My wing currently has a Sector Commander vacancy that I’m considering applying for, if I’m successful it looks like it would dovetail into an OC role for a minimum of a 2 year period for transition unless some miraculous Officer appears to take over.
In considering this what to people want/need from their sector commander?
I’m personally an OC that prefers a light touch as I consider myself competent and self sufficient until I have issues to raise.
Do it.
My sector commander was a light touch commander and that was fine for me.
Be available when needed, be concise when consulted for help and know what is your gift to give and what needs to go up the chain.
Havent you just become a Sqn OC…? Whats the rush?
This reads as not wanting to relinquish command.
Again… whats the rush.
Im guessing your quite young… what are you going to do once youve been sector cdr for 8 years, then presumably in your mind wg cdr for 8.
Youll still only be what… early 40s?
I want someone that has good communication, actually stands up for me and my squadron, enthuses us, coordinates activities and opportunities between sqns. Someone willing to challenge the authority and not just be a yes person to those above them.
Absolutely this.
Based on correspondence received this week i feel like I’m losing what little respect i had for the CoC…having to chase items i don’t feel i should be chasing only to be brushed off with a weak answer i do feel a Sector Commander should remember what its like to be an OC and react accordingly not just hit forward to requests from Wing without questioning it first
I want what he said.
“This was commented on but I [batted it away/countered with this/gave this counter argument/backed you on it]”
…is so refreshing in a sea of “I’ve been told to tell you…” Or “the wing commander didn’t like this”
Effective and worthwhile comms, filter and push back the guff, be interested without being nosy, be there for support when requested, offer support and “rebriefing” if necessary constructively and collaboratively, bring a value offering, be willing to be involved in supporting delivery. Empathise and remember what it’s like on a unit.
As much as we bemoan proliferation of off-unit, wing roles, if the Sqn can handle it I’m all for good, useful people getting to wsc. A good wsc can lift a bad unit CDR while boosting better units, while a bad wsc holds no value to anyone.
Out of the 2 wings ive been in, the better WSCs have been a real advocate to the OCs with bravery to hold their fellow senior wing bods to account.
The problem is across the org this role has been wattered down/tarnished due to it become a natural space filler with the wrong person.
I suspect there is no rush; but good people get bored when running a unit becomes routine.
Supporting the sqns is the job of a sector commander. Will take you away from the coal face a little but as long as you take the lessons from your experience as an OC and do your best to solve them then thats all that is required.
I did it for a few years for 2 different sectors. Good bits: supporting struggling squadrons as you can get involved and make a difference. I used to do MOIs and there’s the staff interview side. Ran some parade night activities so that sqn staff could have a night off. Having more of a say at Wing level was good, especially as our wing was very male dominated.
Bad bits: frustration of not being able to help with everything. You are a sounding board but that can be quite a burden as you can’t always remedy problems.
Ultimately, I went back to a squadron as I felt I was more suited (and wing decided that 2 sector commanders would be a great idea).
Could you deputise or just change squadron for a bit of variety?
If not, go for it and best of luck.
I totally agree with everything that’s been said and, to be honest it’s something I would consider doing when (and if) I get to those heady heights…
A Sector Commander should be an “at arm’s length” type, there when the OC needs/wants them but not in their back pocket. We all know that the OC has a difficult enough job as it is, and a good Sector Commander should be able to judge when to offer to assist and when to let them get on with it.
My new SC is very much into the collaboration concept, with each of the units under their command doing their best to join forces as often as possible. This is a shift change from the previous incumbent and life in the Sector is certainly going in the right direction.
I can only echo everyone else…if you think you can make a difference, and can offer something different, go for it. Good luck @themajor and keep us posted on what happens!
Experience of Sector Officers in my area has been… Non-existent. They’re there, but haven’t heard from ours since…
…ever.
So if you can do better than that (and, accordingly, prove why they’re necessary) then crack on.
From chatting to my Sector Commander recently, my impression was that much of their time was spent on investigations for discipline and safeguarding. They’re also fire fighting to fill gaps for OC slots, but without any candidates, and trying to influence upwards to improve unhelpful policies and behaviours, which is often frustrating and only occasionally successful.
I can see that the successes in the SC role could be very satisfying - finding a good candidate for Sqn OC or helping someone pass their NCO board. The rest of the role does not sound appealing though, but good luck if you decide to apply.
Presence. Availability. Understanding. Realism. Pragmatism. Leadership. Effectivity. Humility. Tranquillity?
Def worth keeping a grounding on a Sqn as a SCTR CDR. You’ll see comms that bypass the WSC groups, you’ll understand the policy impacts at the coalface, you’ll not lose your “home” / you’ll keep that which is most important in the sharpest focus.
Only time I saw my sector commander in a whole year was when I said I wanted to step away from OC and could they help with an orderly transition to a successor. Next time I heard from them was 3 months later when I forced the issue by emailing my NEP form to him.
Try to be better than this.
A consistent work ethic in spite of how highly an individual may be elevated is key I feel.