This has been an extremely interesting thread and some very good points came out of it.
However, can I comment on an incident in my old Sqn where a very good, dedicated and helpful CI was forced out of the Sqn simply because of a clash of personalities with another member (one who was very established in the Sqn). The Sqn was very set in its ways and despite the CI trying desperately to modernise the elements he was put in charge of, he was constantly back-stabbed by the other member of staff. Following another incident, he had had enough and resigned. Thankfully, the ACO did not lose him and he is now at another Sqn within the Wing.
Now I appreciate this isn’t exactly part of this thread (please bear with me Moderators) but one thing it does point out is that the sanctions have to work both ways. It isn’t necessarily someone upsetting the Sqn, but the Sqn upsetting the individual. Sanctions should be a two-way thing!!
What RS refers to, personality clash, and I’d include difference of opinion as well, is, probably, the single biggest reason staff become ‘disruptive’ and this affects everywhere people volunteer. My experience of the RBL, RAFA and village groups, as well as the ATC would suggest either they grumble and carry on or leave, rather than sit there becoming a nuisance. You are there of your own volition, so if you’re not enjoying it why hang around.
Not being effective can be a symptom of the above. This is why, imho we should seek why people aren’t enjoying their time, rather than getting all rule book, which have been established, in this thread, as being up there with a proverbial usefulness of the motorcycle fag waste receptacle.
How would you justify taking any action to remove as some seemingly seem to actively advocate, who just doesn’t get on with one or two? Take this route and I doubt many of us would have lasted more than a couple of years, as I can’t think of a time when I’ve not had at least one person that I’ve not seen eye to eye with and it has resulted in ‘grumblings’. I suppose ostensibly being blokes we don’t dwell on it or at least I don’t.
Though it seems to be the collective opinion that they are ineffective. However, has anyone ousted a disruptive/useless staff member at all?
If we’ve tried everything, but all we get is shaky attendance / incompetent tutoring / crowding the office with coffee and chatting / poor role models / lack of effort in understanding young people / all of these, then the rule book should help us.
We don’t manage performance in the ATC, so there is little chance of that rule book working.
We’ve binned a CI before due to various issues. Our then boss explained he no longer felt able to trust him as a staff member and gave him the option of leaving the squadron or being forced out. He resigned.