That is the theoretical position but does not seem to be enforced at the moment, though the intention is to change that. Even so, there may be legitimate reasons why a person may not be able to make their course within a year but I’d suggest that should be approved at Regional level.[/quote]n
My bold - surely policy should be enforced as soon as it is circulated into the system? No wonder they have had to introduce White Tabs to shame people to go to SSIC - the CoC should have the gumption to enforce the policy on those without very good reasons for attending. It might indirectly improve the calibre of the new NCO Cadre’s going through?[/quote]
You can only enforce the policy rigidly if and only if ATF don’t cancel courses. If you are booked on a course and it gets cancelled, I don’t about where you work, but in the modern era holidays are booked a year or more in advance, we booked our holiday next July this April, just so I knew I could get the dates I wanted and not have to start faffing around.
Put this into the context of an OIC or SSIC, you don’t have a clue if or when your appointment will come and therefore you have to work around the gaps left at work. Our policy at work is no more than one with planned leave, some course for a hobby wouldn’t be enough to be an exception. This doesn’t take into account personal stuff, would you really want to be away at ATF if a close family member was “on their last legs”, died or your wife/girlfriend was expecting.
Oh yes and this doesn’t take into account people who work in schools and can’t take term time holiday. A teacher friend of mine took nearly 2 years to get to do their OIC.
The white tabs thing smacks of a temper tantrum by people in charge who are clueless about the reality of the volunteer staff in the ATC. What propotion of newly appointed SNCO and Officers fail to attend withing 12 months?[/quote]
In my experience, ATF generally cancel courses through lack of take up (from ACO Staff) or if something happens to one of the Directing Staff at ATF last minute and hence cannot deliver.
In the instance where a person has been bounced off a course which then jeopardises their timing out through rigid enforcement of the rules, then this is where the discretion of the respective Regional Commandant would be applied.
I work in the modern era, but don’t have to book my holidays in advance - perk of the being climbing the ladder I suppose.
I don’t accept “you don’t have a clue” when you’re going on course because its all on the system now (names and dates on a spreadsheet and everything)- I don’t know what era you’re referring to? This counter balances the other points you put forward. As for Real Life getting in the way of attending, then the Regional Commandants discretion would apply here also.
As for your Teacher Friend (presumably ATC not CCF) taking nearly 2 years - I am surprised. ATF are pretty good at running courses during School Holiday’s, because get this, there are a number of CCF Officers who also have the same issue. What are the chances?
All this is only as hard as people want to make it - tightening up on the rules and regs will not make things any harder IMO.
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