Cadet Forces Expansion - Split From SDR 2025

[AMW]

@WestlandScout

I like the Young Leader model as it’s that recognition for doing a bit above and beyond the usual.

Is that not just our NCO structure though? I certainly expect my SNCOs to be “young leader” equivalents, if not my JNCOs too.

[Chief_Tech]

@JustCallMeFlight

I would argue that, prior to the latest changes, an 18-20 y/o CFS/CWO had a significantly better offer of opportunities than a 20-22 y/o CI

& I would disagree with that certainly locally over the last 15 years.

An 18-20 y/o FS or CwO in the ATC would have the “play” of being a cadet but not the responsibility.

When I joined the ATC as a 21 CI in 2003 (not being an ATC cadet) I was still afforded more respect & autonomy than the 23year CWO that was had been on Sqn since they were 13z

It comes down to the Sqn culture & how they value CIs.

[juliet_mike]

Agree. If we really want to be Cyber, Comms, STEM then we should be set up for that. iPad for every cadet (maybe increase the joiing fee to pay for it), renewed every 5 years, proper digital access, proper access to STEM activities which are actually meaningful in the real-world and also the ability fly drones as part of the wider offer, ie get permissions in place to use them on ranges for target spotting, fieldcraft for recce patrols and info gathering etc. Properly integrate STEM into the syllabus. I was BUTTs IC a few weeks back and was explaining to cadets in the BUTTs why the CZP at 100m wasn’t in the same place as where the cadets were aiming - proper real-life STEM, not some made up stuff to tick a box.

[WestlandScout]

@AMW

young leader

Indeed. But a quick win is for us to make it easier to identify those soft skills identified above.

To those with no military background (parents, even employers) rank doesn’t mean much. So we need to spell out what we do and why it is valuable.

[JoeBloggs]

@juliet_mike

iPad for every cadet

Given how much we rely on cadet portal and online exams, this really should be something we should be aiming for. I would necessarily go iPad, but something similar is needed for all cadets. Or a certain number per unit or Wing.

[Jimothy]

Getting some would be good, but there’s no way we’d get one per cadet, or even enough to avoid squadrons having to source their own.

[papa_november]

@juliet_mike

maybe increase the joiing fee to pay for it

What is this joining fee of which you speak? Do you mean routine ‘subs’?

[JustCallMeFlight]

Some units charge a ‘joining fee’, which is absolutely not a ‘uniform deposit’ (as such things are banned). They might include a sqn tee- or polo shirt, MTP, shoes and/or boots, etc.

Some offer to return the fee if the uniform is all returned (but it is absolutely not a deposit).

[Chief_Tech]

@papa_november

What is this joining fee of which you speak? Do you mean routine ‘subs’

Discussed in greater detail here

@Chief_Tech

As part of the join process they pay an admin “fee” that includes the cost of the Sqn polo top & the “subs” deposit.

You have to call it a subs deposits not a uniform deposit as otherwise if the uniform is not returned you would technically have to transfer the money to the RAF.

[daws1159]

@Chief_Tech

always seemed to be not being treated as an adult by the staff even though they were 18 or 19

That’s alright following Special K we don’t treat any of the staff as adults anymore.