As SSI you can claim around 50 days a year at Sgt rate - which is generally one day a week during term time, a week long camp and a couple of odd days here and there.
The policy isn’t that well thought, it’s just trying to show the Corbynites that Starmer is a pukka leftie.
An update from our CoS Ops. Including this key bit, summerised:
How will these ambitions be achieved?
…we can anticipate the following approaches:
- Increased investment:
- Curriculum evolution:
- Emphasis on volunteer recruitment and support:
- Strengthened links with the Royal Air Force:
More to follow too by the sounds of it.
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This is a throw away comment but illustrates the issues with engaging with our parent service.
It is a 300 mile five hour (very minimum, normally more like six) round trip from my house to my parent station.
Define “links” & define “strengthened” (by what %% increase?). Very nebulous otherwise.
Our Sqn is lucky - we have managed over the yrs to get regular visits to Waddington & Coningsby, with other visits to more “isolated” places such as Yeovilton & Brize. However, it’s very clear that increased operational commitments reduce ACLO inputs & overall availability.
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Today:
the RAF Air Cadets will see … an increased exploration of modern technologies like drones
Also Today (via Region):
Urgent-STOP STOP STOP ACTO 75 Indoor RPAS Flying
All Indoor RPAS Flying is now stopped within S&NI, until there is further clarity on the policy and approval process
…so…
An extra £1.50.
More badges.
Being told we really need to recruit.
An e-magazine bi-annually.
Ok so i jest (a little), but until cold hard cash materialises with effect, i shall hold my breath.
Some interesting comments from Maj Gen Mac Overton, assistant chief of defence staff for reserves and cadets:
(It is on LinkedIn so log in needed)
There’s a recording of his evidence to the Public Accounts Conmittee here:
https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/7535445c-4be7-42fa-9117-e352910ba4bb
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As an outsider looking in, I found that to be quite an illuminating watch.
It does appear that there is quite a high level of enthusiasm and motivation for the improvement of the CFAV and Cadet offer, amongst other things. It feels like what is being mooted is something of a, and forgive me if this is off the mark but, a return to a 1950’s level of attention but with modern learning outcomes and financial accountability woven-in. Also nice to see someone point out that value for money is already being had - no further squeeze required thank you very much.
Hopefully it all goes swimmingly.
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If we see an end to the “know the cost of everything and value of nothing” leadership and MO that we’ve had in recent years, it will be a first step.
A small one.
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30% increase in numbers with a 3% increase in budget I bet.
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FTFY.
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MOD: “We’re going to increase the cadet forces by 30%”
Me: “That’s great but I’m at max capacity. I must have a bigger building to achieve your goal?”
MOD: …tumbleweed…
Me 5 years later: “Hello, hello anyone there?”
RAFAC: “Why haven’t you increased your cadet numbers by 30%?”
Me: 
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No doubt followed by Administrative Action
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For those Sqns with ATC only buildings, I think the ask will be 'parade 4 times per week in your current building '. That needs double the staff in my opinion and makes the OC role even more vast.
We need a massive staff recruitment and training package before we can start recruiting lots more cadets.
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In my hometown, 3 ACF detachments meet in the same place 1 day per week but on different days. Why not do the same for the ATC?
1234 (Anywhere) Squadron meets Mon/Thurs
1234 (Anywhere) DF meets Tues/Fri
The above is just as an example but, with the right paid staff structures in place, there’s no reason it couldn’t work.
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It changes the OC role for sure.
I think I tried to post this up thread/on another thread but the gremlins got it, but there’s an upper limit to how many staff an OC can ‘manage’. To me that’s around the 10-12 mark. That applies regardless of if they attend 2 nights a week or a couple of times a month. They still need managing.
To increase staff you need a structure in place (and likely an uplift in permanent staff support and tools to help them too).
Back to the specific 4 nights a week, I’d lean towards running them almost as 2 squadrons or DFs, each with their own OiC (WO or OF1/2 depending on numbers). But I might keep the training officer and certainly the adj attached to the OC rather than flights.
So it would look a bit like:
HQ:
OC (OF-3)
Adj (OF-1/2)
Trg Off (OF-1/2 / FS)
Flights (x2):
OiC (OF-1/2 / WO)
SNCO
Other staff as available / needed
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There are already squadrons that do both of the above. I don’t know which is best though, both seem to have positives and negatives.
Increasing the size of squadrons that already share a building (with ATC or ACF) is where the money will need to go.
MOD solution to the problem will probably be - RAFAC parade on 3 nights per week, ACF parade on 3 different nights per week and Sea Cadets parade on the other 3 nights per week 
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