Oh okay, that makes sense.
I’ve heard that somewhere too.
This seems like it would be a better solution, and would introduce an additional level of progression.
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Those were the lines I was thinking of
Makes for a better progression too.
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I’ll share my (likely unpopular) opinion.
All service/trade-specific ranks should disappear.
I understand the emotional connections to them, but with an increase in tri-service & multinational activity and an increase in global tensions, the ability to quickly understand who sits where has never been more important.
Across all the services there should be one set of OR ranks and one set of OF ranks, all named and addressed the same way with the same insignia. The rank slides could be different colours (navy blue for Navy, OG for Army, dark blue for RAF) but it’d be chevrons for all NCOs, crown/Tate & Lyles for WOs, bars/bands for officers.
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i think that is why there is a OR/OF structure though…
while it might not be immediately clear (and can see your argument why it could/should be clearer) the use of OR-7 or OF-4 which I understand is universal highlights where people sit on a recognised scale - it is as if OR/OF is the “unit” of measure and is the ISO unit
but everyone chooses to adopt there own approach
I agree with the point about the OR/OF structure, but at present it’s necessary to translate through that structure rather than using it as the scaffolding that supports the structure.
Truth be told, I’d like to see that eventually the whole of (at least European) NATO using the same ranks & insignia to support that integrated working. The OR/OF structure is helpful in working towards that but shouldn’t be the end goal in itself.
Having worked with the Americans, I can say that it’s so easy to see a single image and know what that person is across the services.
Unless it’s stars, you barely have to count (ignore the ORs, they lost the plot a bit there).
Ranks across nations can be a real PITA to understand. Lines, colours, chevrons etc.
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Classify all RAFAC WOs as WO2, Revive the old AWO rank, promote whoever you need to WO1 with tate & lyles
Could do it with cadets too 
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During the chat, they said the the insignia for the RAF WO2 will be the crown with the laurel leaves, our CWO rank insignia.
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More akin to a RQMS than a CSM, indicating technical expertise rather than Leadership position over a Sqn, not a bad shout
That’s the insignia used by all RN and RM WO2s as well.
Did the RAF ever have WOIII? I k is the army briefly did, but they were “platoon leaders” and it was quickly decided that if you were an SNCO who wanted to run a platoon you would just have a commission so it went away.
Could they not just swap it so it goes FS then Chf Tech so you don’t have to introduce the WO rank & the OR8 is still there for Chfs?
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The Canadians tried that and then spent decades unraveling it.
This could be signified by going back to the original RFC rank insignia (stripes, propeller, and crown).
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Then let’s learn from their mistakes and make sure it works first time for us.
Something not quite working first time around doesn’t necessarily mean it’s fundamentally a bad idea.
The mistake was destroying all the single Service espirit de corps. Naval captains didn’t want to be ‘colonels at sea’ and felt the loss of the executive curl from their rank braid was a downgrade.
We’ve managed to cope in 2 world wars and another 70 years of conflicts and tensions without issue.
The reality is that in a joint environment you know who everyone is before it becomes urgent.
Change for the sake of change whike ignoring deeper more important issues, we really do follow the parent service.
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What is going to be the WO2 rank. Would it just a be crown?
Someone said WO with laurel leaves so same as CWO
Which makes sense as the RAF already have a contract to produce the slide already they just up the number without having to set up a new supply line.
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Yes, but hopefully they’ll go with something higher quality like the current WO rank slides (I’m hoping this also rolls downhill to FS slides when we get the Tudor crown).