Can anyone point me to the rules on an SI commanding a Sqn - allowed or not?
Thanks
It poses problems for HQAC as SIs are not recorded on Universe, only locally on SMS (no idea why, I think we need to fix this process with the new system but there canāt receive any allowances from us so I assume that is the reason)
This means the SI can be allocated as the OC on the system.
is there anything in the JSPs? I know a SI Sgt cant become a RAFAC Sgtā¦ive asked that question before but its not our regs its the RAF.
This would be an RAF Officer as Sqn OCā¦cant find anything at the moment
This sounds like a Wexo Q
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All i can find is this:
In accordance with Reference B, Regular Armed Forces personnel may not be enrolled as CFAV, although they may help at cadet units as āService Instructorsā.
There seems to be nothing else other than that. At the back of my mind i do remember something about SIās not being allowed to hold ācommand appointmentsā at Sqn/Wing/Region levels as it would cause a conflict with the requirements as a serving officer. But i cannot remember if i was told this (and it was rubbish) or if i read it somewhere.
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Regardless of how qualified they may be, I can see reasons why they canāt be OC, for example if they are deployed at short notice.
Iāve seen many positions held by regular and reserve staff in my wing and region.
Those persons have made the appointment work very well.
Would be something asking your WExO, but I donāt see why it canāt be done.
What constitutes a ācommand appointmentā? I know of a few cases where SIs currently hold Wing and Region appointments
Why is that any difference to a Sqn OC who is RAFAC leaving / going NEP with no notice? This is not unusualā¦
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I beg to differ there, they can be trawled at a moments notice.
I know of RAFAC OCs phone up WHQs and say āI resign as of now - go find someone else to run my unit - Iāll drop my uniform off at WHQ tomorrowā
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Iāve know a RAF Hofficer and RAF NCO taking up the position; down to no suitable candidate at squadron or in local area to cover.
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although that could happen, it wouldnāt be as predictable as Service personnel who are known by default to be deployable in minimal notice.
On a previous unit we had 3 SIs over a series of years but their attendance was so infrequent due to deployments (anything from a week else in the UK, to a month in USA to months in sandy places) and night flying duties that the we never knew what to do with themā¦
if an SI feels that they have the predictable work pattern to commit then great, and as an OC? well that is perfect, but if it isnāt a deployment there is always a transfer, a new tour, or something which could occur.
Gordon Moulds stint as CAC was cut short because of a greater opportunity for himā¦
It can be done, I know of an RAF Officer that was OC of a Squadron. He held the position for about a year before retiring from the RAF and moving away from the area.
Iāve known an SI be both a Sector Commander and a Squadron Commander over the years.
No itās not impossible, but often more predictable and generally not at last minute notice.
Yes, they are allowed to be Sqn Cdrs. Regional Commandantās recommendation/justification and approval by HQRAFAC I believe.
I donāt think they can as we had a sqn leader as an si but a flt lt as an oc
Thatās not the same thing - you can have an SI as an OC (as you can a CI) if you a) donāt have an RAFAC officer to be OC, and the SI volunteers to be an OC.
An OCās authority derives from their appointment as OC, not from them having (or not having) a greater rank than anyone else on the unit - I was an SI on two Sqnās while a higher rank (both acting or substantive) than the OC, but the OC was the boss.
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