Aviation support officer

[Tingtang22]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to posting a thread here, but I've been reading your discussions and have found them really beneficial during my application process!

I was wondering if someone could give me a run down of what an Aviation support officer actually does please? On the Army website, it doesn't have that much of a description and Google is no help either!

Thanks in advance ☺

 

[Commentator]

The AAC ASO role is particularly poorly advertised...

- You take command of AAC soldiers who are specialised into Groundies (who refuel and rearm aircraft) and Comms Specialists (who deal with communications to and from the aircraft)
- On exercise the role is to find locations to set up Forward Arming and Refuelling Points (FARPs) where you can refuel and rearm aircraft to keep them effective

- There's lots of Recce roles determining HLS' both in the UK and worldwide for all of JHCs (Joint Helicopter Commands) aircraft

You are the AACs generalist Officer, with Pilots being the specialist Officers.

I've got some more stuff on my phone I can post tomorrow. If I don't - remind me too!

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[Tingtang22]

The AAC ASO role is particularly poorly advertised...

- You take command of AAC soldiers who are specialised into Groundies (who refuel and rearm aircraft) and Comms Specialists (who deal with communications to and from the aircraft)
- On exercise the role is to find locations to set up Forward Arming and Refuelling Points (FARPs) where you can refuel and rearm aircraft to keep them effective

- There's lots of Recce roles determining HLS' both in the UK and worldwide for all of JHCs (Joint Helicopter Commands) aircraft

You are the AACs generalist Officer, with Pilots being the specialist Officers.

I've got some more stuff on my phone I can post tomorrow. If I don't - remind me too!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

Thankyou very much for the quick response and the info! Anymore that you have would be gratefully recieved!

I haven't got a degree so I've been looking at the roles that don't require one and both the ASO and the MSO really caught my eye. I had a chance to chat to an Army doctor for some info on the MSO but haven't found anyone that knows much about the ASO. I've heard that its a fairly new job so maybe thats why?

I don't mind sitting at a desk and doing admin, but by the same token, I'd love to be outside actually involved in what's going on, so any info on the sort of day to day role (I know in the army it can be really varied from day to day which I find really appealing) would be gratefully recieved! Thanks in advance ☺

 

[Commentator]

On the degree front - the only Army Officer that requires a Degree is to join the REME or the AGC(ETS). Everything else is fair game!

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[Commentator]

Day to Day the role is pretty similar as an Officer no matter where you join.

The soldiers make a big difference though!
AAC soldiers are selected from scoring pretty highly in the Army Cognitive Test, so tend to be a bit more switched on. They have to be as they use and are around very expensive and technical kit like the Apache and Wildcat Helicopters!

The AAC are a busy Corps. Follow their social media (twitter, Facebook and Instagram) to get an idea. Lots of exercises and stuff going on all over the world.

Aviation is expensive but everyone wants to use it so it does get used!

The pilots have to retain currency so also fly every day they can - so ASO is one of the few Army Officer jobs where you and your soldiers are genuinely doing your job day in day out.

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[Tingtang22]

Day to Day the role is pretty similar as an Officer no matter where you join.

The soldiers make a big difference though!
AAC soldiers are selected from scoring pretty highly in the Army Cognitive Test, so tend to be a bit more switched on. They have to be as they use and are around very expensive and technical kit like the Apache and Wildcat Helicopters!

The AAC are a busy Corps. Follow their social media (twitter, Facebook and Instagram) to get an idea. Lots of exercises and stuff going on all over the world.

Aviation is expensive but everyone wants to use it so it does get used!

The pilots have to retain currency so also fly every day they can - so ASO is one of the few Army Officer jobs where you and your soldiers are genuinely doing your job day in day out.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

That's really useful info, thanks very much for your reply! I will definitely have a look at their socials and see if I can glean anymore info from them

 

[par avion]

The AAC ASO role is particularly poorly advertised...

- You take command of AAC soldiers who are specialised into Groundies (who refuel and rearm aircraft) and Comms Specialists (who deal with communications to and from the aircraft)
- On exercise the role is to find locations to set up Forward Arming and Refuelling Points (FARPs) where you can refuel and rearm aircraft to keep them effective

- There's lots of Recce roles determining HLS' both in the UK and worldwide for all of JHCs (Joint Helicopter Commands) aircraft

You are the AACs generalist Officer, with Pilots being the specialist Officers.

I've got some more stuff on my phone I can post tomorrow. If I don't - remind me too!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

Would there be much of a career path for a young DE officer in this field. It sounds more like a job for a LE officer who has come up from the ranks who would have more experience for this kind of job. It might be the reason it is poorly advertised?

 

[Commentator]

Would there be much of a career path for a young DE officer in this field. It sounds more like a job for a LE officer who has come up from the ranks who would have more experience for this kind of job. It might be the reason it is poorly advertised?

The ASO stream used to be entirely LE.
Now that's changed (8-10 years ago) and the career path is outlined through to Lt Col with AAC jobs

All Ground Support Flight Commanders (Platoon Command in the AAC are ASOs.
Same for all Adjutants (All Ops Officers are Pilots)

Other roles include:
Platoon Commander at a Basic Training Establishment for soldiers
Sandhurst Platoon Commander
JHSS MAOT (Platoon Command at a tri service unit)
Squadron 2ic positions
Training Officer at each Regiment
Plans Officer, RSO, Intelligence Officer

The list goes on.
DE ASOs will be eligible for OC of all HQ Squadrons, and CO of 2 Regt AAC and 6 Regt AAC, as well as jobs outside the AAC which any capbadge can compete for

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[Commentator]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to posting a thread here, but I've been reading your discussions and have found them really beneficial during my application process!

I was wondering if someone could give me a run down of what an Aviation support officer actually does please? On the Army website, it doesn't have that much of a description and Google is no help either!

Thanks in advance [emoji5]

Apparently the AAC Recruiting team are doing some online chats about both soldier and officer, both aircrew and Groundcrew careers. Might be worth a look!
If you need contact details for them just let me know.

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[Tingtang22]

Apparently the AAC Recruiting team are doing some online chats about both soldier and officer, both aircrew and Groundcrew careers. Might be worth a look!
If you need contact details for them just let me know.

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Ah really, that would be great! I will deffo sign up for that and ask all my questions there
If anyones interested, I can post my findings on here for those that couldn't access it or make the evening it was on?

 

[Commentator]

AACHQ-Rec-SO1@mod.gov.uk

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[Tingtang22]

AACHQ-Rec-SO1@mod.gov.uk

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Awesome thankyou very much