[quote=“Perry Mason” post=8910]Nice lively bit of debate! I like that!
My point of view (and it will undoubtedly differ from VGS to VGS) is that FSCs are seen by the VGS as their “property”. Any push for those cadets to attend non VGS activities (however occasional) are met with “flying takes priority blah blah blah”.
But I think this is a little short sighted.
Surely cadets get the best “experience” by taking part in ALL the ATC has to offer, and not just 1 area to the detriment of all else?
Given the abject lack of flying jobs (not just in the RAF but in the civil world too) just focusing on being a stick monkey is very narrow, and cadets are likely to get better life experience by taking some part in the non VGS activities on offer?
There is also a habit (which will of course differ from cadet to cadet) of some FSCs getting the opinion that they are somehow better than other cadets because they help out on a VGS (remember issues with JLs… same thing, different flavour). Might help VGSs if they addressed that issue and became a little more co-operative in nature, rather than insular and appearing to self serve, when that is probably not the case for most.[/quote]
It’s called freedom of choice. If the cadet is pulling out the “flying takes precedence card” it’s probably because there’s something else that they’d rather do and they’re entitled to do it. If you’re a squadron commander and you don’t want the cadet to be pulled away from your squadron by the lure of free flying every weekend, have the courage of your convictions, be a good little dictator and don’t endorse the FSC application form when it crosses your desk. Simples. Don’t complain about it on the internet instead.
I can’t think of a single instance where a FSC was told by a VGS CO that they cannot attend a course or activity because they were NEEDED on the Sqn that day. In my cadet experience, most of us, as we became more senior chose to specialise in certain areas. Some people were AT monsters, others enjoyed turning lead into brass, others became band geeks. Etc. Etc. Some even became drill fetishists for whatever reason. Let them all crack on, I say.
As for the lack of career opportunities, do you mean to suggest they shouldn’t even try? I’d argue the contrary. If they have a talent for flying, they should be encouraged to develop it. (As an aside I’d like to hear a case to be made where winning a Cadet 100 or being able to walk in a straight line while banging a drum is considered a greater transferable skill.) Ceteris parabus, the FSC who walks into an interview room at OASC or BA Waterfront is going to have a considerable leg up over the guy or girl who didn’t bother joining the air cadets or the one who hadn’t flown after their GS. Being selected and serving as an FSC shows that someone else has recognised a talent, it shows that they can work in a team and that they can work harder and to a higher standard than most of their peer group. If FSC get the impression that they’re better than their fellow cadets, then the number show that- when it comes to flying at least- they are. In a wing of around 800 cadets, in any given year, 40 of them will be awarded a GS. Of those, 2 will be selected for AGT1. Besides, their arrogance tends to be held firmly in check on the VGS where they are very much at the bottom of the food chain.
With the old RAF flying scholarships gone, air cadet gliding is the only thing left in this country where young people can develop their flying abilities to a meaningful degree without being subsidised by the bank of Mum & Dad.