Taken from social media. 11 years from cadet to OCW. Is he the youngest Wg Cmdr seen in the organisation?
Welcome to Essex Wing’s new Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Jones!
Wg Cmdr Jones had this to say about his time with our organisation.
“I started my RAF Air Cadet journey when I joined 106 (Orsett Hundred) Squadron as a cadet in 2007. In 2014 I finished my cadet career and become a Civilian Instructor. In July 2015 I was Commissioned as an officer at 106 (Orsett Hundred) Squadron.
In 2017 I was appointed as Officer Commanding 1474 (Wickford) Squadron, where I remained until I was appointed as a WSO in 2020. In 2021 I was appointed as East Sector Commander, then in 2022 I was appointed as Deputy Officer Commanding Essex Wing.
I am honoured and excited to undertake my new appointment as Officer Commanding Essex Wing, and I look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of Essex Wing’s dedicate team of staff and cadets.”
So guessing they’re 32/33 based on that post. Pretty impressive!
I really do think OC Wings have far too much to do for someone with a full-time job to do it. As much as we joke about the CoC and all the rest, OC Wing’s really are busy a lot of the time. Perfect for someone who’s retired…
baby faced @AlexCorbin bringing down the HIOW WOs age down to the lowest on the list i see!
in all seriousness - it is interesting to see the outliers.
a Trent Sqn Ldr is only 40 - whereas the youngest average WO across the board is is 41 whereas No3 Welsh the average age of a Sqn Ldr is 62 which is the average-ish for Wg Cdr across the regions
Seems to be a trend recently of younger Wing Commanders quite a lot of the ones seen recently promoted are younger than I would of traditionally expected.
A sign of the times maybe - in a good way
The hard part potentially for him is when his term is over going back to either wing staff or squadron staff. But the nice thing about the cadets of course it’s not all career driven
I’m in 2 minds on this. No doubt he’s done well, and I don’t doubt he’ll be the right person for the job.
That said, I do find my questioning how much life experience someone who’s never really left the cadets has. I also question whether they’d be the right person to spot a problem if they’ve grown and developed as a consequence of that problem (not the best wording, but I think most people here would understand what I mean).
Is that really relevant? You say that like it’s the only aspect to their life.
So would most people who enter the role. If anything, they might be more likely to recognise the problems if they’ve experience them more recently. They’re also less likely to be blinded by “how things used to be”.
if the only thing they really do /done is ATC cadets then you’re just going to have stagnancy & inward looking particularly with a senior leader.
The biggest strength to volunteers is the diverse experiences they bring to the mixing bowl to keep things pushing forward.
The biggest flaw amongst the volunteers is the constant attempt to make things run like it was when we were cadets.
As someone said - the person concern has been through several processes & they have volunteered for the role so you cannot second guess or make assumptions & judgements unless you personally know them.
So question the theoretical on paper but let’s not undermine the individual.
Out of curiosity - what would happen to a wing if no one wanted to take on the Wg Co role? Would be the same actions as if a Sqn couldn’t find a CO?
I’ve no doubt the person is going to be great. Some ‘young’ blood in roles like this is always great to see. And they obviously meet the criteria, having been though the process. Frankly, we need more people that sort of age in WSO and above roles to bring in some fresh ideas.
I just think it is an incredible amount of time commitment for someone who I assume also has a full-time job!
One of the personal issues with younger promotions is ‘what next?’
There aren’t that many Wg Cdr posts and, with posts having fixed terms, it can mean people ‘peak’ early and … then what? It’s a little like cadets getting Gold X when they’re 15; it’s not technically about the age but they now have years of ‘what next?’
Back to Fg Off & deliver the activities in the way you always wanted but were prevented from due to ways of working?
It’s a good thing as it allows the organisation to keep the knowledge & build further development e.g. wing staff development becomes more effective as the former Wg COs can set the actually training development to meet the future needs.
There’s also no reason why a former OC wing who has done a stint back as a Sqn CO can’t apply to do the OC wing role again after a suitable break OR in another wing.
At the end of the day, The rank is just the level of responsibility we have volunteered for - no one is above Fg Off so no issues if peep flit up & Down or even skip ranks
Out of curiosity @dazizian are you planning to continue as a Fg Off when it’s time for you to move on from your current role or will you look for another non Sqn role?
No issues/judgment if not or if you havent decided - just curious
I’m hoping my current role will occupy me for years to come. Ultimately, I’m all about the role, not the rank. E.g. I have never applied for an OC Wg or SSO or RAvnO or OC TDT role, or any Wg Cdr role other than the one I’m now in. I’ve never applied for OC SATT, either (not Wg Cdr, but the point stands: it’s about the role). I didn’t even advocate for my Rgn post to be made up to Wg Cdr.
However, I am unlikely to return to a Sqn for two reasons: I stopped enjoying it and my life doesn’t permit it. I’m rarely in one place and I work a very irregular work pattern, so regular reliable Sqn parade nights aren’t feasible. Even if I could, Sqns don’t offer me the right challenges and I’m a big believer in volunteers needing to get something ‘out’ of the organisation as the more motivated I am, the more likely I am to do right by the cadet. I love what I’m currently doing, so I’m very much invested and motivated, and believe I am most likely to be productive for the cadets. I’m not saying I don’t do ‘it’ for the cadets, but there has to be the right mental stimulation for me, too, or else I won’t enjoy it as much and I won’t be as motivated and I won’t do as good a job for the cadets. Whenever I interviewed new volunteers, I always wanted to hear more than ‘giving back’; as noble a cause as that is, I want volunteers to enjoy what they’re doing too; doing your thang shouldn’t be a chore.
So, it’s really about what opportunities arise in the future and whether they float my boat.
