Should cadet forces follow suit? Will future RAFAC be less ‘air’ and more cyber? Should preference be given to cyber specialists (CI or uniformed) for fast track to wing staff roles?
i agree if you have a properly established SME they should be pushed into a role that can support the “greater good” of a wing than just being at a Sqn, just as long as that process doesn’t kill the Sqn.
What this doesn’t take into account is the empirical culture within the majority Wings. Its a club for the Wing Commanders friends to get off Sqn and have the easier life, with higher ranks and less output. with little accountability. So regardless of being a SME it wont result in fast tracking.
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As an org we often fail to realise that people have day jobs and are specialists within that role. Only recently has VSDT etc highlighted how much the org can benefit. Regional commands still treat CFAVs like Cadets and village idiots a lot of the time so there is a culture shift that needs to happen.
It should happen as well, but there needs to be robust processes and selection around it. I know a lot of people who say they are Cyber specialists when really they teach or work in a very small part of that sector with very little experience.
Couldnt agree more.
Very little accountability of wing staff and SMEs.
Nepotism is rife.
Wg cdr limp and ineffective.
Again. Fully agree.
What we need is to disassociate rank from position.
Rank should be based on performance and delivery not position held.
That would shake things up.
Have you been to my old wing?
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Right person right job.
A Royal Marine veteran now officer would make a good fieldcraft officer.
A former social worker might make a good safeguarding lead.
A former outdoor centre manager would be a good WATTO.
But fast tracking someone to any position on the basis of them being a cyber specialist alone …nah.
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What about wing cyber officer tho?
…obviously
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Why not? Is it because the organisation doesn’t really understand cyber and STEM?
A junior nurse can be fast tracked to become Wing First Aid Officer; a HSE manager could be fast tracked to become Wing H&S Officer. Why shouldn’t a cyber expert be fast tracked to become Wing Cyber Officer? And why shouldn’t a chartered engineer be appointed as Wing STEM Officer?
What part of what I said would lead you to believe that wasn’t what I was suggesting? Right person, right job was a dead giveaway no?
What I meant was - someone who is a cyber specialist, shouldn’t be looked upon more favourably than someone who wasn’t for a generic WSO job - e.g. Training, Sector Commander etc. I.e. Being a cyber professional isn’t something that should be looked on as a fast track route to a wing staff position that doesn’t involve cyber, because why should it?
Naturally someone who is a Cyber specialist would be an ideal fit for a Cyber based WSO role, as would any specialist for any specialist WSO role.
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We had a fantastic service instructor who was on the forces.
But he couldn’t reach fieldcraft until he had done the cadet course.
Couldn’t shoot as he hadn’t done his WHT.
He had come back off ops in Afghan and was a small arms Instructor. He left shortly after this wall.
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Similar paramedic being forced to do AFA
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errr… that really shouldn’t happen. If NGBs allow paramedics exemption from a First Aid qual (which they do!) then we definitely should too
We do. I’m pretty sure ACTO 8 says they are exempt from holding a FA cert. Happy to be corrected on that though.
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With this fast track into the higher ranks of the services, with lower requirements for medical etc. What do people think of extending it to FTRS posts in the cadet forces? E.g. a commissioner in the scouts coming in a Regional Commandant role and being fast tracked to Grp Cpt in the reserves to fulfill the role? It might open the pool for candidates up enormously and could well be beneficial for all.
If managed properly, that would be fantastic for us I think. The big disadvantage that it may bring however would be their lack of contacts within the MOD. Or may however bring wider youth-service contracts so who knows?