In a lot of cases, those of us who’re over 40, and been around a while, have been chewed up and burned out at least once already and probably several times over.
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This is a function of the demographic that have the time & energy to volunteer & devote that energy & time.
The peak demo graphic for volunteer are those in their twenties (who often do not have life commitments set in place yet) & then your next peak is round the mid 40s where they find that their kids have grown up enough & they now want to do something different as life gets a bit stale.
This is broadly the regardless of volunteering, including those who don’t have a youth entry program.
Yes but we have to keep the right ones - if they are Peter pans then it just clogs things up. Sqn COs need to be circumspect when encouraging cadets to adult staff as it needs to be the ones who are suitable.
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No we didn’t. The LASER report reduced the age from 22 to 20 for most cadets - had to the SNCO. It never went down to 18 across the board, and over 18s still had to be selected to continue.
Disagree here - most of the most active staff are those who have been ex-cadets and carry on with a wide range of tasks / activities into being a CFAV. They are the ones who seem to be across-the-board staff, turing up to most stuff. The “old and bold” and generally those who join later already having families tend to be the more single minded ones (just doing squadron events, or specialising in a single area). And you rarely see them off the squadron…
The reason - wing events are a good opportunity to catch-up with cadet friends - those who leave for a long period then come back don’t have that draw.
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Appologies, that was mis-remembered. It did however lead to a decent number of cadets have service terminated when they would previously have continued past their 18th birthday.
What this overall policy has changed is how sqn staff have to look at cadets for selection to CWO. Effectively, you are probably looking at 17 yr olds now, whereas the age bracket previously would have been higher.
This also dictates that promotions to other ranks will be earlier than previously - & that maturity levels across the NCO / SNCO cadets is likely to drop?
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It could, but it need not.
I’m aiming to keep the timings for ranks about the same, if 14-15 is ‘about right’ for a Cpl that won’t change.
It might mean fewer CWOs, or perhaps steering those who have reached Sgt or FS towards staying as a cadet rather than CFAV.
From what I’m seeing locally, the forced move to another Squadron has stopped the ‘CFAV at 18’ in its tracks, those who were leaning towards CFAV, even as CIs, now plan to stay as cadets.
My issue is more at the other end - post 18 cadets who previously wouldn’t have been kept on as Staff Cadets.
My understanding of the new policy for O18 cadets is if they wish to stay on beyond 18 and become a CFAV and stay at their current Sqn, they need either to leave for 6 months or move Sqns.
Does this policy potentially open the doors for an age discrimination case. Whilst the Equality Act covers employment, there is likely a strong case of it covering our organisation. Assuming it does, the fact we are mandating a Sqn move at age 18 or 19, but not at age 20 potentially discriminatory?
Happy to be corrected if I picked the policy up correct but I struggle to see how the RAFAC can say you can’t stay where you are purely because you are 18 or 19, but age 20 is ok.
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As much as I dislike the policy, the answer is very likely no.
The equality act does not cover volunteers. We have no ‘right’ to volunteer. If we are kicked out for whatever reason, we suffer no material loss, legally.
The only doors it opens is the door for potential staff to leave through…
This was changed. They no longer have to, but it is advised where practicable.
It is now to be considered the exception rather than the norm.
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Now we are into the 5th month since the change, how is this going for people, is the process now easier and what has the experience been in relation to those over 18 choosing to transition to CFAV service prior to their 20th birthday?
I’m still not entirely sure what over 18 cadets now can and can’t do and/or be responsible for.
The whole thing needs a proper write up/flow chart/explanation.
I still think they have maybe left it too much in the middle ground between staff role and cadet role.
A decent summary poster that covers the details would be ideal. Both for cadets choosing their path and for staff to help advise and facilitate it.
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i believe a flow chart is the most obvious choice to explain this change as it will indicate the difference of the two route (for staying in the organisation) possible
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Has anyone had any 18 year old’s transition to staff?
I’ve had 3 carry on as cadets and 2 leave.
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I’ve had none stay on as staff as yet.
Speaking to our 17 y/os they are less keen to stay post 18. We still have a fair few who joined a bit older post Covid and the MOI requirement is putting off those who have not already done it.
I’m still not sure how this actually works. Do OCs get a say in whether someone stays as a cadet post 18, or is it an automatic yes? Ditto for staff.
Do we still need a sector commander’s and OC Wing’s signature on the 5-01 form? Or just the OC and Cadet? Have any of the FAQs made it into the revised policy?
As I understand it, one of the reasons for the change was to stop OC’s from having the ability to can cadets - so it is an automatic yes, they can continue if they want. However, it is far from automatic!
Then, what if an OC doesn’t want them to stay - they could easily not offer an MOI course and decline by a technicality!
Our Wing has been told that the 5-01 is no longer required. But the Staff Cadet Service Agreement is still required. We have been told that this is available on Cadet Portal / MyRAFAC as a agreement - but our Cadets can’t find it.
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Why would they?
So what’s the pros and cons of each; staying as a cadet vs moving to staff 