you need to reconsider in what world the people on ftrs contracts ‘aren’t in the raf’, what organisation do you think they are like part of?
the bigger concern for everyone is why the ncos on cic are allowed on the chom carpet for the grad photo 
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They are not in the RAF. They are in the RAFR. Both Air Forces of the Crown, but legally speaking different entities
thats a misconception that is. ftrs contracts are confusingly with the rafr - rafr is made up of the retired list, reservists and some civil servants
Maybe take the discussion elsewhere?
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Does it matter? Is it too hard to expect that their role requirements would be matched to suit the needs of their “customers”?
Don’t expect Gunners or RAFP get every weekend off, so it’s not broadly a service issue…
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Surely if they aren’t in the RAF that would be even more reason for them to work Mon-Fri?
I actually have no issue with the course being residential, I personally feel like I gained more from the courses in the networking side than I ever did from the course content and losing that to virtual would be a very real loss.
When looking at course dates it’s worth remembering that huge numbers of our staff are shift workers for who weekends are already a precious commodity, in my last unit I only had 3 members of staff (1/3) of staff who were Mon-Fri clock punchers. The rest were working combinations of days and night with weekends and would’ve much preferred Mon-Fri courses. This has been similar in every unit I’ve been on.
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I wasn’t suggesting all the course should be weekends. But I think they should vary. Rather than all one or the other.
If the people running the courses are FTRS then there should be no issue doing some of the courses over weekends! Our RCs are FTRS I thought, and they do a lot at weekends!
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When I commissioned from WO I had to go do the weeks course…
Me too, but is was more than 15 years ago and I had to spend a year at Plt Off
Simplifying the courses and reducing needless attendance at cranditz can only be a good thing.
More of the courses by teams with a ling weekend for consolidation, would be even better for the average volunteer.
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Some of the DI courses are also being trialled for regional delivery over 2 weekends rather than a whole week
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I’m kinda hoping that Project Portal is such a cluster / massive demand on Cranwell that fitting us in is just impossible, forcing at least regional variants or hybrid systems.
To add some gen, after speaking with the ds at atf, they are looking at opening up the DI course to officers aswell.
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Sorta…
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Latest I heard it’s also being opened up to staff cadets.
All of this stuff is aspirational and not confirmed so take anything you hear with a pinch of salt. If i get the nod/ it gets communicated formally (which id rather happened) ill share what i know. Some of the information stated already is wrong.
All i will confirm is a Drill PTS with no planned badges is in dev.
Anyways DI courses arent CIC
I noted a few pictures of SNCO’s standing on the red carpet in College Hall after their course…. Clearly they removed the lesson on the carpet being for commissioned officers only in the new combined course 
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That convention has always made me wonder who hoovers it.
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a roomba obviously…
The officer cadets do!
We were told that the main reason you’re not allowed to walk on it is that it would wear out super quickly and is mega expensive to replace!
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