‘Played a card’ sounds like we are talking about politicians
If they disregard regulations, then goes wrong…go to jail (worse caseczcenario for effect only)
Nothing in the regulations that says we can’t do AT between those dates.
There is suggested camping regulation date that applies at those times. If you want to Camp at those times you can as long as the RATTO is satisfied that you need to and that it’s safe.
Suggest regulation it is either a regulation or not. Good luck submitting an AT or FMST app in our region in these times a blanket NO is the answer
If the regulation is set outside of our organisation then it’s a best-practise regulation that doesn’t have any requirements for us to follow but we follow it anyway as it’s a good idea.
Politics is about managing people & perceptions to achieve a desired goal. In a volunteer organisation where everyone chooses to be here, politics, persuasion & perception is exactly what you have to do/manage in order to make things tick over.
Do I disagree with HQAC decision for a blanket ban without exception & no mechanism for appeal or review - yes.
- it annoys everyone really quickly so it’s poor volunteer management
- it was poorly communicated
- it was centrally made decision rather than involving personal from different aspects of the organisations. This meant anger is directed at a single point rather than being spread around.
- it differed from the other cadet forces causing confusion.
However do I agree with the intent behind the stop signal - yes. because it was made with the correct ethics of keeping people safe.
The decision and/or it’s execution was wrong but the ethics of the decision stand.
The most concerning aspect is that the decision was deemed having to be made centrally without consultation. This means that HQ did not trust either the volunteers or the paid staff such as TSAs to make that decision or provide advice.
If HQAC does not trust it’s one staff then there is something murky going on at HQ as it is either due to a lack of trust in the competence of the paid staff or it is a lack of trust in the ethics of the paid staff, that for example they would (maybe) put the delivery of events or big ticket items ahead of staff & cadet welfare.
HQAC have got to start managing the politics & not rely on the “following orders”of the military. There is also the fact that while politicians don’t know very much about military capabilities they do know a lot about volunteer management & would happily rip into the CFAVs like a cat with a toy mouse if their constituents started complaining
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This is the big point.
A week ago there was another weather event of similar severity and not a thing was done about it.
Then there was a second incident and a colossal over-reaction.
On both occasions the chain of command - or rather, the command - has reacted atrociously.
This is their error. An error of practise, an error of process, an error of comms.
Errors with, so far, zero ownership, zero accountability, and total let down along the volunteer population, who are losing faith with every minute.
The comms have gathered “brand damaging” responses from across the country, and queries have gone unanswered.
It’s a total crap show from every possible angle. And the single most worrying thing is it’s not the first time, and we all know it won’t be the last.
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From personal experience I vividly recall one situation probably 6-7 years ago now I was due to be teaching on a Wing radio course held on a Sunday but there was unexpected snow overnight. The Activity Commander (WRCO) and I spoke on the phone before we even had breakfast, we both had 25-30 minute commute to the “Wing train facility” (RAF Station) and didn’t fancy our chances getting there so agreed to cancel.
We formulated a plan to contact the expected Cadets one per attending Sqn who would spread between their attending Squadron Cadets.
The same weekend was a NCO training weekend which was residential* so already had CFAV “on the ground” who we got in touch with to address anyone who arrived without getting the message to turn them around.
Yes it was a busy twenty minutes contacting people but we got it done.
My point being…:
This was an indoor event away from the dangers the snow created but the Activity Commander cancelled the event justifying the decision on the basis of safety
So yes it is effort but last minute calls do happen but fortunately are rare.
I agree, but that doesn’t excuse the way this was done or the the national impact that it caused.
Recently there was a short-term but instant ban on all Cadets parading within the M25 due to some London based incident (I forget what it was now I didn’t attention it didn’t impact me) which was proportional to the risk…the same cannot be said for this weather related affair
*they “kept calm and carried on” by sticking to just the classroom lessons and ditched any practicals based outside.
They recognised the dangers in cancelling straightaway to the parents collecting their Cadets so made the decision to carry on allowing the snow to melt/clear waiting until lunchtime for end ex where the risks were far reduced permitting safer departure
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I know for an absolute fact that all 6 Regions do AT within those dates. Perhaps it’s a more local issue?
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I can echo that on fieldcraft, happens all year round but with some modifications/limitations depending on time of year so sounds like a local issue.
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I really dont know what the fuss is all about.!
It’s really very simple. From now on all we must do as Cdrs is think “what would Tony do?”
That’s why I have today sold all the Sqn AT, shooting and sports kit. Invested it in cyber materials. Whilst permanently standing the Sqn down, as I saw a cloud this morning and didnt want the risk.
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My thoughts exactly.
I’m sure the NACATC are used during the autumn half term at the end of October.
The question is when we get the hotter weather (say 30°C+) in the summer, with the stall now set, we should get a similar response and our hot spells don’t just last a few hours like a storm blowing through, they can last a week or more in extremis. The 1976 heatwave was 2 or 3 months and was as a teenager, brilliant, many days spent with mates getting up to all sorts and long queues at the local pool.
Similarly wrt cold spells like 2010-11 and the “beast from the East” a couple of years ago and imagine the sphincter twitching with winters like 1947 and 1962-63.
CAC, if his management style is to have any credibility going forward cannot now pick and choose as the criticism will be widespread. Now a yellow warning, anywhere hot, cold, wet, windy for consistency and we all stop. Can he now just issue advice and leaves it up to Sqn Cdrs to decide? I’ve never been a fan of this man and nothing as yet is changing this thinking.
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Well hopefully this means we can stop doing climatic injuries training then, as if it gets too hot or too cold we’ll all be told to stop anyway 
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Silver linings
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Well I won’t bemoan, and I doubt SWMBO will either, an extra BBQ and drinks in the garden instead of a parade evening!
@WellIbedammed I’m curious, what’s your role on unit?
You seem to be fairly hardline on things but seemingly without key bits of context.
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Didn’t we have a D&C Camp and parade the other year when the temps were very high. 
Would it be cancelled now under this direction. And who would pick up the costs of returning cadets and staff back to their units, especially after initial costs have been agreed with train and coach companies
Forget costs…
Imagine the parental fall out!
Would make fb comments look peaceful.
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All those parents who, rightly or wrongly, used little Johnny being on camp as a chance to have a quick mid week getaway
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The last group of people HQAC want to annoy is parents and I’m not sure they really understand this.
I’ve been on the end of annoyed parents when things have been cancelled like flying and gliding, as little John/Jane were looking forward to it and more over it’s sodded up the parents’ plans. Imagine this week, parents been away and coming back today as little John/Jane was going to be away with cadets, but they have had to curtail their break. I’d pass them the CACs SM and email if they wanted to comment.