We do like to speculate
1 Like
And moan, don’t forget about that 
1 Like
Does anyone have anything positive that they are hoping for? It’s possible to speculate without moaning!
And we can forego the “resignation” comments; I think IG has that covered…
The most positive thing I’m hoping for is a clear road map for the upcoming reforms. At least then we’ll know what’s likely to come, whether we like it or not and can plan accordingly. Will also help with rebuilding trust both ways
5 Likes
Honestly, the communication in it’s own right will be the most positive thing I think. Hopefully what ever decisions are being made good/bad we will get some real insight into how/why these decisions are being made.
It’s one thing being told “We’re stopping X Y and Z.”. But it’s much better being told “We’re stopping X Y and Z because of A B and C and hopefully blah blah blah…”. It might still be a bad situation, but better communication is a step forward no matter if the news is good or bad.
6 Likes
Having a clear vision and being able to articulate will definitly soften any difficult messaging
3 Likes
A clear plan.
Don’t try and hide the nitty gritty from us, be upfront about what time and money will be saved and how it will be used.
5 Likes
I don’t think TK has a problem with this generally. Even when you don’t agree, he always speaks quite well and sounds reasonable.
If anything, if you’re not a critical thinker he’s probably quite convincing!
1 Like
Pretty much every person in every senior leadership position in any organisation/business
2 Likes
Yes, very true!
I think this is the key. There are a lot of professional people who will be in the audience who manage this kind of stuff in their day job. Treat them like chumps and you’ll just annoy everyone.
8 Likes
I do wonder what trust can be salvaged by “good comms” - or more importantly, what lessons have those in the Ivory Towers learnt about poor situations / poor comms? RIAT + heat situation for example.
2 Likes
Except when trying to explain that “we don’t have a volunteer shortage problem, we have a geographical problem. We have plenty of volunteers but they’re in the wrong areas”.
Well TK, that would be a volunteer shortage problem, because you can’t move your (self-claimed) excess; it would only be a geographical problem if you could shuffle the pieces around a big map in your war room and have it reflected in reality.
Statements like that are indicative of the kind of blind, ivory-tower syndrome, superiority complex decision making that we (think from our perspective we) have seen.
The all-hands call is a positive step in the right direction for comms and transparency if the opportunity is properly capitalised upon. But if it’s filled with fluff, lip-service, and statements that are as disconnected from reality as the quote above, then it will have been for nothing.
He can speak well as long as what he says makes sense. He can explain the logic of his decisions as long as the justifications are sensible and grounded in/conscious of the front-line reality and don’t just “stink of air conditioning”.
5 Likes
That’s not unique to HQAC.
The wing I’m in doesn’t have a staff problem; it has a geographic spread problem!
Some sectors are very healthy, some are desperate for staff.
As you and I know you can’t make a volunteer drive 2 hours to chalk up another officer/SNCO/CI to another squadron.
Also successful squadrons seem to generate more staff, that then don’t want to leave a successful squadron to help somewhere struggling. It makes sense. But as volunteers you can’t “deploy” staff against their will, they’ll just leave.
So he technically might not be incorrect. But the nature of this organisation doesn’t care much for technicalities like that. We are where we are. We can volunteer only within striking distance (and other factors; do I like the other staff? Etc).
This is also why closing squadrons never has the effect hq might like. In an experiment locally a squadron closed, most cadets just left, some staff just left, while civcom resigned.
The staff they had that didnt leave didn’t want to go where they were asked. And as we’ve gone down the line more have left as they don’t like their new experience.
Squadron closed, zero greater good.
7 Likes
That’s the crux of it.
1 Like
The geographical spread is only going to get worse if they cut 1771s or home to duty. No way I’m moving to the next sqn 30 mins away to help out if you’re reducing the already low recompense for doing so. If that happens I think we’re likely to see more people moving closer to home.
4 Likes
Because of the dumb way that HTD is handled, I haven’t had a HTD mileage payment since Covid, and I’m now considering transfering to another squadron to minimise the personal cost.
I’m using ¼ of a tank per week just on attending parade nights right now - so roughly £60/month just on fuel for our standard nights.
If HTD is cut or scrapped, it wouldn’t make an immediate difference to me but would still make me consider whether the spend is worth it.
Note: I hadn’t actually realised I was spending that much anyhow until I worked it out for this post and may well now take some time to consider what that means.
Could more flexible VA be a good idea perhaps? The ability to claim for quarter/half days? As is done in likes of UOTC, UAS, URNU? Certainly likes of glider flying isnt a full 8 hours so there isnt as much financial compensation for your time.
If VA entitlement is reduced, I will be adjusting my commitment accordingly.
2 Likes
That’s got to be a squadron or Wing issue; had mine quite quickly.
1 Like