RAAF 100 years

[MickG0105]

Originally Posted by Flyer517

So a question to those who have served...

From his video on the RAAF's Youtube channel below, it would seem that Peter Overton joined in the not too distant past. He also seems to be doing voiceovers for some of their videos so they're probably employing his present career skills rather than him holding a tool or flying.

Would it be normal to go from joining to the rank of Wing Commander very quickly through talent, or is it possible to get direct entry at a more senior rank given he could bring skills and a public profile to the service? If it's the latter, is this normal?

Overton is a Specialist Reserve Officer. They can be appointed at pretty much any rank deemed to be warranted by their specialist skill set or qualifications. The Specialist Reserve is there to accommodate medical specialists such as surgeons, legal specialists such as barristers and judges and callings such as Chaplain but I know that it's also used by the Media and Public Relations areas as well.

Wing Commander (Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, Commander in the Navy) is the middle ranking Senior Officer's rank (above Squadron Leader, below Group Captain). In a non-flying branch it took me nine years to get to Squadron Leader; Wing Commander would have been at least another six years away after that. Flying squadrons are usually commanded by a Wing Commander so it's certainly up there in terms of status.

I couldn't say whether Overton was appointed to that rank on joining or promoted after joining five or so years ago as say a Squadron Leader.