Good morning, I have a potential new member of staff that would like to join straight into uniform as an officer - An ex Air Cadet (longtime ago) and certainly has the right skillsets. I know some wings frown on joining into uniform, but I cant find the rules anyway
ACP 20 lists the entry requirements for CI, SNCO and Officer.
Anyone can go direct CI or SNCO, those with previous experience can go direct officer. I can’t remember what the exact 'previous experience ’ is, you’ll have to check the ACP on that one, as I’m on my phone!
1 Like
I think you can apply to go straight into uniform although it can be a bit longer with commissioned.
However I’m always wary of those who wanted to go straight into uniform as the wait factor can be a good safeguard whilst you get to understand their character unless they are personally known & vouched for.
I had two new staff both ex-military & wanting to go straight into uniform. Both were completely unsuitable as volunteers & were difficult enough to remove as CIs so I shudder to think what they would have done if granted that extra authority.
There’s no reason you can’t say to them that you will start the commissioning process immediately developing them in a role for those skills.
Importantly whilst an ex cadets previous experience is great it’s what they can do now rather than what they use to be able to do.
1 Like
My bold.
My advice would be to complete JOIN application for a CI, and as soon as that is approved submit the paperwork for Commission that would result in not being appointed within that first 3 month period.
Knowing how long it takes locally it’ll be a minimum of 6 weeks for Wing Filter followed by the wait for Region Board.
5 Likes
Just read the same… thanks
Why do attitudes like this prevail in a uniformed organisation?
2 Likes
Inb4 CI vs uniform debate… 
4 Likes
Because I use to be trusting but was badly bitten. 
You have less of a risk in reserves or regulars as the Walter Mitty types have to jump through a little more hoops and when they are in they are not directly in a position of authority relatively quickly as the rank structure & training requirements for promotion puts a natural delay & allows character assessment.
It’s just the need to be professionally wary otherwise you end up Wayne Couzens & the like being let in.
Yep this works - ensures the cadet can be vouched for & has the appropriate experience.
I would always say though that even if a person has to wait, a Sqn should still be develop the volunteer for the role that they want to go into so if commissioning they need coaching on the ACTO94 stuff etc.
no need to wait until someone is in post before you start developing them.
2 Likes
Do we imagine this rule would still apply if you were a Cdt on a Sqn many years ago.
Let’s say hypothetically you were a Cdt at 123 Sqn between 2006-2012. Surely by this point multiple generations of Cdts have gone through the Sqn so you’d only potentially know long term CFAVs.
You missed the first sentence, where this only applies if the ex cadet is under 20
3 Likes
I read that as walt factor 
This autumn on ITV… 
1 Like
Actually, that makes a lot of sense. Personally, I think there are better solutions than forcing people down the CI route (ACF model with PIs, in uniform but with no rank, introducing ranks below sgt, etc.) but, working within the system as it is, I now fully understand and appreciate your position.
3 Likes
One question I have… How does one prove the prerequisites of previous CDT SNCO rank and service?!
A lot of people in their 30s-40s will not be on any system or any kind
Record of service book aka Form 3822
2 Likes
I would be interested to know how many people have managed to hang on to their 3822 after many years of house moving etc.
I kept mine pretty pristine considering but don’t know where it is now. I think I might have some wind and region sports stuff somewhere but not sure about the little blue book
Photos? In scope for social media digging? Local newspaper archives?
EDIT - “old” squadron archives, etc?
1 Like
yup i do.
although recognise i am still in the organisation and have a drawer for such things whereas someone out of the organisation for 10+ years likely filed in “stuff”
Personally I would not want to become an officer in the RAFAC unless I had been one in the RAF: I feel a bit walty being even a Sgt (ATC), having only reached the rank of Cpl in the RAF.
In fact I would rather have that rank in the RAFAC. At least I wouldn’t have to do all the SNCOs & WOs Mess stuff if I ever had to stay on a RAF Station: I would just get a room in Transit Accomodation, or more likely the local Travelodge, because transit blocks are probably long gone by now. 
1 Like
Interesting… Two points here though. 1) the RAF and RAFAC are completely different entities in terms of role. A great RAF officer my suck as a RAFAC one. 2) is there enough of them (ex RAF) who want to join the RAFAC?
1 Like
With most stations these days officers & SNCOs are often in the transit blocks & eat in the JRM due to the need to supervise the cadets.
Personal choice is fine but to reassure there are different roles with different responsibilities & different skills required and a different mindset needed.
We no longer have purchasing of commissions so it comes down to understanding the purpose & need of the role. It’s why substantive rank is capped at Fg off but we all go through the selection process & interviewed by regular RAF officers.
The walty bit kicks in when people forget the scope & the limits of their role & think there are entitled to more privileges than they are.
At times it kinda runs more like a pirate ships system of governance than a regular military unit.
2 Likes