Joining RAFAC as an adult

Adult Staff
42

There’s a difference between ‘Be a CI for 6 months then you can go into Uniform’ and ‘Be a CI for 6 months then you can start the process’

Delays tend to compound. It took me just under two and a half years from starting the joining process to being told I’d passed OASC, and that was considered quick for my Wing.

ETA I think you can no longer start the uniform process until the 6 months probation is up (it was 3) then you have another probation period as a new uniformed volunteer, which seems slightly illogical.

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43

Wasn’t this change due to actual real world issues?

OC 1234 Squadron basically a one man band, new potential CI turns up “oh thank god” new CI “I’ve got loads of friends in my ring who are interested in kids, I mean who want to work with young people”.

The Sector Commander check was brought in so that someone seperate from the unit was taking a look at new joiners.

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44

Yep.
My missus took 3½ years to get her CI paperwork through, which was then 2 years after she left as after 18 months she got sick of waiting on the paperwork.

So not only did the wing take that long to process it, they took the time to continue to process it after she said she’s wasn’t going to continue it.

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45

That’s certainly a plausible worst case scenario :grinning:

46

Yep. We got married and moved in together 2016, started the process that year. Got the approval in tail end of 2019…

47

I think there is a route for direct entry at sgt (on probation for those lacking appropriate experience at that level) — and, as a uniformed organisation, there absolutely should be (and it should be the default).

Uniformed staff wasn’t an option for me when I left at 18 to go to uni, and so I went to the ACF instead.

48

I’m not even sure what our policy on entry at 18
even is, other than they want cadets going to staff to move units.

49

Moving units isn’t mandatory, I think it’s more of a discussion to establish the best option for the transitioning cadet in question.

What we have had clarified is that under 20 candidates should be “exceptional” if going direct into uniform, but considering they’re likely to be 19 by the time they’re appointed, it’s not clear how that standard changes (if at all) when they become 20.

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50

It is in our Wing

51

What happens if the move is 20 miles or an hour’s travel away?

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52

Then that person leaves the organization instead.

53

I would need to re-read the policy.

I had thought that some nuance had been inserted.

54

It has,

OCW can have the final say, so if its a huge issue they could potentially stay at their Sqn.

I have one in the pipeline, who doesnt drive and shifts mean it suits their home Sqn. So staying is the only option

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55

The brief we had is they have to move unless there was an exceptional reason. No guidance on what that would be.

I do understand the thinking behind it but there are certainly practical issues. Transport being the main one.

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56

So by default the organisation loses a potential valuable member of staff, you really couldn’t male it up.

57

Yep. I’ve certainly seen it. Our wing has had a firm transfer policy when going cadet to staff or CI to uniform. All it really leads to is people leaving as they can’t stay where they like, and people not going into uniform…

We had this same conversation when they changed the 18+ policy, and I certainly was not the only one who has seen this.

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58

Yep.

Currently only a minority of staff on my squadron are car owners (even if they can drive).

But we are well serviced by public transport so it works. That might even be why some picked us. A lot of other Squadrons in the Wing are much harder to reach, unless by car.

59

Just turning 18, very high car insurance is the first thing and there maybe restrictions on that insurance to bring down the premiums. Then the 18 year old gets ‘pressured’ to transport cadets, hasn’t been around long enough to say No, and something goes wrong, won’t be the RAFAC that gets hung out to dry.

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60

Nope because that specific permission for staff cadets to transport is on the 3822a.

It’s down to Sqn cdrs to confirm insurance held etc.

61

Yep. I’d refuse.

(Not that I’m staying in the UK after my service ends) But telling me as a volunteer to move, they could absolutely get in the bin. I’m not regular any more, you can’t dictate my movements like that.
I know the wing is very built up with good(ish) transport links, but that isn’t the point.

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