What’s a ‘Cadet Silo’? Is it a smaller version of say, a grain silo?
Before we can effectively work together at unit level, we need a joint integrated management structure for cadet forces, as per DYER. However this as I recall from the proposals circulating at the time needed the Air Cadets management to reduce significantly, more so than the others, which was probably a step too far for our grandees, ergo DYER kicked into the long grass by Cooper & Co.
Without this happening we’d experience a mess, as there are no protocols etc to make it easy for staff to work across two or three organisations.
An important question to ask is, who is asking who for assistance? If one organisation is asking predominately more than the other two, the next question is what is asked for in terms of activity and why?
Only last week I emailed a local school CCF contingent commander (that only does army) to offer an extra pair of hands. He seemed keen but had to get it passed by the head master. Waiting on that.
I checked with my wing training officer if this was ok before I made the approach and he said no problem unless I went into uniform with both (I’m CI not uniformed atm) , as commissioned in one and SNCO in the other. But that was off the top of his head without checking.
Thanks for getting involved. JSP814 is the bible on this but basically I think that’s correct - only a problem if you are an officer in one cadet force and an NCO in another; otherwise you just need the consent of both COs (but if you’re a CI I suspect you may not even need that).
Probably polite though
We had a CFAV who was Bandmaster and who was also Bandmaster for the ACF unit next door. Cadets benefitted considerably from his input with the Sqn Band to the fore in the locality. Because Cadets s were keen, the Civcom willingly invested in a lot of expensive instruments. This guy had the contacts so the Sqn Band was also involved in ACF Band camps as well.
Everything was working out fine, until Wing started applying their CFAV management skills and the ACF became outright winners.
The guy was not replaced, but fortunately two very talented SNCOs took up the reins and then became CFAVs. One left to get married and the other continued until Wing thought he would be better looking after Wing interests, so pressure of family time meant the Sqn Band slid into obscurity because no-one was kindling Cadets interests. So all that kit sitting idle.
All I am saying is that there never appeared to be a restriction against being in both; it was never a concern that our guy was in the ACF, but evidently we were not to know how the corridors of power operate and why, but at least the CFAV had an escape route and could continue his good work…
ight have misjudged fas wel there is a benefit to young people with the only limit being the time available for a commitment.
I’ve wanted to do this for a long time when I was RAFAC CFAV. Very frustrated. Couldn’t understand why it didn’t happen and why wing staff weren’t interested. I’m now with the ACF. Best move in years.
Going off on a slight tangent here… Anyone know how to book onto ACF courses? I’ve always fancied doing the assault course instructor course but understand it can only be done through the ACF
You need to make friends with your local CTT there is no organised way at a national level to get staff on the Course.
We managed to get 1 member of staff trained but he had the advantage of being related to their E1.
What @daws1159 said - that’s the only way I’ve ever been on an OCS course, via the CTT. Generally they are amenable to us filling up spare spaces but you have to build a local relationship. I think the national view of provision of OCS qualifications can be summed up as ‘meh’.
Also you have to requalify every three years so can be a bit of a pain if the local relationship changes in that time.