Cadet Forces Expansion - Split From SDR 2025

Plus there is the pressure from the uplift in the Reserves, so fewer spare nights for those in Reserves buildings.

Wonder how long before they bring us back into the reserves(T) to fudge the numbers
thats-funny

Sort of the reverse of disbanding the ROC and declaring the Scorpion a ‘tank’ to meat the Conventional Forces Europe treaty terms?

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That makes it seem like 1 half of the sqn is subbordinate to thje other, Maybe If everyone would take a 3 Didgit Sqn No we could have

123 Sqn

1 Flt (1231) Flt
2 Flt (1232) Flt

Absolutley, I cant remember where but I said something similar using @OC.1324 s Sqn as an Example
Perm Staff as OC(Sqn Ldr), SWO, Adj, Trg Off(both Plt off - Fg Off) etc. at Sqn
CFAV as Flt Cdr(Flt Lt), Flt SNCO etc. at flight level
Might even get keen Cadets (FS, CWO) at Sqn Level…

Although I have a feeling that this require Squadrons to close and amalgamated, unpopular and ultimately making us less accessible e.i. the opposite of this whole expansion excersise

Damn,

Great minds think i suppose

FTFY, Hope youve all got your War bags ready :wink:

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I don’t remember the post mentioned but I suspect permanent / paid staff as OC/ trg off would be too much - even parading 4 nights a week it’s still not a full time post.

What might work would be to move to a Reserves type model with VA/pay attached to parade nights and other duties.

Could be via a bounty system so those that do the extra (and so might have to say, work fewer hours in their main job) receive it.

As for VR / VR(T) I can see the merit in that for those who take on the extra workload.

It could also be that CFAV could volunteer to taken more of a Reserve role in a crisis - call up liability for home service or training duties maybe.

I’d imagine that would need to go along with the annual MATT or Certificate of Efficiency, even if they allowed lower standards for fitness. There’d need to be time for the training for all that and an uplift in stores. We can’t go to war with a few L98s and whatever bits of webbing squadrons have squirrelled away.

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That isn’t generally how it works. Flts with numbers are independent of any sqn (e.g. 1435 Flt in the Falklands) whereas flts within sqns are lettered (‘A’ Flt, ‘B’ Flt, etc.) or sometimes named.

Judging by the In Memoriam - Cadet Squadrons Lost, Closed, Merged & Disbanded thread, there are plenty of sqn numbers in suspended animation that could be reactivated for a second sqn at a given location: otherwise we go with a single Sqn HQ element with two or more co-located flts (lettered or named) drilling on different nights.

N.B. It would not be appropriate to call either of these a D.F. for the simple reason that they are not detached.

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Though more DFs might be a fairly quick way to increase capacity.

My RAF TRFs are in my sock drawer just in case

I meant it as an accountancy exercise
‘We have increased the overall size of the Army/RAF Reserves by x thousand people’
It will be just like the 1.5% to take us to 5% that has to be ‘defence related’ that can cover just about anything if you are clever enough.
(Maybe we can get HS2 assigned as a major defence infrastructure project to shave 5 minutes of moving a tank from Birmingham to London - that should take us to 15% GDP )
thats-funny

I get that, but it’s not an entirely daft idea (and afaik the MOD’s contribution to the CFs is in the budgets anyway, but CEP funds aren’t).

A few years ago I was told the S in VGS changed from ‘School’ to ‘Squadron’ for similar reasons.

What about the level of salary!! If they went with CS pay, then Flt Lt is deemed to be EO equivalent so you are talking under £30k a year. Who would give up the normal day job for that :man_shrugging:t2:

This has finally made its way to LaSER.

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This really annoys me. We shouldn’t ever stop an activity because we don’t know the policy or process - that’s for the REMFs in the back to agree on. Just let us “front line staff” carry on as we were until someone decides conclusively which is their ass and elbow.

There’s some real pain here in that the policy got updated, then 5 days later someone pointed out the new policy was as clear as mud, so that the activity got stopped pending clarification on the new policy wording. Now we’re waiting on it to be re-written.

Why are we discussing drone policy?

Apple have apps, we have threads, and there’s a thread for that.

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Topics!

Have we discussed the civil contingencies/resilience aspect yet?

Letter this morning to all SCC CFAVs:

Dear Volunteer,
We are writing to you with great pride and enthusiasm following the publication of the Government’s ‘Strategic Defence Review 2025 – Making Britain Safer’.
The Review recognises the vital role played by cadet forces, like Sea Cadets, in inspiring and supporting young people across the UK, and it sets out an ambitious vision for growth, innovation and national resilience in which cadet forces will play an increasingly important role.
In particular, the Review details a national ambition to grow Cadet Forces by 30% by 2030, with a longer-term vision of reaching 250,000 cadets across the UK. It also champions a whole-of-society approach to resilience and service – acknowledging the importance of volunteering and explicitly highlighting the need for more flexible ways for people to get involved. We warmly welcome this recognition. It reflects our long-held belief that by removing barriers and enabling people to give their time in ways that suit their lives, we can unlock the full potential of our communities to help young people thrive.
This is a moment of huge significance for Sea Cadets – and for all of us who care so deeply about what we do. As volunteers, you are the beating heart of this organisation. It is your dedication, your kindness, and your belief in young people that makes the difference every day in units across the country. The path ahead to delivering success will take all of us – volunteers, employees, MSSC and the Royal Navy – working together in step.
The task ahead is bold, and rightly so. At its heart is the recognition that what Sea Cadets offers – skills for life, a sense of belonging, and the confidence to aim high – has never been more relevant or more needed. The Royal Navy and MSSC will work more closely than ever before to make this growth a reality, building on our rich history together and the deep respect we have for one another’s work.
The target equates to approximately 4,700 more sea cadets over five years. We need to work together to bring in new volunteers, simplify processes to allow more engagement with young people and to find innovative ways to accommodate additional cadets. Each unit will need to consider how best this challenge can be met. We may also need to grow new units.
Through Sea Cadets, we have a unique role to play in preparing young people for these pathways and ensuring they leave us ready to thrive in whatever they choose to do next.
Whether they move on to higher education, employment, volunteering or service – including options like the new voluntary gap year in the armed forces – we are here to support them in pursuing their ambitions with purpose and resilience.
Whilst we await guidance from the Ministry of Defence, including what resources might be available, we would ask you to consider how best your unit and district can help achieve this target. We will shortly be starting a consultation process to channel your ideas into the organisations business planning.
We will be in touch again when we know more but please share your ideas with us as we understand opportunities.
Thank you for your continued support to our young people.

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leaves me in no doubt SSC HQ value the volunteer

(anyone recall HQAC offering such praise ever, let alone in a “call to arms” message?)

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