 points but I decided to repeat the lc and its only 3 months now until I resit. I imagine they don't want applicants in full time school(I'm not) that can't do the entrance tests or whatever.

I'd have no problem dropping out from the lc this year if it meant I got a place but it's obviously not a guarantee and like I said it's only 3 months til I finish.

I emailed the recruitment page with this question but got no reply.

Also, I was a bit confused on the terms for the air corps Cadetship, do applicants need a level 8 degree specifically for the air corps?

Thanks!

Negative_G

Soolander wrote: »

Anyone know how sitting the Leaving would affect my chances? On the application page one of the questions is are you sitting the lc this June. I'm 18 and sat the leaving last year and got around 480 points but I decided to repeat the lc and its only 3 months now until I resit. I imagine they don't want applicants in full time school(I'm not) that can't do the entrance tests or whatever.

I'd have no problem dropping out from the lc this year if it meant I got a place but it's obviously not a guarantee and like I said it's only 3 months til I finish.

I emailed the recruitment page with this question but got no reply.

Also, I was a bit confused on the terms for the air corps Cadetship, do applicants need a level 8 degree specifically for the air corps?

Thanks!

Apply. Complete your leaving cert. Should any dates clash with your application be sure to inform them immediately and they should accommodate you. In previous years they have split candidates sitting their leaving certificate in order to prevent this issue arising.

Applicants for the Air Corps are not required to have any degree on joining. I think you may be confusing it with the Naval engineering appointments.

stringbox

What order is the recruitment process done, eg:

Aptitude test,
Confirmation aptitude test,
Fitness test,
Medical.

I know this stage is open until the 17th, I'm just trying to pre-empt dates and a rough timeline.

Thanks.

fasnet353

Stringbox,

Well for the NS last year it followed this process:

Psychometrics and Situational Judgment Test. (Mid May)

Visit to the base which included; fitness test, second round of psychometrics, job preview, and a tour of a ship. (Late July)

Interview in front of a panel of interviewers (August)

Medical at the base hospital (August)

Final e-mail. (September)

The whole process took from May 1st to September 16th.

I believe this year for the NS they are rolling the medical, interview, and base visit into one event on the base. There should be a fairly good break down on the website for whichever arm of the services your applying to.

Best of luck with your application!

stringbox

Thanks fasnet, very helpful!

Onetouch1

I have one concern I hope someone could give me some advice on, it's regarding the army officer cadetship educational requirements. I have completed a bachelors of business level 8 degree in management at University.
This is where i think I might fall down. I only sat 6 subjects in my leaving certificate and passed 5 subjects altogether. It states on the information booklet candidates need to pass all 6. Does my degree suffice or will they look for my leaving certificate transcripts too.

Negative_G

Onetouch1 wrote: »

I have one concern I hope someone could give me some advice on, it's regarding the army officer cadetship educational requirements. I have completed a bachelors of business level 8 degree in management at University.
This is where i think I might fall down. I only sat 6 subjects in my leaving certificate and passed 5 subjects altogether. It states on the information booklet candidates need to pass all 6. Does my degree suffice or will they look for my leaving certificate transcripts too.

They will require a copy of your leaving cert results.

The minimum qualifications are based on the leaving cert so anything else is irrelevant I believe. From an application perspective anyway.

lukie1234

Hi guys I applied on the first possible date for the air corps cadets so it's been a month. I was wondering when I should worry about not receiving any update or future dates? I know the applications closed just on the 17th but just trying to correct something if I have missed out. Eg. Are future dates sent out by email, mail or telephone? Thankyou in advance.

Cupboard11

Just completed online psychometrics there. Very unsure/deflated after it. Just wondering how did people feel after them. ? And what is usually the timeline on good/bad news ?

lukie1234

I haven't received anything yet so I don't know sorry. Do they roll out the email to people all at once? The only emails I have received are a thankyou and would you like to apply for general service in the Army or Navy.

Cupboard11

lukie1234 wrote: »

I haven't received anything yet so I don't know sorry. Do they roll out the email to people all at once? The only emails I have received are a thankyou and would you like to apply for general service in the Army or Navy.

Sorry my above post is re army cadets. I'm not sure how recruitment works for air Corp but I would imagine the early stages are similar. You should contact someone in the recruitment office at this stage.

tommy_tucker

lukie1234 wrote: »

I haven't received anything yet so I don't know sorry. Do they roll out the email to people all at once? The only emails I have received are a thankyou and would you like to apply for general service in the Army or Navy.

