Indeed - would also theoretically apply to Sikh or Rastafarian cadets (but I don’t have any).
And what happens when they say that’s outdated and unfair?
Let them know that they’re free to follow it up with Wing OC or higher, but until the rules are changed that’s how it is and they’re going to have to firm it.
because if it comes down to you being scrutinised for your cadets unpresentable state, you wouldn’t be saying “the rules are unfair” to a Wing Commander or Squadron Leader would you? End of the day, those are the rules, and although I understand empathy and humanity are a matter in this subject, it needs to be understood that most rules should just be followed, especially if it could bring down the rest of the team’s presentation.
A good leader will always stand up for those below them that are having a rough time of it so I probably would.
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A Squadron Leader or Wing Commander is nothing against a medical practitioner.
Damn right I would.
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That is exactly what I do this job for. If you don’t do that yourself, you are every poor SNCO I didn’t look up to as a cadet.
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We have a Cadet who has more of a mop than a describable haircut. He has been constantly told to sort his Barnet out before he goes into uniform. He’s a bit wired as a kid and would rather tell various stories relating to what is being spoken to him to take onboard. I asked if he was adhd or anything similar (but not so bluntly) cos he’s quite chatty but he said he just has too much energy. Personally I can’t see him wanting to have a haircut and will probably leave which too be honest is quite sad cos I’m sure with time he would have a awesome personality for the Sqn in the future. With all these younger kids joining with our rules and uniform, they seem to come in and 3-6 months later leave. And when there is a group of friends…that has meant 2-3 leaving in the same week. Back in my day if we had bum fluff our WO would make us shave it off in the toilet with a bic razor and once that happened we’d rarely come unshaven again. We may as well get a revolving door fitted.
In the Air Cadets no ones carries any authority to make cadets do anything. This might upset some of our uniformed staff, but either they get their heads around this or they can leave. This frustrates our CO when it comes to doing things.
The Air Cadets only has club rules and expectations, even with regard to staff, that have no legal standing. Staff are not employed so there are no employer-like sanctions. We might dress these up with faint nod to the RAF and say things, but ultimately we hope that cadets and staff play along and don’t make too many ripples. This is one of the reasons a lot seem to despise us CIs, as we can’t be controlled by the club rules and bring a degree of sanity to the organisation.
I would go so far as to say that since the CFC any deference to the RAF is purely illusory and only there for the game we play by being in the Air Cadets, and there is no military authority at all, even for Air Cdres, Gp Capts etc who are still part of the RAF.
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@bob that’s exactly what I mean though. If there are valid reasons then I definitely believe the individual should be allowed long hair.
as to this, I think I phrased what I meant wrong. What I mean is if you’re at a major parade or event, and during an inspection of some sort, a high rank comes and asks you why your cadets aren’t of high standards, then isn’t the appropriate time to discuss whether it’s fair or not. In a private conversation then definitely.
I just believe that if we have an issue with something we should actually do something about it and reach out to get the rules changed. Because in all honesty I agree with you all that it’s rather unfair, but unless we all start emailing in the mass not much is going to get changed.
(Excuse the delay in the reply, I’ve only recently made an account and there’s a limit to how much I can post)
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A valid reason like you think it might be against the law?
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No I was talking about a medical practitioners point of view,
I fully agree with that, and if there are valid reasons that a cadet should have long hair present, then there’s no issue as to why not, but if they are doing it just for reasons of fashion, then in accordance with current rules the appropriate course of action should be taken
I never said it’s illegal for a cadet to have unpresentable hair, it’s whether we want it as part of our squadron in uniform
Go back and read the thread again. You missed the point.
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Wrong way around. Long hair (on some people) is against our club rules. There is a fairly sound argument that our club rules might be against the law.
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ah right, putting it this way makes much more sense
Before you recommend such things, I would advise you look at ACP20 and go to Personnel Instruction 501. If you are interested in following the organisation’s rules, this covers the penalties squadrons have at their disposal for dealing with disciplinary issues. I would suggest your advice falls outside what is allowed. If a cadet or parent were to make a complaint, you wouldn’t have much backing and could easily find yourself up against allegations of bullying etc.
Also you may possibly have described your OC as flouting due process for binning cadets on disciplinary grounds. Again, keep reading through 501 and it describes the process, including Region and HQAC involvement.
Transfer to the local Scout Troop?
Thread split. Not ideal I know but go with it.
An update.
Cadet in question has represented the Sqn and the Wing at athletics, and after a brief about what to say if questioned about hair, he came back both times with nothing to report.
So either anyone who saw it and disliked it was too worried about repercussions to say anything, or nobody cares.
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