I have thought some more (real busy today so far)
maybe we need to take a step back and look at the entire uniformed staff process.
we all know staff who did the minimum to get into uniform and it turns out that they are total and only interested in the uniform.
Using Gunners idea instead of age groups maybe stages, stage 1 can commence at 18 yo.
Stage 1 LAC (RAFAC)
Stage 2 SAC (RAFAC)
Stage 3 either NCO or commission
Stage 1 and 2 should take a year or more dependant on commitment and the person should be learning about being staff, get some AT/Shooting qualifications and get used to being a staff member taking “supervised” responsibility. Finally they are assed and maybe helped into the right branch (SNCO/ Commission). hopefully by the end of the 2 stages, the staff that are left are willing to take responsibility and be a part of the organisation rather than a wannabe RAF officer who likes to ponce about!
Accommodation at RAF stations could be an issue as there isn’t any sufficient space for Cadets, so during this training period they don’t go to main blue camps.
The other issue I would see is VA, would this be the start of HQAC’s master plan of everyone gets a set allowance per day regardless of rank and responsibility or do they introduce a new VA grade but will that take money away from where its needed??