Do we not have a swinging the lamp thread?
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It’s actually on topic, as one of the primary activities of Air Cadets is obviously in the name. As such, this should be a #1 priority for the Cmdt to bat for. It is clear that RAF resources are limited / sporadic. Gliding is similarly restricted. AEF = as & when. Infuriatingly, ACTO35 (or any replacement) is just going round & round in circles - lockdown is a good time to resolve all the (artificially induced?) difficulties.
Consequently, flying has to be top of the list. Even if only a few cadets gets to fly on an occasional basis, it doesn’t just motivate them, it motivates many others.
The best example I can think of - took a cadet flying on a routine tanking sortie on a Victor. He had done the required escape drill training, & there were no “newbies” scheduled to take fuel from us. We had just given fuel to the first “chicks” when the Fighter Control sector asked us if we were “operationally” qualified i.e. to take QRA fighter(s) to intercept unknown aircraft.
But of course. There was another Victor in the refuelling area north of ours, we RV’d with them & took on some more fuel - the cadet was over the moon to experience this. Next, pick up Northern QRA (F4 from Leuchars) & meander off to intercept a Russian Bear D.
Trip of a lifetime for the cadet, wonderful experience for the crew too.
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Preach!
A reduced RAF = reduced opportunities for cadets to fly = more importance on other providers, often willing, to be actually able to provide… this none-sense of acto-35 being suspended is so damaging.
I don’t buy into the over complicated liability argument made - it seems to be an embarrassing level of bum covering of the highest level! Frankly those in the command chain responsible should be embarrassed and ashamed of themselves. But I’m sure they won’t be. As long as they all get paid.
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Having watched it the bits I picked up on was the home-work-life balance that he’s managed to sort out for himself (yet maintain a substantial salary, most who strive for this take a substantial cut in income) and yet again another inference to the reduction of admin for CFAVs. This bit has a nasty habit of leaking into our working day and private life. So in terms of home-work-life balance what about us? Air Cadets is his job, not ours.
What he should be looking at is getting us back to a situation like it was, where “Air Cadets” was ostensibly just done at the squadron and not intrude on our private life and or working day. I manage this but it takes incredible personal discipline. If he can instil into those in organisation permanent and volunteer who send emails or SM that require an almost instant response, that we do not do this as a full time job nor should we be expected to, it would only benefit the lives of the volunteer staff. If some among the volunteer community want to behave in this way, fine, but do not expect it to be universal. The odd private email (to a personal address) or phone call is acceptable.
I had this in both my role of OC and WSO, where it was expected I would respond immediately.
Even had some poo-y responses in my voicemail, as they had phoned for something, and I wasn’t available. Shame I have to work, and don’t sit behind a computer all day. But… I’ve also fallen into the idea that if I send a message, I’m going to get a response in the next day or two.
However, I also understand that some of what we do, has to be done during the day. I need to talk to people at an RAF station, they typically work during the day.
However, things that need an immediate response should be safeguarding or security. Anything else, can wait.
I have an awful lot of freedom at work and so regularly check cadet emails and sort the odd job.
I’ll fire out emails and get things arranged in a pretty short timeframe… but I know that not everyone else has this luxury so you can’t expect an immediate reply.
The only emails sent which require an immediate reply should be if last minute courses or drop out spaces become available (maybe on a Friday morning a CFAV goes Sick so can’t take their cadets flying/shooting that weekend) but I think this comes into a different category… if you happened to have checked your email you might win… if you don’t, well, never mind!
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I think this is the nail on the head.
If you require an immediate reply, an email probably isn’t the most suitable form of communication so pick up the phone instead.
Anything that doesn’t require immediate replies then send an email.
I rarely get chances to check cadet emails at work which my OC recognises and will ring me if something requires a swift reply, even then 99% of the time he leaves a voicemail and I reply when I can. It’s all about reasonable expectations. I’m not naive to think that I can get by only answering emails during parade times because frankly a lot just wouldn’t get done, but I also know where I need to prioritise life. This is an important skill in our voluntary role.
