As far as I know, yes.
yes to which option? 
- anyone can apply
- it is a posting
They can both be true.
It’s a posting that you apply for.
Once you get to that level there are more people than there are posts available, so you have to apply in a competitive environment.
Loser gets CAC 
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From Grp Cpt up it can be cut throat and careers can be terminated at 4 weeks notice.
One a Grp Cpt your face really needs to fit
Makes my ~C1 equivalent job with 3 month notice period seem pretty secure…
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rather than start a new topic thought i would add here (mods feel free to split though)
CAC has introduced two new awards!
I really don’t have any opinion on these.
Would be interesting to see if the volunteer award ever gets awarded to a CI.
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Or anyone below region level
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It would be good to see what, if any, criteria or thinking went into it. Or whether it was another last minute, not consulted random choice by this commandant.
Not to diminish the work done by those receiving it though, I know they will have worked hard and deserve them.
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From the news article
Commandant RAF Air Cadets, Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty said: “I did not ask for nominations as I wanted the inaugural awards to be to two people who had inspired and impressed me during my time.
Alot easier to inspire and impress the Commandant when your are region level and (probably) have a lot of exposure to her.
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I‘m sorry but that’s ridiculous. Effectively means it’s a who is best friends with the commandant award.
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Nominations don’t stop that though. Unless you have an independent panel favouritism will always play a part.
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Ageed.
Again, no disrespect for the recipients who I’m sure have worked very hard, but the lack of nominations hardly makes for fair award, really.
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Smacks of Dawn just wanting her name on the front of a trophy before she goes…
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True but it does open it up a bit more.
absolutely, but it would make the choice of Dawns’ Mates more hilariously transparent - if you get 500 nomination from Truro to Dingwall, and the winner is Dawns’ PA, at least you’ve got a really big soapbox to stand on when you accuse her of laughable nepotism…
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Where’s the diversity?
Playing devil’s advocate this is a Commandant’s Special Award so I can see why it should be in the personal gift of the Commandant rather than through nominations. There are plenty of other awards and certificates that one can be nominated for
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Surely you’ve answered yourself there. If there are plenty of other awards and things, why create these? And, assuming that creating them is a good idea, how can you ensure other people can award them in future once you’ve left if you don’t specify what they’re for, who is eligible?
All that is likely to happen is they get forgotten about by the next commandant.
Wouldn’t a letter or commandant’s certificate of meritorious service be more appropriate?
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Oh I agree. Just trying to see the other side. I guess it could be loosely akin (considering she’s the Twitter queen) to QE2 giving honours to people following nominations and advice, but has the RVO which is in her personal gift for service to her. That being said, I think the whole thing is a bit silly and she’d have been better off nominating these people through the current channels