Is it true that if a CI get a commission, they have to move to another squadron for a certain period such as six months?
I thought that was only true if a cadet finishes at the squadron and then go through onto commission.
It would seem a little bit silly in this day and age given that the organisation is struggling for volunteers and it’s not always easy for people to travel to a new squadron… I assume it with a done thing partly because it is a traditional military regulation is it not?
It’s a rule that some OC Wgs enforce strictly, but is a rule that does not actually exist in policy, other than as you say, the new cadet to staff process.
Its not a bad thing, as it gives opportunities for different perspectives, ideas and development opportunities …
But and its a big but, it needs a work for the individual and losing Sqn
Its good on two fronts 1. You get to see whats going on at other Sqns, see different ways of doing things and bring things back (or things you think we need to make sure we do)
It’s good in theory but in practise it rarely works out.
Posting for so short of period doesn’t add any benefit & rarely works for the volunteer.
As a new officer it make sense to learn you officer development at the Sqn commissioning you & then get the extra insight once you know how you can apply it.
Cadet to Officer or SNCO to Officer is slightly different but again the move must have a purpose & development plan attached to the move.
This is a topic that comes up regularly & discussed several times.
We have had several go from CI to APO or Sgt without needing to move. The cadets adjusted on day one with no confusion. I agree that going to another Squadron gets you a different perspective but it has to be based on the individual and Squadron needs.
On the flip side of a move, it is good for cadets to see advancement in the same way they see promotions of cadet NCO’s.
Cadet to CFAV is a different matter and a move is a good idea.
I suppose another factor in the negative column is, as people have mentioned, the gap that you may leave behind on the squadron… Especially, as is becoming very common, your are a CI with responsibility such as the squadron adj or training officer.
And what happened if you walk your local squadron… Maybe you do not drive or have access to a car and public transport to the next local squadron it’s generally unavailable and unreliable… Would the wing or organisation want to lose a great CI and potential great officer just because they can’t drive??
We also found the traffic was almost entirely one way. We would develop new staff (including ex cadets) but they didn’t come back to us after their posting, having settled in at their new unit.
And we were never that good at new staff to come to us. I suspect that’s because we’re in a more urban area and on one edge of the Wing.
To be honest I think there are better ways to deal with it. Give a newly
Commissioned CFAV a mentor on a different Squadron for example. It’s something I’d happily make the time to do and it strengthens inter-unit cooperation.
Except:
As a Squadron Commander with a CI going for a Commission theg would probably be doing quite an important job and losing them to somewhere else for half a year hurts my Squadron.
People choose to volunteer somewhere for a reason and making them move is not a good thing.
Why would cadets need to adjust to a member of staff suddenly gettting a new outfit?
Who else cannot lie…?
I do support the move aspect as forces the person to break away however two caveats on this: I never moved in my time, and we’re volunteers now so if it doesn’t suit the person - distance / time then don’t be forced, or if so make it worth your while.
People should remember that it still needs to be FUN and worthwhile.
Tongue in cheek response - Are you really part of this organisation if you think that? 
Of course I am but been around for a while
So when it used to be fun then 
I fail to see how denying a Squadron a homegrown member of staff is a good thing for anyone.
No point in taking part of a sentence to try to make a point as although I support it - some of the best people in our Wing have been parachuted in it’s not for all myself included and why I don’t think people should be forced.
As I said we’re all volunteers now and wouldn’t want to be a talent pool for the rest of the Wing.
I think the point is - requiring a CFAV to move squadrons, is onerous, almost certainly less convenient and therefore likely to be a dis-incentive.
Offering the option to move, with a sensible reason that offers benefits either in scope of opportunities to learn from other staff etc, or be able to make better use of their existing skills - does make sense.
Surely a better way to handle this would be to link wider knowledge of the organisation, through experience with multiple units, into promotion considerations: rather than the initial commissioning process?
I’ve engaged on this previously.
The threat of forced moves damages the will of excellent people who are thinking of investing in their own development and prevents them taking the plunge.
In 5-10 years, they may really want to move for a cool development opportunity / command appointment but, right now, they want to stay where their kid is, because that’s what brings many volunteers to the organisation.
Does it really matter if a sqn busts its establishment of RAFAC SNCOs or officers? No. What a nice problem to have.
Now the military atmosphere is very much enhanced and all those CIs have received extra training and have a better understanding of the military and the wider organisation, to say nothing of having made additional contacts.
Focus on making the transition more desirable, coax them with opportunities later. Don’t threaten to remove their safety net and support network at the exact moment they agree to take on a greater commitment.
I think too it’s down to Wings. If you are in a more concentrated Wing where public transport isn’t an issue or driving isn’t a problem and you have another Squadron a further 10 minutes out of your way then if it is of benefit to swap around staff to learn and develop then it could easily work through a sector however if your nearest Squadron is literally 10s of miles away and you are remote, I don’t think the conversation should even be thought about