AIB before starting degree?

As some of you might remember, I'm currently in the process of applying to be a CT (been a slight hiccup along the way, but that should be sorted soon).

I've also been considering applying to be an officer, Engineering Officer (Information Systems) being the role which most interests me.

However, I am currently in the first year of a degree not related to Computing, meaning I'd have to change to computing next year.

Is it possible to sit AIB before starting a degree to see if it's worth my while changing my course? If I knew that I had no chance of becoming an Officer I'd stay on my current course, which should be finished by the time I get a place as a CT.

I'm excited by the prospect of being a CT, and this is the only career I'd give it up for. Would applying to be an Officer mean I have to drop out of selection for CT?

I'd contact the AFCO to ask, but I don't really want to until the problem with my current application is sorted.

 

You can't be an officer and join as a CT unfortunately, however you can join as a CT and then go the SUY route ie get selected for officer, which is where the branch gets is Officer specialists from. This sounds good but the extraction rate is pretty small (1 or 2 a year) so you take a risk of not getting it.

You can do an AIB at any time - I did mine between 1st and 2nd year and then got a Bursary for the rest of my time.

The question is what exactly thrills you about being a CT?

Hope this helps

 

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, I realise you can't join CT as an officer, I'm interested in joining as and Engineering Officer (Information Systems) if possible.

CT interests me because of the possibility to learn a foreign language in the long-run (something which has only actually grown on me since joining RR and getting some advice from the serving CTs, so I'm already thankful to this forum!) It also seems to be an intellectually challenging career, which appeals to me.

Are you able to apply to become an officer in any other area from CT if the extraction rate is so low? From reading Rum Ration I understand that unless you are under the age of 26 you need to be a Senior Rate to apply - does this take longer as a CT due to the longer time it takes to finish the part 2 training?

 

No if you are serving as a Rating and under 26 when you apply for a commission you go on the Upper Yardman scheme. If you are over 26 years old then you go on the Senior Upper Yardman scheme - as to the difference between the schemes - pass dunno.