What do you think about a cadet transferring to your unit as an SNCO? I have a Sgt and FS interested in transferring but I already have a complete SNCO team.
Does them transferring at current rank diminish the efforts of current SNCO team? In a business world, you’d accept a senior member of staff joining where there is a vacancy but not joining for the fun of it.
I’d love to hear your thoughts for and against letting them retain their current ranks.
I ensure transferees are at the standard I expect, but I also pour extra effort into transferees and embrace them proactively so they don’t suffer any negative effects by transferring.
I.e. they’re a core part of the team from day 1.
I also don’t worry about NCO team size. If you’re good enough and you do the job I expect at each rank, I’ll promote you.
When exam time comes around you’ll have patchy attendance, so having more NCOs allows you to co-ordinate any drops in attendance to ensure they work together to continue supporting the squadron as a team (life lesson about balancing commitments and planning ahead).
Sure, but this isn’t the business world, it’s a youth organisation.
I would always accept a rank transfer unless I had good reason to believe they shouldn’t be holding that rank in the first place.
Accept it, but have a word on day one. Welcome to the team, here’s what I expect from my NCOs in your rank. Crack on, and lets have a chat in 6 months to make sure each others expectations are met. Simples.
I transferred ATC Squadrons as a Cdt FS and kept my rank at the new unit.
A certain CFAV at my former unit was a bit of a character and was telling me I’d be demoted if I left…
In hindsight this CFAV was a bit of a censored.
There’s certainly a conversation to be had if standards aren’t the same, but that’s something to consider on an individual basis and as has been said, a conversation about expectations followed by support integrating is important.
Poor cadets and NCOs (normally standards / behaviours) can really undermine the culture of a unit, but the emphasis is on helping them develop.
I’d view it like inheriting an NCO team on taking on a unit. Absent behavioural issues you wouldn’t demote them all just because you had different expectations, you’d just keep them where they were until ready to progress (if at all).
I would take that as a compliment — they clearly didn’t want to lose you.
Orrrrr that CFAV was just douchey.
Not exactly the same situation, but though I’d give a cadet’s POV. For context, we’re a CCF section of ~40 cadets, but the lack of parade hours & the variability in cohorts means that there’s often not anyone suitable for SNCO roles - I’m the first for a couple years.
As a Sgt, I’ve been doing SNCO duties for a while, but having joined an ATC sqn recently, I was offered an at-rank transfer but decided to join as Cpl. Not that I’m not qualified for the role, but it’s very hard to command people when you don’t know their names. I’m also learning the new atmosphere and etiquette, and wouldn’t want to set the wrong example to the cadets. It’s not that I’m not good enough to be a sgt - i hold myself to high standards, its the fact that we do different activities and have a generally different vibe - with very different style of staff. I did however work with my new OC and the sqn FS to make a development plan of sorts, and think I’ll go for Sgt at the next round of promotions.
Tl;DR: while the promotion requirents are roughly identical, I think that cadets should have some time to learn their way round the new sqn, but don’t force them to wait for a space to open - they are capable of doing the job already!
Your post shows a level of maturity, self awareness and emotional intelligence that would stand you in good stead as a Sgt.
It was definitely this I’m afraid than any sort of loyalty to me 