Imagine living in a country where giving your time away for nothing leaves you with fewer rights than if they were paying you!
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there are also positive cases of discrimination, like military drivers need not be 21 to hold a HGV licence whereas in the civilian world they do
(how many people get the chance to exercise this exemption i cannot say)
I drove a minibus to Germany when I was 19. Applied for a driving job just after turning 21 and they didn’t believe that I’d been driving minibuses two years earlier.
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How many of you have cadets that are now staying as staff cadets rather than becoming CFAV?
Feels like a lot for them to give up for no say over what happens to them.
I know of 4 in our Sector who have taken the option to become staff, 3 I know well and they don’t feel they are valued as Over 18 cadets and the classic story of being asked to do adult tasks but still being treated as kids.
There was more rumblings from there staff about them moving Sqns rather than from the cadets
I say taken the option, have vocalised they want to be staff I don’t actually know if any have physically started the process
I think for a lot of cadets going to CFAV that moving sqn likely is the best option. The problem lies with the fact it has been mandated, with the only alternative being a 6 months break. Which will make a lot of people stay as a cadet as that’s their only option, if they have no other way of getting to another unit.
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So, someone remind me - I know I can’t recruit any staff cadets directly at 18/19 - but if I had a 18 year old show up asking to volunteer, could I take them on directly as a CI in the usual manner? Or would they still have to wait until 20?
Honestly, I’m not sure. As ACP 20 is currently still written, the answer would be no, they must wait until they are 20. However the IBN and what has been discussed verbally implied a reduction in CFAV minimum age from 20 to 18, which would mean yes, they can join as CFAV at 18. This will also require an update to JSP 814, as that also defines our minimum CFAV age.
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Have you a link to JSP814 or a screen shot of the relevant section?
Having just read it, it does say ‘age limits set by each CF’. So I would assume that means a 1* or 2* decisions for us means a simple change, without tri-service approval to change the JSP.
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I didn’t get that impression.
My understanding is that the CFAV min age is 18 for existing cadets, 20 for outsiders public
This is correct. See the follow up questions from the townhall which specifically includes this question.
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There’s contradiction between policy & interpretation
I also think the person answering the FAQ was focusing on the staff cadet side rather than the CFAV side as it’s listed under the staff cadet pathway.
If it doesn’t implicitly imply that in policy then perhaps there will be wriggle room.
So this IBN is just wrong then, the last line in the photo:
Or I suppose it’s correct, but with caveats.
The problem is ACP 20 still says you must be 20 to be, for example an SNCO. And that Q&A sit’s in the middle of the two.
Our policies are all over the place. I mean, I’m not surprised, but these are significant changes not being backed by policy.
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correct
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So Can you join the CCF(RAF) as a CI at 18 & transfer to ATC at 19?
Also the fact that the phrases used in the mission intent say “alignment” and “lowering” seems like someone is trying block or delay the change somewhere.
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In a win for common sense, the information on this was updated today and publicised in the weekly briefing:
Q) Under what conditions can ex-ATC cadets become CFAVs at their previous squadron before the age of 20?
A cadet may serve at their previous squadron before the age of 20. However it is recommended that this is only done with the agreement of the applicant, OC Sqn, and OC Wg, with necessary records retained on SMS. (This will require an amendment to the policy
This directly contradicts the article it is a Q&A for, but it is good to see some sense emerging.
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See also the adjustment for AT
quote of change? Is it AT only of for all qualifications?
Link to updates: Townhall Follow Up - Over 18 Q&A
Q) I am an O18 cadet with AT qualifications; can I use them?
Shall no longer be responsible for activities where National Governing Body qualifications are being used. However they may assist as an instructor (as per ACP 20, PI 501, Annex D). (This will require an amendment to the policy).