That’s true and this was inevitably going to happen at some point. We’re bound to see rolling regional lockdowns if and when we return but at least the SCC have got something going.
which bit is disappointing - the fact the SCC are out and about despite the need to socially distance
or we have nothing until October
BTW - where have you heard October? all i have seen is nothing before 31st August…have I missed a rumour somewhere?
I think this is a case of where the SCC don’t fall under MOD so can do what they like, I assume they are following the NYA guidance.
I understand we are waiting for the GO from MOD so that we can resume outdoor activities such as trekking with cadets or WHTs for staff
Assuming RFCA hit their deadline, few days to get the message you can go in, then whatever staff actions are required on site, plan your activities around whatever adjustments you make, few days for request to open to rattle around the system…
In there somewhere is likely “wait for supplies to arrive from WHQ”.
This bit.
My Wing have said staff can return in September to get back up to date with mandatory training and accustomed to how squadrons will operate but to plan for an October return for the cadets.
I’m guessing this is a Wing/Regional policy in that case. To be fair the restrictions here have been stricter than in England so wouldn’t surprise me if we were slower returning anyway.
how are you managing this given weapons are at RAF Station armouries?
Our Wg Shooting Officer indicated that the RAF have told him not to expect CFAVs to be allowed on Station until 2021 - even to pick up weapons.
anyone know what the deadline is?
as far as I am concerned your faster than anything I have heard.
In terms of what I have received it is still no F2F before 31st Aug
there is no automatic assumption its a green light from 1st September and still to find our what date HQAC/WHQ is even targetting let alone working towards…
It seems based on the return criteria and then keeping a degree of equality across the Wing, while taking out pressure of an “asap at all costs” . As a Sqn we’re targeting October.
RFCA have been given to the 1st September for buildings to be inspected and I believe have already begun. Think it was in the Cmdt’s update a few weeks ago?
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November 2021 then. And over budget. And not inspected properly… But close enough for government work. 
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My Parent Station Armoury was happy to welcome 2 of us in to allow us to conduct WHTs, our RC didn’t sign off on it as there is a suspension of F2F Activity currently, which was fair enough.
Our WEXO is visiting the stores today to collect any uniform orders that have built up since March so that they can be distributed alongside the cleaning equipment.
RFCA Deadline is to hand over all buildings by 1 Sep. Our WEXO has been advised all of our wing has been completed and they are awaiting the certification to support this before allowing access
CAC Update on Social Media shows he is very hopefully of volunteer training resuming soon.
PMs update might have just put the breaks on that though.
…in England.
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WHTs will be a sod to do, getting the weapons and then someone cleaning them so they’re OK for the next person to use, not to mention doing it all from a distance. Seems to be a lot of faff for something that has such a short shelf life and unless it’s used almost immediately is a pointless exercise as countless cadets and staff have found over the past few years.
I think someone said September in March, but at the time no one knew how it would go and now as it appears with Leicester and the area mentioned today and the possibility of delays for more things to be able to open, it’s not going to be as simple as it was probably considered in March. I must admit the devil in me is enjoying the idea of local lockdowns, as you can see one area being affected and then just as they are cleared an adjacent area affected, it has a very comedic element. But I now think the govt will take the toughest measures at the merest hint of a problem, given how much flak they’ve taken from the media using their 20/20 hindsight, for not locking down in the middle of Feb/beginning of March. So if we get more Leicester & Manchester scenarios, October, as we get close to a new flu season, will be an interesting period to try and get a hobby like us up and running again. If only we didn’t have to mess around with TOPL we could be outside away from the hut with lots of space between just like the kids I’ve seen football training on Saturday mornings the last few weeks.
Oh the irony that the SCC can do things, potentially as the MOD don’t have their dabs all over them. Wonder if we’d be in the same “boat” without the MOD?
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I don’t know if this is corps wide but my region have removed the TOPL requirement for groups of 15 or less doing AT. So even that isn’t really a hurdle with small enough groups.
My issue is I’d been waiting for months before lockdown for an AFA course to revalidate my AT quals so still won’t be able to go straight back into it when we return anyway.
Don’t let that be a blocker. There are plenty running up and down the country. A 16 hour outdoor first aid / REC 2 course will cost you about £60-120 depending on where you are and how last minute the place is. Get your CivCom to fund it on the basis it will be a super quick win for the squadron as soon as F2F is authorised.
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We have already seen a start to building inspections in my Wing, although seems this more problematic for the joint Cadet centres.
I suspect there will be a few units resume earlyish in September, but I would wager most in our Wing will resume between mid September and early October.
A little frustrating as my building is a JCC, and with our present low numbers a resumption will be a fairly straightforward affair.
That’s a good point, will have to look into it. Though suspect my OC will be more of a blocker than the CivCom…
It’s really simple actually… Wear gloves while handling the rifle, which means it won’t need cleaning between users.
It’s a 6 month shelf life, so not really that short, we’ve had a suspension of Face to Face for less time so far.
I’m confident that I would be able to book the range at our parent station to run a range day for staff currency/competency with 2 weeks notice. We might have work round some potential blockers with the station armoury being staffed, but they always have duty staff so in theory should be fine.
Don’t let that be a blocker either. Go straight to CivCom chair - we need to properly reengage cadets from the get go. AT fosters so much of what we do and is a great way of rebuilding a squadron without relying on the RAF to prop things up.
Also speak to your WATTO and WgFA. They maybe able to sign post you to other courses and/or funding streams. Or arrange a bespoke course through an external provider with just CFAVs on it… All arranged privately of course…
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Waaaattttyt, I’m looking at reopening the Sqn within weeks.
all authorised etc