Not entirely sure if this would work, but if it could there are benefits, especially if the new CO was completely new to the squadron. Get to know the faces etc and if an existing member of staff maybe just to ease them in.
When I was offered my first command the old CO had already gone, but I insisted on meeting the CWC on a non parade night and then met the staff in a pub (I only knew one of the CIs) on another night to find out who did what etc, then took over officially the following parade night, which was just a chat with the cadets. I wasnât keen on just going along and saying âhere I amâ.
They do from now on.
Pulling on a uniform is no longer that special.
The CoC restriction is just to appease idiots and people who canât see beyond the end their noses and just need the uniform / badge as identify a target. As I say putting on a uniform on does not instantly imbue people with special powers that makes them better for a command / exec role than anyone else.
Thatâs not exactly correct though is it, we are all civilians in uniform now thatâs true. But we still have a rank structure and CIâs donât fall within it.
I donât think itâs splitting hairs at all, the change in the status of the Commission doesnât change the way the organisation works. We already had civilians in uniform in the shape of SNCOâs and CIâs couldnât be WWO, just because our Officers are now the same doesnât mean you can suddenly have a CI Wing Commmder.
No reason why you canât we could have exc officer posts not a wing commander post as for CI title needs looked at as Officers are now no more than that
Two points here. Firstly, this is a bit like telling someone âWe recognize your ability to manage this store, so please take on the role. However, we are still going to call you a shelf-stacker and pay you as one*. You donât have a problem with that do you?â
(*Pay isnât really the issue here, but I kept it there for the analogy. In my opinion, the pay should be for the role, not just for the rank.)
Secondly, whereas I appreciate this is to stop inexperienced people ending up in a role they cannot handle, thereâs a whole world of difference between a fresh-faced 21- or 22-year old newly commissioned officer and a 40+ year-old experienced manager. The old system allowed the Wing Commander to make a judgement call on whether someone could accept the role, and recognize that appropriately. This new one doesnât.
Should be Acting Flight Lieutenant for an OC with <4 yearsâ service. Confirmed with the substantive rank once the matrix has been met. Easy to reverse when it doesnât work, but the staff âon the groundâ at Wing/Sector should be able to make a sensible decision on people.