So by looking at this you're probably wondering about the ins and outs of the Army Officer selection process because you fancy a career in the most professional Army in the world; the British Army. At this very same time you're also probably engulfed by fear and apprehension that quite simply blankets the future in a cloudy mist of uncertainty. However, it must be said, if not ordered; DON'T PANIC! Based on my experiences of the Officer selection process this is the most important piece of information.
So, time to get started. Your first assignment is to get in contact with your local Army careers office.
At first this can be daunting, as I know it certainly was for me. Going into a surreal office-like environment and politely asking the uniform ridden clerk that you want to be the best is daunting for anyone!
After some nervous chat (obviously by your part) you will be asked to come back for an information/interview meeting which is held with the Commanding Officer (scary stuff, NOT!).
Dress nicely and be prepared to talk about yourself and about why you want to join the Army. Here are some good example questions: http://www.armyofficerselection.co.uk/initialquestions.html
So now we know you have to be prepared, it is important that you DON'T PANIC! The prospect of facing a Colonel who has probably seen multiple overseas tours and who epitmises leadership made me quiver like a newly born lamb. However, to my surprise I was greeted by a lovely middle aged lady who could of easily won a Nobel peace prize; surprising.
Once the meeting is over, you will get a real understanding of what is expected from an Army Officer, as well as the type of people that share the same interest as you; serving in the British Army!
So, the waiting game. A horrible game. Played by one person. You. In this game you can win or lose (which doesnt seem logical if your playing by yourself!). The Commanding Officer that you had your interview with will contact you telling you that you have been successful (dependent on attitude). Great news!, time to celebrate because you wont be for long...
Now that the initial interview stage and the premature celebrations are over you will have to choose a date for your Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) Briefing. A tense two day selection held at the Officer Selection Centre in Westbury, Wiltshire.
It is here where you will undergo a series of mental, physical and leadership tests that will definately get your pulse racing! So you must prepare.
It is important that you brush up on your maths, your ability to read and write...well, and your physical fitness. By this i mean the dreaded bleep test. Such a test plagued my time at school much to the amusement of my fellow class mates. So start running, and start running yesterday! All men must reach level 10.2, and women 8.1 so you have been warned.
When you arrive the Selection Centre in Westbury you will realise that it is not the Russian prisoner of war camp that you were expecting so DON'T PANIC! Coming from a non-military background I had no idea about what the place would be like so it was a pleasant surprise to find out that it was a lovely place that typified the British Army; tough, professional and built upon history.
The two days will consist of various presentations about the Army and what the Army can do for you. This is the easy bit where you should sit back, relax and try to take in as much information as you can. Lovely!
The other aspects of the briefing are not so relaxing, unfortunately. Just DON'T PANIC! There is a planning exercise which contains a story with various issues which requires you to decide on particular actions to take. This was a complete surprise to me as I had no idea that we had to do one....on our own! Needless to say I failed miserably, but just attempt it and try your best!
There are also a series of three aptitude tests including: Verbal reasoning (WORDS!), numeracy (MATHS!) and abstract reasoning (SHAPES!). It is difficult to really practice for these however, making sure your up to scratch on your ability to problem solve is a good place to start! Here are some great examples of the three tests: http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/PFS_Candidate_Instruction_Pages.pdf
You don't have to be a rocket scientist or some structural engineering expert. Just show willingness to attempt the situation and do not quit, whatever the outcome; which is obvious really as you want to join the British Army, and they don't quit!
Just DON'T PANIC! This was the first time I ever had to use two poles and some rope to scale and successfully cross a perfectly crafted bit of metal infrastructure designed to make you fail....miserably. So it is desperately important that you get up, wrap a smile on your face and try again. Try it and if it doesn't work, try something else. Simple really!
So, the final meeting of the Briefing with your Commanding Officer. It is here where he/she will tell you what category you're in. Confused? Well let me explain the four categories...in a slightly more informal way:
Category 1: YES YES YES! We (The Army) want you straight through to Main Board (Last selection process) as soon as possible.
Category 2: We like the look of you but we think you need a little more work on a certain area (Fitness, Maths and so on).
Category 3: You need a lot of work to get through to Main Board. Get learning.
Category 4: Never return. Please.
So, great news! You have just received a category 1 because you have obviously read all of my excellent advice on not panicking. It is time to celebrate. Tell your friends, family or anyone who cares! Enjoy this time, because you wont be for long...
You're over half way now. Last selection process ahead, and this one is the big one. The final hurdle before entry to Sandhurst. You must be buzzing, right? Well, I definitely was and so should you be! Time to book your Main Board date then.
The AOSB Main Board. Much like the Briefing but just times everything by two. Twice the number of tests and inevitably...the pressure. Just don't be overcome by fear, and more importantly DON'T PANIC! Trust me, I was a nervous wreck but just show that you want to be there, and always smile! Even if your crying inside. I certainly was at points ha ha!
The Main Board consists of the same tests that you did in the Briefing. However, there are simply just more of them with a few new ones thrown in for good measure. What will be new are the range of interviews. It is here where you will be asked EVERYTHING about yourself, so just be truthful and don't pretend you're something you're not. They will find that out very quickly. Just be enthused and generally interested about the Army. If you're like me and actually like the Army you will have no problem.
You will also have to write an essay on a recent news topic. You don't have to be Shakespeare to do well, you just need to be able to put your ideas across in some sort of structure.
The indoor planning exercise is the meat of the Main Board. You will have done one in the Briefing however, this one is a lot longer and a lot more complex. You also have the added worry of being grilled over your decisions by the Commanding Officer in front of a rather worried team and a range of senior officers noting and marking your every word! Whatever you do, just DON'T PANIC! If you do they will sense weakness, much like a predator in the wilderness. They will attack you, and you will be eaten. Alive. So, stick to your decisions and fight for your cause!
The outdoor command task is the other meaty part of the assessment. You will have to command your team to complete a particular exercise similar to the one in your Briefing. However, all eyes are on you. Stay focused, stay aware, always speak clearly and remember, DON'T PANIC! Again, they will sense you panicking which is a control alt delete in the Army world. So just don't do it.
As well as these more meaty parts, there are other areas to the selection that basically require you to be physically prepared such as the individual assault course and team assault course. All of which you can see in the above video.
So, now you know what to expect throughout the Army Officer selection process. The mist has hopefully gone and now you are brimming with excitement, hopefully. Just remember, even though the process is long, tiresome and down right draining, something great lies around the corner. The Army doesn't want super hero's so don't try and be one. Just be truthful, always smile, work hard and most importantly, DON'T PANIC! Enjoy Sandhurst and your career in the British Army. Good luck.
