Hi there.
I went to the London AFCO today, to ask about joining as a CIS. Now, before anyone says anything, I've read absolutely every thread I could find about CIS on this forum, so I'm well-prepared in my view. Thus this post.
Because when I went to have a chat about it, I was told that CIS was split into (ET) - Engineering Technician and (WE) - Weapon Engineering. However, throughout the many threads on this forum, CIS has been referred to as CIS(ET)(WE). Meaning you'd study both "fields". Yet the AFCO seemed to say otherwise! Is this true? Is he simply not up to speed perhaps? He definitely meant that each sub-specialization was different, because he urged me to join the (WE) side, due to it supposedly being a sort of "two in one" and has more/better transferable skills. So I'm really unsure about what I'd choose now. All along, I thought I only had to pick between the CIS surface fleet and CIS submarine service. So when I got home, I hurried to create an account to share this with you guys! The guy I spoke with was a former CIS of some sort as well I think and while I thought he might simply not have followed with the times, since the change from OM(C) to CIS, he did mention he has a colleague who's currently a CIS as well; although he wasn't present sadly. Yet he IS a recruiter, so I expect him to know.
Lastly, when I read through the brochure (it was much more appealing than what the Army AFCO gave me, sorry army), CIS was listed as part of the Warfare branch... So now I'm just confused. I assume they didn't update things yet, but at the same time, it did seem to be *current*. The magazine even said that CIS(SM) learn Morse code with flashing lights! This is contrary to everything I've read on this forum, regarding CIS moving away from the Warfare branch and into the Engineering branch. But what's more, this worries me because I assume the eyesight requirements might potentially be VA1, instead of VA2 (as I've understood it on the forum), as the VA1 eyesight requirements in the Warfare branch apparently stem from their traditional role of communicating with flags and lights. What's going on?
In addition, for those interested (and since CIS threads need an update), I was told that the waiting time to join CIS (provided you go through all the tests smoothly), is around 3-4 months! Epic.
Slightly off-topic, I also asked about CTs and was told that dual-nationality (not that I have it) was no problem. Heck, he claimed he even knew (or heard of, I'm not sure) of people with 3 nationalities being CTs lol. If he indeed did mean CTs and not CIS, this yet again goes against the grain of everything I've read. Although it's quite a boost if you're not simply British I guess.
I would really appreciate any feedback/advice, cheers!
.
I went to the London AFCO today, to ask about joining as a CIS. Now, before anyone says anything, I've read absolutely every thread I could find about CIS on this forum, so I'm well-prepared in my view. Thus this post.
Because when I went to have a chat about it, I was told that CIS was split into (ET) - Engineering Technician and (WE) - Weapon Engineering. However, throughout the many threads on this forum, CIS has been referred to as CIS(ET)(WE). Meaning you'd study both "fields". Yet the AFCO seemed to say otherwise! Is this true? Is he simply not up to speed perhaps? He definitely meant that each sub-specialization was different, because he urged me to join the (WE) side, due to it supposedly being a sort of "two in one" and has more/better transferable skills. So I'm really unsure about what I'd choose now. All along, I thought I only had to pick between the CIS surface fleet and CIS submarine service. So when I got home, I hurried to create an account to share this with you guys! The guy I spoke with was a former CIS of some sort as well I think and while I thought he might simply not have followed with the times, since the change from OM(C) to CIS, he did mention he has a colleague who's currently a CIS as well; although he wasn't present sadly. Yet he IS a recruiter, so I expect him to know.
Lastly, when I read through the brochure (it was much more appealing than what the Army AFCO gave me, sorry army), CIS was listed as part of the Warfare branch... So now I'm just confused. I assume they didn't update things yet, but at the same time, it did seem to be *current*. The magazine even said that CIS(SM) learn Morse code with flashing lights! This is contrary to everything I've read on this forum, regarding CIS moving away from the Warfare branch and into the Engineering branch. But what's more, this worries me because I assume the eyesight requirements might potentially be VA1, instead of VA2 (as I've understood it on the forum), as the VA1 eyesight requirements in the Warfare branch apparently stem from their traditional role of communicating with flags and lights. What's going on?
In addition, for those interested (and since CIS threads need an update), I was told that the waiting time to join CIS (provided you go through all the tests smoothly), is around 3-4 months! Epic.
Slightly off-topic, I also asked about CTs and was told that dual-nationality (not that I have it) was no problem. Heck, he claimed he even knew (or heard of, I'm not sure) of people with 3 nationalities being CTs lol. If he indeed did mean CTs and not CIS, this yet again goes against the grain of everything I've read. Although it's quite a boost if you're not simply British I guess.
I would really appreciate any feedback/advice, cheers!