Yeah i'm the same and i only applied for the Air corps too

stringbox

Same here I just applied for air corps and have heard nothing yet.

Mudmask

Cupboard11 wrote: »

Just completed online psychometrics there. Very unsure/deflated after it. Just wondering how did people feel after them. ? And what is usually the timeline on good/bad news ?

I felt the very same! The test I felt most confident of beforehand went terribly I think. No idea of the timeline though.

mallow98

how tough were the physometric tests? what one was the toughest?

It wasn't me!

The level of the maths one was way down on previous years. Much simpler. Overall, I think it was easier than before actually. One or two tricky ones on the logical reasoning section and the short term memory one was interesting, but the maths and verbal definitely seemed easier than before.

Cupboard11

It wasn't me! wrote: »

The level of the maths one was way down on previous years. Much simpler. Overall, I think it was easier than before actually. One or two tricky ones on the logical reasoning section and the short term memory one was interesting, but the maths and verbal definitely seemed easier than before.

The verbal was definitely easier than before. I was going well in numerical but got caught on one problem and stuck on it for ages. The last 2 were so so. Depends on how everyone else got on I suppose. Did you get all of the questions completed for verbal and following rules? I'm pretty sure the info said negative marking for incorrect answers which I think is new

It wasn't me!

Yep, no hassle completing within the time limit.

Soolander

Anyone know when the fitness test for the Air Corps might be assuming one passes the psychometric test?

03dunner

I spoke with someone in the recruitment office yesterday. They expect to issue the invitations around 2 weeks before fitness tests.

The information below was in one of the emails sent to us. I imagine the fitness tests are at the same time for all of the Cadetships, Air Corps or otherwise.

[font=arial, sans-serif]WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?[/font]
[font=arial, sans-serif]Stage 2 -Assessment Centre[/font]
[font=arial, sans-serif]Successful candidates from Stage 1 will be required to attend an Assessment Centre during the period 22 June to 05 July 2016, in the Curragh Camp, Kildare.[/font]

[font=arial, sans-serif]Stage 3- Interview[/font]
[font=arial, sans-serif]Successful candidates from Stage 2 will be required to attend an Interview, during the period 11 July - 26 August 2016, in the Curragh camp, Kildare. The week preceding the interview candidates will be sent a link to complete an online Occupational Personality Questionnaire during the period 06 July-09 July 2016.[/font]

redpuma

Did anyone get their emails today regarding a successful stage one?

Cupboard11

Yes. Got one earlier

redpuma

Is the next stage just the fitness testing down in The Curragh?

Cupboard11

redpuma wrote: »

Is the next stage just the fitness testing down in The Curragh?

Fitness test ,group assessment , repeat psycho metrics , probably a job preview from current cadets also. I think anyways

Mudmask

Got the email too, delighted

Borderland

Hey folks, is everyone still waiting on dates for Stage 2? Email stated we would be notified next week (ie this week) and I've heard nothing so just making sure!

Mudmask

Borderland wrote: »

Hey folks, is everyone still waiting on dates for Stage 2? Email stated we would be notified next week (ie this week) and I've heard nothing so just making sure!

I am still waiting too

Borderland

How are people feeling about the overnight aspect of the assessment for Stage 2 Line Officer? Do they spring a 3am run on you or is the over-night aspect purely so they can get as much done with you as possible in 48hrs?

It wasn't me!

Borderland wrote: »

How are people feeling about the overnight aspect of the assessment for Stage 2 Line Officer? Do they spring a 3am run on you or is the over-night aspect purely so they can get as much done with you as possible in 48hrs?

It's purely an exercise in socialisation. An opportunity to experience what one night in the cadet lines might be like. No 3AM run, nothing outside exactly what was in the email you received. The overnight aspect aside, it's a long day but not terribly hectic. Go in with an open mind and enjoy the briefs. Ask questions. It's your best opportunity to do so first hand.

redpuma

Everyone get a date for the overnight assessment?

clairegalway

Yes, got June 24th. Anybody know roughly how many get through to the overnight stage??

Beenie100

Yeah, I got my date as well. Any indication as to what the group assessments will be?

stringbox

Anybody hear back from the air corps re: aptitude test yet?