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The problem there is that a lot of work has to go into a decent parade. Once you combine it with masses of other activities they all suffer. You end up with a gash parade because people haven’t been properly trained - that’s not fair on them; and the other events are rushed because there’s a massive parade to prepare for.
Have both, but don’t mix them.
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Our plan pre covid was to have WAD in the late summer.
Our wing parade followed by a social/training afternoon for the cadets and then the wing dinner that same evening and this would take place early summer
Have both - and have them on the same day: that way you can quickly identify all the wrong’uns and keep the fun sponges away from proper, right thinking people.
I couldn’t agree more… I can’t stand having those fun-sponges grumbling about my brilliant parade. They can go off and run the Corps Aircraft Recognition Competition with my blessing 
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There should be no such thing as a last minute course.
Even “last minute” drop outs can’t be accommodated, unless there are people without a life outside the ATC.
I well remember the last minute places at a VGS or AEF being sent out Friday lunchtime. All well and good if you have staff with that sort of availability and then cadets to fill the places. These only ever worked if you were in spitting distance of the venue.
That’s fine @Teflon … no one is making you check your email on Friday lunchtime…
As it happens, I have managed to get several flying and shooting spaces arranged on a Friday afternoon after a drop out announcement.
Those cadets got extra activities, the spaces were not lost - win win. Once we had a CFAV drive a 200 mile round trip the next day - they were happy to do it and it meant flying.
If you don’t want to pick those opportunities up, fine. But I will where I can and that is my choice to log in and check.
As long as it remains my choice, and there is not an expectation on me I don’t have a problem at all with it.
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As a cadet, many years ago, we were lucky to have great staff, paraded Fridays and were about 30mins from our AEF. So like @GoodEggs cadets we used to regularly get flying slots and used to get 3 or 4 flights a year in the chipmunk. One of the biggest disappointments with my kids cadet careers is their lack of flying. As one of the first to be able to join at 12 my daughter will age out at the end of the year with the memory of a single powered flight, it was a great flight by all accounts and the pilot did aeros but she has never experienced the thrill of a winch launch in a glider. My son is 4 years in, had powered flights canx twice one on annual camp and one AEF visit so lets see what the future brings. Maybe there will be a focus on getting the Air back in the Air Cadets with the 80th anniversary logo featuring a glider.
Bringing it back to be commandant interesting to see his short update this week on FB that they are going to start assessing what we may have to come back to.
Having had more time to reflect on his RAFA interview I found his comments about his future a little disconcerting. To me at least it came across as the CAC role is a stepping stone into a position within the MoD, and that a second term is maybe his backup option. From an opportunity perspective he may try and effect real and positive change within the first term but will it be the right change?
This is sadly what I took from it.
But didnt want to say anything.
Glad I’m not the only one!
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I don’t want to sound too negative, as so far it sounds like things are going well… and a cadet turned apprentice, turned senior officer, turned Commandant is a fantastic story.
But I got the same vibe; roll on the mod job.
Well, it is a fixed term, so as long as he does right by us then if he clears off in a few years then so be it.
There’s plenty of time for him to get us in a good place, or sod it all up.
Let’s hope whenever he leaves we’re all on here moaning that we’re bored as we have so many staff to do everything for the swarm of cadets… and we’re all sick of the sight of aircraft and want a weekend off from having to go to AEF/VGS!
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His new FB cover image is also a glider so maybe news incoming following subliminal messaging🤞
The huge advantage of CAC being mid-career and wanting another job after being CAC, is that he will have to produce results. He’s in a crowded field…
We have all, I think, seen the results of appointing a complete non-entity who stands no chance whatsoever of promotion and who wants to hang around for as long as possible. Fancy repeating that?
No. Thought not…
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Thing is - I don’t see how gliding can improve in this organisation without investment in aircraft and facilities, or the use of civilian gliding facilities.
Investment seems unlikely given the wider context of the MoD and the nation.
I won’t pretend that I’m an expert in RAFAC flying and gliding, but that’s how I see it.
I sincerely hope there is a plan and good news coming. Getting cadets in the air is the key to this organisations success.
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You don’t need to be. You’re absolutely correct. Hence the outrage over acto 035… or lack thereof…
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