The slightly weird thing about CCF having a Wg Cdr is the number of Wg Cdrs/equivalent in charge of contingents, so it would make sense to have Wg Cdr CCF as a Gp Capt, or just restructure CCF so the Army/RN sections align more with the ATC (have Fg Off/Lts as section heads and Flt Lt/Capt as contingent heads not Sqn Ldrs/Capt) as CCF always appear to be Sqn Ldr/ equivalent heavy
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Itâs very similar to the way that the Regional Commandants are the same rank as the CoS.
Except a section is akin to a squadron in terms of size and OC responsibilities.
Now contingent commander is sometimes simply a figure had who does naff all, and sometimes they do a lot of work covering multiple sections, so probably more than a WSO.
In both section and contingent the rank is also dependant on numbers of cadets.
Weâve also lost Wg Cdr time served (rightly) so any left will either be in the rank because of secondary duties with HQAC or will be heading towards retirement on the not too distant future.
And thereâs another oneâŚ
The job advert has just gone out for another âSenior Volunteer Advisorâ, this time with 2 FTS. Having read through the essential and desirable criteria though, it does seem like the job description is written with somebody already in mind. âJobs for the boysâ?
Iâm completely baffled as to why they now need someone who will provide guidance and advice to the Comdt 2 FTS, and the other Exec Officers, on the running of 2 FTS.
Is this an admission that the gliding offer hasnât been run very well previously, leading to a pitiful number of cadets getting a glider flight?
And, does the line about taking forward those activities required to ensure the continuation of safe and effective gliding provision for cadets hint that BGA gliding will finally be looked at?
I think they have had one for a while - wasnât that Grant Kearns job at one point?
Yep, already sent that point onto someone else. The job spec clearly points to a very limited number of potential applicants.
Look on the bright side, maybe they can take up the reins for flights in non-Service aircraft⌠
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I think youâll find this is a good boss trying to give volunteers more of a voice on his command team as equals. See it for what it isâŚa fantastic opportunity for the right person to influence change at the highest levels within 2 FTS.
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Forgive us for being cynical, but what has the appointment of a Senior Volunteer Advisor at HQAC achieved?
Worse terms and conditions than ever before and a record number of CFAV leaving.
The only good thing that can come out of this appointment at 2 FTS is the introduction of BGA gliding for cadets, but I wonât be holding my breath.
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In fairness, I donât see how having a CFAV on the Command Board can be a bad thing especially when compared to zero CFAVs. Perhaps some of the impact is less tangible.
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Itâs a technicality. Unless the bombs are dropping and youâre all panicking trying to work out who the new field-promoted boss is, seniority doesnât matter at all.
It depends on the CFAV, it depends on the purpose behind having them in the board & what the CFAVs is there to achieve.
It can be that they have relevant day job skills that helps but otherwise itâs purely tokenistic.
Added to that cfavs are a varied bunch - a single on only brings single views
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CFC officers have a substantive rank capped at fg off but, like @MajorDisaster says, that doesnât matter in this context.
And if AOC22 Gp says " I donât like cadets carrying out car parking / marshalling" with no substantive reasoning behind it, well, tough!
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Given the criteria narrow the applicant down to maybe 8 or 9 people, meaning likely only one or two that might even be able to apply, as much as I applaud your optimism, I fully suspect this is a done deal with the face that fits best already.
Exactly this. When was the last time the Senior Volunteer Advisor (HQAC) reached out to CFAV on the coal face so that our views could be heard at the command board?
Iâve not seen a single piece of comms from him since he took post.
This is true but they arenât the only CFAV on that board. They will be joining 2 others that represent other elements of 2 FTS, this is a VGS focussed post, IIRC.
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When was the last time you emailed them with an issue?
I recently did, and it was sorted quite quickly and I something I was told âwas impossibleâ has miraculously be approved and supported. This includes WO RAFAC who has recently been very supportive on the same issue.
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I thought the post would be more proactive and âbigger pictureâ, than sitting around waiting for an email to come in with a specific request from one CFAV.
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Iâm sure he consults with the people who worked with him as a Wing Commander, thatâs the natural order of things. I know I get consulted on all sorts of things under the table from people Iâve worked with on the past who are now in policy roles. (Both at Cadets and at work).
Out of interest where have you seen the job advert? I must admit Iâm not great at finding things on Sharepoint but I canât see it in announcements.