Been told that Chief Tech is disappearing from the RAF rank structure.
All Chief Techs are going to be FS and FS in the technical trade groups will become WO2.
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RIP @Chief_Tech
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It’s a shame but writing was on the wall when they got rid of junior techs (still think when they introduced LCpl they should have been call Jnr Cpls as part of tradition but never mind)
Also the last remaining unique rank insignia that links to the RFC
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Techie FSs are already paid at an OR-8 rate anyway, Just putting the right badge to the money
Shame to be losing the unique rank though
Non-techie FSs are paid at OR-8 too, but only after seven years in rank.
Doesn’t the AS2 rank insignia (formerly LAC) have links to the RFC?
Didn’t know that
Far more rare though is it not?
I know a guy who’s been a FS for at least 15 years. It’s the only rank with 12 levels (six at OR-7 and another six at OR-8).
Edit: But, yes, by default more rare than techie FSs because they go straight to OR-8 on promotion and we have to wait seven years without aging-out, getting promoted, commissioning, etc.
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OR 8 are going to become WO2. This will bring them inline with NATO equivalents.
I think it could’ve been done better. In the RAAF, FS is equivalent to an Australian Army WO2. If we’d followed the Australian model, we could’ve kept CT at OR-7.
Alternatively, we could move sgt to OR-5 (like the US), have CT at OR-6, FS at OR-7, and have WO2s at OR-8.
Would WO2 be a useful rank for us? Rank recognises the snr adult SNCO on a Sqn with WO1 for Wing / Region roles or OiCs.
To be honest, I don’t think two classes of WO is enough to distinguish between command WOs, group WOs, wing WOs, sqn WOs, WOs in SO3 posts, other WOs, etc. However, what is the right number? At one time there were three classes, then one. The RN have switched back and forth between one and two classes a couple of times in recent history too.
Sqn SNCO also isn’t linked to rank. You could be Sqn SNCO as a Sgt or FS, with WOs on your squadron.
I’ve seen squadrons where the SNCO has been a CI 
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One just popped up on my Facebook feed!
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Me too, unfortunately.
A WO2 maybe a good idea for the RAFAC to be able to reduce the number of Warrant Officers… if this approach is adopted by the RAF @AlexCorbin.
WO2 is back on the table in the RAF so see how that plays out
while i agree i don’t think this is what @ArthurHarris is suggesting.
instead it is closer to
those who reach WO on Sqn are a “class of WO” which is different to a WO at WSO level.
there was talk (on here admitidly) that Sqns would loose WOs as a rank, SNCO CFAVs would “top out” at FS regardless of years served or matrix boxes ticked on the basis WO would be reserved for “off Sqn” role (namely WSO and other such roles)
WO1 and WO2 would offer a that distinction while maintaining a “WO” Rank
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How would it reduce the number of WOs?