It feels like I am being set up to fail from the very outset and I seem to have no support from anyone. In all its been over six months and when I chase things up and I get told off as if im a fourteen year old cadet. This is not the way to treat someone who is offering to volunteer unpaid…
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By whom?!
I’d expect nothing but empathy and some schedule of remaining in contact, perhaps a strategy to help you get ahead of the game to better hit the ground running when you finally get the nod.
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Which part of the process?
eDBS can be turned around in hours.
BPSS is totally dependant on the applicant, the referee responding.
Initial process is down to applicant and OC Squadron to do their bits
The only piece that could take time is the BPSS, the rest is badmin on someone’s part!!
BPSS is fine, its just the DBS part thats causing the problems. Maybe its because I worked for the MOD for over 26 years. It wouldent be half as bad if they actually kept me informed but they dont. If the tables were reversed I would email an update either weekly or fortnightly. Even if there was no change to report. Its called common courtesy. To be honest ive long since had enough of the beurocratic claptrap and all the associated rubbish that goes with it. At the end of the day some of the people in charge need to understand that they are losing adult staff at an increasing rate and we deserve a little bit more appreciation. Also, its not the real RAF its a youth organisation…
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Working for MoD wouldn’t be an issue, I’m a CS in another Dept, and mine was within a day.
Sounds like a Wing HQ issue 
As per the above, I’m sure that there are some I. 22grp, not necessarily HQAC that would like a smaller, slimmer RAFAC and the reduced costs and risk that would lead to.
That is not in and of itself a bad thing, if it is quality over quantity. But then we would need an equitable way of selecting cadets.
Making it hard for volunteers to join would be a very blunt instrument for changing the size of the organisation.
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It ensures that any unbridled enthusiasm you have has faded before you ever reach a squadron. Thus maintaining the subdued stagnation favoured by many, as a means of not highlighting the failings of individuals or organisation.
It’s a tried and tested method the world over. S
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We’ve just had an ex CFAV return, his DBS and BPSS came back quickly, within 2 weeks for the DBS. The hold up seems to be at HQAC (according to our Wing staff) even though you would expect it to be an easier process for someone still (sort of) in the system. We’re up to 3 months now.
But I can’t see why, apart from DBS and BPSS, everything else is automated on VP.
I was also under the impression that the reliance on HQAC had been removed now. Once BPSS and DBS recived, WHQ should be able to process the application to the point where then can then start attending the squadron. Most of this is now done through VP.
Yes, we had a new starter recently. Once BPSS & DBS are back, the new volunteer submits their application on VP (they also have to fill in some personal details) and have their Board Report added. This then creates a workflow for the OC to approve and then it was the same day that they were good to go.
You can track an application through VP as well on the Applicants Tracker.
There is one thing that could be holding it up at HQ, though - if an applicant has previously been a Cadet or CFAV, their old record needs to be ‘restored’ - perhaps this request has been made and not completed yet??
Ive given up on it all. I cant be bothered anymore. Why should I volunteer to an organisation that makes me feel undervalued and frustrated with it all. I can predict that if things dont change and soon there will be understaffed squadrons and even closed down squadrons.
Not a prediction. This is a reality already.
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Dont give up. Its been happening for years. Once you have the DBS you can get into working with the cadets.
Maybe @Cab or the Air commandant could have a look at the DBS problem.
We really dont to be losing staff. As you say there are Squadrons and wings who are crying out for the right staff. They system is not working correctly. We have staff who been through Dbs and bpss and cant get on Bader. Its like beening in no mans land. You would think we would be wanting free staff!
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But this is my point, I don’t think the organisation (or at least those running it) do want free staff. Lower headcount = smaller VA budget (irrespective of how much is claimed) if sqns close then the estates costs are cut. Fewer cadets mean higher percentages get flying and camp opportunities without increasing capacity. Call me cynical.
And I know this is going to sound bad to some but I genuinely think there are far too many ‘officers’ in all the cadet forces as well as the air cadets who love collecting more and more rings on their sleeves and who think they are iactually in the real RAF. Thsse people are totally detached from reality. The recruitment process needs a radical overhaul where adults are processed quicker, got into uniform sooner and those who are a waste of space got rid of.
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We need more uniformed staff across the board. You are right we need an over haul. There are Squadrons with one uniformed staff member who is trying to keep it together. With 50 odd cadets, they cant seem to get uniformed staff and are struggling. They have CIs but they do some uniformed roles. There needs to be more training for staff, possibly nearer in their wing.
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Stick us CI’s in greens with a snazzy Civilian Instructor arm band 