u/Dapper_Eggplant529

Posted an earlier thread about being declined for RFA ETO/LSO officer cadetship despite having a British degree, purely due to the GCSE English equivalent issue.

I have been doing my research and messaging RFA recruitment. Here is what they confirmed in writing:

If I join as C&S Trainee and obtain my GCSE English Language within 3 years, I can apply externally for SE Cadet or LSO Trainee while remaining in my C&S role throughout the recruitment process, and transition directly without ever having to leave the RFA. If the application is unsuccessful I keep my C&S role.

For SE Cadet specifically, the application is always external regardless of service length as it is a different branch, so no waiting 3 years for the RTO scheme.

So the plan is: join C&S, sit GCSE in November, results in January, apply for SE Cadet externally while still employed by RFA.

Not the route I wanted but honestly it works out. Has anyone had experience changing branches within the RFA?

Applied for an ETO/LSO officer cadetship with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. I was really keen on RFA specifically so this has been a tough one to take. Got through the process, passed the DAA, submitted all my documents including a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability for my Polish high school leaving certificate and got declined purely because the ENIC statement flags that English was studied as a second language in Poland and therefore doesn't count as a GCSE English equivalent.

The thing is, I have a BA (Hons) from the University of Brighton. Three years, full time, taught entirely in English. Apparently that doesn't count. I also asked whether Functional Skills Level 2 English would be accepted and was told no.

They've offered me a Catering and Support Trainee role as an alternative. I've done years of hospitality and I'm done with it, so that's not really an option for me.

This was genuinely my dream and it's pretty upsetting to be blocked by something like this when I've clearly demonstrated I can operate in English at degree level. The earliest I could sit GCSEs now is May next year which feels like a long way away.

Is there any way in here that I'm missing? Has anyone with a UK degree but no formal GCSE English managed to get onto an ETO or LSO officer cadetship either with RFA or another operator? Wondering if any companies are more flexible on this or if there's a faster route I haven't thought of.

Hey all, I have been offered two routes with the RFA, LSO trainee and Systems Engineer cadet, and I love the idea of the RFA so really keen to make the right call before committing. The offer came after the Defence Aptitude Assessment though I still have AIB and interview to go.

I am more drawn to Systems but the academic side is making me nervous as I have zero background in electrical or electronics and the HND feels pretty daunting from the outside.

Four things I would love to hear from people with experience:

1. For anyone who has done the Systems Engineer cadet programme, how hard is the academic side? Did anyone else start from scratch and manage to get through it okay?

2. For anyone who has completed either route and moved on from RFA, what are the career prospects like both onshore and offshore? Interested in how both LSO and Systems Engineer compare when it comes to finding work and earning potential after leaving.

3. During the cadetship do you get any decent blocks of time off, talking a couple of weeks or more rather than just weekends?

4. After completing the Systems Engineer cadetship what rank do you come out as, do you start as 3rd Officer?

5. Once qualified is it possible to transfer from LSO to Systems Engineer or the other way around?

Thank you for your time and hopefully see you onboard!