That’s why we have backups. At my work, our main system database is backed up every 3 hours. Those backups are stored on replicated storage servers. I have no idea what kind of backup process is done on cadet records, but you would probably need something pretty catastrophic to destroy them permanently.
Not as the new. As an ID.
Despite whst many believe the 3832 was never a formal form of ID.
In my opinion the individual consent forms TG21/23 started off any pride in a 3822.
Whereas prior a 3822 was a Cadet’s “passport” to attend events containing all the necessary NOK details when that information was required on the consent form (as well as written consent) that is all activity ICs became interested in.
The admin task for the CFAV was collecting in TG forms and suddenly there was less reason to carry the 3822…
As more importance and greater use (ie any and all activities required them) of the TG form occurred staff lost interest in the 3822 which spread through to the Cadets…
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When we said we were going we were asked for photos and cutting from papers for displays. Being a bit of a geek for personal history I have a number of things which I took along as well.
The problem with online/digital is we are losing the written word. And yes I get the irony of things like this forum. My 3822 enries are mostly in my handwriting and has got the handwriting of different staff and signatures and initials of 3 sqn cdrs and other staff, which all add to the historic value. The jumle of code has nothing of this. I know that within the Air Cadets, history is a dirty word, just try asking for anything related to squadron history from within the organisation and you draw a blank. With electronic RoS cadets will not leave with something in their hands to mark a period of their lives which we hope means something. It’s not the umpteen WHTs and the like it’s the activities, awards and other achievement written personally that cannot be replicated electronically.
It is irony that we still have to have physical documents some with photos to prove who we are and here we have removed something like that, to save a few pence. Just think of setting up bank accounts, getting passports and driving licences? Go into a bank (if you can find a branch) and try and set up a bank account without several physical ID. Getting onto a military establishment requires physical photo ID. Getting a DBS requires physical ID.
I really got into my family history by it being available online, which does allow you to progress it, much easier than visiting records offices and libraries trawling through documents and microfiche. But holding things touched by your forebears has a special resonance, that cannot be replicated looking at some words on a screen.
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…at the moment. Considering MyRAFAC is the budgie in the mine.
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I believe the plan is the service ID Card will follow suit in time to come
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As far as I’m aware there are some low level trials somewhere.
Aldershot is currently trialing a digital pass for vehicle passes. So something may follow for defence ID.
Problems do then ensure in PED red and PED amber zones… But I’m sure a solution will come.
I’m pretty sure I saw some PR announcement that Northolt was trialling it!
Yeah, I can see it working there.
And with the royal flight based there’s there will be some PED red/amber zones. So a good place to try it.
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I don’t think it is a dirty word, just that it is hassle & not something they care about. Not everyone has the interest in history & it just leads to apathy.
Also records from the early days are often not kept or are chaotic so it can be hard to work through. I suspect a lot of the early paperwork was either thrown away, destroyed in the war or is sitting in an archives cellar at Kew going mouldy.
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Trialled at Leeming as well.
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That’s until you reach a major anniversary and old records become ‘a thing’, then it becomes a scramble.
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Nostalgia is not what it used to be!
Over on another thread, people are listing all the activities that have been lost in the space of one generation of cadets.
It seems a real shame that very little of the lost opportunities were replaced by tech. It was supposed to be the future after all!
How long before road marching is done in a gym on a machine?
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So in the race to be tech savvy and an ultra-modern all-inclusive organisation, we have dropped the ball.
Someone in RAFAC HQ has made assumptions that are totally incorrect I.e. all cadets have smart phones or all cadets have ready access to the internet. Many of our cadets do not have smart phones or are allowed unfettered use the Internet.
We need an alternative if we want to preserve the appearance of inclusiveness, even if this means partially reverting to legacy systems. Squadrons cannot be expected to supply computers and smart phones, even if parents allowed it
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Ive never seen anything from HQAC that says that…the survey that was carried out that the majority had access…we are never going to be able to account for everyone but should set operations for the majority.
There have been public suggestions from both CRAFAC and other HQ staff that squadrons should buy phones for cadets for precisely this purpose.
What exactly do you think they’re missing out on?
I think the suggestion was that the squadron buy a phone that can be used by the cadet when they need to visit a station or a range etc and need to app. Then it gets signed out to the next cadet who needs it.
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tell you what, give me your squadron number and I’ll pop down, because I really want to see this mythical squadron where the majority of cadets don’t have smart phones you talk of. The only majority at my squadron is the number of cadets who have a BETTER smart phone than me 
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Again, there is a specific MyRAFAC App thread for discussing the specifics.
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