In my area we have to do other bits too in addition to the camps, from memory this includes delivery of specialist training (e.g. radios, SAA, AT). I assumed this was standard?
Yes that’s standard. There is a matrix.
Matrix 
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There is certainly some variation between wings when to comes to applying the criteria in the matrix, and even more so when it comes to considering the individual beyond just the criteria. But in general, as a Corps we get it super EASY compared to our colleagues in the other CF.
Don’t know much about the dark side…
I do notice that the ACF have a lot more nco’s and a lot less officers than we do.
Conversely, I don’t know as much about the other officers.
But if you pick at random a RAFAC FS or WO, it’s pretty much pot luck whether you get someone who really knows their stuff, or someone who is basically still operating at the level of a mediocre Sgt, but who just happens to have been on a camp once or twice and has been promoted as a “reward” for nothing in particular.
If you pick any SCC CPO they’ve not only had to achieve and maintain currency in an instructor level qualification (and be actively using it) but they’ve also had to pass a pretty tough selection course.
For their WO2 and WO1s they’ve each been selected as the single best candidate from the crop who applied for that post.
The ACF are similar.
It does kind of make a bit of a mockery of our system. I’ve met a lot of pretty mediocre FS and WOs in our organisation… Nice people, but nothing special about them ‘professionally’ to speak of.
I’ve met a lot of SCC CPOs and WOs too, but I’ve yet to meet one who wasn’t a well-qualified, knowledgeable expert in their field.
When we invariably compare notes on our orgs I try to avoid giving too much away about our system because, frankly, it’s a bit embarrassing.
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Hoping the new snco promotion matrix and fabled WO course resolves some of it…
But in recent years it has felt that some promotions are given out
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From speaking to others who were in the ACF, initial appointment was tough and involved a lot of work. Not sure about promotion though.
I agree, the criteria should be reviewed as there are a lot of staff who are coasting but it should be ensured it’s fair. Not every has the time or interest in going shooting every month.
Quotating myself but has anyone got an answer to this? I’m inclined to say not really much difference, just they’ve achieved the matrix and may have some more time in the org.
I’d agree… makes the promotion a little pointless really, other than for VA.
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The time allow, everyone should have the interest, it’s cool 
Pretty much. Either 2 years as a Plt Off, or a minimum of 4 years as an NCO (to achieve FS) before commissioning. There’s nothing specific attached to Fg Off.
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I am a firm believer in Rank for the position
Plt Off and Fg Off are really just junior Sqn Officers with a distinction for time/experience with Flt Lt for OC
SNCO should be same - SGT and FS are Sqn SNCOs with a distinction for time/experience.
Now for the controversial bit…
We have too many WOs and like Officers WOs should only be for OC or suitable appointments and people should revert to FS on moving back to a Sqn role (ex regular serving WOs excluded - they have a Royal Warrant and have earned it)
Kevlar donned…
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I agree with what you say but with two further caveats.
The first is that Flt Lt is also time-served (9yrs, I believe) so once that has been achieved, officers who relinquish command of a Sqn should retain that rank.
Secondly, if a Sqn Ldr steps down from Wg Staff, they should be posted back to a Sqn as a Flt Lt.
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This was the case when we were VRT with Flt Lt (unpaid) as a time served entitlement following 9 years as a Fg Off
This was removed with the shift to CFC so long term anyone at Flt Lt + will be because they occupy a rank established post.
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I don’t think that’s as controversial as you fear and in fact that’s pretty much what is likely to happen.
We are currently the only cadet force who promote anyone to WO without there being a specific post.
With the greater recognition that the RAF has given to our WOs in particular recently, it will become important that we improve upon the standards in the future. We cannot allow the Corps to become littered with mediocre WOs who hold the rank for the sake of it. The whole point of having a rank structure is to put the right people into command of others.
Sgt is the basic squadron role. A FS should generally be better than the sergeants in their field of expertise and should be filling the additional responsibility worthy of the additional rank.
That shouldn’t be as simple as saying FS goes to those doing Wing stuff. There are plenty of roles assisting on Sector or Wing courses which don’t warrant promotion to FS.
For example, you could have a Sgt delivering some training on a Cadet NCO course… That’s still a Sgt level role.
But, if you’ve got someone who is responsible for organising and running the Cdt NCO courses subordinate to the Wg WO/Wg Training Officer - that would be a FS level role.
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I never understood why they made that change when the CFC came in. It’s not as if Flt Lt (Acting, Unpaid) costs them anything. It’s caused more resentment among officers than the CFC itself, from what I’ve seen.
OC is a tough job. Let people keep the rank. If they want to be picky say you have to have held the post for a reasonable amount of time. Maybe 3 years.
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This.
Plus WO seems to be a time served
Promotion in some areas. It’s inconsistent that WOs don’t have to be in a ranked appointment but Flt Lts do.
I’d be all for reserving WO as a rank for Wg SMEs roles or Sqn IOCs. I can see a role for Sector WO potentially, especially as a mentor to young Adult Sgts.
I think that the Sector ‘WO’ role can be very much rank-ranging. We’ve had Sgt, FS and WO filling the posts at various times over the past several years. Whilst I think a minimum of FS is helpful to the incumbent (for reasons of mentoring and authority when needed) it doesn’t ‘require’ being a WO to make it work.
Because they are all secondary roles in addition to Sqn duties the responsibility and level of involvement has to be balanced for each individual. One might have an incumbent who is working at a lower level than another.
That being said, the SCC and ACF both have similar equivalents to Sector WOs at WO2 rank, so it wouldn’t be without precedent.
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