The people further up the chain have also probably been there for a while when running a Squadron was simpler, no risk assessments, fire safety management plans, ultilearn, endless paperwork, the constant hunt for activities on BADER, mentoring new volunteers etc etc.
We have members of Wing staff, not attached to Squadrons, who do NOTHING.
I’m not going to start digging too big a hole for myself, but later on I might see if I can write down what I do as a squadron commander. It would be interesting to see how it compares to other people.
[quote=“charliecharlie2k12” post=18267]
…We have members of Wing staff, not attached to Squadrons, who do NOTHING.[/quote]
The people further up the chain have also probably been there for a while when running a Squadron was simpler, no risk assessments, fire safety management plans, ultilearn, endless paperwork, the constant hunt for activities on BADER, mentoring new volunteers etc etc. [/quote]I think that you forgot turning up in the middle of the day for PAT testing, asbestos, legionella, lightning protection…
And having to go to RAF stations during the working week to pick up clothing orders, weapon servicing, collect ammunition…
And my favourite bit is that you can’t even claim HTD for visits to the unit for the types of admin visit detailed above.
That is easy here: we don’t!
RFCA now have a system here whereby a key locker contains various keys and contractors may get the key from the RFCA office - this means we don’t need to be present for all that nonsense. Mind you, before that system we still didn’t turn up on the basis that we had day jobs too and weren’t available 
You make good points and this is the only one I really want to address.
Nobody ever explains the reality of being a reservist or a regular. Or at least you can’t really grasp it without doing it.
My real point is that you don’t sign up to run a military themed youth club. You sign up to take a commission in the RAFVRT.
[quote]I think that you forgot turning up in the middle of the day for PAT testing, asbestos, legionella, lightning protection…
And having to go to RAF stations during the working week to pick up clothing orders, weapon servicing, collect ammunition…
And my favourite bit is that you can’t even claim HTD for visits to the unit for the types of admin visit detailed above. [/quote]
Same for Auggies. Fitness tests, medical appointments, kit collections, kit exchanges, tailor’s parades, anything that requires speaking to one of the squadron support staff, because they’re regulars or FTRS and don’t like working weekends…
And while the first half of your post refers to going to the squadron, every single one of those trips was sixty miles there and sixty miles back in the car for me. So I’d have to take half a day out to spend three hours in the car to potentially spend five minutes putting my name on a piece of paper. No pay because you’re in for less than two hours, no HTD because you need to claim pay to claim HTD.
What’s being asked of VRT officers isn’t cruel or unusual. It’s just being a reservist, like it says on the ID card.
I’m pretty sure the guys right at the top would tell you that the reward for putting up with all that is the right to wear an RAF uniform and hold a commission.
Just because the same problems may exist in the reserves, doesn’t mean that they aren’t problems.
As Incubus makes clear, there are perfectly sensible ways to make such things work where the will is there to avoid just dumping on the volunteer.
My MOD 90 says Cadet Forces.
As an avid follower of, but infrequent contributor to, ACC Forums this one certainly grabbed my attention. To put my comments in context I am a former Sqn Cdr and continue to contribute to the ATC but not in an instructional role of any description.
My thoughts as follows: The nature of “volunteer” service as a commissioned VR(T) officer has equal (or perhaps at times unequal) elements of both the “volunteer” and “service” bits. It is a commitment that certainly engages the emotions and it is those emotions that are expressed on this forum as the frustration level rises. I will attempt to be a little more dispassionate. Why? Because at the end of all the reasoned debate (and hot air) the ATC is about the cadet experience.
What then, in my view, are the things that impact on the Sqn Cdr?
(1) Regulatory Changes. The changes in the regulatory environment (and as a result the individual and COC legal responsibilities) over the last 15-20 years has changed the world of the adult volunteer (in whatever guise) out of all proportion.
(2) Financial Constraints. The changes in regulations and the subsequent increase in legal responsibilities have not been matched by either an increase in resource or alternatively a decrease in activity.
(3) Mitigating Factors. There have been a number of well meaning but inadequately thought through attempts to ease the load through the introduction of initiatives such as Bader or Utilearn.
(4) Staff Support. The government’s unfocussed drive to cut civil service numbers has left the full time staff, at all levels, under resourced. The current geographical configuration leaves penny packets of full time staff over-tasked (just like the volunteer staff). No efficient organisation in the public or private sector would configure in this way.
(5) Senior Full Time Leadership. A number of the senior leadership, either still in uniform or acting as civil servants, left the RAF sometime ago. While that old guard is moving on those that remain, on occasions, act as if they were in command of a full time Air Force of 90k + with all its time and resources. I do not include in this the current Comdt who obviously thrives on leading what is still, in my view, the best youth organisation in the UK – bar none. I believe that she has a positive programme for change and the will to see it through. Let’s hope she stays with it for a full 8 years (2 x FTRS contracts).
(6) Intermediate Volunteer Leadership. There are a number of OC Wings who are committed, talented and make a massive positive contribution. Their teams are pro-active and forward looking but this is not always the case.
(7) Squadron Level Volunteer Leadership. This varies from the outstanding (see (6) above) to the less than adequate. The reasons for this vary so much (talent, skills, family circumstances etc etc ) with the same influences/constraints on their teams.
(8) The Cadet Experience. At last I get to the one thing that should, in my view, be the prime reasons to get involved; giving young people a positive, safe, challenging and exciting developmental experience that in many cases shapes their lives. That (1) to (7) impact on the ability to deliver that experience will cause all volunteers to constantly evaluate whether they can continue to contribute or, whether it is time to pass on the baton?
My final thought is that your loyalty is ultimately to your family (whatever shape size or configuration that is)- they are the only people in this equation who cannot replace you . Just like in the full time parent organisation, when things get too far out of balance it’s probably time to go. That does not mean you cannot come back. If I read the Comdts’ CV correctly she left the RAF for a number of years but has rejoined with an energy and enthusiasm that are second to none ( If that is what a “career break” does perhaps it should be compulsory). If individuals do decide to stay then they have to accept the rough with the smooth, that’s just the way it is.
On the point many of our SLT being from a long gone era of the RAF is extremely relevant in relation to their attitude/mindset towards the ATC. They seem to live in a bubble formed when they left the RAF. There seems to be very little concern to the fact that people are allowed (maybe not the right word) to leave without even trying to fully understand why and an attitude that we can recruit more people. This as we all know isn’t easy and or straightforward. When you look at in terms of the world of work, a job is advertised and a salary and benefits package commensurate with the role is offered, you will get people suitably experienced and or qualified applying and in many instances several 10s if not hundreds to choose from. When it comes to volunteers you are looking ostensibly for people who will give their time and money (indirectly) altruistically. When we get these people show interest we then put an amazingly obtuse and protracted application process, just to be able to become staff. Then something even more so, if they wish to go into a uniform role.
As for the role of commandant I think I could be enthusiastic if I was getting that (if I understand the pay scales correctly) salary and benefits package. Some of the comments about being busy etc are reflected in the business world and go with those salary levels. If you aspire to those salary levels and achieve them you have to accept what goes with it. Would our current one be as enthuiastic if it were a volunteer role and was being funded from pension / salary? Also does she see the real ATC or the smell of fresh paint and or polish and just shiny, smiling faces. I would have more respect if she were to turn up on spec to random sqns on a rainy evening in January. One of our chairman used to just pop into offices see how it was going. Frankly I other than run around with the hoover and make sure the mugs are clean do nothing for any visit. I don’t say I want all cadets and or staff to make a special effort.