Disgusting.
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Our CO made it clear that parents would need to be informed that not only the proposal is this charge, but where the money goes, and what happens with it (buying new equipment/xmas party , that sort of thing).
I think we only received one payment. We noticed that the rate they lose/destroy their 3822s have reduced dramatically which is what I’d say we wanted.
Also worth noting that members of the committee have been discussing this long before the CO made the decision
I’ve known sqns that charge a deposit for uniform, and others that charge the going rate to get brand new kit if they lose theirs - how they do it, im not sure.
How they do it? Technically illegally.
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Surely there’s a distinction between blue uniform and all other loaned kit? The Squadron gets blues for free, but everything else in stores is owned by the unit. If the cadets went out on exped and lost a sleeping bag, you better believe they’re paying for it!
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If I can get the item replaced, the cadet doesn’t get charged. If there are supply issues I tell the parent to go out and buy a replacement.
If the cadet lost or damaged a piece of detachment issued equipment such as a bergen or webbing, they are getting the bill.
Out of curiosity, which law is being broken?
When I joined as a cadet it was standard practice in our wing to pay a £20 deposit for you uniform and a pay a rate for missing uniform.
Paying for replacement uniform does have its pros and cons.
The cadets are more inclined to take more of their uniform, they parents are more interested in the uniform
It does make a rise in cadets nicking uniform from other cadets, cadets might stop turning up if they have lost uniform.
Regarding issuing of uniform, I would check an OLD acp20 there used to be a note I’m sure saying initial and updated (out grown) were free. Replacement issues would be charged and to be honest it should be if someone can’t look after it then they shouldn’t be given free things all the time.
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The only time we charge for kit is Sqn purchased stuff - parents have to sign a waiver if they borrow it stating that if it is returned damaged or missing parts then they must replace it. Its not public property its ours so thats our right to do that. The alternative is they buy their own - which some prefer to do. We cant charge for RAF inventory items, nor those issued free by the ATC. Occasionally we have had to recommend cadets buy their own kit but usually I get the civ com to stump up for it if there are supply issues - prime example currently being PTS badges. Just bought Sqn ident badges and all outstanding PTS badges with sqn funds.
I’m generally with the people above - I wouldn’t charge for anything that doesn’t cost the unit money.
One of my former units did use a deposit system, not for uniform but for subs which seemed to work OK.
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You can’t make a profit out of a non-profit organisation. And as the clothing itself is issued free they are making a profit. It’s just not right.
You’re not making a profit if any of the money raised is going back to the cadets in some form.
While I would say Cadets should certainly be charged for losing something owned by the Squadron. (Adventure Training Kit etc) charging them for washing their 3822 or for losing their berets just seems wrong to me.
(Yes redoing 3822’s is a pain in the backside but it doesn’t cost anything!)
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Fraud. Its not the sqn property. The sqn never paid for it. If the sqn charges £5for a beret, that £5 ends up in the sqn coffers. To be legal they should sent the £5 to their parent station.
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That’s not fraud. If the squadron is honest that the fee is not to replace the beret, but for some other penalty. (Admin charge?) Then it isn’t a dishonest representation.
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But that is not the question at the top is? Sqns are charging for lost items and pocketing the funds.
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That is absolutely horrendous. Who ever came up with that idea needs a slap. (Figuratively speaking).
That’s a terrible attitude. What if said cadets can’t afford it? Or their parents? What sqn is it? Name and shame.
Charging for lost items that they got for free… it’s issued. The clue is in the wording.
“ISSUED”.
Not once did I pay for anything that was damaged in its use or needed replaced when I was in the Regulars.
But you are demanding that parents pay for kit that is issued.
They aren’t paying towards anything else. They believe they are paying towards the uniform. Not for the Christmas cake/staff night out.
Ohh thats very dodgy ground.Especially the bit about wear.In my Air Force days uniform was lifed 4 years for a no.1 30 months for a jumper.If you needed a new one outside the time slots (the jumpers especially at the time had a nasty habit of failing at the seams just above the cuffs well before 30 months was up) You had to get a chit from your boss stating failure was due to “fair wear and tear” if it was negligence you had to pay up. Ive never charged anyone for uniform or levied a deposit .I could see something like that ending in tears.All it would take would be one parent questioning the validity of such a scheme.
I don’t see how we can possibly charge a “fine”, “replacement cost”, or “admin expense” on issued uniform - it’s not ours. The RAF own it. If they wanted to levy a charge that’d be up to them.
Squadron owned kit on loan such as bergans, sleeping bags, &c… Sure. But ensure that the parents are aware and agree to the terms before the kit is loaned out.
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